Variable-Wedge Rotating-Disk Attenuator for Uniform Ophthalmic Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmic illuminators face challenges in varying light intensity without causing angular non-uniformities or reducing the diameter of the light beam, leading to suboptimal intraocular illumination during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
The use of a variable-wedge rotating-disk attenuator, which adjusts the angle of a rotating wedge to control light intensity, ensuring consistent beam diameter and quality by occluding light rapidly enough to avoid visible striations, integrated with a collimating and condensing lens system for precise light delivery through an optical fiber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If mechanical louvers are used to vary light intensity, then light intensity can be adjusted, but angular non-uniformities and beam diameter reduction occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical louvers with a liquid crystal-based optical system. The liquid crystal layer can be electrically controlled to vary light intensity without mechanical moving parts, eliminating the angular non-uniformities and beam diameter reduction caused by mechanical louvers while maintaining beam quality and uniformity.
2Illumination intensity
If neutral density filters are used to block light, then light intensity is reduced, but the filters heat up and crack
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces neutral density filters with a liquid crystal-based optical system that controls light intensity through electrical fields rather than physical light blocking. This eliminates the heating and cracking problems of neutral density filters while maintaining reliable operation and extending system durability.
3Illumination intensity
If mechanical variable aperture mechanisms are used, then light intensity can be controlled, but beam diameter is reduced and non-uniformities are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical variable aperture mechanisms with a liquid crystal-based optical system that controls light intensity without physical aperture changes. This maintains constant beam diameter and eliminates the non-uniformities introduced by mechanical aperture adjustments while providing precise intensity control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides a high-quality, uniformly illuminated light beam that can be adjusted from minimal to maximum intensity without distorting the beam, enhancing the quality of intraocular illumination during ophthalmic surgeries.
Implementation Method 1
The attenuator is a variable-wedge rotating-disk attenuator for attenuating the light reflected from the cold mirror
Implementation Method 2
The collimating lens collimates the light produced by the light source
Implementation Method 3
The condensing lens focuses the attenuated light
Implementation Method 4
The cold mirror reflects a portion of the collimated light
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmic endoilluminator includes a light source, a variable-wedge rotating-disk attenuator, a condensing lens, and an optical fiber. The variable-wedge rotating-disk attenuator attenuates the light produced by the light source. The variable-wedge rotating-disk attenuator includes a wedge capable of being adjusted over a variable angle as measured through an arc of the wedge and an axle to which the wedge is attached. The axle rotates such that the wedge rotates around a pivot defined by the axle. The condensing lens focuses the attenuated light. The optical fiber carries the focused light into an eye. The variable-wedge rotating-disk attenuator is located such that it affects the intensity of a light beam transmitted into an eye.