Non-Newtonian Silicone Oil Flushing Solution for Ophthalmic Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flushing solutions for ophthalmological surgeries, such as isotonic saline solutions, mix with blood and aqueous fluids, causing clouding and reduced visibility, and are unstable, leading to complications during vitreoretinal surgeries, while perfluorinated alkanes are expensive and difficult to remove.
Innovation Solution
A non-Newtonian silicone oil with specific density and viscosity is used as a flushing solution, which is immiscible with water and blood, preventing clouding and dampening shear forces, allowing for better visibility and easier surgical procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If isotonic saline solution is used as flushing solution, then it is miscible with vitreous body water and allows easy exchange, but it mixes with blood and aqueous fluid causing clouding and reduced visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of miscibility by using a non-aqueous flushing solution (immiscible with water) instead of isotonic saline (miscible with water). This parameter change resolves the contradiction by preventing mixing with blood and aqueous fluids, thereby maintaining visibility while still allowing exchange with the vitreous body through controlled interfaces.
2Stress or pressure
If perfluorinated alkanes are used as flushing solution, then high density facilitates retinal treatment, but they exert excessive pressure on tissues and are difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the density parameter to an optimal range (0.95-1.05 g/cm³) rather than using the high density of perfluorinated alkanes. This parameter change provides sufficient pressure for retinal treatment while enabling easy removal, and the non-aqueous nature maintains visibility by preventing mixing with body fluids.
3Illumination intensity
If perfluorinated alkanes are used as flushing solution, then they provide good visibility, but their extreme hydrophobicity and lipophobicity make removal difficult and increase costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters by using silicone oil or fluorinated ether instead of perfluorinated alkanes. These alternatives maintain the immiscibility parameter for good visibility while having lower removal difficulty, thus reducing costs and procedural complexity.
4Stability of the object's composition
If isotonic saline solution with glutathione and glucose is used, then it provides physiological stability, but the solution becomes unstable requiring addition immediately prior to use, increasing complexity and contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition to non-aqueous flushing solutions (silicone oil or fluorinated ether) that inherently provide physiological stability without requiring unstable additives like glutathione and glucose. This parameter change eliminates the need for complex preparation procedures and reduces contamination risk.
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 non-Newtonian silicone oil solution maintains clear visibility, reduces tissue flutter, and facilitates easier surgical operations by forming a distinct phase boundary with blood and vitreous body, providing a stable and cost-effective alternative to perfluorinated alkanes.
Implementation Method 1
a non-Newtonian solution for use as a flushing solution for surgical operations
Implementation Method 2
dampening shear forces, which occur when surgical devices are used
Implementation Method 3
immiscible with water and blood, preventing clouding
Data Source
AI summary
A flushing solution is described which is suitable for use in surgical, in particular ophthalmological, operations and which contains a non-Newtonian fluid. The use of such a flushing solution is also described. The flushing solution can be used as an intraoperative instrument, particularly as an instrument for manipulating intraocular structures such as retina.