Vitreous Surgical Probe End Formation With Flat Burr-Free Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing vitreous body surgical probes often result in burrs on the end inner surface, making it difficult to achieve a flat end inner and outer surface, which is crucial for proximity to the retina without damaging it.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the simultaneous cutting and welding of a steel plate to form the end of a vitreous body surgical probe using an energy beam, ensuring both surfaces are flat and reducing the need for additional processing steps, allowing for a slanted surface configuration if required.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If deformation processing by squeezing is used to form the end part, then the end outer surface can be formed nearly flat, but burrs easily form on the end inner surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveend outer surface flatnessVSAvoidend inner surface quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical squeezing deformation process with a laser-based energy beam processing method. The laser beam melts and fuses the pipe end material to form a flat end surface, eliminating the burr formation problem associated with mechanical squeezing while achieving the desired flat outer surface morphology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the processing parameters from mechanical force-based deformation to energy beam-based melting and fusion. By controlling laser power, scanning speed, and beam focus, the process achieves flat end surfaces on both inner and outer surfaces without generating burrs, fundamentally altering the physical state and processing mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the end inner surface is not flat, then it is difficult to bring the cutting member near the end part, but making the distance long requires the opening to be farther from the retina

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting member positioningVSAvoiddistance from opening to end part
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses laser energy beam processing to create a flat end inner surface, enabling the cutting member to be positioned close to the end part without mechanical interference. This eliminates the need for increased distance D while maintaining ease of operation for cutting member sliding and positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If additional processing steps are added to eliminate burrs and achieve flat surfaces, then surface quality improves, but manufacturing complexity and workload increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveend surface flatness and qualityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the end surface formation process into a single laser-based melting and fusion step that simultaneously creates flat inner and outer surfaces without generating burrs. This eliminates the need for separate deburring, grinding, or polishing operations, reducing manufacturing complexity while achieving high surface quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces multiple mechanical processing steps (squeezing, deburring, grinding) with a single laser energy beam processing step. This substitution simplifies the manufacturing process while achieving superior surface quality on both inner and outer surfaces of the end part.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 approach allows for the easy manufacture of vitreous body surgical probes with flat inner and outer surfaces, reducing the risk of retinal damage and simplifying the manufacturing process by minimizing workload and burr formation.

Implementation Method 1

A method involving the simultaneous cutting and welding of a steel plate to form the end of a vitreous body surgical probe using an energy beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser beam welding: Laser Beam Welding

Implementation Method 2

A method involving the simultaneous cutting and welding of a steel plate to form the end of a vitreous body surgical probe using an energy beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentEP3378449B1Method for producing probe for vitreous body operation
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 MANI INC
  • EP3378449B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP3378449B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3378449B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

There is provided a method of manufacturing a vitreous body surgical probe that is easily manufactured and has a flat end outer surface and a flat end inner surface. A method for manufacturing a vitreous body surgical probe (10) includes the steps of: bringing a steel plate (30) in contact with an end surface of a steel pipe (20); and irradiating an energy beam (50) from the steel plate side along the outer circumference of the pipe end surface. The steel plate is cut through irradiation of the energy beam (50), and the pipe (20) and the steel plate (30) are welded together simultaneously. Alternatively, a step of using the same energy beam for cutting and welding the steel plate may be added.