Plasma Electrode Arms for Precise Tissue Pocket Incisions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tissue incision and ablation technologies, such as lasers, mechanical blades, and electrodes, face challenges including complexity, longer treatment times, inaccurate incisions, tissue artifacts, and potential complications due to technique dependency and tissue damage, particularly in surgeries like LASIK and glaucoma treatment.
Innovation Solution
An elongate electrode supported between two arms, capable of generating plasma for precise incisions, with adjustable arm separation and tensioning to form accurate pockets or flaps in tissue, and a support structure for translational movement, minimizing tissue damage and treatment time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If lasers are used for tissue ablation and incisions, then tissue can be removed, but the treatment time increases and tissue artifacts such as plume are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the laser-based thermal ablation system with a mechanical cutting system using a microkeratome blade or femtosecond laser to create a corneal flap, followed by mechanical insertion of an intraocular lens. This substitution eliminates laser-induced plume and reduces treatment time while maintaining incision precision through controlled mechanical action.
2Loss of time
If mechanical cutting with blades is used, then treatment time is reduced, but incision accuracy and surface smoothness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two approaches: using a microkeratome blade for initial corneal flap creation (mechanical advantage for speed) followed by precise positioning and insertion of the intraocular lens through the flap. This combination leverages the speed of mechanical cutting while achieving accurate placement through controlled insertion mechanics, rather than relying solely on blade precision for the entire procedure.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual resection with scalpel or diamond knife is used, then tissue can be removed, but technique dependency increases and postoperative complications arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-contained system where the microkeratome blade automatically creates the corneal flap and the intraocular lens is pre-loaded in a delivery device that guides its insertion through the flap. This automated, self-service approach reduces reliance on surgeon technique and manual dexterity, standardizing the procedure and reducing technique-dependent variability and postoperative complications.
4Manufacturing precision
If femtosecond laser is used to create corneal flaps, then precise incisions can be made, but the ablation process is incomplete and tissue bridges remain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the femtosecond laser to create a partial-thickness corneal flap that serves as a preliminary access route, rather than attempting complete ablation. The flap is then manually or mechanically separated and repositioned to allow subsequent insertion of the intraocular lens through the created pathway, completing the procedure in stages to ensure both precision and completeness.
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 system provides more accurate and efficient tissue incisions with reduced complexity and time, minimizing tissue damage and improving surgical outcomes by allowing for precise control over incision width and depth.
Implementation Method 1
An elongate electrode supported between two arms and configured to flex and generate plasma to incise tissue
Data Source
AI summary
An elongate electrode is supported between two arms and configured to flex and generate plasma to incise tissue. Each of the arms is configured to penetrate tissue with the electrode supported therebetween to form a pocket with an incision. Each arm may comprise a distal tip shaped to penetrate tissue, and an internal curved structure such as a track is shaped to allow the electrode to slide over the curved structure while the electrode is tensioned. The internal curved structure may comprise an electrically insulating material that provides electrical insulation to the tensioned sliding electrode. An opening formed in a lumen allows the electrode to extended between the curved structure and the exposed portion of the electrode suspended between the two arms. The separation distance between the two arms can be adjusted to vary an exposed length of the electrode to create a pocket incision of varying width.