Extended Point Phacoemulsification Tip

• US 20110112466A1
• Filed: 11/11/2009
• Published: 05/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alcon Research Limited (Nestle SA)
• Original Assignee: Alcon Research Limited (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Dimalanta, Ramon Carsola
• Application Number:
  US12/616,537
• Publication Number:
  US 20110112466A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/22
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320075 single edge blade, e.g. for cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00745 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic

Abstract

In various embodiments, a phacoemulsification tip may be configured with a proximal end configured to be secured to a phacoemulsification hand piece and a distal end shaped as a five-sided polygon with five corners. In some embodiments, at least two of the five corners of the five-sided polygon may form a right angle and one of the five corners may form a dominant point spaced further from an axis of rotation of the five-sided polygon than any of the other four corners. For example, the distal end may be shaped in a home base configuration. The displacement of the dominant point from the axis of rotation may improve cutting and/or improve the removal of lens material. In some embodiments, the dominant point may form a sharper edge than at least one of the other four corners (e.g., the other four corners may be rounded).

Claims

1. A phacoemulsification tip, comprising:

a proximal end configured to be secured to a phacoemulsification hand piece; and

a distal end shaped as a five-sided polygon with five corners, at least two of the five corners forming a substantially right angle and wherein one of the five corners forms a dominant point spaced further from an axis of rotation of the phacoemulsification tip than any of the other four corners.

2. The phacoemulsification tip of claim 1, wherein the distal end is shaped in a home base configuration.

3. The phacoemulsification tip of claim 1, wherein the dominant point forms a sharper edge than at least one of the other four corners.

4. The phacoemulsification tip of claim 1, wherein the dominant point forms a sharp edge and wherein the other four corners are rounded.

5. The phacoemulsification tip of claim 1, wherein the distal end comprises a frame with the five-sided polygon shape and wherein the interior of the five-sided polygon from the frame to an aspiration lumen is hollow.

6. The phacoemulsification tip of claim 1, wherein the distal end comprises a solid structure with the five-sided polygon shape and wherein an aspiration lumen forms an opening in the solid structure.

7. The phacoemulsification tip of claim 1, wherein a shaft of the tip leading up to the distal end is cylindrical, wherein the distal end of the tip includes at least one dimension that is larger than a diameter of the shaft, and wherein the tip includes a transition region between the cylindrical shaft and the distal end.

8. The phacoemulsification tip of claim 1, wherein the distal end has a home-base shape with two rectangular portions removed from a portion of the home-base shape above and on either side of the dominant point.

9. An ophthalmic surgical handpiece, comprising:

a horn;

a set of piezoelectric crystals, coupled to the horn, configured to provide ultrasonic vibration to drive the horn; and

a phacoemulsification cutting tip coupled to the horn and configured to be ultrasonically vibrated by the horn, wherein the phacoemulsification tip comprises;

a proximal end configured to be secured to a phacoemulsification hand piece;

a distal end shaped to include a dominant point spaced further from an axis of rotation of the phacoemulsification tip than any other point on the distal end.

10. The ophthalmic surgical handpiece of claim 9, wherein the distal end is shaped in a home base configuration with a five-sided polygon having five corners, at least two of the five corners forming a substantially right angle and wherein one of the five corners forms the dominant point.

11. The ophthalmic surgical handpiece of claim 10, wherein the dominant point forms a sharper edge than at least one of the other four corners.

12. The ophthalmic surgical handpiece of claim 9, wherein the distal end is shaped as a tear-drop having a rounded end opposite the dominant point.

13. The ophthalmic surgical handpiece of claim 9, wherein the distal end comprises a frame with the five-sided polygon shape and wherein the interior of the five-sided polygon from the frame to an aspiration lumen is hollow.

14. The ophthalmic surgical handpiece of claim 9, wherein the distal end comprises a solid structure with the five-sided polygon shape and wherein an aspiration lumen forms an opening in the solid structure.

15. The ophthalmic surgical handpiece of claim 9, further comprising an irrigation sleeve coupled to the handpiece and configured to direct irrigation fluid to a portion of the eye interacting with the phacoemulsification tip.

16. The ophthalmic surgical handpiece of claim 9, wherein a shaft of the tip leading up to the distal end is cylindrical, wherein the distal end of the tip includes at least one dimension that is larger than a diameter of the shaft, and wherein the tip includes a transition region between the cylindrical shaft and the distal end.

17. The ophthalmic surgical handpiece of claim 9, wherein the distal end has a home-base shape with two rectangular portions removed from a portion of the home-base shape above and on either side of the dominant point.

18. A method, comprising:

inserting a phacoemulsification tip into an eye, wherein the phacoemulsification tip comprises a proximal end configured to be secured to a phacoemulsification hand piece and a distal end shaped as a five-sided polygon with five corners, at least two of the five corners forming a substantially right angle and wherein one of the five corners forms a dominant point spaced further from an axis of rotation of the phacoemulsification tip than any of the other four corners;

ultrasonically vibrating the phacoemulsification tip in the eye, wherein the vibration results in a torsional movement of the dominant point to emulsify a lens in the eye; and

aspirating lens material from the emulsified lens through an aspiration lumen in fluid communication with the phacoemulsification tip.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising making an incision in the eye with a surgical knife prior to insertion of the phacoemulsification tip.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing irrigation fluid through an irrigation sleeve configured to direct irrigation fluid to the eye at a site of lens emulsification.