Variable-Rigidity Small-Gauge Illuminator Cannula
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing small-gauge wide-angle illuminators for ophthalmic surgery lack sufficient rigidity to effectively manipulate eye tissue, which is essential for providing an unobstructed view and access to the surgical area.
Innovation Solution
A variable-rigidity, small-gauge illuminator system comprising a light source, optical cable, handpiece, optical fiber, and cannula, where the cannula can extend and retract to vary its length, maintaining co-incident distal ends with the optical fiber, and fabricated from biocompatible materials to provide adjustable rigidity for tissue manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If small-gauge cannula is used, then illumination field coverage is improved, but rigidity for tissue manipulation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula incorporates a shape memory alloy (SMA) section that can dynamically change its rigidity properties. By applying thermal energy (e.g., through resistive heating or external heat source), the SMA transitions from a flexible austenite phase to a rigid martensite phase, allowing the cannula to adapt its mechanical properties during surgery. This enables the small-gauge cannula to provide adequate rigidity for tissue manipulation when needed while maintaining flexibility for insertion and navigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula's physical parameters are changed by modifying the crystalline structure of the shape memory alloy through thermal treatment. The phase transition temperature and mechanical properties of the SMA can be adjusted during manufacturing to achieve the desired balance between flexibility and rigidity. This allows the cannula to exhibit different mechanical behaviors at different temperatures, resolving the contradiction between small gauge size and sufficient rigidity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If small-gauge cannula is used, then patient trauma and recovery time are reduced, but ability to manipulate eye tissue deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic rigidity adjustment capability allows the cannula to be flexible during insertion (minimizing patient trauma) and rigid during tissue manipulation (improving ease of operation). The surgeon can activate the SMA phase transition at the appropriate moment in the surgical procedure, transforming the cannula from a flexible insertion tool to a rigid manipulation instrument without requiring a larger gauge.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigidity function is extracted as a separate controllable property through the shape memory alloy mechanism, rather than being fixed by the cannula's physical dimensions. This allows the small-gauge cannula to access patients with minimal trauma while the activated SMA provides the necessary rigidity for tissue manipulation when required.
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 allows for optimal illumination and manipulation of eye tissues by varying the cannula's length, providing increased rigidity when needed while maintaining the ability to extend for deeper illumination, addressing the rigidity limitations of prior art small-gauge illuminators.
Implementation Method 1
an optical fiber, operably coupled to the handpiece, wherein the optical fiber is optically coupled to the optical cable to receive and transmit the light beam to illuminate an area
Implementation Method 2
an optical element, optically coupled to a distal end of the optical fiber, for receiving the light beam and scattering the light beam to illuminate the area
Data Source
AI summary
A variable-rigidity, small-gauge illuminator is disclosed, one embodiment being a small-gauge illumination surgical system comprising: a light source for providing a light beam; an optical cable, optically coupled to the light source for receiving and transmitting the light beam; a handpiece, operably coupled to the optical cable; an optical fiber, operably coupled to the handpiece, wherein the optical fiber is optically coupled to the optical cable to receive and transmit the light beam to illuminate an area; and a cannula, operably coupled to the handpiece, for housing and directing the optical fiber, wherein the cannula is operable to extend and retract from the handpiece to vary the length of the cannula extending from the handpiece, and wherein the optical fiber is operably connected to the cannula.