Artificial Cornea Implantation Tool with Thumbscrew Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional surgical techniques for implanting artificial corneal implants are highly invasive, leading to high complication rates due to the need for extracting and re-suturing a cornea section, which often results in inflammation and failure of the implant.

Innovation Solution

A surgical device and method that allows for the direct implantation of an artificial cornea into the eye using an installation tool with a thumbscrew and guide posts, eliminating the need for pre-assembly and extensive suturing by inserting the back portion of the artificial cornea through a small incision and locking it in place with a thumbscrew mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional surgical techniques are used to implant artificial cornea by extracting and re-suturing a cornea section, then the implant can be secured in place, but the procedure becomes highly invasive with high complication rates including inflammation and implant failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant success rateVSAvoidinflammation and complications

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the damaged cornea section completely, eliminating the need to re-suture it. The cornea section is taken out, a vision hole is created, and the artificial cornea is implanted directly without the harmful re-suturing process that causes inflammation and complications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of removing the cornea section and suturing it back (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by removing the cornea section and implanting the artificial cornea directly into the created vision hole, eliminating the re-suturing step that causes harm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of manufacture

If the cornea section is extracted and re-sutured back into the eye, then the artificial cornea can be implanted, but the procedure becomes more complex with extensive suturing required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical procedure simplicityVSAvoidsurgical steps and suturing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The damaged cornea section is extracted and removed from the eye. A vision hole is then created in the remaining cornea tissue. The artificial cornea is implanted directly into this vision hole without requiring the complex re-suturing of the extracted cornea section, significantly simplifying the surgical procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The conventional approach of removing and re-suturing the cornea section is inverted. Instead, the cornea section is removed and the artificial cornea is implanted directly into the vision hole, eliminating the complex re-suturing steps and reducing overall procedural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If a vision hole is cut through the damaged cornea section and the artificial cornea is assembled outside the eye, then the implant can be inserted, but the procedure becomes highly invasive with the eye completely open

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplantation efficiencyVSAvoideye exposure and invasiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The vision hole is created in the cornea before the artificial cornea is implanted. The back portion of the artificial cornea is inserted through this pre-created vision hole, and then the front portion is placed and secured. This preliminary creation of the vision hole allows for a less invasive procedure where the eye does not need to be completely opened.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The artificial cornea is divided into a front portion and a back portion. The back portion is inserted through the vision hole first, and the front portion is placed separately and secured to the back portion. This segmentation allows for a less invasive implantation process with the eye remaining more closed compared to conventional techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11903817B2Surgical device and method for implanting an artificial cornea

Publication Date: 2024.02.20 THE CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUND

AI summary

A surgical device for implanting an artificial cornea into an eye can comprise an installation tool comprising an implantation end for receiving a back portion of an artificial cornea. The installation tool can further comprise a drive nut positioned above the implantation end. The surgical device can further comprise a thumbscrew that is received within the drive nut. The thumbscrew can be rotatable relative to the drive nut to adjust a position of the thumbscrew. During an implantation procedure, the implantation end with the back portion of the artificial cornea positioned thereon can be inserted into the eye, and the thumbscrew can be rotated relative to the drive nut to interact against a front portion of the artificial cornea to lock the artificial cornea in place.