Phacoemulsification Probe Optical Contact Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual activation and deactivation of ultrasonic transducers during phacoemulsification procedures are energy-consuming and inefficient, often resulting in suboptimal results due to difficulties in accurately timing the needle's contact with the lens, leading to prolonged operations and potential patient repercussions.
Innovation Solution
An automated system using a light source and sensor to detect the needle's contact with the lens, with a controller toggling the ultrasonic transducer on and off based on luminance thresholds or AI analysis, ensuring efficient operation during phacoemulsification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the ultrasonic transducer is manually activated and deactivated during phacoemulsification, then the surgeon can control the emulsification process, but energy consumption increases and operational efficiency decreases due to prolonged operation and timing difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a light source and sensor to automatically detect when the needle contacts the lens, eliminating the need for manual monitoring and control. The controller automatically activates and deactivates the ultrasonic transducer based on optical feedback, allowing the system to serve itself without continuous surgical intervention for timing control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback loop where the light sensor continuously monitors the optical characteristics during needle-lens contact, and the controller adjusts ultrasonic transducer operation based on this real-time feedback. This closed-loop control optimizes energy usage by activating the transducer only when needed, as determined by the optical feedback signal.
2Reliability
If the ultrasonic transducer operates continuously to ensure adequate emulsification, then treatment effectiveness is maintained, but energy consumption and procedure duration increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, the ultrasonic transducer operates periodically based on detected needle-lens contact events. The controller activates the transducer during contact periods and deactivates it during non-contact periods, creating a periodic operation pattern that maintains emulsification effectiveness while reducing overall procedure time and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of needle-lens contact using the light source and sensor before activating the ultrasonic transducer. This preliminary action ensures that the transducer is activated only when contact is confirmed, preventing unnecessary operation and optimizing both time and energy usage while maintaining treatment reliability.
3Ease of operation
If manual timing of needle contact with lens is used, then the surgeon can control the process, but measurement precision and timing accuracy are insufficient leading to suboptimal results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual timing method with an optical detection system. A light source emits light that reflects differently when the needle contacts the lens, and a sensor detects these optical changes. This substitution of mechanical manual timing with optical sensing provides precise, objective measurement of contact timing without requiring surgical skill or experience.
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 reduces energy consumption, enhances operational efficiency, and minimizes negative impacts on the patient by ensuring the ultrasonic transducer is active only when the needle is in contact with the lens, optimizing emulsification and reducing procedure duration.
Implementation Method 1
A light source positioned in or near the phacoemulsification probe, directed near the tip of the needle, may emit an optical signal in one or more directions, for example in a direction coinciding with or substantially parallel and in close proximity to the needle
Implementation Method 2
The tip of the needle vibrates at ultrasonic frequency, which emulsifies the cataract lens
Data Source
AI summary
A phacoemulsification system, method and computer program product, the system comprising: a phacoemulsification probe having at its distal end a needle to be inserted into an eye, the probe comprising an ultrasonic transducer; an optical fiber transferring light from a source and having a distal end positioned in proximity to the tip of the needle for emitting light of predetermined frequency or pattern; a light sensor for detecting the light; and a processor, for repeatedly: receive from the sensor an indication of the detected light; determine whether the detected light complies with a condition indicating contact between the needle and a lens of the eye; subject to determining compliance with the condition and that the ultrasonic transducer being inactive, toggle the ultrasonic transducer ON; and subject to determining that the detected light does not comply with the condition and that the ultrasonic transducer being active, toggle the ultrasonic transducer OFF.