Small-Gauge Ophthalmic Instrument Cannula Interlock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small gauge ophthalmic instruments experience unpredictable bending and flexing, leading to loss of control during surgical procedures, particularly when manipulating the eye, due to their flexible nature, which complicates precise repositioning and delicate maneuvers.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a slidable support frame and engaging features with a cannula, allowing for a close tolerance fit to minimize side-to-side play and provide axial support, combined with a biasing device to maintain alignment, ensuring the instrument remains coaxial with the cannula, thereby reducing bending and flexing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If smaller diameter instruments are used, then incision size is reduced and patient comfort is improved, but instrument flexibility increases causing loss of control and imprecision
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument is divided into multiple segments: a flexible small-diameter distal portion for insertion through small incisions, and a more rigid proximal portion providing control. This segmentation allows each part to have optimized properties for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the instrument have different mechanical properties. The distal portion maintains small diameter and flexibility for minimal trauma, while the proximal portion has increased rigidity and diameter for surgeon control, creating local quality variations along the instrument length.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If smaller diameter instruments are used, then wound management is simplified and healing is faster, but bending and flexing becomes unpredictable making precise repositioning difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument shaft is segmented into flexible and rigid portions, allowing the small-diameter flexible section to enable fast healing while the rigid proximal section ensures precise repositioning control during procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
A support frame or guide structure acts as an intermediary between the flexible instrument shaft and the surgeon's control, providing mechanical support that reduces unwanted bending while maintaining the benefits of small instrument diameter.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If smaller diameter instruments are used, then patient comfort is improved, but the instrument tips move from intended positions due to bending
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument is designed with local quality variations where the distal tip portion remains small and flexible to minimize patient trauma, while the proximal portion has increased rigidity to maintain tip position accuracy and prevent unwanted movement during manipulation.
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmic instrument, and ophthalmic instrument system are shown with engaging features and mating features that interlock between an ophthalmic instrument and a cannula. Twisting motion of the ophthalmic instrument system is supported by the interlocking mating feature and engaging feature. Ophthalmic instruments are also shown that include a biasing device to urge support frame towards an extended location along a length of a small diameter instrument.