Collapsible Iris Retractor for Ophthalmic Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current iris retractors for ophthalmic surgery require significant surgical skill, can damage delicate iris tissues due to over-tensioning, and lack versatility in accommodating varying pupil sizes and iris health, with limited adjustability and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable surgical apparatus with a frame that collapses for insertion through the cornea and expands to exert adjustable pressure on the iris, featuring a first frame portion within a plane and second frame portions extending outside to maintain pupil dilation, allowing for variable pressure and use in different patient conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a mechanical iris retractor is used to retract the iris and dilate the pupil, then adequate exposure of the lens capsule is achieved, but the delicate iris tissues may become functionally and cosmetically damaged due to over-tensioning or over-pressurizing
Solution Approach 1:
The iris retractor features a resilient, collapsible frame that can be compressed to a small size for insertion and then expands within the anterior chamber to engage the iris. The resilience allows dynamic adjustment of engagement force, enabling the retractor to adapt to different iris tensions and prevent over-pressurizing while maintaining adequate pupil dilation.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor allows modification of engagement parameters through selective engagement of different frame portions with the iris at various locations. The resilient nature of the frame enables adjustment of engagement depth and force, changing the physical parameters of iris retraction to avoid tissue damage while achieving sufficient pupil aperture.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple hooks or a continuous frame retractor is used to provide adequate operating space, then the pupil aperture is sufficiently enlarged, but the device complexity and surgical procedure time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is divided into multiple portions that can be selectively engaged with the iris. This segmentation allows the retractor to achieve adequate operating aperture through selective engagement of specific frame portions, simplifying the overall structure compared to requiring multiple separate hooks while still providing sufficient pupil dilation.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single-size mechanical iris retractor is used, then the device is simple to manufacture, but it cannot accommodate patients with varying pupil sizes or iris health conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient frame structure serves multiple functions: it can be engaged with the iris at different locations, can adapt to different iris tensions, and can provide varying degrees of pupil dilation. This multi-functionality allows a single retractor design to accommodate diverse patient conditions including varying pupil sizes and iris health states without requiring multiple specialized devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical apparatus for use in assisting the performance of a procedure on an eye, the eye having a front and rear, a cornea, an iris defining a pupil, and a lens capsule behind the iris. The apparatus has a frame with a front and rear, a first portion and a second portion. The frame is reconfigurable between (i) a first collapsed state for being inserted through an incision in a cornea and (ii) a second operative state for being operatively connected to an iris. The frame first portion is configured to be generally residing within a plane in the second operative state. The second frame portion is configured to be operatively connected to an iris in the second operative state exerts a pressure upon the iris at at least a first location that is spaced from the plane to maintain the pupil in an enlarged state.