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High speed pneumatic valve

  • US 10,383,766 B2
  • Filed: 04/06/2016
  • Issued: 08/20/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2015
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A surgical system comprising:

  • a dual action vitrectomy probe comprising a first port and a second port;

    a utility generator configured to supply a pressurized fluid to the dual action vitrectomy probe;

    a fluid exhaust manifold configured to direct a fluid exhaust from the dual action vitrectomy probe;

    a pneumatic valve configured to rotate from a first position in which the pneumatic valve places the first port of the dual action vitrectomy probe in fluid communication with the utility generator and places the second port of the dual action vitrectomy probe in fluid communication with the fluid exhaust manifold, to a second position in which the pneumatic valve places the first port of the dual action vitrectomy probe in fluid communication with the fluid exhaust manifold and the second port of the dual action vitrectomy probe in fluid communication with the utility generator, and the pneumatic valve is configured to rotate within a housing from the second position back to the first position, in one rotational direction;

    wherein the pneumatic valve comprises;

    an axially symmetric valve body; and

    the housing configured to accommodate the axially symmetric valve body, wherein the axially symmetric valve body is configured to rotate within the housing from the first position to the second position and back to the first position in the one rotational direction;

    wherein the housing comprises;

    a chamber configured to accommodate the axially symmetric valve body;

    a first port opening formed on an inner wall of the chamber and in fluid communication with the first port of the dual action vitrectomy probe;

    a second port opening formed on the inner wall of the chamber and in fluid communication with the second port of the dual action vitrectomy probe;

    a fluid pressure opening formed on the inner wall of the chamber and in fluid communication with the utility generator; and

    a fluid exhaust opening formed on the inner wall of the chamber and in fluid communication with the fluid exhaust manifold;

    wherein the axially symmetric valve body comprises;

    a first connection channel formed through the axially symmetric valve body and configured to place the first port opening and the fluid pressure opening in fluid communication when the axially symmetric valve body is in the first position;

    a second connection channel formed through the axially symmetric valve body and configured to place the second port opening and the fluid exhaust opening in fluid communication when the axially symmetric valve body is in the first position;

    a third connection channel formed through the axially symmetric valve body and configured to place the first port opening and the fluid exhaust opening in fluid communication when the axially symmetric valve body is in the second position; and

    a fourth connection channel formed through the axially symmetric valve body and configured to place the second port opening and the fluid pressure opening in fluid communication when the axially symmetric valve body is in the second position;

    wherein the axially symmetric valve body further comprises flow grooves formed on a circumferential surface of the axially symmetric valve body and extending from openings of the one or more of the first, second, third, or fourth connection channels, wherein the flow grooves keep the first port opening, second port opening, fluid pressure opening, and fluid exhaust openings in fluid communication with the one or more of the first, second, third, or fourth connection channels through portions of the rotation of the axially symmetric valve body to define opening or closing timing sequences between the first port opening, second port opening, fluid pressure opening, and fluid exhaust openings such that a rotational speed of the pneumatic valve corresponds to a cutting rate of the dual actuation vitreous probe.

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