Irrigation Cassette Segmentation for Faster Phacoemulsification Setup

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing phacoemulsification systems incur high costs and prolonged setup times due to the need for a single disposable cassette that requires frequent priming and disposal, leading to inefficient use of balanced salt solution (BSS) and increased surgical setup complexity.

Innovation Solution

A dual cassette system is introduced, decoupling irrigation and aspiration functions, allowing the irrigation cassette to be reused across multiple patients, reducing the need for frequent priming and disposal, and minimizing costs per case.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single disposable cassette is used for both irrigation and aspiration, then sterility is maintained, but setup time increases and BSS usage increases due to frequent priming

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesterilityVSAvoidsetup time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the previously single integrated cassette into two separate cassettes: an irrigation cassette and an aspiration cassette. This segmentation allows the irrigation cassette to be reused across multiple procedures while the aspiration cassette remains disposable, thereby reducing overall setup time and BSS consumption without compromising sterility where critical.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The irrigation cassette is designed to serve multiple functions across multiple surgical procedures. By making the irrigation cassette reusable and independent, it can be used for multiple patients after appropriate sterilization, eliminating the need for repeated priming and reducing waste, while maintaining universal compatibility with the surgical system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a single disposable cassette is used, then sterility is maintained, but cost per case increases due to frequent disposal

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesterilityVSAvoidcassette cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the previously single integrated cassette into two separate cassettes: an irrigation cassette and an aspiration cassette. This segmentation allows the irrigation cassette to be reused across multiple procedures while the aspiration cassette remains disposable, thereby reducing overall setup time and BSS consumption without compromising sterility where critical.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a strategy where the irrigation cassette is recovered and reused across multiple surgical cases after sterilization, while only the aspiration cassette is discarded. This selective discarding and recovering approach significantly reduces the number of cassettes that need to be disposed of, lowering the cost per case while maintaining necessary sterility standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Device complexity

If a single disposable cassette is used, then simplicity is maintained, but BSS usage increases due to frequent priming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidBSS usage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the previously single integrated cassette into two separate cassettes: an irrigation cassette and an aspiration cassette. This segmentation allows the irrigation cassette to be reused across multiple procedures while the aspiration cassette remains disposable, thereby reducing overall setup time and BSS consumption without compromising sterility where critical.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reusable irrigation cassette maintains continuous readiness for use across multiple surgical procedures. After sterilization, it can be immediately deployed without requiring repeated priming operations, ensuring continuous useful action and eliminating the wasteful repeated filling and disposal cycle that characterizes single-use cassettes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3914206B1Irrigation day cassette

Publication Date: 2025.08.13 JOHNSON & JOHNSON SURGICAL VISION INC

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AI summary

A phacoemulsification console including two cassettes within the system for use during cataract surgery. An irrigation cassette which is retained in the system for the duration of surgical procedures and an aspiration cassette which is replaced after each and every surgical procedure. The irrigation cassette is connected to the aspiration cassette via a valve having elastomeric properties.