Irrigation/Aspiration Tip

• US 20080167604A1
• Filed: 01/09/2007
• Published: 07/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Inventors: Hong, Karen
• Granted Patent: US 7,967,775 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/27
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0813 Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00745 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/85 with gas or fluid supply means, e.g. for supplying rinsing fluids or anticoagulants for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92, A61M1/94; combined with tracheal tubes A61M16/0463; dental instruments with combined rinsing and aspirating A61C17/0208
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0283 with at least two inner passageways, a first one for irrigating and a second for evacuating suction-irrigation systems A61M1/77; aspiration tips with fluid supply means A61M1/85; for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92

Abstract

An irrigation/aspiration tip having a relatively rigid cannula attached to a hub and an open end opposite the hub. Coaxially and removable received over the tip is a soft elastomeric or rubber sleeve. The sleeve forms a gap between the sleeve and the cannula, the gap allowing irrigation flow. The distal end of the sleeve is closed by a cap of reduced diameter. The reduced diameter of the cap seals the distal end of the cannula. The relatively soft cap reduces the likelihood that the posterior capsule will tear during cortical clean-up and capsule polishing. Removing the sleeve allows the cannula to be resterilized an unlimited number of times, thereby allowing unlimited reuse of the cannula.

Claims

1. An irrigation/aspiration tip, comprising:

a) an open aspiration cannula, the cannula having a hub enabling attachment of the cannula to a handpiece and an open end opposite the hub; and

b) a sleeve, the sleeve coaxially surrounding the cannula and having a shaft, the shaft having an end cap of reduced diameter, the end cap sealing about the open end of the cannula.

2. The irrigation/aspiration tip of claim 1 where in the sleeve is removable from the cannula.