Phacoemulsification Needle With Off-Axis Aspiration Tip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current phacoemulsification techniques face inefficiencies in energy dissipation during lens removal, leading to potential thermal damage and prolonged surgery times due to the limitations of traditional needle tip designs and the high cost of torsional handpieces.
Innovation Solution
The development of a phacoemulsification needle tip with an off-axis aspiration passage and a textured surface, which imparts eccentric motion and reduces energy dissipation, allowing for efficient tissue aspiration and reduced thermal damage without the need for expensive torsional handpieces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional longitudinal handpieces are used with conventional needle tip designs, then the surgery can be performed with simpler equipment, but energy dissipation increases leading to thermal damage and prolonged surgery time
Solution Approach 1:
The needle tip is designed with an off-axis aspiration passage that is asymmetrically positioned relative to the needle's longitudinal axis. This asymmetric configuration creates an eccentric motion pattern during longitudinal vibration that improves emulsification efficiency by reducing energy dissipation and thermal damage while maintaining adequate surgery time
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the needle tip by positioning the aspiration passage off-axis and creating specific angular relationships between the passage axis and needle axis. This parameter modification transforms the motion characteristics during phacoemulsification to reduce energy loss and improve surgical efficiency
2Productivity
If torsional handpieces with high-frequency oscillation are used, then phacoemulsification efficiency improves, but the equipment cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The off-axis aspiration passage creates an asymmetric mass distribution in the needle tip, which generates an eccentric motion pattern during longitudinal vibration. This eccentric motion mimics the beneficial effects of torsional oscillation by creating a more three-dimensional emulsification action, thereby improving productivity without requiring expensive torsional handpieces
Solution Approach 2:
The invention copies the functional benefits of torsional phacoemulsification by using an asymmetric needle tip design that generates eccentric motion during longitudinal vibration. This design replication achieves similar emulsification efficiency and three-dimensional effect without needing the complex torsional mechanism, thus reducing device complexity and cost
3Ease of manufacture
If a straight needle tip design is used, then the needle is easier to manufacture and insert, but the phacoemulsification effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The needle tip incorporates an off-axis aspiration passage that creates an asymmetric configuration. This design maintains the overall straight needle form for ease of manufacture and insertion, while the asymmetric passage positioning improves phacoemulsification effectiveness by generating eccentric motion that enhances tissue emulsification
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality modification by keeping the majority of the needle straight and simple for ease of manufacture, while introducing asymmetry only in the critical tip region where the aspiration passage is positioned off-axis. This localized modification improves effectiveness without compromising manufacturing ease
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 off-axis needle tip design enhances phacoemulsification efficiency, reducing energy dissipation and thermal damage, while the textured surface improves aspiration and polishing of the capsule, potentially shortening surgery time and minimizing post-operative complications.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical energy is applied to a piezoelectric crystal to vibrate the distal, working end of the needle at ultrasonic frequencies
Implementation Method 2
The exterior surface of the needle tip may be textured
Implementation Method 3
forming a needle tip in an off-axis position relative to the axis of the aspiration passage extending through the needle body causes eccentric motion or 'wobble' during torsional phacoemulsification
Data Source
AI summary
A phacoemulsification needle (100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200, 200A) is provided for emulsifying body tissue. The needle (100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200, 200A) is adapted to be attached to a phacoemulsification handpiece that imparts a vibration to the needle (100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200, 200A). The needle (100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200, 200A) has a body (104, 220, 220A) with a distal end (99), a proximal end (106), and an aspiration passage (124) extending between the proximal and distal ends (99, 106). The aspiration passage (124) defines a longitudinally-extending central body axis (110, 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D). The aspiration passage (124) is enlarged at the distal end (99) to define a tip (102, 102A, 102B, 102C, 102D, 210, 210A).