Modular Ophthalmic Surgical System with Disposable Sterile Trays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ophthalmic surgical systems are costly, bulky, and inefficient due to unnecessary features and long tubing sets, which hinder performance and increase expenses, while lacking portability and cost-effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A modular surgical apparatus comprising reusable and disposable components, where the disposable components are designed for single or limited use and encapsulate non-sterile reusable modules within a sterile environment, using pressure-sensitive buttons and functional interfaces for efficient surgical function control, and a custom surgical drape for maintaining sterility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional ophthalmic surgical consoles are used, then surgical functions are provided, but the systems become bulky, expensive, and difficult to operate due to unnecessary features and long tubing sets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical system is divided into modular components: a reusable base unit and disposable sterile trays. Each tray is self-contained with integrated components (pumps, reservoirs, instruments) that can be independently sterilized and disposed of, eliminating the need for complex sterilization procedures and long tubing sets while maintaining full surgical functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The disposable sterile tray encapsulates multiple functional components within a single integrated unit. The tray nests the reusable base unit's functions (pumps, fluid management) within a sterile container, allowing the sterile field to be maintained without external connections or long tubing, thereby simplifying the overall system configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional ophthalmic surgical consoles are used, then surgical functions are provided, but the systems become costly due to capital expenditure and recurring costs for disposable elements

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reusable base unit is designed with universal interfaces that can accommodate multiple types of disposable sterile trays for different surgical procedures (vitrectomy, cataract, glaucoma). This multi-functionality allows a single base unit to perform various surgical functions by simply changing the sterile tray, reducing capital expenditure while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The sterile trays are designed as disposable components that can be sterilized and disposed of after use, eliminating the need for expensive, complex sterilization equipment and reducing maintenance costs. The reusable base unit contains the expensive components (pumps, electronics) that can be sterilized and reused, while the disposable trays contain only the sterile consumables.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If traditional ophthalmic surgical consoles are used, then surgical functions are provided, but the systems become large and heavy requiring location at distance from surgeon

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the heavy, non-sterile components (pumps, power supply, electronics) in the reusable base unit from the light, sterile components in the disposable tray. The sterile tray can be held and manipulated easily by the surgeon, while the base unit remains stationary on the surgical table, improving ergonomics and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The disposable sterile tray is designed as a compact, self-contained unit that nests all necessary sterile components within a small footprint. This allows the tray to be positioned close to the surgical site without requiring long tubing or cables, improving the surgeon's control and responsiveness during procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3119358B1Ophthalmic surgical devices
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 ALCON INC
  • EP3119358B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3119358B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~1C
  • EP3119358B1 patent drawingFigure 1D

AI summary

The disclosure herein provides ophthalmic surgical systems, methods, and devices. In one embodiment, a surgical apparatus for use by a surgeon during a surgical procedure comprises one or more sealed sterilized surgical packs configured to be disposed of after a single or a limited number of surgical procedures, the one or more sealed sterilized surgical packs comprising: a sterile surgical instrument; and a sterile surgical tray comprising a top surface configured to be part of a sterile field of the surgical procedure, the top surface comprising a receiving structure for positioning therein of the sterile surgical instrument, the sterile surgical tray further comprising walls that define a recess sized and configured to receive a reusable non-sterile module, the recess configured to encapsulate the reusable non- sterile module to isolate the reusable non-sterile module from the sterile field of the surgical procedure.