Pneumatic Rotary Eye Surgery Device for Vitrectomy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical devices for cutting and removing tissue from the eye, such as those used in vitrectomy and retinal peeling, are complex and expensive to manufacture due to their rotary cutting principle, which complicates their construction and increases the risk of errors.
Innovation Solution
A device with a rotary element that performs a rotary movement when acted upon by compressed air, directly or indirectly coupled to the inner tube, allowing for a simple and reliable implementation of the rotary cutting principle, where the inner and outer cutting edges interact to remove tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a rotary cutting principle is used with conventional complex construction, then cutting effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional segments: an outer tube with lateral opening and outer cutting edge, and an inner tube with lateral opening and inner cutting edge. The inner tube can be independently rotated relative to the outer tube, allowing the cutting function to be separated from the housing structure. This segmentation simplifies the overall construction while maintaining effective cutting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of rotating the entire device or complex rotary mechanism, the invention inverts the approach by having the inner tube rotate within the stationary outer tube. The rotary element with compressed air application rotates the inner tube, creating cutting action through the interaction of fixed outer cutting edge and rotating inner cutting edge, thereby simplifying the rotary mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If conventional rotary mechanisms are used, then cutting function is achieved, but manufacturing cost and error proneness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses pneumatic actuation instead of complex mechanical rotary mechanisms. A rotary element with compressed air application rotates the inner tube through pneumatic torque, eliminating the need for complex gears, motors, or linkages. This pneumatic approach reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining reliable cutting function.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressed air system serves dual purposes: it provides the rotational motion for cutting and simultaneously serves as the power source without requiring separate drive mechanisms. The pneumatic system is self-contained, reducing the number of components and simplifying manufacturing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If lateral openings are made larger for better tissue access, then processing capability is improved, but cutting precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates localized high-quality cutting edges at the lateral openings of both tubes. The outer tube has an outer cutting edge and the inner tube has an inner cutting edge, both positioned at their respective lateral openings. This localized precision cutting capability allows larger openings for better access while maintaining cutting precision through the specialized edge geometry at the critical locations.
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 device achieves a reliable and efficient cutting and suction of tissue with reduced vibration and complexity, enabling effective vitrectomy and retinal peeling procedures while being less prone to errors and costly manufacturing issues.
Implementation Method 1
a rotary element (11) which performs a rotary movement when it is acted upon by compressed air
Implementation Method 2
the inner cutting edge (7) and the outer cutting edge (6) interact cuttingly when the inner tube (3) is rotated relative to the outer tube (2)
Implementation Method 3
the severed tissue can be sucked out of the eye through the inner tube (3)
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A device for cutting and aspirating tissue from the human or animal eye, in particular for performing a vitrectomy or retinal peel, comprising an outer tube (2) and an inner tube (3) rotatable in the outer tube (2), wherein the outer tube (2) has at least one lateral opening (4) with at least one outer cutting edge (6), wherein the inner tube (3) has at least one lateral opening (5) with at least one inner cutting edge (7), and wherein the inner cutting edge (7) and the outer cutting edge (6) interact in a cutting manner when the inner tube (3) is rotated relative to the outer tube (2), is characterized in that the inner tube (3) is directly or indirectly connected to a rotating element (11) and that the rotating element (11), and thus the inner tube (3), perform a rotational movement when pressurized with air.