Ocular Surgical Work Tip Adapter for Directional I/A Cleanup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ocular surgical instruments require multiple tools for phacoemulsification and irrigation/aspiration (I/A) cleanup, leading to increased risk of infection and trauma due to repeated insertion and withdrawal, and lack of directional fluid flow during cleanup.

Innovation Solution

A surgical hand piece with a single axial work tip that can be converted to an I/A tool using adapters, allowing for seamless transition between functions without removing the tip from the eye, and incorporating directional fluid flow for efficient cleanup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple surgical tools are used for phacoemulsification and I/A cleanup, then functional versatility is improved, but the risk of infection and trauma increases due to repeated insertion and withdrawal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidrisk of infection and trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The work tip is designed with multi-functionality to perform both phacoemulsification and I/A cleanup functions. The adapter assembly can be attached to the work tip to convert it into an I/A tool, eliminating the need for separate instruments and reducing repeated insertions into the patient's eye.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter assembly is designed to nest over the work tip, with the adapter containing inner and outer sleeves that can be collapsed or expanded. This nested structure allows the adapter to fit over the work tip while maintaining a compact profile during insertion and providing functional openings when expanded for I/A operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple tools are exchanged during surgery, then different surgical functions can be performed, but surgical time is increased due to tool exchange procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical function capabilityVSAvoidsurgical time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter assembly incorporates collapsible inner and outer sleeves that can be dynamically adjusted between collapsed and expanded states. This dynamic structure allows the adapter to be easily attached and detached from the work tip, enabling quick transition between phacoemulsification and I/A functions without time-consuming tool exchanges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If conventional I/A tools are used without directional fluid flow, then simplicity is maintained, but cleanup precision and efficiency are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool simplicityVSAvoidfluid flow precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter assembly incorporates irrigation openings and aspiration openings positioned at specific locations and orientations. The inner sleeve contains an aspiration opening while the outer sleeve contains irrigation openings, creating localized fluid flow paths that direct irrigation fluid precisely toward the capsular bag and enable targeted aspiration of debris.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Reduces the risk of infection and trauma by eliminating the need for tool exchange, ensures continuous operation, and enhances the precision of fluid flow during cleanup procedures.

Implementation Method 1

The transducer 11 is shown as a magnetostrictive transducer with an electrical coil 12 wound about a stack of metal laminations so that longitudinal mechanical vibrations are produced

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetostriction: Magnetostriction

Implementation Method 2

The transducer can also be of the piezoelectric type

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

The connecting body forms an acoustic impedance transformer for conveying the longitudinal vibrations of the transducer 11 for application to an operative tool or working tip 14

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic impedance transformation:

Implementation Method 4

The work tip 14 is an elongated, hollow tip of a suitable metal, such as titanium, that is capable of supporting ultrasonic vibrations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 5

tissue that is emulsified by the work tip

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic emulsification:

Implementation Method 6

An outlet 24 on the housing or sleeve receives a suction (aspiration) force that is applied to the passage 23 in the connecting body and the central passage 25 in the work tip

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 7

Treatment fluid is supplied through inlet 22 and fluid passage 21 to bathe the tissue in the operating site region around the working tip 14

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentUS12390574B2Ocular surgical work tip adapter

Publication Date: 2025.08.19 SURGICAL DESIGN

AI summary

An adapter for a surgical hand piece with a single lumen work tip converts the handpiece to infusion/aspiration (I/A) cleanup of lens epithelial cells in the capsular bag of the eye a patient after phacoemulsification. The adapter is in the form of a sleeve whose proximal end is to be joined to the distal end of work tip. The sleeve also has at least one aspiration hole located toward the distal end of the sleeve.