Patient interface device for ophthalmic surgical laser system employing a cap for lens cone handling

A cap for use with a lens cone of a patient interface device for coupling a patient's eye to an ophthalmic surgical laser system, wherein the lens cone has a frustoconical shaped shell configured to be coupled to the ophthalmic surgical laser system, the cap comprising:

• a cylindrical shaped upper portion;
• a cylindrical shaped lower portion, having an outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of the upper portion;
• and
• a plurality of longitudinal ribs formed on an exterior surface of the lower portion and distributed along its circumference;
• wherein the lens cone is partially embedded inside the cap, and
• wherein the shell of the lens cone includes a plurality of first snap features on its exterior, and the cap includes a plurality of second snap features on its interior, wherein the first snap features and the second snap features engage with each other to attach the lens cone and the cap to each other, and wherein the first snap features and the second snap features are configured to disengage from each other in response to a separation force to separate the lens cone and the cap.

A patient interface device assembly for coupling a patient's eye to an ophthalmic surgical laser system, comprising:

• a lens cone configured to be coupled to the ophthalmic surgical laser system, including a frustoconical shaped shell;
• a suction ring, including a gripper defining a receiving opening configured to receive a portion of the lens cone, and a ring shaped flexible skirt joined to the gripper and concentric with the receiving opening, wherein the flexible skirt is configured to be coupled to the patient's eye;
• and
• a cap, having a lower portion with a cylindrical exterior shape, and a plurality of longitudinal ribs formed on an exterior surface of the lower portion and distributed along its circumference,
• wherein in an configuration supplied to a user, the lens cone is partially embedded inside the cap, and
• wherein the shell of the lens cone includes a plurality of first snap features on its exterior, and the cap includes a plurality of second snap features on its interior, wherein the first snap features and the second snap features engage with each other to attach the lens cone and the cap to each other in the supplied configuration, and wherein the first snap features and the second snap features are configured to disengage from each other in response to a separation force to separate the lens cone and the cap.