Wide-angle endoilluminator with side openings for broader eye illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ophthalmic endoilluminators provide limited illumination angles, making it difficult for surgeons to adequately illuminate wider areas within the eye during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A wide-angle endoilluminator design featuring a probe with side openings that allow light from an optical fiber to be emitted from both the distal end and sides, increasing the beam diameter and providing broader illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional endoilluminator design with single distal opening is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but illumination angle and beam diameter are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The probe structure is segmented into multiple opening locations: a distal end opening and one or more side openings. This segmentation allows light to be emitted from multiple spatial locations, thereby increasing the illumination angle and beam diameter without requiring a completely complex redesign of the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-point light emission (distal end only) to multi-point light emission by adding side openings. This dimensional change in light emission geometry expands the illumination coverage area and increases the effective beam diameter while maintaining relative structural simplicity.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple side openings are added to the probe, then broader illumination coverage is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The probe is divided into multiple opening segments (distal end opening and side openings) that can be independently positioned and sized. This segmentation allows for optimized illumination coverage while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process, as each opening can be created using standard fabrication techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, defines multiple light emission pathways, and enables both focused (distal) and wide-angle (side) illumination. This multi-functionality is achieved through a relatively simple modified probe design that does not require complex additional components.
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
Enhances surgical visibility by providing a larger, more comprehensive light beam, allowing surgeons to better illuminate the vitreous and retina regions during ophthalmic surgeries.
Implementation Method 1
an endoilluminator includes a handpiece coupled to a shaft or probe configured to be inserted into the eye through an insertion cannula. In some cases, the endoilluminator includes a fiber optic element within a bore of the probe. By driving a proximal end of the fiber optic element with a suitable light source, light emitted from a distal end of the fiber illuminates a desired portion of the eye
Data Source
AI summary
Certain embodiments describe an endoilluminator comprising a probe housing an optical fiber. The probe comprises a distal end with an opening through which a first light from a distal end of the optical fiber is configured to be propagated. The probe comprises one or more side openings through which a second light from one or more sides of the optical fiber is configured to be propagated. The endoilluminator also comprises a handpiece coupled to a light source and the proximal end of the probe, wherein the light source is configured to drive light into the optical fiber.