Ophthalmological Hand-Held Device With Nested Gripping Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmological hand-held devices require multiple incisions and complex handling, increasing the risk of infection and prolonging the healing process due to the need for additional instruments during eye surgical procedures like intraocular lens implantation.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held device combining a sharp or pointed guide tube cannula with a displaceable gripping device that can be used to grasp and manipulate objects within the eye, reducing the need for multiple incisions and simplifying the surgical process by allowing single-handed object manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple instruments are used to insert objects into the eye, then the surgical procedure can be completed, but the number of incisions increases and the risk of infection rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a guide tube (cannula) and a gripping device into a single integrated instrument. The gripping device is displaceably arranged within the guide tube, allowing both the cannula function (creating and accessing the scleral tunnel) and the gripping function (manipulating intraocular objects) to be performed by one instrument through a single incision
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping device is nested within the guide tube, with the gripping device disposed inside the lumen of the guide tube. This nesting arrangement allows the smaller gripping device to be contained within the larger guide tube structure, enabling both functions to operate through a single incision site
2Productivity
If multiple instruments are used during the procedure, then the surgical task can be accomplished, but the surgical time increases and operator skill demands rise
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the cannula and gripping device into one integrated instrument, the surgeon handles only one device throughout the procedure rather than switching between multiple instruments. This reduces handling complexity and allows less experienced surgeons to perform the procedure with greater ease
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping device is designed to be displaceable within the guide tube, transitioning between retracted and extended positions. This dynamic configuration allows the instrument to adapt to different surgical stages: retracted for insertion through the incision, extended for grasping and manipulating intraocular objects
3Ease of operation
If the gripping device is always extended, then objects can be grasped easily, but the distal end cannot be used for piercing and the gripping device may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping device transitions between retracted and extended states based on surgical needs. During the piercing phase, it remains retracted inside the guide tube, protecting it from damage. During the manipulation phase, it extends to grasp objects. This dynamic behavior optimizes both gripping capability and device protection
Solution Approach 2:
The guide tube with its sharp distal end performs the piercing action first, creating the scleral tunnel before the gripping device is extended. This preliminary action by the guide tube eliminates the need for the gripping device to be extended during piercing, preventing damage to the gripping device
Data Source
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AI summary
An ophthalmological hand device comprising a base body (1) and a guide tube (4) connected to the base body (1), wherein a distal end (4) of the guide tube (4) is sharp and/or pointed so that it can be inserted into an eye, characterized in that a gripping device (5) is slidably arranged in the guide tube (4) and that the gripping device (5) can be extended from the guide tube (4) to grasp an object (7).