Affordable Anti-Fog Microscope System Ophthalmic surgery support for Paraguay
UCI Global Health Track

Clear surgical visibility in humid operating rooms.

An affordable clamp-on airflow attachment for ophthalmic microscopes. The system directs controlled airflow near the optical path to reduce lens fogging and help surgeons maintain visibility with fewer workflow interruptions.

Watch the showcase See the prototype
Problem

A practical visibility problem in low-resource surgical settings

In warm, humid operating rooms, microscope lenses can fog during cataract and other ophthalmic procedures. Reduced visibility can break concentration, slow the procedure, and require repeated manual clearing.

  • Fogging blocks the surgeon’s view during precision work
  • Manual clearing delays the procedure and disrupts sterile workflow
  • Existing solutions can be costly, bulky, or inconsistent
Fundación Visión team
Clinical partner team at Fundación Visión in Paraguay
Airflow rendering toward microscope lens
Directed airflow targets the area where condensation forms
Solution

Directed airflow with hands-free control

The prototype attaches to the microscope and positions a compact fan near the lens using a flexible gooseneck. A foot pedal lets the surgeon cycle airflow levels without using their hands.

  • Clamp-on attachment for existing microscopes
  • Adjustable gooseneck for positioning
  • Compact fan module near the fogging zone
  • Foot pedal control for sterile workflow
  • Arduino Nano ESP32-based speed control
Attach

Mount the device to the microscope without replacing core equipment.

Position

Use the gooseneck to aim airflow near the condensation zone.

Control

Cycle through airflow levels with a foot pedal.

Maintain view

Keep the surgical field clearer during humid conditions.

Showcase

Project and prototype videos

These videos introduce the Paraguay clinical need and demonstrate the prototype concept, design rationale, and expected workflow integration.

Paraguay showcase: clinical context and unmet need
Prototype showcase: airflow system, control approach, and design features
Market strategy

Focused first market

The first target market is ophthalmic clinics in humid, low-resource settings that already use standard microscopes. The device is positioned as an affordable retrofit product that improves visibility and reduces workflow interruptions without requiring major equipment replacement.

Team

Project team

Dr. Christine King

Dr. Christine King

Faculty Advisor

Provides project guidance and supports the UCI global health partnership.
Samir Malhotra

Samir Malhotra

Project Mentor

Mentors the team through prototype development, testing, and project refinement.
Dr. Erich Schmidt

Dr. Erich Schmidt, MD

Physician Mentor

Medical Director at Fundación Visión in Asunción, Paraguay.
Gabriella Nelms

Gabriella Nelms

Research and Design Support

Researches fog-prevention methods, materials, and comparable devices.
Natalie Moorhead

Natalie Moorhead

Business and Operations

Supports logistics, outreach, presentations, and project coordination.
Vadym Kuchumov

Vadym Kuchumov

Electrical, Modeling, and Data Engineering

Supports electrical design, coding, airflow modeling, and prototype development.
Sanam Hakim

Sanam Hakim

Process and Design Engineering

Leads design decisions, testing plans, and performance analysis.
Aleana Winter

Aleana Winter

Team Lead and Lead Prototyper

Leads CAD, mechanical design, prototyping, and overall team coordination.