Hook-Tip Membrane Spatula for Posterior Hyaloid Peeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating stage 1 macular holes without vitrectomy face challenges such as unreliable separation of the posterior hyaloid membrane from the foveola due to inadequate instrument design, leading to high trauma and complications like cataract development, retinal detachment, and glaucoma, with low efficiency and high costs.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmological membrane spatula with a handle and a pointed working part featuring a hook-shaped tip is used to securely grip and peel the posterior hyaloid membrane from the foveola, allowing for clear visual control and reliable separation, reducing trauma and complications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tweezers are used to separate the posterior hyaloid membrane from the foveola, then the operation can be performed without vitrectomy, but the separation is unreliable because the tweezers cannot securely grip the membrane and do not allow delicate entry into the retrohyaloid space
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument is divided into distinct functional segments: a penetration tip for entering the retrohyaloid space, a gripping element for securing the membrane, and a peeling element for separation. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function effectively, resolving the contradiction between reliable separation and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of attempting to grip the membrane from the vitreous side with tweezers, the instrument penetrates through the hyaloid membrane to access the retrohyaloid space and grip the membrane from the retinal side, enabling secure attachment and reliable peeling.
2Reliability
If tweezers are used to peel the posterior hyaloid membrane, then vitrectomy is avoided, but visual control is blocked because the tweezers overlap the foveola area, making it difficult to visualize the separation
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument separates the functions of membrane engagement and visualization. The penetration tip and peeling element are designed to operate at the periphery of the foveola, while the central foveola area remains visible through the transparent cornea and anterior chamber, allowing visual control without blocking the view.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument operates in the retrohyaloid space, a different dimensional plane behind the hyaloid membrane, allowing the peeling action to occur without interfering with the visual path through the anterior chamber and foveola.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the posterior hyaloid membrane is not reliably separated from the foveola, then the treatment trauma is reduced compared to vitrectomy, but complications such as cataract development, retinal detachment, and glaucoma still occur with significant frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument first penetrates the hyaloid membrane to create an opening in the retrohyaloid space before attempting to grip and peel the membrane. This preliminary action ensures controlled access and prevents uncontrolled ruptures of the foveolar cyst wall, reducing complications while maintaining minimal trauma.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent design of the instrument and the ability to visualize the separation process in real-time provide continuous feedback, allowing the surgeon to monitor the peeling progress and adjust the technique to prevent complications such as uncontrolled ruptures or incomplete separation.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to ophthalmology, in particular to the surgical treatment technique of macular holes at the early stages without vitrectomy. The method for treating stage 1 macular hole without vitrectomy comprises peeling the posterior hyaloid membrane away from the foveola, wherein an ophthalmological instrument is inserted through the vitreous body until it comes into contact with the posterior hyaloid membrane in the macular area, the posterior hyaloid membrane then being gripped by said instrument and peeled away from the foveola, in accordance with the invention, and after the contact between the instrument and the posterior hyaloid membrane an opening is made therein, whereby the edge of the opening is then used to lift the posterior hyaloid membrane and peel it away from the foveola until the layers are separated; wherein the instrument used is an ophthalmological membrane spatula comprising a handle 1 and a pointed working part 2 with a tip 3 shaped as a hook. The improved grip of the posterior hyaloid membrane, better visual control and maintaining the hold of said membrane continuously through the manipulations until the peeling from the foveola is complete, made it possible to reduce the trauma associated with surgical management of stage 1 macular hole without vitrectomy and to decrease the number of related complications.