Surgical Handpiece Suction Control for Accidental Tissue Aspiration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bimanual and coaxial handpieces lack intuitive controls for managing accidental aspiration of other tissues during surgical procedures like phacoemulsification, leading to potential complications.
Innovation Solution
A handpiece with an integrated operating element that allows direct control of suction force, featuring multiple modes including no suction, gradual suction reduction, and aspiration channel closure, enabling intuitive management of tissue aspiration and optional backflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If suction force is applied continuously through external control (foot pedal), then the aspiration function is maintained, but the response time to accidental tissue aspiration is delayed and the operation is less intuitive
Solution Approach 1:
The control for suction force is merged directly into the handpiece itself rather than being separated in an external foot pedal. The operating element is integrated into the handpiece housing, allowing the surgeon to control suction force immediately at the site of need, eliminating the time delay and improving intuitiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The handpiece becomes self-sufficient by incorporating its own control mechanism for suction force. The surgeon can directly adjust the suction force through the operating element on the handpiece without relying on external control systems, enabling immediate response to tissue aspiration events.
2Reliability
If a shut-off valve is integrated into the aspiration channel, then the suction force can be quickly stopped, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shut-off valve utilizes a flexible membrane that can be actuated by the operating element to close the aspiration channel. This flexible film approach provides reliable suction cessation while maintaining a compact and relatively simple structural implementation within the handpiece.
3Ease of manufacture
If the aspiration channel is made from a flexible tube, then the design is simplified and production costs are reduced, but the channel may collapse or deform under suction force
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible tube is designed with varying local properties - flexible in sections where bending is needed, and reinforced or supported in sections where suction force is applied to prevent collapse. This localized differentiation of mechanical properties allows the tube to be both easy to manufacture and sufficiently strong.
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
Provides intuitive control over suction force and tissue management, reducing the risk of accidental tissue aspiration and simplifying production through integrated controls and flexible tube design.
Implementation Method 1
an aspiration opening for aspirating a surgery site, which aspiration opening is connected to an aspiration channel extending through the housing and which aspiration channel is configured to be connected to a suction force source such as a pump or underpressure system in order to generate a suction force in the aspiration opening
Implementation Method 2
the handpiece comprises an operating element, wherein in a first operative mode of the operating element there is suction force in the aspiration opening and in a second operative mode of the operating element there is no suction force in the aspiration opening
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
The invention relates to a handpiece for use in a surgical procedure such as a phacoemulsification, which handpiece comprises a housing with a proximal and a distal outer end, wherein the handpiece comprises at the distal outer end an aspiration opening for aspirating a surgery site, which aspiration opening is connected to an aspiration channel extending through the housing and which aspiration channel is configured to be connected to a suction force source such as a pump or underpressure system in order to generate a suction force in the aspiration opening, wherein the handpiece comprises an operating element, wherein in a first operative mode of the operating element there is suction force in the aspiration opening and in a second operative mode of the operating element there is no suction force in the aspiration opening.