Ophthalmic system, cassette for an ophthalmic system and a method for operating such a system

Abstract

An ophthalmic system, in particular a phacoemulsification system, comprising a console (2) and a cassette (1), wherein the console (2) has a cassette receptacle for the cassette (1), characterized in that at least one electrical fuse (4) is arranged within a substantially opaque area of ​​a cassette housing (5) and that the console (2) is electrically coupled to the electrical fuse (4) of the cassette (1) arranged in the cassette receptacle.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an ophthalmic system, in particular a phacoemulsification system, comprising a console and a cassette, wherein the console has a cassette receptacle for the cassette. The invention further relates to an ophthalmic cassette, in particular for use in an ophthalmic system according to the invention, and to a method for operating an ophthalmic system according to the invention.

[0002] Ophthalmic systems of the genus-defining type are known in a wide variety of practical applications. One example is a phacoemulsification system. Such a system consists of a console to which a handpiece can be attached. The console provides, in particular, irrigation fluid, negative pressure, and electrical power. During cataract surgery, in which the clouded lens of a patient is to be removed from the eye, a needle carried by the handpiece is inserted into the eye and subjected to ultrasonic vibrations. These vibrations break up or emulsify the lens. The lens fragments are then aspirated from the eye through the needle and handpiece, a process for which negative pressure is generated by the console.

[0003] To protect the eye from injury, the intraocular pressure must be maintained during the procedure. For this purpose, an irrigation fluid is delivered to the eye via the console and handpiece, thereby precisely maintaining the intraocular pressure at the necessary level.

[0004] For the aspiration and collection of lens fragments and irrigation fluid, it is known to provide aspiration cassettes that can be inserted into a corresponding receptacle on the console.

[0005] To ensure the safe operation of such a system, it is essential that only cassettes from one or more specific manufacturers can be used with the console. Using cassettes from other manufacturers is problematic because, while they can be controlled, regulated, and operated to a certain extent by the console, they pose significant operational risks due to the lack of 100% compatibility. If the system malfunctions during operation, accidents during the surgical procedure cannot be ruled out.

[0006] In practice, a more or less workable solution already exists regarding the intended or unintended use of any cassette with a specific console. This solution involves equipping the cassettes with a kind of mechanical coding, so that only those cassettes with the corresponding mechanical coding for docking or coupling will fit into the cassette holder. Such coding can be circumvented by imitating corresponding geometries. The known problem remains.

[0007] Another problem is that, to prevent contamination, the cassettes may only be used for a specific number of operations, or in some cases, only for a single operation. Consequently, intentional or accidental reuse of the cassette must be prevented, or a defined number of reuses must be permitted.

[0008] From EP 1 019 113 B1 and WO 2017 / 136724 A1, an ophthalmic system comprising a console and a cassette is known. Furthermore, US 2003 / 0231990 A1 describes a device for heating an infusion cassette.

[0009] The present invention is based on the objective of designing and further developing an ophthalmological system and an ophthalmological cassette of the type mentioned above in such a way that multiple uses are prevented by structurally simple means. Furthermore, a method for operating such an ophthalmological system is to be provided.

[0010] According to the invention, the foregoing problem is solved by the features of claim 1. According to this claim, an ophthalmological system, in particular a phacoemulsification system, comprising a console and a cassette, wherein the console has a cassette receptacle for the cassette, is characterized in that at least one electrical fuse is arranged within a substantially opaque area of ​​a cassette housing and that the console is electrically coupled to the electrical fuse of the cassette arranged in the cassette receptacle.

[0011] In accordance with the invention, it has first been recognized that the underlying problem can be solved in a surprisingly simple manner by arranging an electrical fuse in or on the cassette housing. The invention is based on the idea that an electrical fuse is an extremely simple, non-volatile storage medium, making the system inexpensive to manufacture and safe to use. In a further aspect of the invention, the electrical fuse is electrically coupled to the console when the cassette is arranged in the cassette holder of the console. This allows the electrical fuse to serve as a storage medium, reliably preventing multiple uses by having the console "read" and / or "write" to this storage medium. It is conceivable that the cassette has several electrical fuses, thereby increasing the number of units that can be read or written to the cassette.The amount of information that can be stored is increased.

