Pump Elastomer Grooves for Surgical Cassette Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical cassettes used in ophthalmic surgical procedures face issues such as tight sealing tolerances, high torque requirements for valve operation, restricted flow capacity, and redundancy, leading to inefficiencies and potential leaks during procedures.
Innovation Solution
The surgical cassette incorporates a multiple chamber pump elastomer assembly with grooves on the pump elastomer and strategically positioned seal beads on the base. These features facilitate lateral deformation of the pump elastomer under compression, enhancing sealing capabilities and reducing potential leak paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional pump elastomer sealing is used, then the structure is simple, but leakage occurs at the interface between the pump elastomer and base
Solution Approach 1:
The pump elastomer is designed as a flexible membrane structure that can deform laterally under compression. The grooves incorporated into the elastomer enable it to conform to the base surface and seal effectively, utilizing the elastic deformation of the flexible material to achieve reliable sealing without rigid constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The grooves in the pump elastomer enable lateral deformation (displacement in the horizontal plane) when the elastomer is compressed vertically. This dimensional transformation allows the elastomer to adapt to surface irregularities and eliminate leak paths by distributing the sealing contact across multiple dimensions rather than relying solely on vertical compression.
2Reliability
If tight sealing tolerances are used, then sealing performance improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The design transitions from relying on tight dimensional tolerances to utilizing the elastomer's material properties (elasticity and lateral deformability). The grooves enable the elastomer to change its shape parameter under compression, adapting to variations in base surface geometry and eliminating the need for precisely controlled sealing gaps.
3Reliability
If high torque is required for valve operation, then valve sealing is secure, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible pump elastomer with grooves can deform laterally under compression to achieve secure sealing without requiring high torque. The elastic material conforms to the base surface and maintains sealing integrity through its deformability rather than through high compressive forces that would require high operating torque.
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 improved sealing and reduced likelihood of leaks ensure more secure and efficient performance during ophthalmic surgical procedures, maintaining intraocular pressure and facilitating smooth fluid flow.
Implementation Method 1
The grooves are configured to facilitate lateral deformation (or lateral displacement) of a portion of the pump elastomer when under compression and engaged with the base
Implementation Method 2
These seal beads fill potential leak paths for the fluid at the interface between the pump elastomer and the base when the pump elastomer is under compression
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments provide a surgical cassette designed for use in ophthalmic surgical procedures, which features a multiple chamber pump elastomer to seal multiple chambers within the device. The elastomer is comprised of a silicone rubber component that incorporates a plurality of grooves on its top face and seal beads on its lower portion. The grooves enable lateral deformation of the silicone rubber under compression, improving the seal of the multiple chambers and reducing or eliminating leak paths, thus enhancing the device's performance. The seal beads, strategically placed on the lower portion of the silicone rubber component, prevent separation and lifting of the pump elastomer at the corners by conforming to the geometry of the corners.