Phacoemulsification Fluid Line Priming Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Phacoemulsification machines often result in inconsistent fluid delivery during the 'cup fill' feature, leading to potential overflow or underfilling of receptacles due to uncertainty about the priming status of the fluid lines, causing inefficiency and spillage.
Innovation Solution
The system assesses the priming status of the fluid dispersal line by determining if fluid has been previously dispensed and if the line is filled, delivering only the commanded quantity of fluid if primed, or the commanded quantity plus enough to prime the line if unprimed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cup fill feature is used without assessing priming status, then fluid can be dispensed quickly to the receptacle, but the fluid delivery becomes inconsistent leading to overflow or underfilling
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary assessment of the priming status of the fluid dispersal line before initiating fluid dispensing. By determining whether fluid has been previously dispersed and whether the line is filled, the system prepares the correct fluid quantity in advance, ensuring accurate delivery without overflow or underfilling while maintaining quick dispensing speed.
2Ease of operation
If the system delivers a standard commanded quantity of fluid without accounting for line priming, then the dispensing process is simple and fast, but the actual fluid amount received by the user is inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback by assessing the priming status of the fluid dispersal line before dispensing. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts the fluid quantity to be dispensed - delivering only the commanded quantity if the line is primed, or the commanded quantity plus additional fluid to prime the line if unprimed. This ensures consistent and reliable fluid delivery while maintaining operational simplicity through automated decision-making.
3Manufacturing precision
If the system always primes the fluid line before dispensing, then fluid delivery accuracy is improved, but the time required for fluid preparation and dispensing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary assessment of the priming status before dispensing fluid. By determining in advance whether the fluid dispersal line is already filled or needs priming, the system avoids unnecessary priming time when the line is already ready, while ensuring proper priming when needed. This selective approach maintains fluid delivery accuracy without adding unnecessary time delays.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus and method for dispersing fluid from a fluid dispersal line is provided. The method comprises initiating operation of the medical apparatus, determining whether fluid has been dispersed from the medical apparatus via the fluid dispersal line since said initiating occurred, and assessing whether fluid is available in the fluid dispersal line. If fluid has not been dispersed from the medical apparatus since said initiating occurred and fluid is not available in the fluid dispersal line, the method includes distributing a commanded quantity of fluid plus an amount of fluid determined to fill the fluid dispersal line. Otherwise the method disperses only the commanded quantity of fluid.