Phaco Cone Work Tip for Seamless Phacoemulsification and I/A Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical hand pieces for cataract removal by phacoemulsification lack efficient designs that can seamlessly transition from phacoemulsification to irrigation/aspiration (I/A) cleanup procedures without requiring tool replacement, compromising efficiency and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A surgical hand piece with a solid ultrasonic knife or scalpel located in a sleeve featuring multiple fluid channels and a cone-shaped distal end, allowing for efficient phacoemulsification and altering fluid flow paths for I/A cleanup without removing the work tip from the surgical site, incorporating a cone or cap shape to enhance ultrasonic energy and fluid management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate I/A tool is used for cleanup procedures, then the functionality is specialized and reliable, but the device complexity and operational complexity increase due to requiring multiple tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the phacoemulsification work tip and the I/A cleanup tool into a single integrated work tip. The work tip includes a blade for phacoemulsification and an I/A opening for cleanup procedures, allowing both functions to be performed with one tool rather than requiring separate instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The work tip is designed to perform multiple functions: it can conduct both phacoemulsification procedures and I/A cleanup procedures. The single work tip structure includes features that enable it to function as both a cutting blade and an irrigation/aspiration tool, eliminating the need for tool replacement.
2Reliability
If a separate I/A tool is used for cleanup procedures, then the specialized function is reliable, but the productivity decreases due to tool replacement time and additional operational steps
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated work tip enables continuous surgical action by eliminating the need to remove and replace tools between phacoemulsification and I/A cleanup procedures. The surgeon can seamlessly transition between functions using the same work tip, maintaining continuous useful action throughout the surgical procedure.
3Device complexity
If a conventional work tip design is used, then the structure is simple, but the ease of operation is reduced due to difficulty in insertion and lack of functional transition capability
Solution Approach 1:
The work tip is segmented into distinct functional regions: a blade portion for phacoemulsification and an I/A opening for cleanup. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural simplicity and ease of insertion into the surgical site.
4Reliability
If multiple tools are used for different procedures, then the specialized functionality is maintained, but the loss of time increases due to tool replacement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The work tip is designed with universal functionality to perform both phacoemulsification and I/A cleanup procedures, eliminating the time required for tool replacement while maintaining the specialized functions of both tools through integrated design features.
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
Enables easier insertion into the eye, maintains multiple fluid flow paths for both procedures, improves ultrasonic vibration efficiency, and allows for uninterrupted surgical workflow by changing the tip's function from phacoemulsification to cleanup without tool replacement, enhancing surgical efficiency and reducing operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
During an operation, the hub 222 and knife 224 of work tip 220 are longitudinally vibrated by the transducer 212. The ultrasonic vibration of the knife 224 causes the cataract tissue to emulsify.
Implementation Method 2
A transducer 212 is provided in part 210 for generating ultrasonic linear mechanical vibrations upon excitation with an alternating-current electrical signal.
Implementation Method 3
The connecting body forms an acoustic impedance transformer for conveying the longitudinal vibrations of the transducer 212 for application to the operative working tip 220 connected to the distal end of the connecting body 216.
Implementation Method 4
During this process irrigation fluid, e.g., saline solution, is injected into the site from tube/channel 250′ since flexible tube 242 is connected to a source of irrigation fluid which may be moved by gravity flow or a pump.
Implementation Method 5
Also, the emulsified tissue is removed from the site by aspiration through tube/channel 250 because flexible tube 230 is attached to an aspiration pump.
Data Source
AI summary
A work tip for a surgical hand piece has a solid knife connected to a source of ultrasonic energy in the hand piece and a sleeve having a generally uniform cylindrical shape that surrounds the distal end of the knife. The distal end of the knife has at least a portion of a conical tip, e.g., a Cobra tip. The sleeve provides irrigation and aspiration fluid channels. Also, a structure in the sleeve blocks the proximal opening in the upper part of the conical tip when the knife is withdrawn into the sleeve. A hole is provided in the sleeve adjacent to, but proximally of the structure so that when a portion of the opening is blocked, aspiration fluid flows through the hole to provide I/A clean up.