Weight-Compensating Suspension for Laser Focusing Objective
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser devices face challenges in weight compensation of focusing lenses, particularly during surgical interventions where direct contact with living tissue is required, as the weight of the focusing lenses can cause undue stress and movement of the tissue if not properly managed.
Innovation Solution
A weight-compensating movable suspension system for the focusing objective, comprising a force-generating counterweight arrangement, a rocker-based transmission mechanism, and a linear guide arrangement, which allows for precise up/down movement of the focusing lens while maintaining the optical axis's spatial orientation and position, using a counterweight and spring-elastic elements in combination to achieve constant counterforce and adjustable force-displacement characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a heavy focusing lens is used to achieve precise focusing, then the focusing precision is improved, but the weight on the treated tissue increases causing stress and unwanted movement
Solution Approach 1:
A counterweight arrangement is provided that generates a counterforce component counteracting the weight of the focusing lens. The counterweight arrangement can consist of a single counterweight or several individual weights that can be used in a variable number and/or in a variable relative position to one another, enabling precise taring of the weight compensation.
2Weight of moving object
If the focusing lens is allowed to move for weight compensation, then the weight stress on tissue is reduced, but the optical axis may tilt during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system is divided into separate functional components: a force-generating arrangement for weight compensation, a transmission arrangement for movement, and a guide arrangement for maintaining optical axis stability. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with the others.
Solution Approach 2:
A guide arrangement acts as an intermediary between the movable focusing lens and the fixed housing, constraining the lens movement to vertical translation only and preventing tilting of the optical axis during weight-compensated movement.
3Device complexity
If spring-elastic elements are used for weight compensation, then the force generation is simplified, but the effective force becomes path-dependent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prefers using a counterweight arrangement over spring-elastic elements because counterweights provide a constant gravitational force that is independent of the path or position, ensuring reliable and consistent force generation throughout the range of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The counterweight arrangement creates a gravitational field where the potential energy change is directly proportional to the vertical displacement, providing a consistent and predictable force relationship that is not path-dependent, unlike spring systems where force varies with deformation state.
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 effectively reduces the force exerted on the tissue to a few Newtons, enabling gentle movement of the focusing lens without tilting the optical axis, ensuring precise and safe operation during surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The force-generating arrangement includes a counterweight arrangement, the mass of which is used to generate at least part, in particular the entire counterforce component
Implementation Method 2
it is conceivable to combine one or more spring-elastic elements with a counterweight arrangement
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for the weight-compensating movable suspension of a focussing objective (12) of a laser device (10) comprises a force generating arrangement for generating a counterforce component (G) counteracting the weight force of the focussing objective (12), a transmitting arrangement that transmits the counterforce component (G) to the focussing objective (12) and as an up/down compensation movement of the focussing objective, and a guide arrangement for movably guiding the focussing objective, in such a way that during an up/down compensation movement of the focussing objective (12) an optical axis (O) thereof maintains at least its spatial orientation and preferably its spatial position.