Ophthalmic Marking Device Resistive Heating Tip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for marking a patient's eye during surgery, such as those using bipolar electrocautery devices, generate high temperatures that can be traumatic and are costly, lacking a lower-cost, less invasive alternative for creating temporary reference marks.
Innovation Solution
An electrical resistance heating device with a detachable, sterilizable tip element made of stainless steel, powered by a self-contained battery, generates heat in the range of 250° F.-450° F. for 1-5 seconds to create discernible marks on the eye without permanent damage, eliminating the need for external power sources and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bipolar electrocautery devices are used to mark a patient's eye, then the marking is discernible and permanent, but the temperature generated is excessively high (900°F and higher) causing trauma and the device requires external power supply increasing cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from traditional high temperatures (900°F and higher) to a moderate temperature range (250°F-450°F), which is sufficient to create discernible marks without causing tissue trauma. This parameter modification directly resolves the contradiction between marking permanence and tissue trauma.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable tip element that is inexpensive and single-use, eliminating the need for expensive external power supplies and complex bipolar electrocautery devices. The disposable tip contains all necessary components (heating element, insulation, connector) in a simple, low-cost package that achieves the marking function without requiring sophisticated external equipment.
2Reliability
If traditional electrocautery devices are used, then effective marking is achieved, but the devices are tethered to remote power supplies increasing device complexity and operational inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power supply functionality from the external environment and integrates it directly into the disposable tip element. The tip element contains an integrated power source (such as a battery) that provides electrical power locally, eliminating the need for external power supplies and tethered connections. This extraction of the power supply function resolves the device complexity issue while maintaining marking effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable tip element is self-contained with integrated power supply and heating components, allowing it to function independently without external assistance. The tip element serves itself by incorporating all necessary functions (power generation, heat generation, marking) in a single self-sufficient unit, eliminating the need for complex external power supply connections.
3Reliability
If higher temperature electrocautery devices are used, then permanent marks are created, but the cost of equipment and operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex electrocautery devices with inexpensive disposable tip elements. Each tip element is manufactured at low cost using simple materials and processes, yet provides effective marking functionality. The disposable nature eliminates the need for expensive equipment investment, and the low manufacturing cost directly reduces device and operational expenses while maintaining marking permanence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy or replica of the essential marking function without the expensive original equipment. Instead of using complex electrocautery devices, the invention uses a simplified disposable tip that replicates the core function of creating permanent marks through a much less expensive mechanism, thereby reducing cost while maintaining effectiveness.
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 device provides a lower-cost, less traumatic method for creating temporary reference marks on the eye, suitable for surgical procedures like toric lens implantation, with the ability to reuse the handle and sterilize the tip, reducing the risk of tissue damage and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
The tip element is electrically conductive to resistively generate heat with electrical flow therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmic marking device is provided herein for marking a patient's eye. The device may include a handle and a tip with a tip element, a first portion of the tip element protruding from the tip to be exposed. The tip element is electrically conductive to resistively generate heat with electrical flow therethrough. A source of electrical power is associated with the device and electrically coupled to the tip element. The source of the electrical power and the tip element are configured to cause the first portion of the tip element to have a temperature in a range of 250° F.-450° F. Advantageously, the subject invention provides for a relatively low-cost device for marking a patient's eye and allows for creating a less traumatic marking on a patient's eye as compared to higher temperature electrocautery devices.