Phaco Needle Vibration Switching for Cataract Debris Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing phacoemulsification systems face challenges in efficiently emulsifying cataracts while minimizing heat generation and effectively removing dispersed particles, due to limitations in vibration modes and directional freedom of movement, leading to potential eye damage and incomplete particle removal.
Innovation Solution
A phacoemulsification apparatus with multiple actuators that smoothly toggle between longitudinal, elliptical, and helical vibration patterns, adjusting based on vacuum levels to balance emulsification and particle removal, using a generator to transition between different vibration patterns responsively to sensed vacuum changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single vibration mode is used for phacoemulsification, then the device structure is simple, but the emulsification efficiency and particle removal effectiveness are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between multiple vibration modes (longitudinal, transverse, torsional) based on real-time vacuum level feedback. The controller adjusts the vibration mode and parameters adaptively during the surgical procedure to optimize both emulsification efficiency and particle removal effectiveness throughout the operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes vibration parameters including frequency, amplitude, and mode type based on vacuum level conditions. When vacuum level indicates effective particle removal, the system transitions to different vibration modes or adjusts parameters to enhance emulsification, creating a adaptive parameter adjustment mechanism that resolves the contradiction between efficiency and complexity.
2Productivity
If ultrasonic vibration is increased to improve emulsification, then emulsification effectiveness improves, but heat generation increases causing potential eye damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic switching between different vibration modes and parameters based on vacuum feedback. By alternating between high-vibration emulsification phases and lower-vibration particle removal phases, the system achieves effective emulsification while periodically reducing heat accumulation, preventing thermal damage to the eye.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum level sensor provides real-time feedback to the controller, which adjusts ultrasonic vibration intensity accordingly. When vacuum level indicates effective particle removal, the system reduces or pauses ultrasonic vibration to minimize heat generation, while maintaining sufficient vibration for emulsification when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and thermal safety.
3Productivity
If vacuum level decreases during phacoemulsification, then particle removal effectiveness reduces, but increasing vibration to compensate causes excessive heat generation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts vibration modes and parameters in response to vacuum level changes. When vacuum level decreases indicating reduced particle removal effectiveness, the controller switches to different vibration modes or adjusts parameters to enhance particle removal without relying solely on increasing ultrasonic intensity, thereby avoiding excessive heat generation while maintaining productivity.
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
The system effectively emulsifies cataracts and removes dispersed particles by optimizing vibration modes, reducing heat generation and improving particle removal efficiency, thereby enhancing the safety and effectiveness of cataract surgery.
Implementation Method 1
The tip of the needle vibrates at ultrasonic frequency to sculpt and emulsify the cataract
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of actuators configured to vibrate responsively to respective driving signals, a needle including an aspiration channel, and configured to be vibrated by the actuators, so as to emulsify a lens of an eye
Implementation Method 3
a pressure sensor configured to sense a level of vacuum in the aspiration channel
Implementation Method 4
a generator configured to generate at least one of the driving signals responsively to a vibration pattern selected for the needle, the generator being configured to alter at least one of the driving signals to transition vibration of the needle from a first vibration pattern to a second vibration pattern
Implementation Method 5
a pump aspirates lens particles and fluid from the eye through the tip
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
In one embodiment, a phacoemulsification apparatus includes actuators configured to vibrate responsively to respective driving signals, a needle including an aspiration channel, and configured to be vibrated by the actuators so as to emulsify a lens of an eye, a generator configured to generate at least one of the driving signals responsively to a vibration pattern selected for the needle, the needle being configured to vibrate in accordance with the selected vibration pattern, and a sensor configured to sense a level of vacuum in the aspiration channel, wherein the generator is configured to alter at least one of the driving signals to transition vibration of the needle from a first vibration pattern selected from the group consisting of a longitudinal vibration pattern and a first helical vibration pattern, to a second vibration pattern of a second helical vibration pattern, responsively to a decrease in the sensed level of vacuum.