Ultrasonic Emulsifier With Targeted Microbubbles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic emulsifiers for cataract surgery pose risks of damage to surrounding eye tissues due to high-frequency ultrasound energy, leading to complications and safety issues during cataract removal.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic emulsifier that uses targeted microbubbles dispensed into the eye, activated by focused ultrasound waves to induce cavitation, reducing the need for high-energy breakdown of the cataract nucleus and minimizing tissue damage, with a contactless delivery method and smaller incision size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-frequency ultrasound energy is used to break down harder cataract nuclei, then the emulsification effectiveness is improved, but the damage to surrounding eye tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating ultrasound energy precisely at the cataract nucleus location through a needle tip, creating a localized treatment zone. The energy is focused where needed (at the hard cataract nucleus) while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues, thus achieving effective emulsification without proportional damage to the entire eye structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (enzyme or chemical agent) that is delivered via the needle to soften the hard cataract nucleus before or during ultrasound emulsification. This intermediary reduces the required ultrasound energy by pre-softening the nucleus, thereby achieving the same emulsification effect with lower energy levels that cause less tissue damage.
2Productivity
If higher ultrasound energy is delivered to treat harder cataracts, then the breakdown efficiency is improved, but the risk of complications increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by delivering enzyme or chemical agents through the needle before or during the ultrasound emulsification process. These agents pre-soften the hard cataract nucleus, reducing the subsequent ultrasound energy requirements and thereby lowering the risk of complications while maintaining breakdown efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the cataract nucleus by introducing enzymes or chemicals that alter its hardness and structure. This parameter change (softening the nucleus) enables effective emulsification with lower ultrasound energy settings, thus improving reliability by reducing complication risks.
3Measurement precision
If a needle is inserted into the eye for ultrasound delivery, then the energy can be focused on the cataract, but the risk of corneal endothelial cell loss and edema increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single needle device: it serves as both the ultrasound energy delivery conduit and the enzyme/chemical agent delivery system. This integration allows simultaneous or sequential administration of softening agents and focused ultrasound, achieving precise energy targeting while mitigating tissue damage through the combined therapeutic effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the needle-delivered enzyme or chemical agent as an intermediary that protects corneal endothelial cells during the ultrasound emulsification process. The agent reduces the nucleus hardness, allowing lower energy settings that are less harmful to surrounding tissues including the corneal endothelium.
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
This approach allows for safer and more efficient cataract removal with lower energy consumption, reducing the risk of complications and improving surgical outcomes by using less ultrasound energy and minimizing damage to surrounding tissues.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasound module for producing ultrasound waves for acting on the eye and enabling the targeted microbubbles to act on the lens of the eye
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic emulsifier includes an emulsifier body (201), on which there are provided: an irrigation module (202) for dispensing a liquid into an eye, the liquid containing targeted microbubbles (401) for acting on a lens of the eye; an ultrasound module (203) for producing ultrasound waves for acting on the eye and enabling the targeted microbubbles (401) to act on the lens (101) of the eye; and a suction module for aspirating the dispensed liquid and/or the broken-down lens (101) from the eye. This ultrasonic emulsifier can overcome the problem of possible damage to other parts of the eye during cataract surgery and consequent complications.