Surgical Cassette Bladder Channels for Pulsation-Free Peristaltic Pumping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical cassettes used in phacoemulsification systems do not efficiently provide for easily exchangeable configurations that can optimally perform fluid control functions, leading to potential cross-contamination between patients and inadequate control over fluid volume during eye surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A surgical cassette design featuring at least one deformable bladder disposed on a rigid surface, forming part of a channel with specific dimensions and engaged by pump head rollers, allowing for controlled fluid distribution and minimizing pulsing during pumping actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional peristaltic pumps are used in surgical cassettes, then fluid pumping function is provided, but pulsing occurs during pumping action which can cause tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The pump channel is divided into multiple discrete pumping zones with individual rollers positioned at specific intervals. Each roller creates a separate compression zone, and the spacing between rollers is designed so that compression zones do not overlap or interfere with each other, thereby eliminating pulsing while maintaining continuous fluid movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a rotating pump head with rollers that dynamically engage and disengage from the channel at different rotational positions. The roller engagement is timed and positioned to ensure smooth transitions between compression zones, creating a continuous and pulsation-free fluid flow through dynamic coordination of multiple rolling elements.
2Ease of operation
If cassettes are made easily exchangeable between patients, then cross-contamination is prevented, but optimal fluid control configuration becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical cassette is designed as a universal platform with standardized pump head interfaces and interchangeable channel assemblies. The pump head can accommodate different channel configurations through standardized mounting mechanisms, allowing a single pump head unit to perform multiple surgical functions by simply changing the channel component, thus maintaining optimization while enabling easy exchangeability.
Solution Approach 2:
The channel assembly is designed as a nested or insertable component within the pump head structure. The channel can be quickly inserted into and secured by the pump head without requiring complex assembly or calibration, allowing rapid cassette exchange while preserving the optimized fluid control geometry through pre-configured channel-pump head interfaces.
3Productivity
If pump rollers are positioned close together, then pumping efficiency is improved, but pulsing increases which can harm eye tissues
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the pump channel have locally optimized roller spacing. The spacing between rollers is specifically tailored for each pumping zone based on local fluid dynamics requirements, allowing efficient pumping in each zone while preventing pulsing through carefully controlled local geometry rather than uniform spacing throughout the entire channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes the spacing parameter between adjacent pump rollers to a specific value or range that simultaneously achieves high pumping efficiency and eliminates pulsing. This critical spacing parameter is precisely controlled during manufacturing to ensure that the compression zones created by adjacent rollers are sufficiently separated to prevent pressure wave interference, thereby eliminating pulsing while maintaining productivity.
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 design ensures precise fluid control, reduces the risk of cross-contamination, and maintains optimal fluid balance within the eye during surgical procedures, preventing tissue damage from excessive pressure or volume changes.
Implementation Method 1
at least one at least partially deformable bladder at least partially disposed on at least one rigid surface, wherein the bladder forms a portion of a channel
Implementation Method 2
at least two pump head rollers are engaged with the bladder
Data Source
AI summary
A system for a surgical system is disclosed, comprising system for distributing fluid in a surgical cassette, comprising at least one at least partially deformable bladder at least partially disposed on at least one rigid surface, wherein the bladder forms a portion of a channel, at least a first and second port in fluid communication with the channel, wherein the channel comprises at least two portions having a substantially uniform first dimension separated by a second portion have a second dimension, and wherein at least two pump head rollers are engaged with the bladder.