Adjustable Depth Corneal Punch for Precision Trephination

Solution Overview

Problem

Current corneal transplant procedures require accurate and efficient cutting of donor cornea tissue to replace only the diseased endothelium, but existing devices lack precision and flexibility in setting limited depth penetration, often leading to inaccurate and skill-dependent shallow cuts.

Innovation Solution

A single-use adjustable depth trephine device with a punch block, punch top, and a cutting assembly featuring a cylindrical punch blade and blade holder that allows limited rotation and axial movement, enabling precise control over the depth of corneal penetration, allowing for a shallow cut in the donor cornea.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If a shallow cut is made by tapping on the punch top, then the cut depth is reduced, but the accuracy and precision of the depth control deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecut depthVSAvoiddepth control accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The blade holder is designed to rotate dynamically with limited rotation (less than 312 degrees) while simultaneously moving axially downward, transforming the static tapping motion into a controlled dynamic cutting process that achieves both shallow depth and high precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device changes the cutting parameters by limiting rotation to less than 312 degrees and controlling axial movement, thereby achieving precise depth control that can be adjusted for different surgical requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the blade is fixed in position, then the device structure is simplified, but the adaptability and flexibility in setting depth penetration is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoiddepth setting flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The blade holder is designed to rotate dynamically with limited rotation (less than 312 degrees) while simultaneously moving axially downward, transforming the static tapping motion into a controlled dynamic cutting process that achieves both shallow depth and high precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device changes the cutting parameters by limiting rotation to less than 312 degrees and controlling axial movement, thereby achieving precise depth control that can be adjusted for different surgical requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11344451B2Limited depth corneal punch

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 BARRON PRECISION INSTRUMENTS LLC

AI summary

A single-use adjustable depth trephine corneal punch device that allows a goal trephination depth of a donor cornea to be set and cut prior to a surgical procedure for cutting selected portions of an actual patient cornea. The corneal punch includes a punch block having a central well for receiving a donor cornea, a punch top mounted atop the punch block and having a central cylindrical opening coaxially aligned with the well, a punch blade mounted atop the punch top and through the opening cooperates with the top for combined limited rotation and limited axial movement from a reference or “start” point and into juxtaposed relation against the cornea and a limited axial downward movement during rotation to make a shallow cut in the cornea.