[0012] According to the invention, the electrical fuse is a fuse, in particular a miniature fuse. Such a fuse is particularly inexpensive and has small dimensions. The fuse can, for example, have a size of 5 mm x 20 mm and / or a tripping current of 125 mA. The tripping current describes the electrical current at which, if exceeded for a defined period of time, the circuit is interrupted, for example, the fuse element of the fuse melts.

[0013] In a further advantageous manner, the electrical fuse can be supplied with a current below its tripping current from the console. By measuring the resulting voltage across the fuse after applying the current, it is easy to verify whether the fuse is intact. This corresponds to "reading" the electrical fuse, which serves as a storage medium. Alternatively or additionally, it is advantageous if the electrical fuse can be supplied with a current greater than its tripping current from the console in order to trigger the fuse. If a fuse is used, it can be deliberately destroyed by applying a sufficiently high current, for example, after a single use of the cassette. This corresponds to "writing" the electrical fuse, which serves as a storage medium.Furthermore, it is conceivable that several electrical fuses are installed, so that, for example, one of the fuses is destroyed after each use of the cassette, thus enabling multiple uses corresponding to the number of electrical fuses. Alternatively or additionally, it is therefore particularly advantageous if the voltage drop across the electrical fuse can be measured from the console.

[0014] In a further aspect of the invention, the fuse is arranged within the cassette or cassette housing. A further advantage is that the fuse is protected against damage and deliberate tampering. Furthermore, an existing cassette geometry can continue to be used if the fuse is arranged within the cassette housing. In a further aspect of the invention, the fuse is arranged in an area of ​​the cassette housing that is at least substantially opaque. This makes the electrical fuse difficult or impossible to see from the outside, thus making tampering with the fuse more difficult.

[0015] To enable reliable contact between the console and the cassette, the electrical contacts of the electrical fuse can extend to the surface of the cassette housing.

[0016] In a further advantageous manner, the cassette can be manufactured using injection molding. It is conceivable that the electrical fuse is inserted into the injection mold and thus integrated into the injection molding process. Such a design is characterized by particularly low manufacturing costs.

[0017] To enable electrical contact between the electrical fuse of the cassette and the console, electrical contacts may be arranged on and / or in the cassette receptacle of the console, which engage with electrical contacts of the fuse. The electrical contacts of the cassette receptacle may, for example, be spring-mounted so that they are pressed against the contacts of the cassette.

[0018] The underlying problem is further solved by the features of dependent claim 8. According to this claim, an ophthalmic cassette, in particular for use in an ophthalmic system according to one of claims 1 to 7, is characterized in that at least one electrical fuse is arranged within a substantially opaque area of ​​a cassette housing.

[0019] According to the invention, it has been found that multiple uses of the cassette, which are dangerous for the patient, can be prevented if at least one electrical fuse is incorporated in and / or on the cassette housing. The electrical fuse serves as a storage medium through which multiple uses of the cassette can be detected in a sophisticated manner. The fuse can be implemented, in particular, as a fuse, for example, a miniature fuse.

[0020] Advantageously, the cassette can be an aspiration cassette and / or an irrigation cassette. Such cassettes are used, for example, in ophthalmic systems designed as phacoemulsification systems.

[0021] It should be noted that the cassette according to the invention may have one or more of the features of the cassette disclosed with the ophthalmological system according to the invention as defined in claims 1 to 7 and the preceding description and the following description of the figures.

[0022] Furthermore, the underlying problem is solved by the features of claim 10. This specifies a method for operating an ophthalmological system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising the following process steps: - Inserting a cassette into a cassette slot of a console, - Applying a current below the tripping current of the electrical fuse to an electrical fuse in the cassette, - Measuring the resulting electrical voltage across the electrical fuse.

