Phaco Tip Image Verification for Vendor Mismatch Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ophthalmic surgical systems fail to accurately verify the tip type being used during phacoemulsification procedures, particularly in cases where there is a mismatch between the tip and the system's vendor, which can lead to safety hazards and suboptimal performance.

Innovation Solution

A processor verifies the tip type using image processing, analyzing visual properties such as color and shape, and alerts the user if a mismatch is detected, ensuring compatibility with the system's settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If image processing is implemented to verify tip type, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetip type verification accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual inspection with an automated image processing system that uses cameras and computer vision algorithms to detect and verify tip type characteristics, eliminating the need for mechanical verification mechanisms while improving reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary verification system between the tip attachment and system operation, where image processing analyzes visual characteristics of the tip to confirm compatibility before allowing system use, thereby preventing mismatches without requiring complex mechanical interlocks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If manual verification of tip type is used, then device complexity is low, but reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification system complexityVSAvoidtip type identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-verification by automatically capturing images of the attached tip and analyzing its visual characteristics to confirm tip type compatibility, eliminating the need for manual verification while maintaining low system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a visual copy (image) of the tip and analyzes it to verify tip type, replacing the need for physical measurement or manual inspection, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS12579812B2Verification of phacoemulsification tip type using image processing

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 JOHNSON & JOHNSON SURGICAL VISION INC

AI summary

A method for validating selection of a tip type for a tip of a handpiece of an ophthalmic instrument, the method includes storing a definition of multiple tip types and multiple respective visual properties of the tip types. An image of the tip is acquired by a camera during a medical procedure using the ophthalmic instrument. An actual visual property of the tip is identified in the acquired image. Based on the stored definition of the multiple tip types and the multiple respective visual properties, it is determined whether the actual visual property of the tip matches a specified tip type intended for the medical procedure. A responsive action is taken in case of a mismatch between the actual visual property and the specified visual property.