Patient Interface Device for Laser–Phacoemulsification Without Repositioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmic systems lack an integrated, compact, and ergonomic solution that combines therapeutic ultrasonic and laser devices to meet regulatory and medical practitioner requirements, failing to address the size, ergonomics, and efficiency of procedures in operating rooms and medical offices.
Innovation Solution
Development of integrated ultrasonic-laser systems, such as phaco-laser systems, with a patient interface device (PID) that integrates therapeutic laser and phacoemulsification systems, featuring a unified control system, ergonomic design, and efficient energy delivery, allowing simultaneous use of both modalities without requiring patient repositioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate therapeutic laser and phacoemulsification systems are used, then each system can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall system size increases and requires multiple patient repositionings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate therapeutic laser and phacoemulsification systems into a single integrated patient interface device. The device includes both a laser delivery system with optically transparent window and a phacoemulsification probe positioning system, allowing both modalities to be applied to the patient simultaneously without repositioning, thereby improving patient comfort while managing integration complexity through unified control architecture
2Productivity
If separate therapeutic laser and phacoemulsification systems are used, then each system can operate independently, but procedure time increases due to patient repositioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated device merges laser and phacoemulsification systems into one unit with unified control, allowing both procedures to be performed in sequence without patient repositioning. The control system coordinates laser delivery through the optically transparent window and phacoemulsification probe positioning, reducing overall procedure time while managing complexity through integrated control architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows preliminary positioning of both laser and phacoemulsification components during patient setup. The optically transparent window and probe positioning mechanisms are pre-configured in the integrated device, eliminating the need for repositioning between procedures and reducing procedure time
3Ease of operation
If a compact integrated system is developed, then patient comfort and procedure efficiency improve, but meeting regulatory standards becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple therapeutic modalities into a single device while maintaining separate control pathways and safety mechanisms for each modality. The unified device includes distinct laser delivery system and phacoemulsification probe system with independent controls, allowing ergonomic benefits of integration while meeting regulatory requirements through modular design that preserves individual system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device is segmented into distinct functional modules: laser delivery system with optically transparent window, phacoemulsification probe positioning system, and unified control system. This segmentation allows each module to be independently validated for regulatory compliance while benefiting from the compact integrated design
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 integrated systems enhance patient comfort, reduce procedure time, improve surgical efficiency, and meet regulatory standards by providing a compact, ergonomic solution for ophthalmic procedures like cataract removal and refractive error correction.
Implementation Method 1
a therapeutic laser for providing a therapeutic laser beam along a laser beam path
Implementation Method 2
a phacoemulsification system for providing therapeutic ultrasonic energy
Data Source
AI summary
A patient interface device (PID) for contacting the surface of the eye and having a meniscus inverter. A pin, clip and ridge configuration for holding a window and maintaining an open reservoir of BSS in a PID. A PID for integrated systems and methods for performing laser and phacoemulsification operations. A PID for a reconfigurable system for performing a laser procedure in a laser configuration, and then being reconfigured into a phaco configuration, to perform a phacoemulsification, and then being reconfigured back to the laser configuration.