Phacoemulsification Irrigation Sensing for Stable Eye Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing phacoemulsification systems lack effective methods to monitor and manage the remaining amount of irrigation fluid during cataract surgery, which can lead to pressure fluctuations and procedural inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of load cells and optical sensors in the irrigation apparatus to estimate the remaining amount of irrigation fluid, providing visual, audio, or haptic indications to the physician, ensuring timely replenishment and maintaining consistent eye pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no monitoring system is used for irrigation fluid levels, then the system remains simple, but pressure fluctuations occur and procedural efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where sensors continuously monitor irrigation fluid levels and provide real-time data to the control system. When fluid levels drop below predetermined thresholds, the system automatically generates alerts or adjusts irrigation flow rates to maintain stable eye pressure throughout the surgical procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system is integrated into the irrigation apparatus itself, allowing the device to self-monitor its own fluid levels and self-regulate irrigation flow without requiring external monitoring equipment or manual intervention by the surgeon.
2Productivity
If manual monitoring of irrigation fluid is used, then the system remains simple, but time is lost and surgical efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and manual fluid level assessment with automated electronic sensors (such as optical sensors, capacitive sensors, or weight-based load cells) that continuously and objectively measure irrigation fluid levels, eliminating the need for surgeons to periodically stop or visually assess fluid status.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary control unit that acts as a mediator between the irrigation fluid reservoir and the surgical procedure, continuously translating physical fluid level data into actionable information and automatically adjusting irrigation parameters to maintain optimal conditions.
3Measurement precision
If precise fluid level monitoring is implemented, then pressure consistency is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs hydraulic or pneumatic sensing mechanisms where pressure changes in the irrigation fluid or air cushion above the fluid are measured to determine fluid levels. This allows for precise measurement without complex electronic sensor arrays, utilizing the natural physical properties of the irrigation system itself.
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 precise monitoring and management of irrigation fluid levels, enhancing surgical efficiency and maintaining consistent eye pressure during phacoemulsification procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The sensors may comprise, for example, one or more load cells, for example one or more strain gauges, configured to measure the weight of the irrigation fluid in the container
Implementation Method 2
and/or optical sensors configured to sense a level of the irrigation fluid in the container
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes an enclosure, an irrigation retainer, one or more sensors, and a processor. The irrigation retainer is coupled with the enclosure and configured to accept an irrigation container holding irrigation fluid for pumping to a phacoemulsification handpiece. The one or more sensors are coupled with the irrigation retainer and configured to provide at least one signal indicative of a remaining amount of the irrigation fluid. The processor is configured to receive the at least one signal, and in response to the at least one signal, output an estimation of the remaining amount of the irrigation fluid in the irrigation container or an estimation of the amount of irrigation fluid used.