Capsulotomy Cutting Ring Geometry for Uniform Current and Temperature
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current tissue cutting devices suffer from uneven current density and energy propagation due to structural asymmetries, which compromise their tissue cutting function, particularly when delivering sequential micropulses of energy.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates ring features such as wire, mechanical, and anchor tabs with slots, cutouts, and bumps to maintain uniform current flow and temperature distribution, while ensuring mechanical strength and a secure attachment to the suction cup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If attachment features (wire tabs, mechanical tabs, anchor tabs) are added to the cutting ring to enable handling and deployment, then ease of operation is improved, but geometric symmetry is disrupted causing uneven current density and energy propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating specific geometric modifications (slots, cutouts, bumps) at localized positions on the cutting ring corresponding to the attachment feature locations. These local modifications compensate for the asymmetry introduced by the tabs, allowing the ring to maintain uniform current density overall while accommodating the necessary attachment features for handling and deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry in a controlled manner by intentionally designing non-symmetric geometric features (slots, cutouts, bumps) that counterbalance the asymmetric attachment tabs. This creates a compensatory asymmetry that restores overall symmetry in current distribution, allowing the device to have both attachment capabilities and uniform energy propagation.
2Strength
If additional attachment features are integrated into the cutting ring structure, then mechanical strength and handling capability are improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the attachment features directly into the cutting ring structure itself, rather than using separate attachment mechanisms. The wire tabs, mechanical tabs, and anchor tabs are integrated as part of the ring's geometry, combining the cutting function and attachment function into a single unified structure, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting ring is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the tissue-cutting element and as the structural attachment mechanism. The same ring structure that performs capsulotomy also provides the attachment features for handling, deployment, and anchoring, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing structural complexity.
3Productivity
If sequential micropulses of energy are delivered at fast speeds to achieve adequate tissue disruption, then productivity is improved, but temperature uniformity becomes harder to maintain due to asymmetric current flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary action by pre-designing the geometric compensation features (slots, cutouts, bumps) into the cutting ring before energy delivery begins. These features are built into the structure in advance to ensure that when sequential micropulses are delivered at high speed, the current density remains uniform throughout the ring, maintaining temperature uniformity even during rapid energy delivery.
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 solution ensures even current distribution and temperature uniformity, preventing hot or cold spots, thereby enhancing the precision and effectiveness of tissue cutting.
Implementation Method 1
Each wire tab includes a central conductive path and one or more conductive shunt paths conductively separated by one or more slots
Implementation Method 2
The anchor tabs are each associated with a slot horizontally disposed along the circumference of the cutting element and positioned to at least partially thermally separate a respective anchor tab from a portion of the cutting element
Implementation Method 3
The controller may be configured to control one or more electrical discharges to the cutting element
Data Source
AI summary
A device is described herein for performing capsulotomies that improves temperature uniformity and current flow around a cutting element of the device. The device includes a series of features whose geometries help remove cold and/or hot spots from the cutting element while maintaining the mechanical strength of the cutting element. In an embodiment, a device includes a cutting element and one or more electrical leads for providing an electrical discharge to the cutting element. The device further includes wire tabs configured to conductively couple an electrical lead to cutting element. Each wire tab includes a central conductive path and one or more conductive shunt paths conductively separated by one or more slots. The device further includes anchor tabs that are each associated with a slot disposed along the circumference of the cutting element and positioned to at least partially separate an anchor tab from a portion of the cutting element.