SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES FOR EYE MOISTURIZING DURING OCULAR SURGERY

• US 20140257205A1
• Filed: 01/29/2014
• Published: 09/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alcon Research Limited (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Schaller, Philipp
• Granted Patent: US 10,238,534 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/290
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0026 Ophthalmic product dispenser attachments to facilitate positioning near the eye
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/007 Methods or devices for eye surgery

Abstract

Various systems and techniques may be used for moisturizing an eye during ocular surgery. In particular implementations, a system and a technique for moisturizing an eye may include the ability to determine whether an eye should be moisturized during ocular surgery and to activate a fluid control device if an eye should be moisturized. The activation of the fluid control device may allow fluid flow from a fluid reservoir to a fluid nozzle coupled to a nozzle mounting device adapted to hold the fluid nozzle stable relative to a patient'"'"'s eye. The system and the technique may also include the ability to deactivate the fluid control device.

Claims

1. A system for moisturizing an eye during ocular surgery, the system comprising:

a fluid nozzle;

a nozzle mounting device adapted to hold the fluid nozzle stable relative to a patient'"'"'s eye;

a fluid reservoir coupled to the fluid nozzle; and

a fluid control device adapted to regulate fluid flow from the fluid reservoir to the nozzle for eye moisturizing.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid control device comprises a pump.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising an activation device to activate the fluid control device.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the activation device comprises a user input device.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the activation device comprises a computer.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid reservoir is pressurized.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the nozzle mounting device comprises a surgical microscope.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid reservoir and the fluid control device are part of a surgical console.

9. A method for moisturizing an eye during ocular surgery, the method comprising:

determining whether an eye should be moisturized during ocular surgery;

activating a fluid control device if an eye should be moisturized, the activation of the fluid control device allowing fluid flow from a fluid reservoir to a fluid nozzle coupled to a nozzle mounting device adapted to hold the fluid nozzle stable relative to a patient'"'"'s eye; and

deactivating the fluid control device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein determining whether an eye should be moisturized during ocular surgery comprises determining whether a selected time period has elapsed.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein determining whether any eye should be moisturized during ocular surgery comprises determining whether a user command to moisturize an eye has been received.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising determining whether to continue moisturizing the eye during ocular surgery.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein deactivating the fluid control device comprises determining if an appropriate amount of fluid has flowed to the fluid nozzle.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein deactivating the fluid control device comprises determining whether a user command to stop moisturize an eye has been received.