Segmented Ophthalmic Aspiration Tubing for Surge Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmic surgery tubing materials, particularly those used in phacoemulsification, face challenges with flexibility and handling due to high durometer materials, which can lead to difficulties in maneuverability and increased risk of occlusion break surge during cataract removal, potentially causing eye damage.
Innovation Solution
The development of aspiration tubing with a high compliant section for flexibility near the handpiece and a low compliant section to reduce occlusion break surge, featuring varying durometer and geometry configurations, including twin bore tubing with differing hardness portions, to enhance navigability and control vacuum rise times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high durometer material is used for aspiration tubing, then occlusion break surge is reduced, but flexibility and ease of handling deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The aspiration tubing is divided into multiple sections with different durometer values. The first section (proximal to handpiece) has lower durometer (50-70 Shore A) for flexibility, while the second section (distal to handpiece) has higher durometer (70-90 Shore A) for surge reduction. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the tubing are assigned different material properties (durometer values) based on their specific functional requirements. The proximal section near the handpiece uses softer material for flexibility and maneuverability, while the distal section uses harder material for vacuum surge control.
2Reliability
If high durometer material is used for aspiration tubing, then vacuum control is improved, but maneuverability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tubing is segmented into proximal and distal sections with different durometer values. The proximal section (lower durometer) provides maneuverability for navigating surgical sites, while the distal section (higher durometer) maintains vacuum control and reduces surge.
Solution Approach 2:
The proximal section uses lower durometer material specifically where maneuverability is needed near the handpiece, while the distal section uses higher durometer material where vacuum control is critical.
3Ease of operation
If low durometer material is used for aspiration tubing, then flexibility is improved, but occlusion break surge increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tubing combines low durometer material in the proximal section for flexibility with high durometer material in the distal section for surge reduction, creating a composite structure that addresses both requirements simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The aspiration tubing functions as a composite system with two different durometer materials joined together, each contributing its specific properties: flexibility from the softer proximal section and surge resistance from the harder distal section.
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
In various embodiments, aspiration tubing connecting a handpiece to a surgical console may include a high compliant section, a transition section, and a low compliant section. In some embodiments, the high compliant section may have a lower durometer and/or different geometry than the low compliant section. The transition section may take a number of forms, including a connector or a continuous section of tubing that gradually increases in durometer and/or changes geometry through the length of the tubing. In the various embodiments, the high compliant section may provide flexibility near the handpiece to make the handpiece easier to hold and maneuver while the low compliant section may reduce the effects of occlusion break surge. In some embodiments, the high compliant section may include, for example, ribs, stiffening rings, a stiffening sleeve, or a stiffening sock to increase the stiffness of the high compliant section.