Acoustic Streaming Flow Generator for Phacoemulsification Surge Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Phacoemulsification procedures face complications due to post-occlusion surge, which causes sudden drops in intraocular pressure, potentially leading to eye collapse or lens capsule tears, as existing devices fail to maintain stable pressure during varying flow conditions.
Innovation Solution
An acoustic streaming arrangement is introduced, featuring a flow generator with a sharp edge that is vibrated by a driving device to create a supplemental irrigation fluid flow, mitigating pressure drops by injecting fluid into the surgical site when a pressure sensor detects low pressure during surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If aspiration is performed to remove tissue fragments and irrigation fluid from the eye, then the lumen may become occluded by large tissue pieces, but when occlusion is removed a sudden surge of flow occurs causing pressure drop and potential eye collapse or lens capsule tears
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of pressure drops that indicate occlusion events, and activates acoustic streaming to generate supplemental irrigation flow before the pressure drop completes, preventing the harmful surge effect
2Reliability
If irrigation fluid flow is increased to maintain intraocular pressure, then pressure stability is improved, but the complexity of the irrigation system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical flow control systems with acoustic streaming technology, using ultrasonic vibrations to generate fluid flow through acoustic radiation pressure, thereby maintaining pressure stability while reducing mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state of irrigation fluid delivery by converting from passive hydraulic flow to active acoustic-driven flow, utilizing ultrasonic frequency vibrations to create controlled fluid motion and pressure regulation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The acoustic streaming arrangement effectively stabilizes intraocular pressure by reducing post-occlusion surge, minimizing the risk of eye collapse and lens capsule damage through controlled fluid flow management.
Implementation Method 1
a driving device configured to selectively vibrate the flow generator to create a streaming fluid flow in a direction away from the sharp edge through the irrigation conduit
Implementation Method 2
The driving device may be configured to vibrate the flow generator at a resonance frequency of the flow generator
Implementation Method 3
The driving device may be one of a piezoelectric stack and a coil
Data Source
AI summary
An acoustic streaming arrangement supplements irrigation flow to a surgical site. The acoustic streaming arrangement may include an irrigation conduit configured to carry an irrigation fluid to a surgical site, a selectively vibrating flow generator having a sharp edge, and a driving device configured to selectively vibrate the flow generator to create a streaming fluid flow in a direction away from the sharp edge through the irrigation conduit. Systems and methods are also disclosed.