Phacoemulsification Tip Crimped Distal Edge Torsional Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing phacoemulsification cutting tips, particularly those used with torsional ultrasound handpieces, face challenges in efficiently cutting and emulsifying lens tissue due to limited cutting surface area and difficulty in judging the position of the cutting edge, especially with angled or bent tips.
Innovation Solution
A phacoemulsification tip with a crimped or swaged distal tip is developed, increasing the cutting surface area and efficiency during torsional vibration, featuring a plurality of external cutting edges and made from materials like stainless steel or titanium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a straight cutting tip is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the cutting surface area is limited and cutting efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The distal tip of the cutting tip is crimped or swaged to form a curved, fluted surface with multiple external cutting edges. This curved configuration increases the cutting surface area and enhances cutting efficiency during torsional vibration, while the curvature is achieved through a standardized crimping or swaging process that does not significantly increase manufacturing complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an angled or bent tip is used, then the tip can reach difficult areas, but the position of the cutting edge becomes difficult to judge
Solution Approach 1:
The crimped or swaged distal tip features localized fluted cutting edges that are visually distinct and sharply defined. This local geometric feature provides clear visual feedback to the surgeon about the cutting edge position and orientation, even when the tip is angled or bent, thereby maintaining ease of operation while preserving adaptability to difficult anatomical areas.
3Productivity
If a larger bore is used in the tip, then tissue emulsification is improved, but anterior chamber stability is reduced due to sudden outflow
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting tip is designed with a segmented or fluted distal tip configuration that creates multiple smaller opening paths rather than a single large opening. This segmentation allows for effective tissue emulsification and removal while distributing the outflow across multiple channels, thereby preventing sudden outflow and maintaining anterior chamber stability.
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 crimped distal tip enhances cutting efficiency and tissue emulsification, improving the surgical process by providing a more defined cutting edge and increased stability during phacoemulsification procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The crystals supply the required ultrasonic vibration needed to drive both the horn and the attached cutting tip during phacoemulsification
Implementation Method 2
The cutting tip is ultrasonically vibrated along its longitudinal axis within the irrigating sleeve by the crystal-driven ultrasonic horn, thereby emulsifying the selected tissue in situ
Implementation Method 3
A reduced pressure or vacuum source in the console draws or aspirates the emulsified tissue from the eye through the open end of the cutting tip, the cutting tip and horn bores and the aspiration line and into a collection device
Data Source
AI summary
A phacoemulsification tip having a crimped or swaged distal tip. Swaging of the distal end of a phacoemulsification tip produces more efficient cutting during torsional vibration of the tip by increasing the cutting surface area.