Small-Gauge Ophthalmic Instrument Support Frame for Tip Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small gauge ophthalmic instruments experience unpredictable bending and flexing, leading to loss of control during surgical procedures, particularly when manipulating the eye, due to their flexible nature, which complicates precise repositioning and delicate maneuvers.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a slidable support frame and engaging features that provide a close tolerance fit with the cannula, along with a biasing device to maintain axial alignment, minimizing bending and flexing, and allowing for precise control through a combination of interlocking mating and engaging features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If small gauge instruments are used to create smaller incisions, then patient trauma is reduced and healing is accelerated, but the instruments become too flexible and lose precision control
Solution Approach 1:
A support frame is introduced as an intermediary component between the instrument shaft and the surgeon's hand. The support frame engages with the instrument shaft through an engaging feature, providing a stable interface that filters out unwanted flexing and bending while allowing precise rotational control. This mediator structure enables the surgeon to maintain control precision despite using flexible small-gauge instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The support frame changes the effective stiffness parameter of the instrument system. By providing lateral support through the frame structure, the system transforms the overly flexible instrument shaft into a controllable tool that maintains its flexibility for passing through small incisions but gains sufficient rigidity for precise manipulation when supported by the frame.
2Length of moving object
If small diameter instruments are used, then incision size is reduced, but the tips move from intended positions due to bending and flexing
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame acts as a mediator that decouples the instrument shaft from direct manual manipulation. The engaging feature on the support frame provides a stable reference point that prevents the flexible instrument shaft from bending and flexing during manipulation, thereby maintaining tip position accuracy despite the small diameter and inherent flexibility of the instrument.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the instrument remains inserted in the eye during turning maneuvers, then the eye can be repositioned for viewing, but the instrument flexes unpredictably making precise repositioning difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame serves as a stable intermediary that remains engaged with the instrument shaft during eye turning maneuvers. This frame structure provides a reliable reference that prevents unpredictable flexing even when the eye is turned to different positions, ensuring the instrument tip maintains its intended position and enabling precise repositioning.
4Ease of operation
If delicate maneuvers such as peeling membranes from the retinal surface are performed, then surgical precision is achieved, but the flexible instrument causes imprecision of movements
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame with its engaging feature provides a stable intermediary structure that eliminates unwanted flexing and bending of the instrument shaft during delicate retinal maneuvers. This allows the surgeon to perform precise movements for peeling membranes from the retinal surface without the instrument tip deviating from the intended path due to flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmic instrument, and ophthalmic instrument system are shown with engaging features and mating features that interlock between an ophthalmic instrument and a cannula. Twisting motion of the ophthalmic instrument system is supported by the interlocking mating feature and engaging feature. Ophthalmic instruments are also shown that include a biasing device to urge support frame towards an extended location along a length of a small diameter instrument.