Retina Massage Device with Retractable Flexible Tip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmic instruments are not suitable for safely manipulating the retina, particularly during procedures like sub-retinal drug injections and macular hole treatments, as they may damage the retina or fail to effectively distribute fluids.
Innovation Solution
A retina massage and smoothing device with a flexible, blunt-tipped shaft and handle system that allows for partial or full retraction of the tip into an outer tube, enabling safe manipulation and smoothing of the retina without causing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current ophthalmic instruments are used to manipulate the retina, then the surgeon can attempt to direct fluid to the macula, but the retina may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument employs a flexible membrane or thin film structure that can conform to the curved surface of the retina, allowing gentle manipulation and smoothing without causing damage. The flexible nature of the membrane enables it to adapt to the delicate retinal surface while performing massage and smoothing functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument changes the physical parameters of interaction by using a soft, compliant tip rather than a rigid structure. This parameter change in material hardness and flexibility allows the instrument to apply gentle pressure for smoothing the retina and directing fluid without causing mechanical damage to the delicate tissue.
2Quantity of substance
If a sub-retinal injection is performed close to the macula, then the injected drug may reach below the macula, but a fluid bubble may form between the choroid and retina
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument uses vibration or oscillatory motion to break up and disperse fluid bubbles that form between the choroid and retina after injection. The vibrational energy helps to emulsify and redistribute the fluid, preventing bubble formation and ensuring uniform drug distribution below the macula.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument applies periodic massage movements to the retinal surface to gradually disperse fluid accumulations. Through repeated cycles of gentle pressure and release, the fluid bubble is slowly broken down and redistributed, allowing the drug to reach its target area without forming harmful pockets.
3Reliability
If the retina is massaged to treat macular holes, then closure of the macular hole may be achieved, but existing instruments may not be suitable for such manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument uses a flexible membrane tip that can be easily manipulated by the surgeon to perform massage movements on the retinal surface. The flexible structure allows intuitive control and adaptation to the specific anatomical features of the macular region, making the instrument easy to operate for treating macular holes.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane acts as an intermediary between the surgeon's manual control and the delicate retinal tissue. This intermediate structure translates the surgeon's manipulation into gentle, distributed pressure on the retina, enabling effective massage for macular hole closure while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Particular embodiments disclosed herein provide a retina massage and smoothing device. In certain embodiments, the device comprises a tip configured to be used for manipulating a surface of a retina inside an eye, and a shaft coupled to the tip, the shaft having a proximal end configured to be coupled to a handle, wherein the shaft is further configured to be at least partially housed by an outer tube of the handle.