Elastic Reservoir Stabilizing Intraocular Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
High vacuum aspiration during ophthalmic surgery leads to sudden interruptions in fluid flow, causing fluctuations in intraocular pressure, which can result in cornea collapse due to inertia effects in the irrigation line, and existing solutions either fail to adequately address these issues or present challenges in cleaning and sterilization.
Innovation Solution
A biocompatible silicone rubber reservoir with elastic walls is integrated along the irrigation line, forming a Y-shaped configuration to absorb overpressure peaks and stabilize intraocular pressure by providing a buffer of saline solution during aspiration line clogging and re-establishment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high vacuum aspiration is used to improve surgical efficiency, then productivity increases, but intraocular pressure stability deteriorates causing cornea collapse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a compliance chamber (elastic reservoir) in the irrigation line that acts as a cushion before pressure fluctuations reach the eye. This chamber expands to absorb excess irrigation fluid when aspiration is blocked, and contracts to release fluid when aspiration resumes, thereby cushioning against IOP fluctuations before they cause cornea collapse
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the irrigation system by introducing an elastic compliance chamber that dynamically adjusts its volume in response to pressure changes. This allows the system to tolerate higher vacuum levels while maintaining IOP stability, effectively changing how the irrigation-aspiration system responds to flow interruptions
2Stability of the object's composition
If irrigation pressure is increased to prevent cornea collapse, then cornea stability improves, but overpressure peaks cause capsular sac detachment and blood circulation interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The compliance chamber provides beforehand cushioning by absorbing excess irrigation fluid during aspiration blockages, preventing the transmission of high pressure peaks to the eye. This allows the system to maintain adequate IOP without exposing the eye to damaging overpressure
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic reservoir acts as an intermediary element between the irrigation pump and the eye, decoupling the high-pressure irrigation source from the sensitive ocular environment. The chamber absorbs pressure fluctuations and smooths out flow variations before they reach the anterior chamber
3Stability of the object's composition
If elastic reservoir is inserted within the ultrasound handpiece to compensate for inertia, then intraocular pressure stability improves, but cleaning and sterilization difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the irrigation system into distinct components: a rigid irrigation line with an detachable compliance chamber. This segmentation allows the elastic reservoir to be easily removed, cleaned, and sterilized separately from the ultrasound handpiece, solving the maintenance difficulty while retaining the pressure stabilization benefit
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 device effectively reduces the risk of cornea collapse by stabilizing intraocular pressure, allowing for higher vacuum levels without overpressure peaks, while being easy to sterilize and maintain, thus enhancing surgical efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a reservoir, with elastic walls, along the irrigation line
Implementation Method 2
annulling, or in any case, remarkably reducing effects of inertia opposed to the quick flow variations along irrigation line
Implementation Method 3
biocompatible silicone rubber reservoir with elastic walls is integrated along the irrigation line, forming a Y-shaped configuration to absorb overpressure peaks
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for stabilization of eye front chamber during ophthalmic surgery with high vacuum aspiration, said device having a substantially Y shape, with the first arm (3) of said Y shape in flow communication with an irrigation line arriving from Infusion- Aspiration cassette of phacoemulsiphier, free arm (4) of Y shape in flow communication with said first arm (3) and the second arm (2) of the Y shape and realized as a connector for irrigation of an ultrasound handpiece, a reservoir comprised of elastic material being realized on said second arm (2) in order to receive a saline solution arriving from the irrigation line in case of clogging of the aspiration line.