Retinal Patch Mixer Attachment for Predictable Surgical Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for delivering retinal patches in ophthalmic surgical procedures are inefficient due to the need for mixing materials just before application, leading to unpredictability and inefficiency, and existing tamponades like silicone oil require additional surgeries or patient positioning restrictions.
Innovation Solution
A surgical device with a mixer attachment for combining solid and liquid substances, featuring channeled and flat plates to facilitate controlled mixing, and a surgical hand piece with a syringe and plunger system for precise delivery of retinal patches directly to the eye.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If materials are mixed manually just before application, then the retinal patch can be delivered, but the procedure becomes inefficient and unpredictable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-loads solid and liquid materials into separate cartridges before surgery. The mixing occurs automatically when materials are dispensed through the mixing chamber, eliminating manual mixing steps and ensuring consistent, predictable mixture composition and timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dedicated mixing chamber as an intermediary component between material storage and application. This mixing chamber provides a controlled environment where solid and liquid materials combine through designed flow paths, ensuring consistent mixing without manual intervention.
2Reliability
If silicone oil is used as tamponade, then the retina can be held in place, but a second surgery is required to remove it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a biodegradable retinal patch that provides temporary support to the retina during healing. The patch naturally degrades and is absorbed by the body over time, eliminating the need for a second surgical procedure to remove the tamponade material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from non-biodegradable (silicone oil) to biodegradable materials. This parameter change allows the tamponade to provide necessary mechanical support initially, then gradually degrade as the retina heals, avoiding the need for removal surgery.
3Reliability
If silicone oil is used as tamponade, then the retina can be held in place, but cataracts may develop in the eye
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses biodegradable materials that provide temporary retinal support and then naturally degrade. This eliminates long-term presence of foreign material in the eye, removing the source of cataract-inducing effects while maintaining effective retinal support during the critical healing period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of long-term foreign material presence (cataract formation) into a benefit by using biodegradable materials. The temporary nature of the patch provides necessary support during healing while automatically eliminating the source of harm as it degrades, turning a potential adverse effect into a self-resolving situation.
4Device complexity
If expansile gas is used as tamponade, then no second surgery is needed, but the patient must maintain specific head positioning for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a biodegradable retinal patch that eliminates the need for second surgery while also removing positioning requirements. The patch is delivered as a gel that sets in place, providing retinal support without requiring the patient to maintain specific head positions, thereby improving ease of operation post-surgery.
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
Improves surgical efficiency, predictability, and reduces postoperative restrictions by allowing for controlled mixing and precise delivery of retinal patches, enhancing surgical outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
one or more channeled plates, the one or more channeled plates each comprising one or more channels and one or more through holes configured to facilitate diverging and converging flow of the combined substance during mixing
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of mixing plates configured to mix the solid substance and liquid substance in the combined substance
Data Source
AI summary
A mixer attachment for use with a surgical hand piece includes a powder plate configured to contain a solid substance for combining with a liquid substance to form a combined substance. The mixer attachment further includes a plurality of mixing plates configured to mix the solid substance and the liquid substance in the combined substance, the plurality of mixing plates including: one or more channeled plates comprising one or more channels and one or more through holes configured to facilitate turbulent flow of the combined substance during mixing, and one or more flat plates comprising a central opening to direct flow of the combined substance between the one or more channeled plates.