Liquid Jet Cataract Fragmentation with Centripetal Energy Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cataract surgery methods, such as phacoemulsification and laser-based procedures, face challenges including ultrasound energy propagation issues, heat generation, and difficulty in steering probes around corners, which can lead to lens capsule damage and increased surgical time.
Innovation Solution
A liquid jet apparatus and system that delivers energy from the periphery of the lens towards the center, reducing the risk of lens capsule rupture, and incorporates multiple stages of fluid delivery and laser energy configurations to facilitate safer and more precise cataract surgery, including a horizontal and vertical chopper design with centripetal energy delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If phacoemulsification is used to emulsify and remove cataracts, then cataract removal effectiveness is improved, but ultrasound energy propagation causes heat generation and potential lens capsule damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the ultrasonic mechanical vibration system with a high-speed rotating chopper blade system that mechanically fragments the cataract nucleus. This substitution eliminates ultrasound energy propagation and associated heat generation while achieving effective cataract removal through pure mechanical chopping action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a liquid cooling medium that flows through channels in the probe to cool the chopper blade and surrounding tissue during surgery. This intermediary cooling system prevents heat accumulation and protects the lens capsule from thermal damage while maintaining effective cataract fragmentation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a rigid ultrasound probe is used to propagate ultrasound energy, then energy transmission is improved, but the probe cannot be steered around corners
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible shaft mechanism that allows the chopper blade to be dynamically positioned and steered around corners and bends within the eye. The flexible construction enables the probe to navigate complex anatomical pathways while maintaining mechanical connection for power and control transmission.
3Ease of operation
If a large incision is made to remove the lens, then cataract removal is simplified, but surgical trauma and recovery time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fragments the cataract nucleus into small pieces using the rotating chopper blade, allowing these segmented particles to be removed through a small incision via irrigation-aspiration. This segmentation approach enables minimally invasive surgery while maintaining effective cataract removal, avoiding the need for large incisions.
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 system enhances safety and precision in cataract surgery by minimizing lens capsule damage and reducing surgical time, while allowing for effective removal of cataracts with reduced risk of heat generation and improved tissue protection.
Implementation Method 1
A liquid jet is delivered to a cataract to break the cataract into multiple, smaller pieces
Implementation Method 2
The probe or other suction means is used to break apart a cataract into multiple, smaller pieces, which may then be suctioned from the eye
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid or laser jet instrument may be used for manually performing eye surgery or any emulsification technique.