Phacoemulsification System Occlusion Removal via Vacuum and Laser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current phacoemulsification procedures face challenges with occlusions in the aspirating handpiece, leading to increased vacuum pressure and post-occlusion surge, which can cause eye trauma and require surgeons to operate at lower vacuum levels to avoid these issues, resulting in inefficient occlusion removal and potential tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
The system senses changes in fluid flow and temporarily increases aspiration vacuum pressure above a predetermined threshold, applying electrically generated disruptive energy, such as laser or low-power ultrasonic energy, to effectively address occlusions without requiring significant phaco power or manual adjustments, thereby maintaining optimal vacuum levels and minimizing energy application to the ocular region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If surgeons operate at higher vacuum levels to improve aspiration efficiency, then productivity increases, but the risk of post-occlusion surge and eye trauma increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of occlusion conditions by monitoring aspiration flow rate and vacuum level relationships. When an occlusion is detected (flow rate drops below threshold while vacuum remains high), the system proactively reduces vacuum pressure before post-occlusion surge can occur, preventing eye trauma while allowing efficient aspiration during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors aspiration flow rate and vacuum level, using this feedback to dynamically adjust vacuum pressure. When occlusion is detected through feedback signals (reduced flow rate), the system automatically reduces vacuum to prevent harmful surge, then can increase it again when occlusion clears, enabling safe operation at higher vacuum levels overall
2Object-affected harmful factors
If surgeons reduce aspiration rate to prevent post-occlusion surge, then eye trauma risk decreases, but surgical time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies vacuum pressure periodically rather than continuously at reduced levels. During normal operation, high vacuum is maintained for efficient aspiration. When occlusion is detected, vacuum is temporarily reduced only for the brief period needed to clear the occlusion, then restored to high levels, achieving both safety and efficiency through time-varying control
3Object-affected harmful factors
If manual adjustments are made to reduce vacuum during occlusion, then post-occlusion surge is prevented, but device complexity and operation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-monitoring and self-adjustment of vacuum pressure based on detected occlusion conditions. The control system automatically reduces vacuum when occlusion is detected and restores it when cleared, eliminating the need for surgeon intervention and manual adjustments, thereby preventing post-occlusion surge while simplifying operation
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
This approach allows for more effective occlusion removal with reduced risk of eye trauma, enabling surgeons to operate at higher aspiration rates and vacuum levels, reducing surgical time and energy application, while minimizing heat and collateral tissue damage.
Implementation Method 1
sensing, within the surgical site, for a material change in fluid flow
Implementation Method 2
applying electrically generated disruptive energy, including but not limited to laser and/or relatively low power ultrasonic energy
Implementation Method 3
applying electrically generated disruptive energy, including but not limited to laser and/or relatively low power ultrasonic energy
Implementation Method 4
temporarily increases aspiration vacuum pressure to the surgical site above a predetermined upper threshold
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for performing a surgical procedure is provided. The surgical procedure may be a phacoemulsification procedure but other procedures may employ the techniques disclosed. The design includes sensing, within the surgical site, for a material change in fluid flow relative to a predetermined threshold. Upon sensing the fluid flow materially differs from the predetermined threshold, the design temporarily increases aspiration vacuum pressure to the surgical site above a predetermined upper threshold toward a maximum vacuum level. The design applies electrically generated disruptive energy, including but not limited to laser and/or relatively low power ultrasonic energy, to the surgical site from a first point in time measured from when aspiration vacuum pressure is above the predetermined upper threshold to a second point in time where pressure falls below a predetermined lower threshold.