Vacuum Pulsing Tissue Removal Device for Cataract Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current phacoemulsification techniques for cataract removal are costly, complex, and cause thermal damage, endothelial cell loss, and induced astigmatism due to high ultrasonic energy, making them unsuitable for developing nations and new intraocular lens technologies, and requiring significant fluid use and larger incisions.
Innovation Solution
A tissue removal system using vacuum pulses and a thermal element to break up and aspirate tissue, minimizing fluid use and thermal energy, allowing for smaller incisions and reduced surgical time, with a handheld device that includes a cannula and a vacuum pulsing device generating controlled vacuum pulses and localized heat for tissue degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high ultrasonic energy is used to fragment cataract material, then tissue removal effectiveness is improved, but thermal damage to ocular tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the ultrasonic mechanical vibration system with a vacuum-based tissue removal system. The vacuum device creates negative pressure to aspirate and remove cataract material without generating ultrasonic waves, thereby eliminating the thermal damage caused by high-energy ultrasonic vibration while maintaining effective tissue removal capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses vacuum pressure (negative pressure) as the primary mechanism for tissue removal. The vacuum device creates a pressure differential that draws cataract material into the incision and removes it from the eye, replacing the ultrasonic mechanical energy system with a pneumatic/hydraulic pressure-based system that avoids thermal effects
2Productivity
If high fluid flow is used to draw cataract particles to the tip, then tissue removal is improved, but friction and thermal effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs vacuum pressure instead of high fluid flow to remove tissue. The negative pressure created by the vacuum device draws cataract particles toward the incision site and through the device, achieving effective tissue removal without the high-velocity fluid flow that causes friction and thermal effects on ocular tissues
3Productivity
If a larger incision is used to accommodate phaco device, then tissue removal capability is improved, but surgically induced astigmatism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the phacoemulsification mechanical system with a vacuum-based system that can effectively remove tissue through smaller incisions. The vacuum device's ability to generate strong negative pressure allows it to aspirate tissue without requiring the larger incision necessary for phaco device insertion, thereby reducing surgically induced astigmatism
4Productivity
If ultrasound energy is used to fragment tissue, then tissue breakdown is improved, but damage to iris and ocular structures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention substitutes the ultrasonic vibration mechanism with a vacuum aspiration system. Instead of using high-frequency mechanical vibrations that create cavitation fields and can damage sensitive ocular structures, the vacuum device gently aspirates and removes tissue through negative pressure, eliminating the harmful effects on the iris and other ocular structures while maintaining tissue removal efficiency
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 system reduces tissue damage, endothelial cell loss, and surgical complications, enabling more cost-effective and efficient cataract removal with smaller incisions, accommodating new intraocular lens technologies and improving surgical performance.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pulsing device located within a housing in operative communication with the internal aspiration line. The vacuum pulsing device generates vacuum pulses.
Implementation Method 2
a thermal element adapted to apply localized heat energy to the target tissue and thereby break up the target tissue
Data Source
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AI summary
A tissue removal device includes a rigid aspiration cannula, a valve communicating with the aspiration cannula in a fluid-sealed manner, and a pneumatically-driven actuator configured for moving the valve between an open position and a closed position, wherein at the open position the valve defines an aspiration path through the aspiration cannula and the valve, and at the closed position the valve prevents vacuum from being applied at the distal tip.