Vitrectomy Fluid Identification Using Viscosity and Flow Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

During vitreoretinal surgery, it is difficult for surgeons to visually distinguish between aspirated fluids such as vitreous, saline solution, and silicone oil due to their transparency, leading to potential waste of saline solution and extended surgery times.

Innovation Solution

An automated system using an electronic control unit (ECU) estimates fluid property values like viscosity and flow rate to identify the primary constituent fluid in the aspirated mixture, activating an indicator device to alert the surgeon when saline solution is predominantly present.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the surgeon relies on visual distinction to identify aspirated fluids, then the surgical procedure can be performed with simple equipment, but the surgeon cannot reliably distinguish between transparent fluids (vitreous, saline solution, and silicone oil)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid identification accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/visual identification method with an automated sensing system that uses flow rate monitoring and vacuum strength measurement to detect fluid properties. The electronic control unit processes these parameters to automatically identify the type of fluid being aspirated, eliminating the need for visual distinction by the surgeon.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors aspirated fluid properties through flow rate and vacuum strength sensors, providing real-time feedback to the electronic control unit. This feedback loop enables automatic identification of fluid types based on their characteristic flow and resistance properties, allowing the system to adapt to different fluid conditions dynamically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the surgeon aspirates without real-time fluid identification, then the surgical procedure is simpler and faster, but saline solution is wasted and surgery time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical efficiencyVSAvoidsaline solution waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The automated fluid identification system provides real-time feedback about the type of fluid being aspirated, enabling the surgeon to immediately adjust the aspiration process. When saline solution is detected, the system can alert the surgeon to reduce or stop aspiration, preventing waste and allowing for more efficient use of surgical time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary identification of fluid types before significant amounts of saline solution can be wasted. By continuously monitoring flow rate and vacuum strength parameters, the system detects saline solution aspiration early in the process, allowing for corrective action to be taken immediately and prevent further waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If the system continuously monitors fluid properties to identify saline solution, then fluid identification accuracy improves, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid property detection accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the existing vacuum pump and flow monitoring capabilities that are already present in the vitrectomy device. The electronic control unit processes data from these existing components to perform fluid identification, eliminating the need for separate energy-intensive sensing systems while maintaining accurate detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 enables real-time differentiation between aspirated fluids, reducing saline solution waste and shortening surgery time by providing precise feedback to the surgeon.

Implementation Method 1

estimating a fluid property value of the aspirated fluid mixture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscosity measurement: Viscometer

Implementation Method 2

estimating a fluid property value of the aspirated fluid mixture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow rate measurement:

Data Source

PatentUS12502473B2Automated identification of aspirated saline solution during vitreoretinal surgery

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 ALCON INC

AI summary

A method for identifying saline solution in an aspirated fluid mixture during vitrectomy or another vitreoretinal surgery includes estimating a fluid property value of the mixture via an electronic control unit (ECU). The mixture includes saline solution and either vitreous or silicone oil. The method includes identifying the saline solution as a primary constituent fluid of the fluid mixture, via the ECU, based on the fluid property value, and activating an indicator device in response to the primary constituent fluid being the saline solution. An automated system for identifying saline solution in the aspirated fluid mixture includes the indicator device and the ECU. A computer-readable medium includes instructions, executable by a processor to identify an aspirated fluid mixture during a vitreoretinal surgery, with execution of the instructions by the processor causing the processor to perform the method.