METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LASER ASSISTED CATARACT SURGERY

• US 20150051592A1
• Filed: 08/12/2014
• Published: 02/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Auris Health, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Auris Surgical Robotics, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Kintz, Greg
• Granted Patent: US 10,426,661 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/6
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2009/0087 Lens
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2009/00887 Cataract
• 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: A61F 9/008 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00825 for photodisruption

Abstract

Devices and methods for use in laser-assisted surgery, particularly cataract surgery. Specifically, the use of an optical fiber with a proximal and distal end, wherein the distal end has a non-orthogonal angle with the diameter of the optical fiber, to create an off-axis steam bubble for cutting and removing tissue in an operative region. Where the optical fiber is bent, rotating the fiber creates a circular cutting path for the steam bubble, allowing access to tissues that may normally be blocked by obstructions and obstacles.

Claims

1. A surgical device comprising:

an optical fiber having a proximal end and distal end,

wherein the optical fiber is configured to generate a steam bubble from light energy conveyed out the distal end of the fiber, the proximal end is operatively connected to a light source, and the distal end comprises a tip with a non-orthogonal tilted edge across the diameter of the fiber.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a tube that encloses the optical fiber.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the tube is pre-bent at a predetermined angle.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein an angle of the tilted edge exceeds 45 degrees.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein an angle of the tilted edge does not exceed 45 degrees.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the angle of the tilted edge exceeds 7 degrees.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the optical fiber is further configured to generate a second steam bubble from the application of laser energy

8. A method comprising:

transmitting light energy through an optical fiber;

generating a steam bubble; and

directing the steam bubble to an operative region of a patient;

wherein the optical fiber has a proximal end and a distal end, the optical fiber being configured to generate the steam bubble from light energy conveyed out the distal end of the fiber, the proximal end being operatively connected to a light source, and the distal end comprising a tip with a non-orthogonal tilted edge across the diameter of the fiber.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the optical fiber is enclosed within a tube.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the tube is pre-bent at a predetermined angle.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising axially rotating the tube to generate a circular cutting path for the steam bubble.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising axially rotating the optical fiber to generate a circular cutting path for the steam bubble.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein an angle of the tilted edge exceeds 45 degrees.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein an angle of the tilted edge does not exceed 45 degrees.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the angle of the tilted edge exceeds 7 degrees.