Flexible Polymer Grasper for Retinal Membrane Peeling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing membrane peeling instruments risk retinal damage during procedures due to excessive force, leading to potential punctures.

Innovation Solution

A surgical instrument with flexible polymer arms having angled ends and controlled extension mechanisms to minimize retinal contact and facilitate safe membrane peeling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If forceps or specialized scraper are used to raise and grasp the membrane flap, then the membrane can be peeled away from the retina, but excessive force may result in piercing of the retina

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemembrane peeling capabilityVSAvoidretinal damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible polymer arms instead of rigid forceps. These polymer arms are compliant and flexible, allowing them to conform to the retinal surface and apply force gradually rather than abruptly. The flexibility prevents sudden piercing of the retina while still enabling effective membrane grasping and peeling actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameter from rigid (traditional forceps) to flexible polymer. This parameter change allows the grasping structure to adapt its stiffness based on contact conditions, providing gentle contact that prevents retinal piercing while maintaining sufficient grip strength for membrane removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If traditional rigid forceps are used for membrane grasping, then firm grasp can be achieved, but the risk of applying excessive force and causing retinal puncture increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrasping strengthVSAvoidretinal puncture risk

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The polymer arms provide flexible grasping that distributes force across a larger area of the retina rather than concentrating it at a single point. This flexibility maintains sufficient grasping strength for membrane removal while preventing localized excessive force that could cause punctures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible polymer material acts as a cushioning element between the grasping structure and the retina. This inherent cushioning property absorbs excess force before it can be transmitted to the retinal tissue, preventing punctures while still enabling effective membrane grasping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

Reduces the risk of retinal puncture by allowing controlled grasping and peeling of membranes without excessive force, ensuring safer surgical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

a first flexible polymer arm 112 and a second flexible polymer arm 114

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12589028B2Grasping structure for membrane removal

Publication Date: 2026.03.31 ALCON INC

AI summary

An ophthalmic surgical instrument for peeling a retinal membrane includes a handle and an actuator mounted on the handle. An outer tube is mounted to the handle and an inner rod extends within the outer tube. A grasping structure is secured to a distal end of the inner rod having first and second polymer arms secured to the inner rod. Each of the first polymer arm and the second polymer arms has a distal end that is angled to conform to the retinal membrane. The actuator is configured to control relative position of the inner rod and the outer tube in order to extend the grasping structure out of the outer tube and withdraw the grasping structure within the outer tube.