Capsulotomy Device Beveled Sleeve and Notched Loop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current capsulotomy devices face challenges in minimizing capsular tears and ensuring predictable motion within the eye during cataract surgery, particularly when performing posterior capsulotomy, as they lack optimal geometry and can lead to complications like radial tears and vitreous intrusion.

Innovation Solution

A capsulotomy device featuring a tubular insertion sleeve with beveled and notched distal ends, a resistive heating element with a superelastic loop, and an insulating portion, allowing for precise and controlled capsularhexis with reduced risk of tears and improved motion predictability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional capsulotomy device is used, then the device can perform capsulotomy, but it may cause capsular tears and radial tears extending into the posterior capsule

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapsular integrityVSAvoidcapsular tears
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the loop and its deployment characteristics. The loop is designed with specific dimensions and deployment speed control to ensure it creates a controlled hexis rather than uncontrolled tears, thereby maintaining capsular integrity while performing capsulotomy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic deployment of the loop where the loop expands progressively rather than instantaneously. This controlled dynamic expansion allows the capsule to yield gradually, preventing sudden tears and maintaining reliability during the capsulotomy procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the capsule is opened with numerous small capsular tears, then capsulotomy is achieved, but small tags may lead to radial capsular tears extending into the posterior capsule

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapsulotomy completionVSAvoidcapsular stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the loop geometry parameters including its size, shape, and deployment characteristics to create a controlled hexis with smooth edges rather than numerous small tears. This parameter optimization ensures productive capsulotomy completion while maintaining capsular stability by preventing tag formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If current capsulotomy devices are used for posterior capsulotomy, then the procedure can be performed, but the device geometry is not optimal for posterior capsulotomy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidgeometric optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a loop device with universal geometric characteristics that can effectively perform both anterior and posterior capsulotomy. The loop's dimensions, shape, and deployment mechanism are optimized to be adaptable to different capsule locations, providing versatile functionality while maintaining geometric precision for both procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If a loop is deployed in the eye, then capsulotomy can be performed, but the motion of the loop is not predictable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapsulotomy performanceVSAvoidmotion predictability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs controlled dynamic deployment where the loop expands in a predictable manner within the eye. The deployment mechanism and loop design ensure predictable motion characteristics, allowing the surgeon to control the loop's behavior while maintaining ease of operation during capsulotomy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the loop with symmetric geometric properties that create equipotential deployment characteristics, ensuring predictable and uniform expansion in all directions. This geometric optimization provides reliable motion predictability while maintaining ease of operation during the procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

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 device minimizes capsular tears and ensures predictable loop motion, enhancing the safety and efficacy of cataract removal and intraocular lens placement by providing optimal geometry for both anterior and posterior capsulotomy procedures.

Implementation Method 1

the heating element is a resistive heating element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResistive heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

the resistive heating element is formed of a nickel titanium alloy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuperelasticity: Pseudoelasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3493777B1Enhancing performance of a capsulotomy device
Publication Date: 2021.10.13 ALCON INC
  • EP3493777B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3493777B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3493777B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3E

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a capsulotomy device having a unique insertion sleeve configuration comprising beveling and two notches at the distal end of the insertion sleeve. The unique configuration assures that the motion the capsulotomy loop comprising the heating element goes through during deployment from and retraction into the insertion sleeve is minimized and predictable.