Ophthalmic Patient Interface with Vacuum Seals and Distension Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ophthalmic surgical techniques for cataract extraction, particularly capsulorhexis, face challenges in optimizing patient interface options for precision and safety, leading to complications such as tissue distension and inadequate control during laser-assisted procedures.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a patient interface assembly with a housing, optical lens, and eye engagement assembly that uses vacuum seals and a tissue migration bolster structure to stabilize the eye, allowing for precise alignment and minimizing tissue distension, while utilizing a femtosecond laser for creating dielectric breakdown in the cataractous lens for plasma-mediated ablation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If vacuum seals are used to stabilize the eye during laser-assisted capsulorhexis, then precision and safety are improved, but tissue distension occurs as a harmful side effect

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of capsulorhexisVSAvoidtissue distension

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A distension prevention member is introduced as an intermediary element between the vacuum seal and the eye tissue. This member physically limits the degree to which the vacuum seal can distend the tissue, thereby maintaining the stabilizing effect of the vacuum while preventing harmful distension. The distension prevention member acts as a mediator that reconciles the conflicting requirements of tissue stabilization and tissue protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the eye is stabilized using vacuum engagement, then alignment precision is improved, but the complexity of the patient interface increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidcomplexity of patient interface

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The distension prevention member is integrated into the patient interface assembly, merging multiple functions (vacuum engagement, tissue stabilization, and distension prevention) into a single unified device. This integration reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall patient interface while maintaining alignment precision through the combined vacuum engagement and distension control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If traditional can-opener capsulotomy is used, then the procedure is simpler, but complications increase and safety decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of procedureVSAvoidsafety of capsulorhexis

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical can-opener capsulotomy method with a laser-assisted capsulorhexis system. The laser provides precise, controlled tissue removal with minimal mechanical contact, reducing complications associated with manual techniques. The patient interface with vacuum engagement and distension prevention further enhances safety by stabilizing the eye and preventing tissue distortion during the laser procedure.

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

This approach enhances the precision and safety of capsulorhexis by stabilizing the eye and minimizing tissue distension, enabling effective plasma-mediated ablation for cataract extraction, thus improving the accuracy and reliability of cataract surgery.

Implementation Method 1

applying a vacuum load between the inner and outer seals to engage the eye using the vacuum load

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

utilizing a femtosecond laser for creating dielectric breakdown in the cataractous lens for plasma-mediated ablation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric breakdown: Dielectric Permittivity

Implementation Method 3

utilizing a femtosecond laser for creating dielectric breakdown in the cataractous lens for plasma-mediated ablation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentUS10660794B2Patient interface for ophthalmologic diagnostic and interventional procedures

Publication Date: 2020.05.26 AMO DEVELOPMENT LLC

AI summary

One embodiment is directed to a method for interfacing an ophthalmic intervention system with an eye of a patient, comprising: placing a patient interface assembly comprising a housing, an optical lens coupled to the housing, and an eye engagement assembly coupled to the housing, the eye engagement assembly comprising an inner seal and an outer seal, into contact with the eye of the patient by sealably engaging the eye with the inner and outer seals in a vacuum zone defined between the inner and outer seals; applying a vacuum load between the inner and outer seals to engage the eye using the vacuum load; and physically limiting an amount of distension of the eye in the vacuum zone.