Surgical Cassette Priming via Reverse Flow Gas Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical cassette priming systems fail to effectively remove trapped gas from infusion and aspiration systems during small incision surgeries, leading to operational issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a controller to manage the flow of infusion liquid through an infusion chamber and conduit system, employing both forward and reverse liquid flows to dislodge and remove trapped gas by creating pressure differentials, ensuring the system is primed and gas-free.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional priming methods are used to fill the infusion system, then the system can be prepared for surgery, but trapped gas remains in the infusion and aspiration systems causing operational problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies reverse flow priming where the liquid flows backward through the infusion conduit from the proximal end toward the distal end, opposite to the normal forward flow direction during surgery. This inversion allows gas bubbles to be pushed toward the distal end and expelled through the infusion port, effectively removing trapped gas that would otherwise remain in the system during traditional forward flow priming
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic alternating flow where the liquid flow direction switches between forward and reverse modes. During forward flow, the system is filled; during reverse flow, gas is expelled. This periodic action ensures complete removal of trapped gas while maintaining system priming, resolving the contradiction between system preparation and gas elimination
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the infusion conduit is filled with liquid to remove gas, then gas can be removed, but liquid may enter the non-liquid environment at the infusion port
Solution Approach 1:
By reversing the flow direction during the gas removal phase, the patent pushes gas bubbles toward the distal end of the infusion conduit where they can be expelled without causing liquid to enter the non-liquid environment. The reverse flow ensures gas is removed while the proximal end remains sealed or controlled to prevent liquid contamination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts or separates the gas removal function from the normal infusion function by implementing a dedicated reverse flow phase. During this phase, only gas is targeted for removal while the system design ensures liquid remains contained, preventing contamination of the non-liquid environment at the infusion port
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 solution effectively primes the surgical cassette by removing trapped gas, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of surgical procedures by ensuring a gas-free environment for infusion and aspiration systems.
Implementation Method 1
The controller operates the vacuum source to create a second pressure in the aspiration chamber
Implementation Method 2
an infusion pressure source connected to the infusion chamber via an isolation valve
Data Source
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AI summary
During small incision surgery, and particularly during ophthalmic surgery, small probes are inserted into the operative site to cut, remove, or otherwise manipulate tissue. During these surgical procedures, fluid is typically infused into the eye using an infusion system, and the infusion fluid and tissue are aspirated from the surgical site using an aspiration system. The infusion and aspiration systems must be primed prior to surgery. Gas can become trapped within the infusion system and the aspiration system, which can cause certain problems. In prior systems, the system and method of priming the surgical cassette did not remove the trapped gas from the systems. Therefore, a need continues to exist for an improved system and method of priming a surgical cassette.