Infrared Temperature Sensors on Phacoemulsification Pump Ports

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Solution Overview

Problem

Phacoemulsification pumps in eye surgery systems face challenges in detecting and mitigating overheating, which can lead to pump damage and potential hazards during procedures.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a pump, inlet and outlet sensors, and a controller that monitors temperature differences between the inlet and outlet ports of the pump, taking responsive actions such as shutting down the pump when excessive temperature differences are detected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If temperature monitoring is implemented using traditional contact sensors, then temperature detection capability is improved, but device complexity and risk of contamination are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature detection capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact temperature sensors with non-contact infrared temperature sensors that detect temperature through thermal radiation. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact between sensors and fluid, reducing device complexity within the sterile field while maintaining accurate temperature monitoring capability through optical detection methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using infrared sensors positioned outside the sterile barrier to detect temperature through the barrier material. This intermediary detection method allows temperature monitoring without penetrating the sterile field, thus reducing contamination risk while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If contact temperature sensors are used in the sterile field, then temperature measurement accuracy is improved, but risk of contamination and sterilization requirements are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidrisk of contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact sensors with non-contact infrared sensors that measure temperature through thermal radiation detection. This eliminates the need for the sensor to physically contact the fluid or penetrate the sterile barrier, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while eliminating contamination risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the temperature sensing function from the sterile field by positioning infrared sensors outside the sterile barrier. The sensors detect temperature through the barrier material without needing to be inside the sterile environment, thus removing the source of potential contamination while preserving monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If multiple temperature sensors are installed on the pump, then temperature monitoring coverage is improved, but device complexity and cost are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature monitoring coverageVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a universal temperature monitoring approach by using infrared sensors that can monitor multiple temperature points (inlet and outlet) through non-contact detection. A single infrared sensor system can detect temperatures at different locations by detecting thermal radiation from multiple points, providing comprehensive monitoring coverage without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces multiple mechanical contact sensors with non-contact infrared sensing that can monitor multiple points simultaneously or sequentially without physical contact. This substitution reduces the mechanical complexity associated with installing and maintaining multiple contact sensors while achieving comprehensive temperature monitoring coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Effectively detects and mitigates pump overheating, preventing damage and ensuring safe operation during phacoemulsification procedures by utilizing sensors and a controller to manage temperature thresholds.

Implementation Method 1

The inlet sensor and the outlet sensor are infrared sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

The inlet sensor and the outlet sensor are infrared sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS12338816B2Progressive cavity pump cartridge with infrared temperature sensors on fluid inlet and outlet

Publication Date: 2025.06.24 JOHNSON & JOHNSON SURGICAL VISION INC

AI summary

A system includes a pump, an inlet sensor, an outlet sensor, and a controller. The pump is configured for pumping fluid in a phacoemulsification system. The inlet sensor is coupled with an inlet port of the pump and is configured to sense an inlet temperature of the fluid at the inlet port. The outlet sensor is coupled with an outlet port of the pump and is configured to sense an outlet temperature of the fluid at the outlet port. The controller is configured to take a responsive action based a difference between the inlet temperature and the outlet temperature crossing a defined threshold.