Hydraulic Vitrectomy Probe Pressure Multiplier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vitrectomy probes, particularly those pneumatically or electrically powered, face limitations in response time, cutting speed, and operational control during ocular surgeries, and pose risks due to compressed gas usage.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic vitrectomy probe system utilizing a pneumatic pressure source, pressure multiplier, and hydraulically actuated probe to convert pneumatic pressure into hydraulic pressure, enabling faster cutting speeds, improved control, and eliminating compressed gas risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If pneumatic pressure is used to actuate the vitrectomy probe, then the device can be operated with existing pneumatic systems, but the response time is slow and cutting speed is limited due to gas compressibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies hydraulic actuation instead of pneumatic actuation for the vitrectomy probe. The cutter is driven by hydraulic pressure transmitted through fluid to a diaphragm, which eliminates the compressibility issues inherent in pneumatic systems. This hydraulic approach enables faster response times and higher cutting speeds while maintaining compatibility with existing surgical console pressure sources through a pressure multiplier device.
2Reliability
If compressed gas is used to power the vitrectomy probe, then the system can achieve sufficient actuation force, but safety risks increase due to potential gas leakage into ocular tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces compressed gas with hydraulic fluid for actuating the vitrectomy probe. The cutter is driven by hydraulic pressure transmitted through fluid to a diaphragm, which eliminates the compressibility issues inherent in pneumatic systems. This hydraulic approach enables faster response times and higher cutting speeds while maintaining compatibility with existing surgical console pressure sources through a pressure multiplier device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pressure multiplier as an intermediary device between the pneumatic pressure source and the hydraulic actuator. This device converts pneumatic pressure to hydraulic pressure, allowing the system to utilize existing pneumatic infrastructure while achieving the safety and performance benefits of hydraulic actuation.
3Productivity
If hydraulic pressure is used to actuate the cutter, then response time and cutting speed improve, but the system complexity increases due to the pressure multiplier requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pressure multiplier as an intermediary device between the pneumatic pressure source and the hydraulic actuator. This device converts pneumatic pressure to hydraulic pressure, allowing the system to utilize existing pneumatic infrastructure while achieving the safety and performance benefits of hydraulic actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure multiplier serves multiple functions: it converts pneumatic pressure to hydraulic pressure, amplifies the pressure to suitable levels for hydraulic actuation, and maintains compatibility with existing surgical console pneumatic systems. This multi-functionality reduces the need for entirely new infrastructure.
4Measurement precision
If the probe is designed for high precision control, then cutting accuracy improves, but the probe size increases making handling more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes hydraulic actuation with fluid transmitted through conduits to a diaphragm for cutter actuation. This approach provides precise control through fluid pressure regulation while allowing for a more compact probe design compared to pneumatic systems, as hydraulic fluid is incompressible and requires smaller actuation chambers.
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 hydraulic system achieves faster response times, higher cutting speeds, reduced probe size for improved handling, and enhanced safety by eliminating compressed gas, while allowing for precise control and reduced fluid displacement.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure multiplier coupled at a first portion to the pneumatic pressure source and at a second portion to the hydraulically actuated vitrectomy probe and adapted to convert a pneumatic pressure received from the pneumatic pressure source into a hydraulic pressure output to the hydraulically actuated vitrectomy probe
Implementation Method 2
The first diaphragm and the second diaphragm may be coupled to each other. A surface area of the first diaphragm in contact with a pressurized gas supplied by the pneumatic pressure source may be larger than a surface area of the second diaphragm in contact with a hydraulic fluid.
Data Source
AI summary
Hydraulic vitrectomy probes and methods and systems associated therewith are discussed. Example hydraulic vitrectomy probes may include a pressure multiplier that is operable to output a hydraulic pressure at a multiple of a received pneumatic pressure. Because of the incompressible nature of liquid, hydraulic vitrectomy probes are, among other things, more responsive, may be operated at higher cutting rates, provide improved patient safety, and have a form factor (e.g., size and/or shape) that may be more easily maneuvered by a surgeon.