Phacoemulsification Needle with Transverse Longitudinal Motion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Phacoemulsification procedures face challenges with occlusions at the needle tip during cataract removal, leading to increased vacuum and potential eye trauma due to the inability to efficiently induce both longitudinal and transverse motion in the surgical emulsifying tip.
Innovation Solution
The use of flexible printed circuits with semi-circular electrodes in a stack of transducers to generate both longitudinal and transverse motion in the phacoemulsification needle, allowing for efficient emulsification and aspiration by controlling the DPDT switching circuits to alternate energy application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If transverse motion is induced in the needle to help clearing obstructions, then the ability to remove cataract material is improved, but cataract material may get clogged in the tip or along the lumen of the transducer and handpiece
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines both transverse and longitudinal motion capabilities in a single ultrasonic needle system. The needle is driven by a ultrasonic transducer that generates elliptical motion, merging the benefits of transverse motion (side-to-side sanding action for material removal) with longitudinal motion (pulsating action for clearing occlusions), thereby achieving both high productivity and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between transverse and longitudinal motion modes by controlling the ultrasonic transducer operation. The needle can operate in transverse motion mode for efficient cataract material emulsification, then switch to longitudinal motion mode when occlusion is detected, providing adaptive response to different operational conditions
2Reliability
If longitudinal motion through the tip is used to clear material, then occlusions are removed, but cataract material is kicked away from the tip
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic alternation between transverse and longitudinal motion. During normal operation, transverse motion continuously emulsifies cataract material. When occlusion occurs, longitudinal motion is activated periodically to clear the blockage, then returns to transverse motion for continued emulsification, creating a rhythmic cycle that maintains both productivity and reliability
3Device complexity
If a single motion mode is used in the ultrasonic needle, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to efficiently emulsify and clear occlusions is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic needle system is designed with multi-functionality, capable of performing both transverse motion for emulsification and longitudinal motion for occlusion clearance through a single integrated transducer design. This universal design eliminates the need for separate transducers or complex mechanical switching mechanisms, maintaining device simplicity while achieving multiple functions
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
This approach effectively breaks up cataract material with transverse motion and clears occlusions with longitudinal motion, reducing the risk of eye trauma by ensuring smooth aspiration and efficient fluid flow.
Implementation Method 1
A series of ultrasonic elements, e.g. piezoelectric crystals, referred to herein as a 'stack', is disposed about the horn. When the stack is ultrasonically oscillated, the ultrasonic elements expand and contract, thereby causing rapid longitudinal vibration in the horn, and thus in the needle attached to the horn.
Implementation Method 2
When the stack is ultrasonically oscillated, the ultrasonic elements expand and contract, thereby causing rapid longitudinal vibration in the horn
Implementation Method 3
Transverse motion would provide a side-to-side or 'sanding' motion that would remove cataract material without the negative effect of kicking the material away from the tip
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An apparatus, system and method for providing a surgical handpiece. The apparatus, system and method may include: an ultrasonic horn having an emulsifying needle at a distal end thereof; a plurality of piezoelements about a proximal end of the ultrasonic horn; a plurality of flexible electrode segments comprising first sets of the electrode segments atop each of the piezoelements and second sets of the electrode segments below each of the piezoelements, and comprising at least pairs of the electrode segments in which each pair comprises an electrode segment atop a one of the piezoelements and a paired electrode segment below that one of the piezoelements; a plurality of flexible interconnections that electrically interconnect at least the first sets and second sets, and the pairs, flexibly about each of the plurality of piezoelements; and a power source applied via a controlled double-pole, double-throw (DPDT) switch.