Tip Assembly Rotation and Sealing for Liquefaction Handpiece
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cataract surgery techniques lack a reliable method for connecting a tip to a handpiece, particularly in liquefaction procedures involving heated solutions for lens removal.
Innovation Solution
A tip assembly comprising an inner connector with an alignment tab and an outer cap with external threads, allowing rotation and secure attachment to a handpiece, along with frictional fit tubes and a sealing gasket for effective fluid communication and pressure sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tip assembly for liquefaction handpiece is provided without a reliable connection method, then the structure remains simple, but the connection reliability between tip and handpiece deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tip assembly is divided into distinct components: an outer cap with external threads for handpiece attachment, and an inner connector with an alignment tab. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the outer cap provides secure attachment while the inner connector ensures proper alignment and fluid sealing, thereby improving connection reliability without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The inner connector is nested within the outer cap, with the inner connector fitting inside the outer cap structure. This nested arrangement allows the alignment tab on the inner connector to engage with the handpiece while the outer cap provides the sealing surface, achieving reliable connection through a compact integrated structure
2Ease of operation
If the inner connector is designed to rotate within the outer cap, then the ease of operation for alignment is improved, but the structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The inner connector is designed to rotate within the outer cap during the connection process, allowing the alignment tab to be positioned correctly relative to the handpiece. Once aligned, the structure locks into a stable configuration where the rotating inner connector maintains its position, providing both ease of alignment operation and structural stability during use
3Ease of manufacture
If frictional fit tubes are used for fluid communication, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the sealing reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The frictional fit connection between the inner and outer tubes is combined with a dedicated gasket component. The frictional fit provides the basic structural connection and fluid pathway, while the gasket adds a reliable sealing element, achieving both ease of manufacture through simple assembly and high sealing reliability through the complementary sealing mechanism
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
Enables secure, rotatable, and sealed connection of the tip to the handpiece, facilitating efficient liquefaction and aspiration of cataracts using heated solutions while maintaining a pressure-tight seal and allowing for irrigation fluid passage.
Implementation Method 1
The inner and outer liquefaction tip tubes are frictionally fit into a bore in the inner connector
Implementation Method 2
The inner connector contains an alignment tab and fits within the outer cap so as to allow rotation of the inner connector within the outer cap
Data Source
AI summary
A tip assembly for a liquefaction surgical handpiece. The tip assembly has an inner connector and an outer cap. The outer cap contains an external thread for attaching the tip assembly to a handpiece. The inner housing contains an alignment tab and fits within the outer cap so as to allow rotation of the inner connector within the outer cap. The inner and outer liquefaction tip tubes are frictionally fit into a bore in the inner connector. The proximal end of the inner housing contains a gasket that seal the inner housing against the handpiece.