Ocular Fluid Management System with Diaphragm Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ocular fluid management systems in ophthalmic surgery face challenges in maintaining balanced fluid flow during procedures, particularly in cataract surgery, where small imbalances can lead to hazardous situations due to the limited volume of the anterior chamber, and existing systems often require manual control that is inefficient in handling obstructions and maintaining proper suction levels.
Innovation Solution
An integrated fluid management system with a chamber, flexible diaphragm, sensor, and controller that operates in multiple modes, including vacuum-controlled and flow-controlled modes, to maintain the diaphragm at a predetermined position using peristaltic and vacuum pumps, ensuring balanced fluid flow and automatically handling occlusion breaks to prevent sudden surges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual control is used for fluid management systems, then the system is simpler to operate, but the system cannot quickly and efficiently handle obstructions and maintain proper suction levels
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects obstructions through sensors monitoring fluid flow and vacuum levels, then self-corrects by adjusting pump operations without requiring manual intervention. The controller continuously monitors system parameters and autonomously manages obstruction events, enabling the system to serve itself while maintaining high response efficiency.
2Productivity
If higher vacuum levels are used in the aspiration system, then the aspiration flow is more effective at removing lens fragments, but the break of occlusion surge becomes more rapid and hazardous
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary counter-actions by detecting the onset of occlusion break through sensor monitoring and immediately responding with controlled vacuum modulation. The controller anticipates the surge hazard by continuously monitoring flow parameters and preemptively adjusts vacuum levels to prevent excessive surge, thereby neutralizing the harmful effect before it can cause damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where sensors continuously monitor fluid flow, vacuum levels, and pump operations. This real-time feedback enables the controller to detect occlusion events and adjust vacuum levels dynamically, preventing hazardous surges while maintaining effective aspiration. The closed-loop control ensures that higher vacuum levels do not lead to uncontrolled surge events.
3Manufacturing precision
If the anterior chamber volume is small (0.3 milliliters), then the surgical precision is improved, but the system becomes more sensitive to fluid management imbalances
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses continuous feedback from sensors monitoring infusion and aspiration flows to maintain precise fluid balance. The controller compares actual flow rates against target values and makes real-time adjustments to pump operations, ensuring that the small anterior chamber volume remains stable despite the sensitivity to imbalances. This feedback control enables both high surgical precision and reliable fluid management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters such as pump speeds, vacuum levels, and infusion rates to maintain optimal fluid balance. By continuously adjusting these parameters based on real-time system conditions, the system can accommodate the small chamber volume while preventing hazardous pressure fluctuations and maintaining surgical precision.
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 ensures safe and controlled fluid management by maintaining balanced aspiration and infusion flows, preventing hazardous pressure imbalances and occlusion surges, thereby reducing the risk of complications during ophthalmic surgeries.
Implementation Method 1
The diaphragm is contained in the chamber and is configured to change position based on a pressure difference between the first portion and the second portion
Implementation Method 2
The system includes a peristaltic pump and a vacuum pump
Implementation Method 3
The first portion is connected to an input line for receiving fluids into the first portion
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated ocular fluid management system that, in one instance, includes a first chamber connected to a first input line and a first output line. A second chamber is connected to a second input line and a second output line. A first pump communicates with the first output line. A second pump communicates with the second input line. A first pressure regulator communicates with the first chamber. A second pressure regulator communicates with the second chamber. A first diaphragm is in the first chamber; and a second diaphragm is in the second chamber. A first controller controls at least one of the first pump and the first pressure regulator to maintain the first diaphragm in a predetermined position. A second controller controls operation of at least one of the second pump and the second pressure to maintain the second diaphragm in a predetermined position.