Rotary Vitrectomy Probe With Offset Blades
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vitrectomy probes are aggressive and inefficient due to turbulence and pulsational operation, which is exacerbated by the elasticity of the vitreous body, leading to unpredictable and unsafe removal during ophthalmological procedures.
Innovation Solution
A rotary vitrectomy probe with an immovable external cutting tube and a coaxially mounted internal cutting tube featuring cutting blades offset along its circumference, providing a constant aeration surface area and reducing turbulence, allowing for gradual cutting and aspiration of the vitreous body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional vitrectomy probe uses a pulsational cutting mechanism with an internal cutting element that opens and closes the port, then the vitreous body can be cut off piece by piece to avoid vitreomacular traction, but the operation generates heavy turbulence and aggressive flow that reduces efficiency and predictability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action through the rotary motion of the internal cutting element with multiple cutting blades. The blades are offset circumferentially and rotate to periodically contact the vitreous body at the port, creating a rhythmic cutting action that maintains safety while reducing turbulence compared to the rapid open-close mechanism of conventional probes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional mechanism by making the internal cutting element rotatable rather than reciprocating. Instead of the cutting element moving linearly to open and close the port rapidly, it rotates gradually with blades that sequentially engage the vitreous body, transforming the aggressive pulsational flow into a more controlled laminar flow.
2Productivity
If the internal cutting element moves rapidly to cut off vitreous body portions, then cutting efficiency increases, but the elasticity of the vitreous body causes it to jump away unpredictably, reducing safety and control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a rotatable internal cutting element with multiple blades that can continuously engage the vitreous body. Instead of rapid reciprocating motion that causes the vitreous to jump away, the rotational motion allows gradual engagement and continuous cutting, maintaining predictability while achieving efficient removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the cutting function into multiple blades distributed circumferentially on the internal cutting element. This segmentation allows the cutting action to be distributed over time during rotation, with each blade contributing to the cutting process sequentially, thereby maintaining continuous engagement with the vitreous body and improving predictability.
3Device complexity
If a guillotine style probe uses pneumatic pressure to activate the cutting element, then the mechanism is simple and reliable, but the rapid activation and deactivation creates aggressive flow and turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rapid pneumatic activation mechanism with a rotational mechanical system. Instead of using pneumatic pressure to rapidly drive the cutting element open and closed, the system uses rotational motion to gradually bring the cutting blades into contact with the vitreous body, eliminating the aggressive flow and turbulence associated with rapid pneumatic actuation.
4Productivity
If the port of the vitrectomy probe is kept open for aspiration, then the vitreous body can be removed continuously, but the constant negative pressure creates turbulent flow and aggressive operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action through the rotational motion of the internal cutting element. The cutting blades continuously engage and remove the vitreous body as the element rotates, while the port remains open for aspiration. This continuous rotational cutting action eliminates the pulsational flow pattern, creating a more stable and laminar flow regime.
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 solution enhances safety and predictability by minimizing the impact of vitreous body elasticity, reduces turbulence, and achieves a more efficient, laminar flow during vitreous body removal, improving the precision and control of the procedure.
Implementation Method 1
an internal cutting tube mounted rotatably and coaxially in the external cutting tube, with cutting blades offset along its circumference
Implementation Method 2
which has a suction system and a moving element mounted in the cannula to cyclically cut off small portions of the vitreous body, sucked into the cannula
Data Source
Figure 1~8
Figure 3~10
AI summary
The invention describes a rotary vitrectomy probe with several cutting blades.