Menu

Surgical

Capsularhexis Device

Wellcome Trust Translational Award for Warwick Design Surgical Instrument

In the field of ophthalmic surgery there is no room for error. Complications harm the patient and cost the NHS. The task of removing cataracts and replacing them with artificial lenses is one of the most common operations carried out world-wide. Nevertheless it requires a very high level of skill from the surgeon to make the opening (continuous curvilinear capsulorrhexis, also spelt capsularhexis) in the anterior capsule that holds the lens. This is particularly demanding in paediatric patients.

Mr John Stokes, a top UK ophthalmic consultant at Nottingham NHS Trust, conceived a device to reduce the necessary skill level and failure rate of this procedure. The NHS Innovation East Midlands approached Warwick Design with the challenge of turning the idea into a practical instrument.

Initial concepts were developed employing micro manufacturing techniques in various high tech materials. Warwick Design used porcine eyes to develop the device to working model state.

The potential for this device has been recognised by the Wellcome Trust who are provided £300,000 of funding after a very rigorous evaluation process.

Warwick Design’s long experience in developing high tech products will be put to good use in resolving the many challenges that lie ahead and turn an idea into a market leading product.

Capsulorrhexis Tool

Whilst cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed operations in the world, the majority of complications occur in the opening of the anterior lens, a central circular opening (the capsulorrhexis). This most challenging procedure is performed using a needle or forceps to literally “tear” a circle in the capsule. This simple method, even in the hands of very skilled surgeons, can produces irregular, inaccurate openings and errant tears run down hill, out of control. Paediatric cataract surgery is often significantly more difficult due to the considerable elasticity of the lens capsule.

The Wellcome Trust is supporting the project and has awarded a Translational award of almost £300K. This investment will develop the novel, single use, ophthalmic cutting device which creates an unrivalled precise and predictable capsulorrhexis. This tool will make the procedure quicker and reduce the risk of performing the procedure.

Benefits

The team’s main objectives were to focus on the patient and surgeon benefits of Improved Accuracy and Success Rate

Due to the challenge posed by performing the capsulorrhexis in infants and young children, the resultant size of the capsulorrhexis may be highly variable. Complications such as peripheral extension of the radial tear occur more commonly in paediatric surgery. This may result in difficulties implanting an intraocular lens due to lack of capsular support, necessitating secondary lens implantation at a later date. In addition small capsulotomies can result in capsular phimosis, capsular fibrosis and capsular contraction syndrome. Excessive manipulations during the procedure can cause iris damage, prolapse or iridodialysis. This project will further develop a tool with which to accurately perform cataract surgery in both adults and children, reducing the potential for such errors. Whilst the tool does not “deskill” the procedure, it makes the most complicated and yet most important part of the surgery a great deal easier, improving the success rate, especially in children and reduce the incidence of secondary complications.

Images

For larger images please open an image in a new tab

Surgical instrument pack
Capsulorhexis ophthalmic surgical tool with blade extended
Capsulorhexis ophthalmic surgical tool with blade extended
Capsulorhexis ophthalmic surgical tool with blade retracted
Capsulorhexis ophthalmic surgical tool assembled
Capsulorhexis ophthalmic surgical tool blade driver
Capsulorhexis ophthalmic surgical tool blade relaxed
Capsulorhexis ophthalmic surgical tool body
Capsulorhexis ophthalmic surgical tool chassis
Capsulorhexis ophthalmic surgical tool
Capsulorhexis ophthalmic surgical tool
Capsulorhexis Blade guide
Da-Vinci-awards_ophthalmic
New Punch capsulotomy
Blade cutting edge profile
Surgical Blade flat
Surgical instrument pack capsularrhexis blade
Capsularhexis Surgical instrument Assembled
Capsularhexis Surgical instrument packaging
Capsularhexis Surgical instrument explode view