[0023] In the method according to the invention, the electrical fuse arranged in the cassette is used as a storage medium, namely, the system detects the state of the electrical fuse – intact, tripped, or destroyed. According to the invention, after the cassette is inserted, the electrical fuse is subjected to a current below the tripping current, and the resulting electrical voltage across the electrical fuse is measured. This voltage depends on the applied current I and the electrical resistance R. If the electrical fuse is not tripped or is intact, the resistance R is approximately 0 Ω, so that, for example, with an electrical current I of 80 mA, a voltage of U=R*I =0 Ω*80 mA≈0 V This results in the following: If the electrical fuse has already tripped or been destroyed, the electrical resistance R is very high or infinite, so that a correspondingly high voltage U can be measured.

[0024] By applying an electric current greater than the tripping current of the electrical fuse, it can be deliberately triggered or destroyed in order to "disable" the cassette or mark it as used.

[0025] It should be noted that the features described with regard to the ophthalmological system and the ophthalmological cassette according to the invention may also have a procedural form and thus explicitly constitute part of the disclosure of the method according to the invention.

[0026] There are now various ways to advantageously elaborate and further develop the teaching of the present invention. For this purpose, reference should be made, on the one hand, to the claims subordinate to claims 1 and 13, and on the other hand, to the following explanation of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing. In conjunction with the explanation of the preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing, generally preferred embodiments and further developments of the teaching are also explained. The drawing shows Fig. 1 in a schematic representation the basic structure of an ophthalmological system according to the invention comprising an ophthalmological cassette according to the invention, and Fig. 2 in a schematic representation a flowchart of a method according to the invention.

[0027] Fig.Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the basic structure of an ophthalmological system according to the invention, comprising an ophthalmological cassette 1 according to the invention. The cassette 1 is divided into a Fig. One cassette slot (not shown) can be inserted into console 2. Console 2 is in Fig. Cassette 1 is shown only schematically and serves, for example, to supply a surgical handpiece with irrigation fluid, negative pressure, and electrical power. Cassette 1 can be, for example, an irrigation cassette or an aspiration cassette. In the embodiment shown here, cassette 1 is designed as an aspiration cassette and has a container 3 for receiving irrigation fluid and tissue debris, which are aspirated from the eye via the handpiece.

[0028] The cassette 1 comprises an electrical fuse 4, namely a fusible link, which is arranged within a substantially opaque area of ​​the cassette housing 5. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the cassette 1 can be injection-molded, with the electrical fuse 4 being integrated into the injection mold. Furthermore, electrical contacts 6 are formed on the surface of the cassette housing 5, which are connected to the fuse 4. The console 2 can be coupled to the fuse 5 via electrical contacts 7, which are arranged, for example, in the cassette receptacle.

[0029] It is conceivable that cassette 1 is recognized after being inserted into console 2 by evaluating various sensor signals. For example, an automatic calibration of the pressure sensor can be initiated after an aspiration cassette is detected. After successful calibration, cassette 1 is ready for operation. At this point, or possibly before or after, console 2 can check the electrical fuse 4. For this purpose, the console has a power source 8, via which a control unit 9, in particular an embedded controller with analog-to-digital converter and switching channel, and a switch 10, can be supplied with an electrical current of a defined intensity to the fuse 4. Furthermore, measuring instruments 11 are provided to determine the electrical voltage U across the electrical fuse 4 and, if necessary, to make this value available to the control unit 9 or another control unit.

[0030] The testing of electrical fuse 4, i.e., the test of multiple uses, can be carried out according to the instructions in Fig. 2 illustrated embodiment of a method according to the invention for operating an ophthalmological system according to the invention.

