Flexible Push Assembly for Retinal Prosthesis Implantation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical instruments used for retinal prosthesis implantation often break or damage the prosthesis due to clamping forces and fail to conform to the curvature of the eyeball, potentially injuring internal tissues.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a push assembly comprising a pushing component and a driven component made of different materials, where the driven component is flexible, allowing it to be bent to conform to the curvature of the affected part, and the operation is performed by pushing rather than clamping, reducing the risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If clamping force is applied to hold the prosthesis, then the prosthesis can be securely held for implantation, but the prosthesis may be broken and damaged due to the clamping force
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using clamping force to hold the prosthesis, the patent inverts the approach by using pushing force. The pushing component applies force in the opposite direction (pushing rather than clamping) to advance the prosthesis through the insertion hole, thereby avoiding damage while maintaining secure positioning during implantation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional clamping mechanical system with a pushing mechanical system. The pushing component is designed to apply linear pushing force along the insertion path rather than radial clamping force, substituting the harmful clamping mechanism with a beneficial pushing mechanism that achieves the same implantation goal without damaging the prosthesis
2Strength
If rigid surgical instruments are used for implantation, then the instrument structure is simple and strong, but the instrument may not comply with the curvature of the eyeball and may injure the internal tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical instrument is segmented into multiple components: a rigid main body providing structural strength, and a flexible pushing component that can deform. This segmentation allows different parts to serve different functions - the rigid portion maintains instrument strength while the flexible portion adapts to curved surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The pushing component is designed as a flexible element that can bend and conform to the curved surface of the eyeball. This flexible component acts as an adaptive interface between the rigid instrument and the curved biological tissue, allowing the instrument to follow the eyeball's curvature without causing tissue injury
3Device complexity
If a single-piece push assembly is used, then the device structure is simple, but the driven component cannot be made of flexible material different from the pushing component
Solution Approach 1:
The push assembly is divided into two separate components: a pushing component and a driven component. This segmentation enables each component to be made from optimally suited materials - the pushing component can be rigid for structural integrity while the driven component can be flexible for tissue compliance - without compromising device simplicity
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument including a main body and a push assembly is provided. The main body has an opening. The push assembly includes a pushing component and a driven component. The pushing component is slidably disposed on the main body. The driven component is slidably disposed on the main body and located between the pushing component and the opening, wherein the driven component is adapted to hold an object-to-be-implanted, and the pushing component is adapted to receive a force to slide along the main body and push the driven component, such that the object-to-be-implanted is moved out of the main body through the opening by the driven component.