Ophthalmic Snare Instrument Stabilizing Lens During Fragmentation
Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmic surgical instruments face challenges in safely fragmenting and removing cataractous lenses without causing trauma to adjacent eye structures due to undesirable upward movement of the lens during segmentation.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmic surgical instrument featuring an elongated shaft with a snare mechanism that transitions between contracted and dilated configurations, allowing for precise cutting and stabilization of the lens to prevent upward movement and trauma, utilizing a looped segment that encircles the lens and applies a cutting force in conjunction with a cutting surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a surgical instrument is inserted through the capsulorhexis to fragment the cataractous lens, then the lens can be segmented and removed, but the distal portion of the lens may shift undesirably in an upward direction causing trauma to adjacent eye structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hollow shaft as an intermediary structure that provides a stable platform for the snare mechanism. The shaft is positioned to engage the anterior surface of the lens, acting as a mediator that stabilizes the lens during fragmentation while the snare performs the cutting action. This intermediary structure prevents direct transmission of destabilizing forces to the lens and adjacent structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary stabilization by positioning the hollow shaft to engage the anterior surface of the lens before the snare performs fragmentation. The shaft is placed in position first, providing a stable base, and then the snare is advanced through the shaft to encircle and fragment the lens. This preliminary positioning prevents undesirable lens movement during the subsequent cutting action.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the lens is stabilized to prevent upward movement, then trauma to adjacent structures is reduced, but the instrument complexity increases due to the need for both stabilization and cutting mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the stabilization function and cutting function into a single integrated instrument. The hollow shaft provides stabilization by engaging the anterior surface of the lens, while the snare mechanism for fragmentation is advanced through the same shaft. This combination eliminates the need for separate stabilization and cutting instruments, reducing overall procedural complexity despite the sophisticated design of the individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow shaft serves multiple functions: it acts as a stabilizing platform for the lens, provides a guide channel for the snare mechanism, and maintains positional stability during the fragmentation process. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate instruments and simplifies the overall surgical procedure despite the complex mechanics involved.
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmic surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft and a snare configured to transition between an expanded configuration, in which the snare is sized to encircle lenticular tissue, and a contracted configuration. The snare has a section configured to cooperate with a bottom surface of the elongated shaft to sever the lenticular tissue therebetween upon the snare transitioning toward the contracted configuration.