Optical hazard avoidance device and method

Abstract

A source providing a nominal hazard that could cause ocular damage within a given range from the source, such as a first laser, is mitigated by an optical hazard avoidance device, such as a second laser, that stimulates voluntary, involuntary, or both voluntary and involuntary responses, either physiological or behavioral or both physiological and behavioral, within one or more hazard zones, such as by inducing gaze aversion within the viewer. The optical hazard avoidance device may include one or more interlocking devices or other devices for interrupting the firing of the source. For example, a visible laser beam induces gaze aversion, pupil contraction or a combination of gaze aversion and pupil contraction, reducing the dose rate or exposure of the ocular tissue to damaging radiation from a primary source, which may be combined with a motion sensor or human face detection device. In one example, the primary source is a UV Raman detector and the visible laser beam is selected to induce gaze aversion.

Description

technical field [0001] This field relates to devices for preventing or mitigating optical damage to the cornea and retina through exposure to optical hazards such as laser beams. Background technique [0002] ANSI Z136.1-2007 discloses known and accepted methods for preventing and mitigating laser hazards to vision. The cornea and retina of humans and animals are particularly susceptible to damage from laser light sources having frequencies with visible and invisible wavelengths. In some cases, an invisible laser beam is more dangerous than a laser beam in the visible range, a person or animal cannot see the beam and know how to react to avoid harm. A visible beam of sufficient intensity can still cause damage if the person does not avert the eye or blink, but if the person stares at the beam without knowing it is there, the person will be exposed to an invisible beam causing damage for a longer period of time. [0003] In practice, engineering and safety controls prevent ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

While this disclosure teaches voluntary response to the stimulus, the pre-flash causes the eye to be exposed to the flash rather than avoided

[0010] No known method for preventing or mitigating optical hazard damage uses stimulated physiological responses induced by a second laser or other optical hazard avoidance device to avoid or mitigate optical damage within the danger zone of a first laser

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