Phacoemulsification Sleeve With Distendable Flap for Fluid Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current phacoemulsification techniques face challenges in maintaining adequate fluid infusion during eye surgery, as existing infusion sleeves can become occluded, leading to turbulent flow and potential damage to delicate eye tissues, and require complex designs that are costly to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A phacoemulsification irrigation sleeve with flaps that swing away from irrigation ports in response to fluid pressure, directing flow from the proximal to the distal end, reducing resistance and allowing for increased liquid infusion without pushing lens or cortical material away from the aspiration port, and incorporating a simple, economical design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the flow of irrigating liquid through the infusion sleeve is increased to clear occlusions, then the occlusion can be cleared, but the liquid flow becomes turbulent and causes damage to the eye
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the infusion sleeve distendable rather than rigid. The sleeve expands in response to pressure changes, dynamically adjusting its internal diameter to maintain laminar flow conditions even at higher flow rates. This dynamic adaptation prevents turbulent flow damage while allowing increased liquid flow to clear occlusions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the infusion sleeve from rigid to distendable, allowing the sleeve's diameter to change in response to pressure. This parameter change enables the system to maintain optimal flow characteristics by adjusting the sleeve's internal geometry dynamically, preventing turbulence while permitting higher flow rates when needed.
2Ease of manufacture
If a rigid infusion sleeve is used, then the structure is simple and economical to manufacture, but the sleeve cannot adapt to pressure changes and may cause flow issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible distendable sleeve made from elastomeric material, replacing rigid structures with flexible thin-walled components. This flexible shell can distend in response to pressure changes, automatically adapting to maintain reliable flow management without complex mechanical components, thus preserving ease of manufacture while significantly improving reliability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the incision size is minimized, then leakage is reduced and tissue collapse is prevented, but the infusion sleeve must fit through a smaller opening
Solution Approach 1:
The distendable sleeve dynamically adjusts its dimensions, allowing it to pass through a small incision in a collapsed state and then expand to its functional size once positioned. This dynamic behavior enables the sleeve to fit through minimal incisions while maintaining adequate flow capacity during surgery, reducing leakage and preventing tissue collapse.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible sleeve can be collapsed or compressed to fit through the small incision, similar to a nested doll structure where the outer layer can be reduced to fit within a smaller space. Once inside the eye, the sleeve expands to its functional configuration, enabling minimal incision access while maintaining proper infusion function.
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 sleeve effectively manages fluid flow to prevent occlusions and tissue damage, allowing for efficient infusion of a greater volume of liquid while maintaining a stable flow pattern, thus enhancing the phacoemulsification process without extending above the incision site and simplifying manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
The first flap is configured to swing away from the first irrigation port in response to pressure of fluid flowing in the passageway
Data Source
AI summary
A phacoemulsification irrigation sleeve having a body configured to operatively connect to a phacoemulsification needle. The body has proximal and distal ends and defines a passageway for liquid. A first irrigation port is formed in the body between its proximal and distal ends. The body is slit to define a first flap configured to swing away from the first irrigation port in response to pressure of fluid flowing in the passageway to thereby reduce resistance of fluid flow through the first irrigation port. The first flap, when swung away from the first irrigation port, is oriented to direct fluid flowing through the first irrigation port in a direction from the proximal end of the body toward the distal end of the body.