Alternating Arc Ring Pupil Expander for Gentle Iris Hooking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pupil expanders made of materials with high-shape-memory properties face challenges in safely and easily expanding the pupil during ophthalmic surgeries, particularly in cases where the pupil is poorly expanded, risking damage to iris tissues due to difficulty in installation and removal.
Innovation Solution
A pupil expander with a ring portion featuring alternating first and second ring portions, where the first ring portions are curved inward and the second ring portions are curved outward, allowing for controlled deformation to easily and securely hook onto the iris without causing damage, facilitated by elastic deformation and grooved structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional pupil expander made of high-shape-memory material is used, then the pupil can be expanded to a sufficient diameter, but the installation and removal process requires considerable labor and time, and there is a risk of damaging the iris tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The ring portion is divided into multiple arc-shaped sections (first and second arc portions) that can independently deform. This segmentation allows each section to be hooked onto the iris separately and easily, reducing the time and labor required for installation while minimizing tissue damage risk
Solution Approach 2:
The ring portion is designed to be elastically deformable, allowing it to dynamically change shape during installation and removal. The elastic deformation capability enables the ring to be compressed for easy insertion through a small incision and then expand to its original shape to secure the pupil, facilitating quick and safe operation
2Reliability
If an iris retractor with a hook-like tip is used to expand the pupil, then the pupil diameter can be maintained, but the hook portion may tear the pupillary margin of the iris causing deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The ring portion is designed as a flexible elastic structure that can deform without sharp edges or rigid hooks. This flexibility allows it to gently engage with the iris tissue, expanding the pupil effectively while minimizing the risk of tearing or damaging the pupillary margin
Solution Approach 2:
The ring portion consists of smooth arc-shaped portions rather than sharp hooks. The curved geometry distributes force evenly across the iris tissue, preventing concentration of stress at single points and thereby reducing the risk of tissue tearing while maintaining ease of operation
3Reliability
If a pupil expander with high-shape-memory properties is used, then the pupil expansion is effective, but the installation becomes difficult when the pupil is poorly expanded
Solution Approach 1:
The ring portion's elastic deformability allows it to be compressed to a smaller size for easy insertion through a small corneal incision, even when the pupil is poorly expanded. Once inside the eye, it expands to its original shape to achieve effective pupil dilation, combining ease of installation with reliable expansion
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameters of the ring portion (size, shape) are changed during the installation process. It starts in a compressed state for easy insertion, then transitions to its original expanded shape to achieve the desired pupil dilation effect, making the procedure feasible even in challenging cases
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
Enables safe and efficient expansion of the pupil during surgeries like cataract surgery, reducing the risk of iris tissue damage and simplifying the installation and removal process.
Implementation Method 1
When an external force is applied to the first ring portion toward the radially inner side at the time of hooking the iris hooking portion of one or a plurality of first ring portions of the ring portion on the pupillary margin of an iris, the first ring portion is deformed to be further curved radially inward
Data Source
AI summary
The pupil expander is used to expand a pupil in ophthalmic surgery and includes a ring portion forming a ring and an iris hooking portion provided to the ring portion. The ring portion includes a first ring portion formed in a shape curved radially inward and a second ring portion formed in a shape curved radially outward, the first ring portion and the second ring portion being arranged alternately along a circumferential direction of the ring portion. The first ring portion is provided with the iris hooking portion. The iris hooking portion is configured to be hooked on a pupillary margin of an iris in a manner such that the first ring portion and the second ring portion are arranged on a front surface side of the iris.