Stacked Multi-Disk Ophthalmic Pump Reducing Turbulence

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ophthalmic surgical pumps, such as peristaltic and rotary vane pumps, introduce pulsatile flow, turbulence, and cavitation, and are inefficient in displacing viscous fluids, leading to increased power requirements and wear issues during surgeries.

Innovation Solution

A stacked multi-disk pump design with a housing, disk assembly, and motor, where the disk assembly comprises a stack of parallel disks with central apertures, allowing fluid to flow through and reducing turbulence and cavitation by minimizing resistance and maximizing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If peristaltic pumps are used to regulate fluid flow, then fluid flow can be controlled, but pulsatile flow effect is introduced and consumable intermediary attachments are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flow controlVSAvoidpulsatile flow effect

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the peristaltic mechanical compression system with a magnetic drive system. The magnetic drive assembly uses magnetic fields to rotate the pump rotor, eliminating the need for direct mechanical contact and consumable intermediary attachments. This substitution maintains fluid flow control capability while eliminating pulsatile flow effects and reducing wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If peristaltic pumps act directly on intermediary attachments, then pumping function is achieved, but power requirements and motor size are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepumping functionVSAvoidpower requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the drive mechanism and the pump rotor. The magnetic drive assembly uses magnetic fields to transmit rotational force to the rotor, which in turn drives the fluid displacement. This intermediary approach allows efficient power transmission without direct mechanical contact, reducing power requirements and motor size while maintaining effective pumping function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If rotary vane pumps are used to displace fluid, then fluid displacement is achieved, but vibrations and turbulence are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid displacementVSAvoidvibrations and turbulence

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs curved surfaces and smooth flow paths in the pump chamber design. The pump chamber features curved walls and rounded transitions that guide fluid flow smoothly, eliminating sharp angles and abrupt changes that cause turbulence. This curvature-based design maintains efficient fluid displacement while minimizing vibrations and turbulence harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Productivity

If rotary vane pumps operate by colliding with fluid, then fluid is redirected, but cavitation problems and low wear resistance occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid redirectionVSAvoidcavitation and wear

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical collision-based fluid redirection with a magnetic drive system that uses magnetic fields to rotate the pump rotor. This substitution eliminates direct mechanical contact between moving parts and fluid, preventing cavitation and reducing wear. The magnetic field transmission mechanism maintains fluid redirection capability while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 multi-disk pump design reduces pulsatile flow and turbulence, increases pumping efficiency, and enhances resistance to wear, enabling more effective displacement of ocular fluids and tissues during ophthalmic surgeries.

Implementation Method 1

The motor may be connected to the disk assembly and configured to rotate the disk assembly to convey fluid into the inlet port, through the central apertures, between the spaced apart disks, and through the outlet port

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

Rotation of the drive shaft may cause rotation of the disk assembly to convey the fluid into the inlet port, through the central apertures and the fluid flow passages of the disk assembly, and through the outlet port

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS8939949B2Stacked multi-disk ophthalmic pump

Publication Date: 2015.01.27 ALCON INC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a stacked multi-disk pump for the pumping of ocular fluid and/or tissue during ophthalmic surgery. The stacked multi-disk pump includes an inlet port, a stacked multi-disk assembly, a fluid chamber, a central hub, a motor, and an outlet port. The motor and the hub induce the multi-disk assembly to rotate. As the multi-disk assembly rotates, the fluid is propelled into the inlet port, progresses axially, circumferentially, and radially through the stacked multi-disk assembly, and flows out the outlet port. The pump may be incorporated, for example, into the handpiece of an ophthalmic surgical instrument or a surgical console.