Flexible Iris Shield Prevents Prolapse During Ophthalmic Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
During ophthalmic surgeries, increased pressure inside the eye can cause iris prolapse through surgical openings, leading to tissue damage and contamination risks, with conventional methods reacting to prolapse after it occurs rather than preventing it.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, biocompatible polymeric iris shield is inserted through a surgical opening into the anterior chamber to overlie the iris, blocking access to the opening and maintaining pupil dilation, thereby preventing iris prolapse and tissue exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If surgical openings are created in the anterior portion of the eye for inserting instruments and fluids, then the surgical procedure can be performed, but iris tissue may prolapse through the opening due to increased pressure
Solution Approach 1:
A mesh barrier is introduced as an intermediary element between the iris tissue and the surgical opening. The mesh barrier is positioned in the anterior chamber to intercept and prevent iris prolapse while allowing the surgical opening to remain functional for instrument and fluid insertion. This mediator resolves the contradiction by enabling surgical access without compromising iris integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh barrier is inserted into the anterior chamber before the surgical procedure begins, proactively preventing iris prolapse from occurring. By establishing this protective measure in advance, the system prevents the harmful effect rather than reacting to it after occurrence, thus maintaining iris tissue integrity throughout the surgery.
2Productivity
If pressure is increased inside the anterior chamber to facilitate surgical procedures, then surgical operations can be performed, but iris tissue moves toward areas of lower pressure causing abnormal stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh barrier serves as a protective intermediary that allows increased intraocular pressure to be applied during surgery while preventing direct transmission of abnormal stresses to the iris tissue. The barrier intercepts the pressure differential forces before they can cause harmful displacement or stress on the iris.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh barrier converts the potentially harmful effect of pressure-induced iris movement into a beneficial outcome by using the pressure differential to press the barrier against the iris, thereby securing the barrier in place and preventing prolapse rather than allowing tissue damage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the iris is allowed to move freely in response to pressure changes, then the iris can respond to pressure gradients, but this creates prolapse and tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh barrier acts as a constraint intermediary that modifies the iris's natural response to pressure gradients. Instead of allowing free movement that causes prolapse, the barrier mediates the interaction between pressure and iris tissue, permitting pressure response while preventing harmful displacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh barrier provides localized support and constraint at critical areas where the iris is most vulnerable to pressure-induced prolapse. By applying support specifically at the surgical opening and surrounding areas, the system preserves normal iris function while preventing local failure.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods, and uses of apparatus, for preventing prolapse of iris tissue, through a surgical opening in the eye during eye surgery. Early in the surgery, one or more surgical openings are made in the eye, and a flexible biocompatible iris shield is inserted, through a such opening, into the anterior chamber and placed in a position whereby the iris shield overlies the iris anteriorly, adjacent each surgical opening and is positioned between the iris and any surgical openings. If/when the pressure inside the anterior chamber increases during surgery, any anterior movement of the iris toward the cornea or sclera in response to such pressure, moves the iris shield in an anterior direction, such that the iris shield remains between the iris and the surgical opening. Thus, the iris shield blocks the surgical opening and prevents movement of eye material, e.g. iris tissue, to and through the surgical opening.