Replaceable Optic Fiber Laser Probe for Ophthalmic Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost of ophthalmic surgical procedures due to the need for disposable, single-use laser probes for each treatment, which increases treatment costs and waste.
Innovation Solution
A laser probe with a replaceable optic fiber, comprising a reusable handle, housing tube, and machine adapter, allowing the optic fiber to be easily swapped between surgical procedures, reducing the need for multiple probes and minimizing waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disposable, single-use laser probes are used for each surgical treatment, then sterility and safety are ensured, but treatment costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The laser probe system is divided into two segments: a reusable handle assembly and a disposable optic fiber. The handle can be sterilized and reused, while the optic fiber is discarded after single use, separating the expensive reusable components from the disposable consumables.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable optic fiber is discarded after single use to ensure sterility, while the expensive handle assembly is recovered and reused through autoclave sterilization, reducing overall treatment costs while maintaining safety standards.
2Reliability
If disposable laser probes are used for each procedure, then safety and sterility are maintained, but environmental waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the probe into reusable and disposable parts, allowing only the essential sterile component (optic fiber) to be discarded while the handle is reused, thereby reducing overall waste generation.
Solution Approach 2:
By recovering and reusing the handle assembly through sterilization processes, the system minimizes waste while still discarding the disposable optic fiber to maintain sterility requirements.
3Quantity of substance
If a reusable laser probe with replaceable optic fiber is implemented, then treatment costs are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The probe is segmented into modular components (handle, adapter, optic fiber) that can be independently sterilized and assembled, simplifying the reuse process while reducing overall system complexity through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle assembly with adapter is designed to be universally compatible with multiple optic fibers, allowing one handle to serve multiple procedures, thereby reducing the need for completely disposable probes and lowering costs.
4Ease of operation
If disposable probes are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity decreases due to repeated setup
Solution Approach 1:
The universal handle assembly can accommodate multiple optic fibers, allowing surgeons to perform multiple procedures without complete probe replacement, thereby improving productivity while maintaining ease of operation through consistent handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle assembly is pre-sterilized and prepared in advance, allowing for quick exchange of optic fibers during procedures, thereby maintaining ease of operation while improving surgical productivity through reduced setup time.
Data Source
AI summary
A laser probe with a replaceable optic fiber may include a reusable handle, a reusable housing tube, a reusable handle adapter, a reusable machine adapter, and a replaceable optic fiber. The handle adapter may interface with a proximal end of the handle. The machine adapter may interface with a surgical machine. The replaceable optic fiber may include an optic fiber having a first optic fiber end and a second optic fiber end, a first connector, and a second connector. The optic fiber may be disposed within the first connector and the second connector. The first connector may be temporarily fixed within the handle adapter and the second connector may be temporarily fixed within the machine adapter.