Illuminated Cannula with Integrated Light Guide for Ophthalmic Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
During ophthalmic posterior segment surgery, repeated insertion and removal of instruments cause trauma to the eye at the incision site, and existing light sources require additional incisions, further complicating the procedure.
Innovation Solution
An illuminated cannula assembly with a light guide comprising an optical fiber, a light sleeve, and a transition region that transmits light from the optical fiber to the light sleeve, allowing for internal eye illumination without the need for additional incisions, integrated into a cannula with a tubing and proximal hub.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If separate light sources are used for illumination, then the interior of the eye can be visualized, but additional incisions are required causing trauma to the eye
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the illumination function with the cannula by integrating a light guide into the cannula structure. The light guide includes an optical fiber that transmits light from a light source through the cannula to illuminate the interior of the eye, eliminating the need for separate light sources and additional incisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for instrument insertion and simultaneously delivers illumination through the integrated light guide. This multi-functional design allows a single device to perform both mechanical and optical tasks that previously required separate instruments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple instruments are inserted and removed repeatedly, then surgical procedures can be performed, but trauma to the incision site increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (illumination and instrument guidance) into a single cannula device, reducing the number of separate instruments that need to be repeatedly inserted and removed.
3Illumination intensity
If additional incisions are made for light sources, then illumination is achieved, but device complexity and procedural complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is merged with the cannula structure through integration of the light guide. This eliminates the need for separate light source devices and additional incisions, simplifying both the device configuration and surgical procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula serves dual purposes as both a mechanical instrument guide and an optical illumination delivery system, reducing the total number of devices required for the surgical procedure.
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 illuminated cannula assembly reduces eye trauma by providing internal illumination, eliminating the need for extra incisions and allowing for simultaneous instrument insertion and illumination, thereby improving surgical access and reducing procedural complications.
Implementation Method 1
The light guide may include an optical fiber, a light sleeve, and a transition region joining the optical fiber and the light sleeve and adapted to transmit light from the optical fiber to the light sleeve
Implementation Method 2
The light sleeve is adapted to emit the light from a distal end thereof
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for illuminating an interior portion of an eye are disclosed herein. In an exemplary aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an apparatus for use in ophthalmic surgery. The apparatus may include a light guide including an optical fiber, a transition region, and a light sleeve. The transition region may be disposed between the optical fiber and the light sleeve for transmission of light from the optical fiber to the light sleeve such that the light sleeve is operable to emit the light at a distal end of the light sleeve.