Membrane Forceps with Roughened Jaws for ILM Peeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical techniques for internal limiting membrane (ILM) and epiretinal membrane (ERM) peeling require precision and patience, with surgeons often needing to switch between scraper and forceps instruments during procedures, leading to inefficiencies and potential tissue damage due to frequent instrument insertion and removal within the eye.
Innovation Solution
A membrane forceps with a roughened surface on its jaws, designed to both scrape and grasp the membrane, allowing for edge gain and peeling without removing the instrument from the eye, featuring a handle, tube, and forceps jaws with oblique leading edges and surface features like ridges or points to aid in membrane rupture and grasping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If surgeons use separate scraper and forceps instruments for ILM/ERM peeling, then each function can be performed with specialized tools, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and requires frequent instrument exchanges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the scraping function and grasping function into a single forceps instrument. The forceps jaws include a roughened surface that provides scraping capability, while the same jaws can grasp the membrane edge. This eliminates the need to switch between separate scraper and forceps instruments during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The forceps instrument is designed to perform multiple functions: it can scrape the membrane to gain an edge using the roughened surface, and then grasp and peel the membrane using the same jaws. This multi-functional design allows one instrument to replace what previously required two separate instruments.
2Ease of operation
If surgeons frequently exchange instruments during the procedure, then appropriate tools can be used for each step, but tissue trauma increases and surgical time extends
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the scraping and grasping functions into one instrument, the number of instrument insertions and removals is reduced. Each insertion/removal cycle poses a risk to delicate ocular tissue, so minimizing these cycles reduces cumulative tissue trauma.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument allows continuous action within the eye - the surgeon can scrape, then immediately grasp and peel without removing the instrument. This continuous workflow minimizes the time the surgical site is exposed and reduces the number of times the delicate ocular environment is disturbed by instrument exchange.
3Manufacturing precision
If the forceps jaws have a smooth surface, then grasping precision is maintained, but the ability to gain membrane edge is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The forceps jaws have different surface characteristics in different areas or contexts. The roughened surface provides enhanced friction for scraping and gaining membrane edge, while the overall jaw structure maintains the precision needed for grasping. This localized variation in surface quality allows both functions to be performed effectively by the same instrument.
Data Source
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AI summary
Membrane forceps for performing an ILM or ERM peel procedure include a handle, a tube extending from the handle, and forceps jaws extending from the tube. The forceps jaws may be configured to grasp an ILM or ERM, and may include an outer surface having a roughened surface. The roughened surface may be structurally configured to aid in gaining an edge of the ILM or ERM.