Directional laser probe

• US 20060173448A1
• Filed: 01/09/2006
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Synergetics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Synergetics Incorporated
• Inventors: Auld, Michael D., Scheller, Gregg D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,473,249 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3207 Atherectomy devices working by cutting or abrading; Similar devices specially adapted for non-vascular obstructions A61B17/32037 takes precedence; endoscopic cutting instruments A61B17/320016
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/22 the beam being directed along or through a flexible conduit, e.g. an optical fibre; Couplings or hand-pieces therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/24 with a catheter A61B18/26, A61B18/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00196 reciprocating lengthwise
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2238 with means for selectively laterally deflecting the tip of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2288 the optical fibre cable having a curved distal end
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/306 using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/16 for measuring intraocular pressure, e.g. tonometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/30 Devices for illuminating a surgical field, the devices having an interrelation with other surgical devices or with a surgical procedure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2009/00863 Retina
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/008 using laser

Abstract

A microsurgical laser probe is provided with a distal end portion of an optic fiber that projects from a tubular sleeve of the probe and can be caused to bend relative to the probe sleeve by manual manipulation of a mechanism on a handle of the probe.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument comprising:

an instrument handle;

a rigid tubular sleeve projecting from the instrument handle;

an optic fiber extending through the handle and the sleeve to a distal end portion that projects from the sleeve, the distal end portion of the optic fiber having an adjustable bend therein.

2. The instrument of claim 1, wherein:

the distal end portion of the optic fiber is retractable into the sleeve.

3. The instrument of claim 1, wherein:

the sleeve projects straight from the handle and the distal end portion of the optic fiber bends relative to the sleeve as it projects from the sleeve.

4. The instrument of claim 1, wherein:

the distal end portion of the optic fiber has a preformed bend that is straightened when the distal end portion is retracted into the rigid tubular sleeve and bends when the distal end portion is extended from the rigid tubular sleeve.

5. The instrument of claim 1, wherein:

the handle has a mechanism that is connected to the optic fiber and selectively moves the optic fiber between pushed forward and pulled back positions of the optic fiber relative to the handle.

6. The instrument of claim 5, wherein:

the sleeve is held stationary relative to the handle and in the pulled back position of the optic fiber the distal end portion of the optic fiber is contained in the sleeve and in the pushed forward position of the optic fiber the distal end portion of the optic fiber projects from the sleeve.

7. The instrument of claim 1, wherein:

the distal end of the optic fiber is contained in a tubular tip, the tubular tip has a pre-bent portion and is constructed of a shape memory material.

8. The instrument of claim 7, wherein:

the tubular tip is constructed of plastic and is secured stationary to the optic fiber.

9. The instrument of claim 1, wherein:

the optic fiber is the only optic fiber that passes through the handle and the sleeve.

10. The instrument of claim 1, wherein:

the instrument is an illuminating probe.

11. The instrument of claim 1, wherein:

the instrument is a laser probe.

12. The instrument of claim 1, wherein:

the tubular sleeve has an interior surface and there is an air gap between the sleeve interior surface and the optic fiber in the sleeve.

13. The instrument of claim 1, wherein:

the tubular sleeve has an interior surface and a layer of sliding material between the sleeve interior surface and the optic fiber in the sleeve.

14. The instrument of claim 13, wherein:

the layer of sliding material is located in only a portion of the sleeve creating an air gap between the sleeve interior surface and the optic fiber where the layer of sliding materiel is not located.

15. A surgical instrument comprising:

an instrument handle;

a tubular sleeve projecting from the handle;

an optic fiber extending through the handle and the sleeve to a distal end portion of the fiber; and

a mechanism on the handle and connected to the optic fiber to selectively move the optic fiber between a pushed forward position of the optic fiber where the optic fiber projects a first distance from the handle and a pulled back position of the optic fiber where the optic fiber projects a second distance from the handle that is less than the first distance.

16. The instrument of claim 15, wherein:

the tubular sleeve is secured stationary to the handle and a distal end portion of the optic fiber projects from the sleeve when the optic fiber is moved to the pushed forward position and the distal end portion of the optic fiber is contained in the sleeve when the optic fiber is moved to the pulled back position.

17. The instrument of claim 16, wherein:

the distal end portion of the optic fiber has a bend formed therein.

18. The instrument of claim 17, wherein:

the distal end portion of the optic fiber is contained in a tubular tip that has the bend formed therein and is constructed of a shape memory material.

19. The instrument of claim 18, wherein:

the tubular tip is constructed of nitinol and is secured stationary to the optic fiber.

20. The instrument of claim 15, wherein:

the sleeve is a rigid tube that projects from the handle and the distal end portion of the optic fiber has a preformed bend that is straightened when the distal end portion is retracted into the tube of the sleeve and bends when the distal end portion is extended from the tube of the sleeve.

21. The instrument of claim 15, wherein:

the sleeve projects straight from the handle and the distal end portion of the optic fiber bends relative to the sleeve as it projects from the sleeve.

22. The instrument of claim 15, wherein:

the optic fiber is the only optic fiber that passes through the handle and the sleeve.

23. The instrument of claim 15, wherein:

the instrument is a laser probe.

24. The instrument of claim 15, wherein:

the tubular sleeve has an interior surface and there is an air gap between the sleeve interior surface and the optic fiber in the sleeve.

25. The instrument of claim 15, wherein:

the tubular sleeve has an interior surface and a layer of sliding material between the sleeve interior surface and the optic fiber in the sleeve.

26. The instrument of claim 25, wherein:

the layer of sliding material is located in only a portion of the sleeve creating an air gap between the sleeve interior surface and the optic fiber where the layer of sliding material is not located.