Pressure Pulse Cell Removal in Lens-Capsule Bag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing and preventing the proliferation of epithelial cells in the lens-capsule bag after cataract surgery are incomplete, as certain areas are inaccessible and chemical agents risk damaging surrounding tissue, leading to the risk of secondary cataract formation.
Innovation Solution
The use of pressure pulses in a fluid medium to detach or inhibit epithelial cells from the lens-capsule bag, preventing their proliferation and migration without causing damage to the surrounding tissue, utilizing a device with a target for generating shock waves within the fluid medium to remove or inhibit cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical agents are used to remove epithelial cells, then cell removal is achieved, but surrounding tissue is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical agents with a mechanical system consisting of a laser beam focused on a target to generate pressure pulses in a fluid medium. These pressure pulses mechanically detach epithelial cells from the lens-capsule bag without the need for chemical dissolution, thereby eliminating chemical damage to surrounding tissue while achieving complete cell removal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a fluid medium as an intermediary between the laser-generated pressure pulses and the epithelial cells. The fluid medium transmits the pressure pulses uniformly to detach cells while the target acts as an intermediary to convert laser energy into controlled pressure waves, preventing direct contact damage and enabling complete cell removal without tissue injury
2Reliability
If current methods are used to prevent epithelial cell proliferation, then some cells are removed, but inaccessible areas remain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal system where the laser beam can be directed to illuminate the entire lens-capsule bag interior, and the fluid medium distributes pressure pulses uniformly throughout all accessible areas. This multi-functional approach ensures complete cell detachment from all surfaces including previously inaccessible regions, achieving 100% cell removal effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic laser pulses that generate repeated pressure waves in the fluid medium. This periodic action continuously detaches epithelial cells from all surfaces of the lens-capsule bag over time, ensuring complete removal from both accessible and previously inaccessible areas through sustained mechanical action
3Productivity
If pressure pulses are used to remove cells, then cells are detached, but tissue damage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by focusing the laser beam on a small target to generate highly localized pressure pulses in the fluid medium. The pressure pulses are concentrated at the cell-tissue interface where detachment is needed, while the surrounding tissue experiences minimal or no pressure exposure, enabling efficient cell removal without damaging the lens-capsule bag structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides beforehand cushioning by filling the lens-capsule bag with a fluid medium that acts as a cushioning layer between the laser-generated pressure pulses and the lens-capsule bag tissue. This fluid cushion transmits and distributes the pressure pulses to detach cells while absorbing excess energy and preventing direct impact damage to the surrounding tissue
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
Effectively reduces the risk of secondary cataract by completely removing or inhibiting epithelial cells without damaging the lens-capsule bag, ensuring the tissue remains intact and preventing further cell growth or migration.
Implementation Method 1
the laser radiation is selected such that as a result of optical breakdown at the target pressure pulses are generated within the fluid
Implementation Method 2
pressure pulses are generated within the fluid and/or the inner channel, the pressure pulses propagating in the fluid medium
Data Source
AI summary
One exemplary method for removing and/or inhibiting unwanted molecular structures and/or cells from or at human or animal tissue, can include the steps ofa) supplying fluid medium so that the fluid medium is adjacent to or covers the molecular structures and/or cells that are to be removed and/or inhibited,b) generating pressure pulses in the fluid medium, wherein preferably each pressure pulse comprises a pressure current and/or a pressure wave and/or a shock wave and/or wherein preferably the pressure pulses have the form of a pressure jet of the fluid medium that is or can be directed onto the molecular structures and/or cells, and/or exhibit at least one preferential direction or main propagation direction,c) removing the molecular structures and/or cells from the tissue by the impacting pressure pulses and/or inhibiting molecular structures and/or cells which remain at the tissue by the impacting pressure pulses,d) wherein the pressure pulses are so formed or selected that during removing and/or inhibiting of the molecular structures or cells no hole or comparable damage is produced in the adjacent tissue by the pressure pulses.