Aspiration Channel Bypass Port for Vacuum Surge Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
During cataract surgery, blockages in the aspiration lumen can lead to undesirable pressure changes, such as rapid increases in vacuum pressure, causing potential eye damage and complications like post-occlusion surge, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
The design of a surgical instrument with a bypass port system within an area of increased inner diameter in the aspiration channel, allowing for controlled vacuum pressure management by selectively blocking or unblocking the bypass ports using an irrigation sleeve, thereby reducing the risk of occlusions and maintaining stable pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standard aspiration channel is used during cataract surgery, then the aspiration function is simple and reliable, but blockages in the aspiration lumen cause rapid increases in vacuum pressure leading to post-occlusion surge and potential eye damage
Solution Approach 1:
The aspiration channel is segmented into multiple lumens: a first lumen for primary aspiration and a second lumen serving as a bypass pathway. This segmentation allows the system to maintain aspiration function while providing an alternative route that prevents vacuum pressure buildup during blockages, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and harmful pressure effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The second lumen acts as an intermediary bypass pathway between the irrigation sleeve and the aspiration system. When the primary aspiration lumen becomes blocked, this intermediary pathway allows fluid to continue flowing, preventing rapid vacuum pressure increases and protecting the eye from post-occlusion surge damage.
2Reliability
If the aspiration channel diameter is increased to prevent blockages, then the risk of occlusions is reduced, but the control over vacuum pressure becomes less precise
Solution Approach 1:
Different segments of the aspiration system have different lumen diameters optimized for their specific functions. The bypass lumen has a larger diameter to prevent blockages, while the primary aspiration lumen maintains appropriate dimensions for precise vacuum control. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between occlusion prevention and pressure control precision.
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 effectively minimizes the risk of occlusions and post-occlusion surge, allowing for more controlled and stable vacuum pressures during cataract surgery, reducing the risk of eye damage and improving surgical precision.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one bypass port is shaped and configured to establish fluid communication between the irrigation passageway and the aspiration channel
Implementation Method 2
aspirating material from the eye in the treatment of an ocular condition
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an apparatus for insertion in an eye of a patient for aspirating material from the eye in the treatment of an ocular condition, the apparatus comprising a needle disposed at a distal end of the apparatus, an aspiration channel extending from a distal aperture of the needle to a proximal end of the apparatus, and an irrigation sleeve coaxially disposed about the needle. The aspiration channel comprises a proximal portion having a first diameter, a bypass portion having a second diameter and at least one bypass port, and a distal portion having a third diameter. The second diameter is larger than the first diameter. The irrigation sleeve and the needle form an annular irrigation passageway therebetween. The bypass port is shaped and configured to establish fluid communication between the irrigation passageway and the aspiration channel.