Rotational Screw Drill for Cataract Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cataract removal methods, such as phacoemulsification and extracapsular extraction, face challenges including high costs, potential for astigmatism, tissue damage, and the need for specialized equipment and extensive training, while milling techniques risk spreading debris within the eye.
Innovation Solution
A surgical device utilizing a rotational screw drill with a special tip configuration and a hydraulic suction system to fracture and grind cataract tissue within a sleeve, allowing for controlled removal through a small incision, minimizing tissue damage and astigmatism risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If phacoemulsification is used to remove cataracts through a small incision, then the risk of post-operative astigmatism is reduced, but the device cost increases due to expensive ultrasonic systems and refrigeration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the ultrasonic mechanical system with a purely mechanical drilling system. The drilling device uses a rotating drill bit with suction to remove cataract material, eliminating the need for expensive ultrasonic generators and refrigeration systems while maintaining small incision benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple, disposable drilling tip that can be replaced after use. This eliminates the need for expensive, maintainable ultrasonic transducers and refrigeration systems, significantly reducing device cost while achieving the same surgical outcome
2Productivity
If milling techniques are used to remove cataracts, then breaking efficiency is improved, but debris spreads within the eye causing tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the breaking and suction functions into a single integrated drilling device. The drill bit is positioned within the suction tip, allowing immediate removal of debris as it is generated, preventing spread while maintaining high breaking efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The suction system acts as an intermediary between the drilling action and the ocular environment. It captures debris at the source and removes it through the incision, preventing harmful spread while allowing efficient breaking to continue
3Speed
If drilling is used to fracture cataracts, then breaking speed increases, but heat generation damages surrounding tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a hydraulic suction system to remove heat-generating debris and replace it with cool irrigation fluid. This continuous fluid exchange dissipates heat while maintaining high drilling speed, preventing thermal damage to surrounding tissues
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the working environment by introducing irrigation fluid. This fluid absorbs heat and maintains a safe temperature regime, allowing high-speed drilling without thermal damage to ocular tissues
4Loss of time
If extracapsular extraction is performed with a large incision, then recovery time is reduced, but astigmatism is induced by the stitches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the suturing mechanical system with a self-sealing small incision approach. The drilling device is inserted through a minimal incision that closes naturally, eliminating the need for stitches that cause astigmatism while maintaining efficient cataract removal
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 device effectively fractures and removes cataract tissue with reduced energy consumption, minimal temperature increase, and lower risk of tissue damage, while avoiding the spread of debris, thus providing a more efficient and safer procedure with smaller incisions.
Implementation Method 1
a rotational screw drill (1) with a special tip configuration for manipulating cataracts and other tissues that have to be removed from the anterior chamber of eye (101)
Implementation Method 2
grinding particles inside a sleeve (2) through a rotational screw drill (1) and a sleeve (2)
Implementation Method 3
removing them from the medium through the sleeve (2) by means of a suction system (9)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for fracturing and removing ocular lenses. The device mainly comprises a rotational screw drill, a sleeve and a hydraulic suction system. The rotational screw drill has reversed conical propellers which help to grind the particles. The rotational screw drill is housed in a sleeve, which comprises a rigid cylinder and a suction cup. The suction cup has a bell or funnel shape with an elliptical cross-section. Finally, the hydraulic suction system is key for the present invention performance. Also, the invention relates to a method comprising the steps of breaking, splitting the cataract or lens tissue and simultaneously or subsequently grinding the particles inside the sleeve by means of the rotational screw drill and the sleeve, and finally removing them from the medium via the sleeve by means of a hydraulic suction system.