Dual-Loop Surgical Instrument for Controlled Retinal Membrane Peeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current retinal membrane peeling instruments face challenges in accurately grasping and peeling the membrane without causing unintentional retinal damage due to difficulty in determining the distance and requiring multiple instruments, leading to potential retinal tearing and complications.
Innovation Solution
The surgical instrument employs a dual-loop design with a first loop having protruding features to create a flap and a second loop to grasp the flap, allowing for controlled peeling with reduced force and minimizing retinal damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If forceps or specialized scraper are used to peel the ILM or ERM, then the membrane can be removed from the retina, but excess force may result in piercing of the retina and/or other retinal damage
Solution Approach 1:
The grasping structure is divided into two separate loops: a first loop for creating the membrane flap and a second loop for grasping the flap. This segmentation allows each loop to perform its specific function with optimized force application, preventing excessive force that could damage the retina while maintaining efficient membrane peeling.
Solution Approach 2:
The first loop is equipped with protruding features specifically designed for creating flaps in the membrane, while the second loop is designed for grasping. This local differentiation of functionality ensures that force is applied appropriately at each interaction point with the membrane, reducing the risk of retinal piercing while maintaining peeling efficiency.
2Device complexity
If a single instrument is used for both creating flap and grasping, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of distance and control of force is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of creating the membrane flap and grasping the flap into a single instrument with a dual-loop grasping structure. This merging maintains surgical efficiency while the distinct design of each loop preserves the precision needed for distance determination and force control that would be lost if multiple separate instruments were used.
Solution Approach 2:
The single instrument performs multiple functions: the first loop creates the membrane flap while the second loop grasps it. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple separate instruments while maintaining the precision and control required for safe membrane peeling, as each loop is optimized for its specific function within the unified instrument.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple instruments are used for membrane peeling, then functional versatility is improved, but ease of operation is reduced due to requiring multiple instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the capabilities of multiple separate instruments (flap creator and flap grasper) into a single dual-loop instrument. This combination maintains the functional versatility needed for effective membrane peeling while significantly improving ease of operation by eliminating the need to switch between multiple instruments during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The single instrument achieves multi-functionality by incorporating both the flap-creating first loop and the flap-grasping second loop. This universal design provides the adaptability of multiple specialized instruments while simplifying the surgical procedure through easier operation with a single integrated tool.
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmic surgical instrument for peeling a retinal membrane is provided. The ophthalmic surgical instrument includes a handle, an actuator mounted to the handle, a first loop, and a second loop. The first loop extends outwardly from the handle and comprises a first plurality of protruding features configured to create an internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap in an eye. The second loop extends outwardly from the handle, is positioned within the first loop, and is configured to grasp the ILM flap. The actuator is configured to move the second loop to engage the first loop to grasp the ILM flap.