Viscous Fluid Injector with Motion-Following Pressure Regulator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for injecting viscous fluids, such as silicone oil, in vitreoretinal surgeries require external pressurized consoles and multiple personnel, leading to longer injection times and potential sterility issues due to non-sterile connections, and are limited by the pressure output of these consoles, especially with smaller incisions.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained pressure-regulated apparatus with a pressurized fluid reservoir and a motion-following pressure regulator allows for controlled delivery of viscous fluids directly from a syringe, eliminating the need for external consoles and enabling precise control over the delivery rate with a single actuator, reducing setup time and personnel requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If conventional pressurized consoles are used for injecting viscous fluids, then sufficient pressure can be provided for injection, but the device complexity increases and multiple personnel are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pressurization system, flow control mechanism, and injection delivery system into a single integrated handheld device. The spring-loaded piston mechanism and adjustable orifice are integrated within the same housing that contains the viscous fluid reservoir, eliminating the need for separate external consoles and multiple connection points.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to be self-contained and self-regulating. The spring-loaded piston automatically provides the necessary pressure for injection, and the adjustable orifice allows the operator to control flow rate directly at the injection site without requiring external console adjustments or multiple personnel interventions.
2Stress or pressure
If external consoles are used for fluid injection, then pressure control is available, but the risk of sterility compromise increases due to non-sterile connections
Solution Approach 1:
The device creates a clear separation between the sterile and non-sterile portions. The reservoir, injection mechanism, and delivery tip form a sterile sealed system that can be sterilized independently. Only the very tip needs to penetrate tissue, while the bulk of the device remains outside the sterile field, eliminating the need for repeated sterile connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable orifice acts as an intermediary flow control element that is integrated within the sterile barrier. It regulates fluid flow without requiring external console connections, maintaining the integrity of the sterile field while providing precise pressure and flow control.
3Productivity
If maximum pressure is used to increase flow rate, then injection time is reduced, but the risk of overfilling and overpressurizing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates dynamic control through the adjustable orifice, which allows the operator to continuously modify the flow rate during injection. The spring-loaded piston provides dynamic pressure compensation, automatically adjusting to maintain optimal flow while preventing excessive pressure buildup in the injection site.
Solution Approach 2:
The operator can directly observe the injection progress and adjust the orifice opening in real-time based on visual feedback from the injection site. This immediate feedback loop allows for precise control, enabling the operator to increase flow rate when needed and reduce it to prevent overfilling, without relying on indirect console controls.
4Manufacturing precision
If smaller incisions are used for vitrectomy, then surgical precision is improved, but the maximum available pressure from conventional consoles is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The device pre-loads a spring mechanism with sufficient energy to generate the high pressures needed for small incision injection. This preliminary energy storage in the spring-loaded piston system ensures that adequate pressure is available from the start, eliminating the pressure limitations of conventional console systems that rely on external gas sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the pressure generation mechanism from external gas pressure (limited to ~80 psig) to internal spring mechanical energy storage, which can generate significantly higher pressures. This parameter change in the pressure source enables sufficient flow through smaller gauge incisions while maintaining surgical precision.
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 solution provides efficient and controlled delivery of viscous fluids, minimizing the risk of overfilling and internal pressure increases, allowing for precise injection of viscous fluids like silicone oil through smaller incisions with enhanced control and reduced sterility risks, thereby improving surgical efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The pressurized fluid reservoir can provide pressurized fluid to a pressure regulator of the apparatus
Implementation Method 2
a motion-following pressure regulator that allows for linear control of a regulated pressure
Implementation Method 3
an actuator that is mechanically coupled to the pressure regulator to control the regulated pressure
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
A self-contained apparatus and corresponding methods are provided for delivering viscous fluids in a controlled manner, such as delivering a viscous fluid in a surgical setting. The self-contained apparatus can include a motion following pressure regulator (150) that allows for linear control of a regulated pressure. The regulated pressure can be used for dispensing a viscous fluid from a syringe that is coupled to the self-contained apparatus. The pressure regulator regulates a pressure derived from a pressurized fluid reservoir (120) located at least partially within a housing (110) of the apparatus. This allows the viscous fluid to be delivered using pressure to provide a driving force greater than a force easily delivered manually, while still allowing a surgeon to retain fine control over the rate of viscous fluid delivery.