How do conventional laser safety goggles work?
Classical laser safety goggles are based on an optical filter element which is designed to block the optical wavelength of a laser source. The filter elements are placed inside a head-mounted goggle so that all light passes through the filter element before it reaches the eyes of the user. Since a portion of the visible spectrum is suppressed by the filter element, the human color vision is distorted while wearing laser safety goggles.
How do digital laser safety goggles work?
Digital laser safety goggles are similar to virtual reality hardware, where the user perceives the environment using a digital display in a head-mounted device. The casing of the digital laser safety goggles blocks light of all wavelength and, hence, protects from laser radiation. The digital projection is enabled by a camera, which records the surroundings and transmits it do the digital display inside the head-mounted device. There is no transmission of any light from outside to the eyes.
What is the difference between digital laser safety goggles and virtual reality headsets?
While these two devices have several similarities at the first glance, there still are significant differences. First, the casing of digital laser safety goggles is constructed to absorb and block high-power laser beams. Second, digital laser safety goggles run a special software which enables real-time high-definition digital see-through. Third, digital laser safety goggles are certified to protect the user from laser radiation and therefore tested according to the international standard EN 207.
What is the difference between digital laser safety goggles and augmented reality headsets?
Considering the user experience, the main objectives for digital laser safety goggles and augmented reality headsets are identical: display the environment and augment it with additional information when necessary. Therefore, in situations where no danger due to laser radiations is present, these device classes may be used interchangeably. However, augmented reality headsets do not offer protection from laser radiation and, therefore, cannot be used in a laser safety environment. In contrast, digital laser safety goggles are certified to protect the user from laser radiation and therefore tested according to the international standard EN 207.
Are special devices needed to visualize laser beams when using digital laser safety goggles?
In contrast to classical laser safety goggles, no additional devices are needed to view the laser light. Since digital laser safety goggles employ the video feed of a full-color camera, laser beams in the optical and strong near-infrared range are always visible.
Can motion sickness occur when using digital laser safety goggles?
Persons who are prone to motion sickness when using virtual reality headsets or watching 3D movies may also be affected when using digital laser safety goggles. In such cases, it is recommended to employ an alternative laser safety solution.
How many cameras do your digital laser safety goggles employ?
A single camera is sufficient for most applications. The human brain can adapt to monoscopic vision very quickly, so it usually takes only a few minutes until users can work effectively. Even if two cameras are employed, some irritations still remain due to the offset between the focal planes of the cameras and the human eyes.
How likely are digital laser safety goggles to fog up during use?
The projection lenses of the digital laser safety goggles are made from an optical polymer material, which is less likely to fog up than the filter glass employed in classical laser safety goggles.
What laser power and wavelengths are digital laser safety goggles rated for?
By design, digital laser safety goggles can be used to protect against laser radiation at any wavelength. Since the casing material reacts differently to lasers of various wavelengths and laser types, the maximum admissible laser power varies. The certification was carried out for some frequently used laser types, however additional certification measurements can be carried out upon request. Further information can be found in the <specification section>
Can digital laser safety goggles display additional information for the user?
As a standard functionality, the digital display shows the battery level as well as the time. Additionally, a menu is used to configure the eye distance. Using this menu, 3D movie clips can also be played back. We will be happy to implement further and custom features for your particular application upon request.
Is an eye distance and eyesight calibration necessary for digital laser safety goggles?
Yes, an individual calibration is necessary for each user. The eye distance calibration is achieved digitally and only takes a few seconds. Regarding eyesight, the digital laser safety goggles are designed such that most corrective lenses can be worn underneath the goggles. In addition, the eyesight calibration can be achieved using a toolless adjustment mechanism, so that the goggles may be used without the need for glasses.
What certifications do the digital laser safety goggles have?
The digital laser safety goggles are certified according to the international standard EN 207. The application area is currently restricted to medical settings, in which patients wear the goggles. That way, the goggles can be readily employed for laser-based skin treatments and similar procedures. However, given special safety precautions are implemented according to applicable standards, the safety goggles may be applied in other scenarios.
How are the batteries recharged?
The batteries can be recharged using a wireless charging device. Therefore, the interior part of the digital laser safety goggles are removed from the outer casing by pulling it out. Subsequently, the interior part can be directly placed on the charging device.
How can I control the device when it is head-mounted?
A wireless two-button and one scroll-wheel device is used for comfortably controlling the software in our digital safety goggles.
My patients hold the nozzle for air-cooling to the area on the skin at which a tattoo is removed. How does that work when they are immersed in Virtual Reality and cannot see the active area?
We have the experience that patients still feel the position of the airflow well enough to direct the nozzle to the right spot even without seeing it.
Does the device also support sound?
Yes, either integrated speakers could be used or wireless headphones can be connected (recommended).
Patients can go to into Virtual Realities, but how can their attention get back to the doctor and the reality?
The control-device has an always available one-click functionality to switch back from the virtual environments into the see-through mode.
Can the digital laser safety goggles be used for laser treatments in the face?
No, this is not possible as there might be a gap between the safety goggles and the skin, dependent on the face texture of each patient through which too much laser power might be directed when the treatment takes place close to the safety goggles.
How do I clean the device?
The cleaning procedure is comparable to conventional laser safety goggles.
What is the content of the virtual worlds?
The virtual world is currently composed out of three-dimensional video spots of various contents. The device will be shipped with a number of three-dimensional videos released under Creative Commons license (CC-BY), which can be used without any further fees. More content is available upon your particular needs. It is also possible to include your own content, e.g. explanatory videos etc. We will be happy to support you with content preparation.