INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE CONTROL

• US 20080103433A1
• Filed: 01/03/2008
• Published: 05/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Novartis Ag
• Original Assignee: Novartis Ag
• Inventors: Thomas, Roger, Nazarifar, Nader, Huculak, John, Reed, Frederick
• Application Number:
  US11/969,091
• Publication Number:
  US 20080103433A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/31
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/007 Methods or devices for eye surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3389 Continuous level detection A61M2205/3393 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0202 with electronic control means or interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0216 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0233 characterised by liquid supply means, e.g. from pressurised reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0254 the liquid being pumped by the patient's weight A61M3/0225

Abstract

An improved method of controlling intraocular pressure with a microsurgical system using measured flow rate.

Claims

1. A method of controlling intraocular pressure with a microsurgical system, comprising the steps of:

providing an infusion chamber containing an irrigating fluid;

selecting a desired intraocular pressure;

pressurizing said infusion chamber with a pressurized gas to provide irrigating fluid to a surgical device;

measuring a flow rate of said fluid within a fluid line fluidly coupled to said surgical device;

providing a signal corresponding to said measured flow rate to a computer;

calculating a predicted intraocular pressure with said computer in response to said signal;

adjusting a level of said pressurized gas in response to a second signal from said computer to maintain said predicted intraocular pressure proximate said desired intraocular pressure.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said adjusting step comprises actuating a proportional valve fluidly coupled to a source of said pressurized gas in response to said second signal.