Integrated Priming Vessel for Ophthalmic Surgery Kits

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current ophthalmic surgery kits are time-consuming to set up and often result in fluid overflow during the priming of irrigation and aspiration tubes, necessitating an improved method for efficient priming in ophthalmic surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

An ophthalmic surgery kit featuring a pre-assembled priming vessel with a reservoir, an ophthalmic surgical handpiece, irrigation tube, and auxiliary aspiration tube, where the kit is designed for efficient priming by a console-controlled fluid dispensing and aspiration sequence, minimizing user interaction and preventing overflow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If separate filling of irrigation lines from a cup or beaker is used, then the setup process can be completed, but the setup time increases and fluid overflow occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetup speedVSAvoidsetup time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple irrigation lines and aspiration lines into a single integrated priming vessel system. The priming vessel receives a single fluid input and distributes it to multiple tubes simultaneously through internal channels, merging the separate filling operations into one unified process. This resolves the contradiction by enabling parallel priming of multiple lines, dramatically reducing setup time while preventing overflow through controlled distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The priming vessel is pre-configured with internal channels and connections before the surgical procedure begins. All tubing is pre-attached and pre-positioned within the vessel, so that when fluid is introduced, priming occurs automatically without requiring manual manipulation of each individual tube. This preliminary preparation eliminates the time-consuming step-by-step filling process while ensuring complete priming of all lines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If manual filling of irrigation lines is performed, then the tubes can be primed, but fluid overflow occurs and setup becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepriming easeVSAvoidpriming system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The priming vessel is designed to prime itself and the connected tubing automatically when fluid is introduced. The internal structure includes self-regulating channels that distribute fluid evenly to all outlets without requiring manual intervention. The system uses its own fluid flow to prime all lines, eliminating the need for external manual filling operations and reducing the risk of overflow through automatic flow control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The priming vessel serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a fluid reservoir, a distribution manifold, a priming chamber, and a collection point for aspirated fluid. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate devices and operations into a single unit, simplifying the overall system while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 kit significantly reduces setup time, ensures tubes are primed without air bubbles, and provides a convenient source of fluid for additional instruments, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing the risk of fluid overflow.

Implementation Method 1

a priming vessel (12) defining a reservoir (14) for holding fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

an aspiration tube (24) for coupling an ophthalmic surgical console to aspirate fluid and/or tissue from the surgical site

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAspiration: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP2575714B1Ophthalmic surgery kits for priming tubes for ophthalmic surgical procedures
Publication Date: 2018.09.19 BAUSCH & LOMB INC
  • EP2575714B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2575714B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2575714B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An ophthalmic surgery kit includes a priming vessel defining a reservoir for holding a fluid, an auxiliary aspiration channel, an irrigation channel, a handpiece channel, and an ophthalmic surgical handpiece retained by the handpiece channel. The ophthalmic surgical handpiece includes a tip disposed within the reservoir. An auxiliary aspiration tube 15 retained by the auxiliary aspiration channel with a first end disposed within the reservoir. An irrigation tube first end is retained by the irrigation channel within the reservoir.