Retinal Laser Surgery Cannula IOP Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Current retinal surgery techniques face challenges in maintaining optimal intraocular pressure (IOP) during procedures, leading to potential eye collapse or blood cutoff, and existing dual-bore cannulas struggle with fluid extraction efficiency and IOP control.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a dual-bore cannula for injecting retina manipulation fluid with high specific gravity, which sinks to the retina, while extracting lighter fluids, and a computer-controlled pressure system to adjust negative pressure based on IOP measurements, ensuring appropriate eye pressure and fluid balance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a dual-bore cannula is used for fluid injection and extraction, then fluid extraction efficiency is improved, but intraocular pressure control becomes difficult leading to eye collapse or blood cutoff

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid extraction efficiencyVSAvoidintraocular pressure control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the negative pressure applied during fluid extraction based on real-time intraocular pressure measurements. The controller continuously monitors IOP and modulates the suction pressure to maintain safe operating parameters, preventing both eye collapse and blood cutoff while maximizing fluid extraction efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a closed-loop feedback mechanism where intraocular pressure is continuously measured and fed back to the controller. The controller uses this feedback information to adjust the negative pressure applied during fluid extraction, ensuring that pressure remains within safe limits while maintaining effective fluid removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If negative pressure is increased to facilitate fluid extraction, then fluid extraction efficiency is improved, but intraocular pressure drops causing eye collapse

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid extraction efficiencyVSAvoidintraocular pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the negative pressure applied during fluid extraction based on real-time intraocular pressure measurements. The controller continuously monitors IOP and modulates the suction pressure to maintain safe operating parameters, preventing both eye collapse and blood cutoff while maximizing fluid extraction efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system preemptively adjusts negative pressure levels based on measured intraocular pressure to prevent eye collapse before it occurs. By continuously monitoring IOP and adjusting suction pressure in advance, the system cushions against the harmful effect of excessive pressure drop that would cause eye collapse.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Stress or pressure

If a smaller bore cannula is used to maintain eye shape, then intraocular pressure is maintained, but fluid extraction requires higher pressure causing jetting effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintraocular pressureVSAvoidjetting effects

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the negative pressure applied during fluid extraction based on real-time intraocular pressure measurements. The controller continuously monitors IOP and modulates the suction pressure to maintain safe operating parameters, preventing both eye collapse and blood cutoff while maximizing fluid extraction efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operating parameters of fluid extraction by adjusting negative pressure levels based on measured intraocular pressure. This dynamic parameter adjustment allows the system to maintain safe IOP levels while optimizing fluid extraction rate, avoiding the jetting effects that would occur with fixed high-pressure extraction through small-bore cannulas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 system effectively maintains desired IOP levels, preventing eye collapse and blood cutoff, while allowing efficient fluid extraction with reduced pressure drop, thereby enhancing surgical precision and safety.

Implementation Method 1

injecting a retina manipulation fluid with high specific gravity that sinks to the retina

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

applying negative pressure to the injection/extraction system to facilitate extraction of fluid from the eye

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2766063B1Retinal laser surgery

Publication Date: 2017.04.19 ALCON RESEARCH LTD

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AI summary

Systems, processes, and computer program products may be used to perform retinal surgery. In particular implementations, a system, a process, and a computer program product may include the ability to inject a retina manipulation fluid into an eye through an injection/extraction system and apply negative pressure to the injection/extraction system to facilitate extraction of fluid from the eye. The system, the process, and the computer program product may also include the ability to adjust the applied negative pressure.