Ocular Suction Bubble Sampling With Dual-Chamber Pressure Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suction devices for collecting interstitial fluid from mucous membranes, such as the ocular mucosa, face challenges in efficiently and safely forming a suction bubble without causing overpressure or displacement of the mucous membrane, particularly due to their design limitations and the sensitivity of the eye.

Innovation Solution

A device with a hollow, airtight enclosure and adjustable vacuum system that creates a localized suction bubble by applying negative pressure, using a dual suction mechanism to adhere to the mucous membrane and minimize overpressure, allowing for rapid and controlled collection of interstitial fluid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a suction device applies negative pressure to collect interstitial fluid from the ocular mucosa, then the collection efficiency is improved, but the risk of overpressure and mucous membrane displacement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollection efficiencyVSAvoidoverpressure and mucous membrane displacement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The suction device is divided into multiple independent chambers: a first chamber for applying negative pressure to collect interstitial fluid, and a second chamber for applying positive pressure to support the mucous membrane. This segmentation allows independent control of pressure in each chamber, enabling efficient fluid collection while preventing harmful overpressure and membrane displacement through coordinated pressure management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If a suction device adheres to the eye periphery to create a sealed area, then the sampling area is defined, but the central area remains inaccessible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesampling areaVSAvoidaccessibility to different eye areas
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device employs a nested chamber structure where a first chamber is positioned within a second chamber. The first chamber creates the initial sealed sampling area on the eye periphery, while the second chamber extends the sealed area to include the central corneal region. This nested arrangement allows progressive expansion of the accessible sampling area from periphery to center without compromising the integrity of the initial seal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Quantity of substance

If a suction bubble is formed by applying negative pressure for two hours, then interstitial fluid accumulates, but the procedure time is excessively long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterstitial fluid accumulationVSAvoidprocedure time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device applies positive pressure to the second chamber beforehand to pre-support and stabilize the mucous membrane before negative pressure is applied in the first chamber. This preliminary action prepares the tissue to respond more rapidly to the subsequent negative pressure, accelerating the formation of the suction bubble and the accumulation of interstitial fluid, thereby reducing the overall procedure time from two hours to a significantly shorter duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If a suction ring is used in LASIK surgery, then the corneal flap can be created, but the device cannot access the central area of the eye

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorneal flap creationVSAvoidaccessible area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from a two-dimensional peripheral seal (suction ring) to a three-dimensional nested chamber system. The first chamber provides the peripheral seal similar to traditional suction rings, while the second chamber extends coverage in the radial dimension to encompass the central corneal area. This dimensional expansion allows the device to maintain the operational advantages of traditional suction rings while accessing previously unreachable central areas for sampling or treatment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 device enables efficient, rapid, and safe collection of interstitial fluid with minimal risk of overpressure, facilitating various analyses and tissue sampling, while ensuring patient comfort and reducing contamination risks.

Implementation Method 1

un système à première dépression (aspiration) capable de créer une vide dans l enceinte hermétique et de former ainsi une bulle d asorption à travers l ouverture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure (vacuum): Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

créer une bulle d asorption à travers l ouverture, de manière à ce que la surface externe de la bulle soit la membrane muqueuse et l intérieur de la bulle soit le liquide interstitiel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 3

des parois creuses de l enceinte hermétique, de manière à ce qu une deuxième dépression soit créée dans les parois de l enceinte... cette deuxième dépression créée dans les parois de l enceinte permet de fixer la membrane muqueuse

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure adhesion: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentEP4422510B1Ocular suction device
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 HOPITAL FONDATION ADOLPHE DE ROTHSCHILD
  • EP4422510B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4422510B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4422510B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and a device for collecting a sample of interstitial fluid from the eye of an animal, for analysis.