Phaco Aspiration Valve Control for Anti-Vacuum Surge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing phacoemulsification systems face issues with vacuum surges during occlusion clearance, which can cause traumatic consequences to the eye due to high vacuum levels and uncontrolled pressure changes, and existing anti-vacuum surge systems are either ineffective or interfere with vacuum buildup when the phacoemulsification needle is not vibrating.
Innovation Solution
A phacoemulsification system with a fast-acting, programmable solenoid valve that controls fluid connectivity in the aspiration line based on detected pressure changes and cavitation, only activating during needle vibration to prevent vacuum surges while allowing rapid vacuum buildup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fast-acting solenoid valve is used to control fluid connectivity in the aspiration line, then vacuum surge prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a pressure sensor to continuously monitor pressure in the aspiration line and feeds this information back to the controller. The controller processes the pressure data and actuates the solenoid valve accordingly to prevent vacuum surges. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables automatic vacuum surge prevention without requiring complex manual control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The solenoid valve acts as an intermediary component between the pressure sensor and the aspiration line. It mediates the control action by rapidly opening or closing to regulate fluid connectivity, thereby preventing vacuum surges. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall control architecture compared to directly modifying the aspiration pump control.
2Reliability
If the anti-vacuum surge system activates continuously, then vacuum surge prevention is improved, but vacuum buildup is interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the solenoid valve activation based on real-time pressure conditions rather than operating continuously. The controller monitors pressure metrics and only activates the valve when surge conditions are detected, allowing rapid vacuum buildup during normal operation while providing protective intervention when needed. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction between continuous protection and efficient vacuum establishment.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure sensor periodically samples pressure in the aspiration line, and the controller periodically evaluates whether surge prevention action is needed. This periodic monitoring and conditional activation approach allows the system to maintain high productivity during normal operation while providing periodic safety checks and interventions only when surges occur.
3Measurement precision
If pressure monitoring is continuously performed, then vacuum surge detection is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor performs periodic pressure measurements rather than continuous monitoring. The controller evaluates pressure data at discrete intervals and only activates the solenoid valve when surge conditions are detected. This periodic measurement approach maintains adequate surge detection capability while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses partial monitoring action by focusing pressure measurements only during critical phases of operation or when surge conditions are suspected. Rather than uniformly continuous monitoring, the system applies measurement resources selectively to maintain detection precision while minimizing overall energy expenditure.
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 prevents eye trauma by controlling vacuum levels during occlusion clearance, ensuring safe and efficient phacoemulsification procedures by minimizing traumatic surges and allowing rapid vacuum establishment.
Implementation Method 1
The tip of the needle vibrates at ultrasonic frequency to sculpt and emulsify the cataract
Implementation Method 2
The tip of the needle vibrates at ultrasonic frequency to sculpt and emulsify the cataract
Implementation Method 3
A phacoemulsification system with a fast-acting, programmable solenoid valve that controls fluid connectivity in the aspiration line
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A
AI summary
In one embodiment, a phacoemulsification system includes a phacoemulsification probe configured to be inserted into an eye, and including a needle, a horn configured to support the needle, and an ultrasonic actuator connected to the horn and configured to vibrate the needle to emulsify a lens of the eye, an aspiration line partially disposed in the needle, a pumping sub-system connected to the aspiration line and configured to remove fluid and waste matter from the eye via the aspiration line, a valve disposed in the aspiration line and configured to control fluid connectivity in the aspiration line, a sensor configured to provide a signal indicative of a fluid metric in the aspiration line, and a controller configured to find an activation status of the ultrasonic actuator, and selectively control the valve responsively to the fluid metric and the activation status of the ultrasonic actuator.