[0031] In a first step 12, the electrical fuse 4 can be subjected to a current I of, for example, 80 mA, which is lower than the tripping current of the electrical fuse 4, which might be, for example, 125 mA. In a next step 13, the resulting voltage U across the electrical fuse 4 is determined using an analog-to-digital converter as a measuring instrument 11. According to Ohm's law, a voltage U will be established as follows for an intact fuse: U=R*I =0 Ω*80 mA≈0 V

[0032] The system, or console 2, can thus detect an intact fuse 4 and therefore an unused cassette 1. In a subsequent step 14, console 2 can adjust the power source 8 to a current I that is greater than the tripping current of fuse 4. This causes fuse 4 to trip or be destroyed. According to Ohm's law, an electrical voltage U, clearly greater than 0 V, is now applied across fuse 4. For console 2, the destruction of fuse 4 is equivalent to "disabling" cassette 1 or "writing" the electrical fuse 4. Console 2 can now, for example, perform a series of plausibility checks in combination with other system information. These are shown in the following table: Is fuse 4 intact? Cassette 1 in cassette recording? Pressure sensor calibrated? Cassette change detected? System status no no no no no no Yes Yes no The cassette was rendered unusable during the first operation. Ready for use. no Yes no Yes Cassette 1 has been newly inserted, but was previously in use. Operation can be switched to "day cassette" or disabled. Yes Yes Yes Yes Cassette 1 used for the first time. Ready for use.

[0033] After the deactivation of cassette 1 in the first operation, for example, when a new test is triggered, the user can be notified by a warning message that no new cassette 1 is inserted in the cassette holder.

[0034] Regarding further advantageous embodiments of the devices and the method according to the invention, reference is made to the general part of the description and to the attached claims to avoid repetition.

[0035] Finally, it should be expressly pointed out that the exemplary embodiments of the device according to the invention described above serve only to discuss the claimed teaching, but do not limit it to these exemplary embodiments. Reference symbol list 1 cassette 2 consoles 3 containers 4 electrical fuses 5 cassette cases 6 contacts (fuse) 7 contacts (cassette recording) 8 Power source 9 Control unit 10 switches 11 measuring instruments 12 first step 13 Next step 14 Next step

Claims

[1] Ophthalmic system, in particular phacoemulsification system, comprising a console (2) and a cassette (1), wherein the console (2) has a cassette receptacle for the cassette (1), characterized by , that at least one electrical fuse (4) is arranged within a substantially opaque area of ​​a cassette housing (5) and that the console (2) is electrically coupled to the electrical fuse (4) of the cassette (1) arranged in the cassette receptacle. [2] Ophthalmological system according to claim 1, characterized by , that the electrical fuse (4) is designed as a miniature fuse. [3] Ophthalmological system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the electrical fuse (4) can be supplied with an electrical current below the tripping current from the console (2) in order to check whether the electrical fuse (4) is intact. [4] Ophthalmological system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the electrical fuse (4) can be supplied with an electric current from the console (2) which is greater than the tripping current in order to trip or destroy the electrical fuse (4). [5] Ophthalmological system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the contacts (6) of the electrical fuse (4) extend to the surface of the cassette housing (5). [6] Ophthalmological system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the cassette (1) is manufactured using injection molding technology. [7] Ophthalmological system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that electrical contacts (7) are formed on the cassette holder, preferably spring-loaded. [8] Ophthalmic cassette (1), in particular for use in an ophthalmic system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that at least one electrical fuse (4) is arranged within a substantially opaque area of ​​a cassette housing (5). [9] Cassette according to claim 8, characterized by that it is an aspiration cassette or an irrigation cassette. [10] Method for operating an ophthalmological system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising the following method steps: - Inserting a cassette (1) into a cassette slot of a console (2), - Applying a current below the tripping current of the electrical fuse (4) to an electrical fuse (4) of the cassette (1), - Measuring the resulting electrical voltage across the electrical fuse (4). [11] Method according to claim 10, characterized by, that the electrical fuse (4) is subjected to a current that is above the tripping current in order to deliberately trip or destroy the electrical fuse (4).

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