Surgical cassette with bubble separating structure

• US 20070219494A1
• Filed: 03/20/2006
• Published: 09/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Inventors: Gao, Shawn, Domash, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,604,615 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00736 Instruments for removal of intra-ocular material or intra-ocular injection, e.g. cataract instruments A61F9/008 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/60 Containers for suction drainage, adapted to be used with an external suction source containers not adapted for subjection to vacuum A61M1/69
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/72 Cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/732 Visual indicating means for vacuum pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/743 by changing the cross-section of the line, e.g. flow regulating valves A61M1/7413 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/77 Suction-irrigation systems aspiration tips supplying fluids A61M1/85; specific for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92; combined with tracheal tubes A61M16/0463
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/804 using Laval or Venturi jet pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/12 with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/123 with incorporated reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3379 Masses, volumes, levels of fluids in reservoirs, flow rates
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3389 Continuous level detection A61M2205/3393 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0201 Cassettes therefor

Abstract

A surgical cassette having an aspiration chamber with a bubble separating structure. The bubble separating structure facilitates accurate, reliable measurement of the fluid level in the chamber.

Claims

1. A surgical cassette having an aspiration chamber disposed therein, said aspiration chamber comprising:

a first entry for fluidly coupling to a surgical device;

a second entry for fluidly coupling to a source of vacuum in a surgical console for aspirating liquid infusion fluid from said surgical device; and

a bubble separating structure that divides said aspiration chamber into a first section and a second section, said bubble separating structure having a first opening that allows passage of liquid but prevents passage of air bubbles from said first section to said second section, and a second opening that allows liquid from said second section to return to said first section.

2. The surgical cassette of claim 1 wherein said first entry is disposed proximate a bottom of said aspiration chamber and said second entry is disposed proximate a top of said aspiration chamber.

3. The surgical cassette of claim 2 wherein said first opening is disposed proximate a bottom of said bubble separating structure.

4. The surgical cassette of claim 3 wherein said second opening is disposed proximate a top of said bubble separating structure.

5. The surgical cassette of claim 4 wherein said first opening and said second opening function to keep a fluid level in said first section equal to a fluid level in said second section.

6. The surgical cassette of claim 1 wherein said second section collects fluid for measuring a fluid level in said aspiration chamber.

7. The surgical cassette of claim 1 wherein said bubble separating structure is opaque.