Compact Solenoid Valve for Phaco Vacuum Surge Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Phacoemulsification procedures face challenges with vacuum surges during occlusions and post-occlusion surges, which can be traumatic to the eye, and existing solutions require additional space or uncontrolled pressure drops.
Innovation Solution
A compact, programmable solenoid valve system with a plunger and solenoid coil that selectively controls aspiration and bypass channels to manage vacuum levels by changing polarity and using sensors to detect fluid metrics, allowing for quick closure of the aspiration channel and diversion of irrigation fluid to reduce vacuum.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a traditional valve system is used to control aspiration and bypass channels, then the system can manage fluid flow, but the device size increases and response time slows down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the aspiration channel control and bypass channel control into a single integrated solenoid valve assembly. The plunger simultaneously controls both channels, eliminating the need for separate valve mechanisms and reducing overall device volume while maintaining fast response characteristics of solenoid actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve cavity is segmented into distinct regions for aspiration channel and bypass channel control, with the plunger positioned to independently regulate each channel through its movement between first and second positions. This segmentation allows precise control of fluid dynamics without requiring larger separate valve components.
2Reliability
If a solenoid valve with plunger is used to quickly control fluid channels, then vacuum surge control improves, but electrical power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solenoid coil operates in periodic cycles, applying electrical current only when channel switching is required rather than continuously. The controller activates the solenoid coil temporarily to move the plunger between positions, then deactivates it, significantly reducing overall power consumption while maintaining reliable vacuum surge control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a sensor that detects fluid metrics and provides feedback to the controller. The controller uses this feedback information to determine when solenoid coil activation is necessary, enabling intelligent, demand-based operation that minimizes electrical power consumption while ensuring vacuum surge control reliability.
3Device complexity
If the plunger has a fixed rest position with restoring element, then the valve maintains stable position without power, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates the need for mechanical restoring elements by using the solenoid coil itself to maintain plunger position through controlled electrical current application. The solenoid valve serves its own positioning function electrically, removing the need for separate springs or restoring mechanisms and simplifying the overall device structure.
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 system effectively prevents traumatic vacuum surges by quickly reducing pressure in the aspiration channel, maintaining control over fluid dynamics, and minimizing electrical power consumption, while being compact and suitable for phacoemulsification procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a solenoid coil disposed in the valve body around the valve cavity
Implementation Method 2
a plunger including a magnetic element and configured to move back-and-forth along the direction of elongation between a first position and a second position in the valve cavity
Implementation Method 3
the sensor includes a Hall-effect sensor
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a fluid dynamics system includes a solenoid valve including a valve body, which includes a valve cavity having a direction of elongation, a first channel, and a second channel, a solenoid coil disposed in the valve body around the valve cavity, and a plunger comprising a magnetic element and configured to move back-and-forth along the direction of elongation between a first position and a second position in the valve cavity, selectively opening the first channel and closing the second channel when the plunger is in the first position, and closing the first channel and opening the second channel when the plunger is in the second position, and a controller configured to control the solenoid coil to selectively move the plunger between the first position and the second position, and to selectively maintain the plunger in the first position and the second position.