Flexible Cannula Base for Ophthalmic Stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cannulas used in ophthalmic operations tend to slip out of the eyeball when surgical tools are moved, potentially damaging the eyeball due to the rigid base design, which causes the cannula to detach from the base.

Innovation Solution

A cannula with a flexible base that has a depression on its end surface, allowing it to conform to the eyeball's shape and prevent detachment, while maintaining contact and stability during surgical tool movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the base is made of hard resin with a nearly cylindrical shape, then the cannula can be easily manufactured and held by forceps, but the cannula may slip out from the eyeball when the surgical tool is moved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The base is designed with flexibility to dynamically adapt its shape in response to forces applied during surgery. When the surgical tool moves and applies force to the base, the flexible base deforms to maintain contact with the eyeball surface, preventing the cannula from slipping out. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing the base to be both manufacturable and reliable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The material property of the base is changed from hard resin to flexible material. This parameter change allows the base to deform and conform to the eyeball surface when forces are applied, maintaining stable contact and preventing cannula displacement while still being manufacturable using standard processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the base is made of hard resin, then the cannula structure is stable, but the eyeball may be damaged when the base contacts the eyeball

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoideyeball damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The base is constructed from flexible material that can deform under contact forces. When the base contacts the eyeball, it conforms to the eyeball surface rather than concentrating force at rigid contact points, distributing the pressure and preventing damage while maintaining structural stability to hold the cannula securely.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible material of the base acts as a cushioning element before contact with the eyeball. This beforehand cushioning prevents direct transmission of high impact forces to the eyeball, reducing the risk of damage while maintaining the base's ability to provide stable support for the cannula.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of operation

If the surgical tool is moved to change the angle of the cannula, then the surgical operation can be performed, but the cannula may detach from the base

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible base dynamically responds to angular movements of the surgical tool by deforming and readjusting its shape. When the tool is moved to change the cannula angle, the base maintains contact with the eyeball and continues to secure the cannula, preventing detachment while allowing the necessary range of motion for surgical operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flexibility parameter of the base material allows it to accommodate angular changes in cannula orientation. As the surgical tool moves and changes the angle, the base deforms elastically to maintain secure engagement with both the eyeball and cannula, preventing detachment while enabling ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 flexible base design prevents the cannula from slipping out and reduces the risk of eyeball damage by maintaining contact and stability, ensuring the cannula remains securely attached to the eyeball even at varying angles.

Implementation Method 1

the base has flexibility

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3053552B1cannula
Publication Date: 2018.05.30 MANI INC
  • EP3053552B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3053552B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3053552B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

There is provided a cannula that is capable of controlling itself from easily slipping out from an eyeball when a surgical tool or the like is moved, does not damage the eyeball even when the base of the cannula and the eyeball make contact, and controls a pipe from detaching from the base. The cannula (10) is pierced through the eyeball in ophthalmic operations and includes a metal pipe (11) for piercing through the eyeball A; and a base (12) joined to an end side of the pipe and made of a material having flexibility. Moreover, the center part of an eyeball side end surface of the base should be depressed, and the shape of the contact portion of the base should be changed when the base makes contact with the eyeball.