Ophthalmic Cassette Refraction Element Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ophthalmic surgical cassettes lack an effective identification feature to accurately indicate the cassette type to the surgical console, leading to potential errors in enabling or disabling surgical functions, especially when generic containers are used with different manifold bases, which can result in incorrect procedure execution.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a refraction element as an identification feature on the manifold base of the ophthalmic surgical cassette, which uses light refraction to uniquely indicate the cassette type to the console, enabling precise detection and disabling of appropriate surgical functions, thereby ensuring the correct procedure is performed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If generic containers are used with different manifold bases, then device versatility and ease of manufacture are improved, but measurement precision and reliability of cassette type identification deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecassette type identificationVSAvoidcassette type detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by placing a specific refraction element only at the distal end of the manifold base, creating a localized identification feature. This allows the manifold base to maintain its generic compatibility while the localized refraction element provides precise cassette type identification through unique light refraction patterns detected by the console.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The refraction element acts as an intermediary between the physical cassette and the console's detection system. It converts physical cassette type differences into optical signals (light refraction patterns) that the console can accurately detect and interpret, thereby enabling precise identification without requiring direct mechanical or electronic interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If refraction element is added to manifold base, then measurement precision and reliability of cassette type detection are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecassette type detection accuracyVSAvoidcassette structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The refraction element is integrated into the disposable manifold base rather than being a separate permanent component. This allows the identification feature to be manufactured as part of the single-use cassette assembly, reducing the need for complex reusable identification mechanisms and keeping the overall system relatively simple despite the added detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces potential mechanical identification systems (such as physical keys, slots, or mechanical interfaces) with an optical refraction element. This substitution simplifies the mechanical structure while enabling more precise and reliable cassette type detection through optical means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 refraction element-based identification feature enhances the accuracy of cassette type detection, preventing errors by enabling only the appropriate surgical functions and reducing the risk of incorrect procedure execution, thus ensuring safety and efficiency in ophthalmic surgeries.

Implementation Method 1

Incorporating a refraction element as an identification feature on the manifold base of the ophthalmic surgical cassette, which uses light refraction to uniquely indicate the cassette type to the console

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight refraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP2575918B1Ophthalmic surgery pump system comprising a surgical cassette with an identification feature
Publication Date: 2014.05.14 BAUSCH & LOMB INC
  • EP2575918B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2575918B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2575918B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6

AI summary

An ophthalmic surgical cassette for use with an ophthalmic surgical console. The ophthalmic surgical cassette includes a rigid-walled container having an interior volume for collecting aspirant fluid and/or tissue, and a manifold base, including an irrigation tube for coupling an irrigation source, an aspiration tube for coupling an ophthalmic surgical handpiece, and an identification feature for indicating a cassette type to an ophthalmic surgical console. The manifold base is removeably attached to the rigid-walled container.