Ocular Work Tip Sleeve Adapter for Phacoemulsification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ocular surgical instruments require multiple tool changes during cataract removal and cleanup procedures, increasing the risk of infection and trauma due to the need for separate ultrasonic and irrigation/aspiration tools, which complicates the process and may not allow for directional fluid flow or reduced aspiration pressure.
Innovation Solution
A surgical hand piece with a single axial work tip that can be converted using an adapter for both phacoemulsification and irrigation/aspiration functions, allowing for ultrasonic vibration during tissue emulsification and reduced pressure irrigation/aspiration without removing the tool from the eye, enabling seamless transition between procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate tools (ultrasonic hand piece and irrigation/aspiration tool) are used for different surgical functions, then each tool can be optimized for its specific function, but the number of tool changes increases and infection/trauma risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple surgical functions (ultrasonic phacoemulsification and irrigation/aspiration) into a single integrated hand piece with a unified shaft. The ultrasonic transducer and fluid delivery system are merged within the same housing, allowing both functions to be performed through one instrument without requiring tool changes during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The hand piece is designed as a universal instrument that can perform multiple surgical functions simultaneously or sequentially. The single hand piece incorporates both ultrasonic vibration capability for tissue emulsification and fluid delivery capability for irrigation and aspiration, making it a multi-functional tool that replaces multiple specialized instruments.
2Productivity
If multiple separate tools are used for phacoemulsification and cleanup procedures, then each tool can be optimized for its specific procedure, but the surgical process complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ultrasonic transducer assembly and fluid delivery system into a single integrated hand piece. The housing contains both the ultrasonic generator components and the fluid channels, eliminating the need for separate tools and reducing the overall system complexity despite maintaining functional capabilities.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a single integrated hand piece is used for both ultrasonic and irrigation/aspiration functions, then the number of tool changes is reduced and infection risk decreases, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The hand piece is segmented into distinct functional modules within a unified housing. The ultrasonic transducer section and fluid delivery section are separated into distinct components that can be independently designed and manufactured, then assembled into the final integrated hand piece. This modular segmentation manages complexity while maintaining integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid delivery channels are nested within the ultrasonic transducer housing structure. The irrigation and aspiration lumens are positioned concentrically or adjacently within the same shaft, allowing one system to be contained within or alongside the other without requiring separate external structures.
4Ease of operation
If separate irrigation/aspiration tool is used for cleanup procedures, then reduced pressure irrigation can be achieved, but the surgeon must divert attention from the operating site and tool changes are required
Solution Approach 1:
The irrigation and aspiration functions are merged within the same hand piece, allowing the surgeon to perform cleanup procedures without changing tools or diverting attention from the operating site. Both fluid delivery and fluid removal capabilities are integrated into the single instrument being used for phacoemulsification.
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
This design reduces the need for multiple tool exchanges, minimizes infection and trauma risks, and allows for efficient cleanup without diverting the surgeon's attention from the operating site, providing directional fluid flow and controlled aspiration pressure.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetostrictive transducer with an electrical coil 12 wound about a stack of metal laminations so that longitudinal mechanical vibrations are produced
Implementation Method 2
The transducer can also be of the piezoelectric type
Implementation Method 3
an ultrasonic hand piece that is used in ophthalmic applications, such as in the removal of cataracts from the eye by phacoemulsification
Implementation Method 4
A passage 23 is formed through the connecting body 16 that is in communication with a central passage 25 of the work tip 14. An outlet 24 on the housing or sleeve receives a suction (aspiration) force
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter for a surgical hand piece having a single lumen work tip with an open end and a small lateral hole is designed to convert the work tip to infusion/aspiration (I/A) cleanup of lens epithelial cells after phacoemulsification. The adapter is in the form of a sleeve adapted to be slid over the distal end of the work tip. The sleeve includes at least one aspiration hole located toward the distal end of the sleeve. When the distal end of the sleeve is at a first distance L1 from the distal end of the work tip, aspiration occurs through the aspiration hole of the sleeve and the open end of the work tip. When the distal end of the sleeve is at a second and smaller distance L2 from the open end of the work tip, aspiration through the open end of the work tip is blocked by the sleeve and aspiration occurs through the aspiration hole of the sleeve and the lateral hole in the work tip.