One-Step Vitrector with Guillotine Cutter and Aspiration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional posterior vitrectomy procedures are time-consuming, require multiple steps, and involve numerous incisions, making them bothersome for patients and inefficient in terms of duration and instrument accommodation.
Innovation Solution
A one-step vitrector with a tubular shaft and sharply pointed needle tip, incorporating a pneumatically driven guillotine cutter and aspiration line, allowing for simplified access to the vitreous cavity during cataract surgery to remove floaters with reduced incisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional three-port procedure is used for posterior vitrectomy, then complete vitreous removal can be achieved, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and requires multiple incisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vitrectomy function with a single sharp-tipped cutter that can access the vitreous cavity through one incision. The cutter includes a guillotine blade that moves transversely to cut vitreous strands, while an aspiration port simultaneously removes cut material, integrating cutting and removal functions in one instrument accessed through a single port.
Solution Approach 2:
The single vitrector instrument performs multiple functions: the sharp tip pierces the sclera and pars plana, the guillotine blade cuts vitreous strands, the aspiration port removes debris, and the irrigation channel maintains fluid balance. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate instruments and multiple incisions required in conventional procedures.
2Ease of operation
If multiple ports and instruments are used for vitrectomy, then adequate access and irrigation can be maintained, but the complexity of the procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges irrigation, cutting, and aspiration functions into a single integrated vitrector instrument. The instrument includes an outer cannula with an irrigation channel and an inner cutter assembly with a guillotine blade and aspiration port, allowing all functions to be performed through one incision site.
Solution Approach 2:
The vitrector design employs nested components where the inner cutter assembly with aspiration port is positioned within the outer cannula that provides irrigation. This nested structure allows multiple functions to be contained within a single instrument shaft, reducing the number of separate instruments and incisions needed.
3Ease of operation
If a blunt-tipped vitrector is used, then irrigation can be maintained, but piercing the pars plana and sclera becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The vitrector instrument features local quality differentiation where the distal tip is sharply pointed to facilitate easy piercing of the sclera and pars plana, while the shaft maintains irrigation channels and the inner assembly provides cutting and aspiration functions. This localized sharp tip design enables initial access without compromising the irrigation capability of the overall instrument.
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 solution significantly shortens the procedure duration, reduces patient discomfort, and allows anterior segment surgeons to perform vitrectomy with minimal additional surgical time and morbidity by integrating floaters removal with cataract surgery.
Implementation Method 1
a pneumatically driven guillotine cutter is incorporated within the shaft portion of the vitrector at a location immediately adjacent to the sharply pointed needle tip portion. A source of pneumatic air is operatively connected to the proximal end of the vitrector hand piece and is pneumatically connected to the guillotine cutter so as to drive the same.
Implementation Method 2
an aspiration line is also operatively connected to the proximal end of the vitrector hand piece and is also fluidically connected to the region immediately adjacent to the pneumatically driven guillotine cutter so as to remove the floater particles, severed from the vitreous cavity by means of the pneumatically driven guillotine cutter, by aspiration.
Data Source
AI summary
A vitrector for performing a vitrectomy comprises a tubular shaft portion which is attached to a distal end of a vitrector hand piece. The shaft portion is provided with a sharply pointed needle tip portion for piercing the pars plana and sclera of the eye, and a pneumatically driven guillotine cutter is incorporated within the shaft portion of the vitrector at a location immediately adjacent to the sharply pointed needle tip portion. A source of pneumatic air is operatively connected to the proximal end of the vitrector hand piece and is pneumatically connected to the guillotine cutter so as to drive the same. In addition, an aspiration line is also operatively connected to the proximal end of the vitrector hand piece and is also fluidically connected to the region immediately adjacent to the pneumatically driven guillotine cutter so as to remove the floater particles, severed from the vitreous cavity by means of the pneumatically driven guillotine cutter, by means of aspiration.