Post-occlusion Surge Control in Phacoemulsification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lens removal surgical procedures, particularly during cataract surgery, face challenges with post-occlusion surge phenomena that lead to anterior chamber instability and potential complications due to the use of small incisions, high vacuum levels, and limited irrigant solution circulation, resulting in surgical trauma and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A post-occlusion chamber collapse canceling system that detects occlusion-break events and activates a transitory actuator in the aspiration line to manage vacuum levels, incorporating an occlusion valve and occlusion-break sensor to prevent chamber collapse, allowing for stable anterior chamber maintenance during high vacuum procedures with low aspirate flow rates and reduced lens disrupting energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high vacuum levels are used to improve aspiration efficiency, then lens material removal is enhanced, but anterior chamber instability occurs due to post-occlusion surge
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting occlusion events and proactively activating the vacuum relieving mechanism before chamber collapse can occur. The controller monitors vacuum levels and triggers the vacuum relieving action in anticipation of the post-occlusion surge, preventing the harmful effect rather than reacting after damage occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring vacuum levels through sensors and adjusting the vacuum pump operation accordingly. When occlusion is detected and vacuum levels indicate impending chamber collapse, the system feedback-adjusts by activating the vacuum relieving mechanism to maintain stable anterior chamber pressure throughout the procedure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If small incisions are used to reduce surgical trauma, then patient recovery is improved, but chamber collapse risk increases due to limited irrigant circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback control to monitor vacuum levels and detect occlusion events in real-time. When small incisions are used with limited irrigant circulation, the feedback mechanism detects when vacuum levels indicate chamber collapse risk and activates the vacuum relieving action to prevent the harmful effect, allowing small incisions to be used safely.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces reliance on mechanical irrigant circulation through the incision with an electronic control system that monitors vacuum levels and activates the vacuum relieving mechanism as needed. This substitution allows the surgical system to compensate for the limitations of small incisions without requiring larger openings for irrigant flow.
3Loss of substance
If low aspirate flow rates are used to reduce fluid loss, then irrigant solution conservation is improved, but chamber collapse susceptibility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting occlusion events and proactively activating the vacuum relieving mechanism before chamber collapse occurs. When low aspirate flow rates are used to conserve irrigant solution, the feedback mechanism detects when vacuum levels indicate impending chamber collapse and triggers the vacuum relieving action to prevent the harmful effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring vacuum levels and adjusting the vacuum pump operation accordingly. When low aspirate flow rates are used, the feedback mechanism detects when chamber collapse risk arises and activates the vacuum relieving mechanism to maintain stable anterior chamber pressure, allowing conservatively low flow rates to be used safely.
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 system effectively stabilizes the anterior chamber during occlusion events, enabling safer and more efficient cataract surgery with reduced surgical trauma, lower irrigant solution use, and lower lens disrupting energy, facilitating procedures through very small incisions.
Implementation Method 1
an occlusion-break sensor to detect occlusion-break events
Implementation Method 2
activates a transitory actuator in the aspiration line to manage vacuum levels
Implementation Method 3
A reduced pressure or vacuum source in the console draws or aspirates the emulsified tissue from the eye through the probe and horn bores
Data Source
AI summary
A post-occlusion chamber collapse canceling system for a surgical apparatus that detects the breaking of occlusions by tissue fragments in the distal end of the aspiration path and produces a response consisting in a transitory blockage of the distal end the aspiration path to terminate the chamber collapse and a transitory venting of the aspiration line to relieve the vacuum, in a way that post-occlusion chamber collapses are cancelled.