Phacoemulsification Needle Stabilization and Fluid Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current phacoemulsification apparatuses face inefficiencies due to the close proximity of infusion and aspiration functions, leading to lens detritus being driven away from the aspiration flow, potential intraocular glaucoma, and excessive heat generation from ultrasonic generators.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held apparatus with a horn-shaped needle that uses lateral irrigation fluid flow and a multi-pronged tip vibrating at sonic or ultrasonic frequencies to break up the lens, stabilizing the needle within a silicone sleeve to prevent deflection and enhance fluid flow, reducing heat generation and improving emulsification efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the phaco needle is allowed to make wide excursions within the infusion sleeve, then the needle has flexibility in positioning, but the infusion fluid stream drives lens detritus away from the aspiration flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible silicone sleeve that can deflect and adapt to the curvature of the eye's internal structures. This flexible sleeve constrains the needle's excursions while still allowing sufficient movement for effective emulsification, preventing the needle from deflecting too far and directing fluid away from the aspiration orifice.
Solution Approach 2:
The device segments the sleeve into multiple functional zones: a proximal rigid portion for stable fluid delivery, a transition zone with gradual flexibility change, and a distal flexible portion that allows controlled needle movement. This segmentation enables the sleeve to provide both constraint and flexibility as needed.
2Reliability
If forceful infusion flow is used to maintain eye inflation, then the anterior and posterior chambers remain stable, but fluid impacts on the iris and drives fluid into the back of the eye causing misdirected aqueous
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible silicone sleeve acts as a compliant conduit that absorbs and redistributes infusion pressure. Instead of transmitting forceful flow directly to the iris and posterior chamber, the flexible material dampens pressure spikes and directs fluid flow more evenly, maintaining chamber stability without causing harmful impacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible sleeve serves as an intermediary between the infusion source and the eye's internal structures. It mediates the transmission of fluid, transforming forceful direct injection into gentler, more distributed flow that maintains chamber inflation without damaging the iris or misdirecting aqueous humor.
3Device complexity
If the needle tip is ring-shaped, then the structure is simple, but the ultrasonic sound waves are not emitted effectively requiring relatively large amplitudes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static ring-shaped tip to a dynamic multi-pronged tip structure. The prongs can vibrate independently at ultrasonic frequencies, creating more effective sound wave emission patterns. This dynamic structure allows for better energy efficiency while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing through techniques like laser cutting or molding.
4Power
If the ultrasonic generator operates at high power, then the lens fragments effectively, but excessive heat is generated requiring cooling by infusion fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the infusion fluid system as a thermal management mechanism. The flexible sleeve's compliance allows for optimized fluid flow patterns that enhance cooling efficiency. The hydraulic system delivers not only irrigation fluid for chamber maintenance but also serves as a heat sink, absorbing excess thermal energy from the ultrasonic generator through the flexible conduit walls.
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 solution enhances emulsification efficiency by stabilizing the needle, reducing heat, and directing lens detritus towards the aspiration orifice, minimizing the risk of misdirected fluid and glaucoma, while allowing for effective fragmentation and removal of lens material.
Implementation Method 1
a multi-pronged tip vibrating at sonic or ultrasonic frequencies to break up the lens
Implementation Method 2
uses lateral irrigation fluid flow and a multi-pronged tip vibrating at sonic or ultrasonic frequencies to break up the lens
Implementation Method 3
The horn is coupled to an ultrasonic generator that vibrates the needle in a predetermined ultrasonic frequency range causing the natural lens to fragment and become emulsate
Implementation Method 4
the ultrasonic generator and the needle being vibrated has a tendency to generate excessive heat and must be cooled by infusion fluid
Implementation Method 5
the ultrasonic generator and the needle being vibrated has a tendency to generate excessive heat and must be cooled by infusion fluid
Implementation Method 6
The nuclear emulsate within capsular bag is aspirated during this process
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus provides mechanical energy to vibrate a tip. The tip preferably formed of multiple prongs positioned approximately circumferentially (either symmetrically or asymmetrically) around an orifice of a needle. The tip is designed to emulsify a cataractous lens and to collect the resulting detritus through an aspiration aperture. An irrigating sleeve whose apertures/ports are protected from relative occlusion by untoward excursions of the phaco needle by a system of elevated stabilizing devices rising from within the inner wall of the sleeve (or from the outer wall of the phaco needle); this results in a plume or river of irrigating fluid exiting the sleeve that mitigates untoward dispersion of infusion fluid and material caught in its path including lens detritus, iris and other anatomical structures. This also provides for a more efficient process at the needle tip and therefore enhances aspirations of lens detritus in a more efficient and salutary manner as it flows to the aspiration aperture, said plume extend around the prongs. The prongs can be driven at either subsonic frequencies or ultrasonic frequencies. A stabilizer is provided to prevent the needle from interfering with the flow of the irrigating fluid during operation.