Vitrectomy Apparatus Valve Timing Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current vitrectomy surgical systems are limited in cutting speed and accuracy, often requiring excessive pressure and timing adjustments to compensate for mechanical delays, leading to inefficiencies and inconsistencies in material removal during ophthalmic procedures.
Innovation Solution
A vitrectomy apparatus with a pressure source, cut valve, sensor, and controller that monitors pressure conditions to adjust valve timing and pressure delivery, enabling precise control of pneumatic cutting functionality for higher speeds and improved efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If constant opening signal time is used to open the valve at low cutting speeds, then the cutting device can operate at lower speeds, but the handpiece becomes over-pressurized at higher cutting speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the valve opening time variable rather than constant. The control system dynamically adjusts the valve opening duration based on the selected cutting speed, allowing the system to adapt to different operating conditions and prevent over-pressurization at high speeds while maintaining adequate pressure at low speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temporal parameter of valve opening time based on cutting speed requirements. By varying this parameter according to the selected speed, the system optimizes pressure delivery to match the mechanical needs of the cutting operation at different speeds, avoiding both under-pressurization and over-pressurization.
2Reliability
If excess pressure is provided to extend the cutter and allocate excess time to retract the cutter, then mechanical delays are compensated, but the operation becomes suboptimal with wasted energy and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback by using a pressure sensor to monitor actual pressure conditions in the handpiece and providing this information to the control system. This feedback loop allows the system to make real-time adjustments to valve timing, eliminating the need for excessive pressure and time allocations while ensuring reliable cutter operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically modifying valve timing based on sensor feedback and selected cutting speed, without requiring manual intervention or conservative over-compensation. This self-service capability optimizes each cutting cycle based on actual conditions.
3Speed
If the valve opens and closes at fixed frequencies, then the cutting speed can be controlled, but the amount of material cut becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor provides feedback on actual pressure conditions during cutting, allowing the control system to adjust valve timing to compensate for variations in material properties and cutting conditions. This ensures consistent material removal despite changes in cutting speed or tissue characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-calculates optimal valve timing based on the selected cutting speed and stores these timing parameters for rapid deployment. This preliminary preparation allows the system to immediately optimize material removal consistency when a speed is selected, without trial and error adjustment.
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 allows for more accurate and efficient cutting by dynamically adjusting cutting speed and pressure, enhancing the quality and control of material removal during vitrectomy procedures, thereby improving surgical performance and safety.
Implementation Method 1
pneumatic vitrectomy operation during ophthalmic surgical procedures
Implementation Method 2
internal spring return mechanism to assure the quality of each cutting stroke
Implementation Method 3
sensor configured to sense pressure provided from the cut valve
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3A
AI summary
A vitrectomy apparatus (300) is provided, in-cluding a pressure source (3 IO), a cut valve (316) connected to the pressure source, the cut valve configured to be turned on and off to provide pressure to selectively extend and re-tract a vitrectomy cutting device, a sensor (315) configured to sense pressure provided from the cut valve, and a control-ler (320) configured to control operation of the cut valve based on pressure sensed by the sensor. The controller is configured to monitor pressures encountered and alter cut valve timing based on pressure conditions previously en-countered.