Phacoemulsification probe with tip shield
First Claim
1. A probe with attached tip shield for a phacoemulsification surgical instrument for removal of the lens of the eye with improved capsule safety properties comprising:
- a. a hollow probe attached to the forefront of a phacoemulsification instrument, b. a probe tip shield, c. attaching means to hold said shield in contact with the tip of said vibratory probe, whereby said probe with attached tip shield is safe for the lens capsule while transmitting vibratory energy to effectively fragment and liquefy the lens tissue.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical probe with a tip shield (10) for lens removal by vibratory surgical instruments. The probe with tip shield (10) including a tip cap (60) disposed as a membrane covering the distal end (16) surface of a vibratory probe (52) to act to protect the lens capsule during operation. Direct contact between the metallic vibratory probe (52) and the lens capsule (68) is avoided by the interposed tip cap (60) even when the capsule (68) is aspirated by the central aspiration opening (64). Vibratory energy applied to probe tip (50) is transmitted to the lens tissue across the walls of tip cap (60) to provide protection of the lens capsule (68) while effectively fragmenting and liquefying the tissue by emulsification.
52 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A probe with attached tip shield for a phacoemulsification surgical instrument for removal of the lens of the eye with improved capsule safety properties comprising:
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a. a hollow probe attached to the forefront of a phacoemulsification instrument, b. a probe tip shield, c. attaching means to hold said shield in contact with the tip of said vibratory probe, whereby said probe with attached tip shield is safe for the lens capsule while transmitting vibratory energy to effectively fragment and liquefy the lens tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for protecting the lens capsule during surgical removal of the lens of the eye using a vibratory probe comprising the steps of:
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a. Providing a hollow vibratory probe having a tip, b. Providing a shield disposed at the forefront of said vibratory probe in a way to isolate the tip surface of said probe that can otherwise contact the lens capsule, c. Introducing said shield covered vibratory tip through a surgical incision into an eye, d. Positioning said shield covered vibratory tip in close contact with the lens material, e. Applying vibratory energy to said probe in a way that said vibratory energy is transmitted across said shield to effectively fragment and liquify the contacted lens material, f. Applying vacuum to said probe central aspiration port to remove the liquefied lens material, whereby said shield covered vibratory probe is effective to reduce the chance of rupture of said lens capsule when contact between said lens capsule and said shield covered vibratory tip occurs.
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Specification