Adjustable Stiffness Support for Small Gauge Ophthalmic Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small gauge ophthalmological instruments are too flexible, leading to loss of control for surgeons during procedures like vitreous surgery, as they bend or flex, making precise repositioning and delicate maneuvers difficult due to their small diameter.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a support device with adjustable stiffness, allowing surgeons to vary the level of support for the instrument, using a biasing mechanism like pneumatic pressure or springs to maintain contact with the eye's surface, reducing unwanted flexing and enhancing control, while keeping supply lines centralized within a continuous gripping surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the instrument diameter is reduced to enable smaller incisions, then patient trauma and healing time are improved, but instrument flexibility increases causing loss of control
Solution Approach 1:
A support element is introduced as an intermediary component that contacts the instrument shaft to provide mechanical support. This support element acts as a mediator between the surgeon's control inputs and the instrument tip, preventing unwanted flexing while preserving the small diameter design. The support element can be positioned at different locations along the shaft to adjust the level of support provided.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element is designed to be movable relative to the instrument shaft, allowing dynamic adjustment during surgery. The support element can slide along the shaft or be repositioned to provide support at different locations, enabling the surgeon to adapt the level of support based on the specific surgical task and instrument flexibility characteristics.
2Productivity
If the instrument diameter is reduced for smaller incisions, then wound management is improved, but instrument stiffness decreases making delicate maneuvers difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument system is segmented into the thin instrument shaft and a separate support element. This segmentation allows the shaft to remain thin for small incisions while the support element provides the necessary stiffness. The support element can be engaged or disengaged based on the surgical task, allowing selective stiffness adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument assembly functions as a composite structure combining the thin instrument shaft with the support element. This composite approach allows the system to exhibit both the flexibility needed for small incisions and the stiffness needed for controlled maneuvers, depending on whether the support element is engaged.
3Ease of operation
If the support element is added to reduce flexing, then instrument control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support element is designed to be self-adjusting through a biasing mechanism that automatically positions the support element to provide optimal support. This self-service feature reduces the need for complex control systems or multiple components, as the support element automatically engages and disengages based on the surgical task requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support to reduce flexing, acts as a positioning aid for the instrument tip, and can be repositioned to provide support at different locations along the shaft. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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
This solution provides precise control and reduced 'play' in small diameter instruments, enabling safer and more precise surgical procedures, particularly in vitreous surgery, by stabilizing the instrument tip and allowing access to all parts of the vitreous cavity without compromising the small incision size.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing device to urge the support frame towards an extended location along the length of the small diameter instrument
Implementation Method 2
using a biasing mechanism like pneumatic pressure or springs to maintain contact with the eye's surface
Data Source
AI summary
A small gauge surgical instrument is shown with advantages such as diminished “play” at the tip. A surgical instrument assembly is also shown with support along a length of the instrument that can be selected by the surgeon. Devices and method described provide adjustability of the instrument without protruding into a gripping surface of the instrument.