Polymeric sleeve for surgical instruments
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A sleeve useful on a surgical instrument comprising:
- an elongated sleeve portion having a hollow interior space through which fluid is passed, and at least one fluid outlet at or near the distal end portion of said elongated sleeve portion to allow fluid to leave said interior space; and
a hub secured to said elongated sleeve portion and adapted to receive at least a portion of said surgical instrument, said hub including one or more surfaces structured and adapted to contact said surgical instrument so as to substantially prevent fluid in said hub from passing out of said hub through the opening in said hub through which said surgical instrument enters said hub, said elongated sleeve portion and said hub each being made of one or more organic polymeric materials substantially free of silicon, and said elongated sleeve portion being harder than said hub.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sleeve useful on a surgical instrument, in particular an instrument for treating the eye such as a vitrectomy cutter, is disclosed. Such sleeve includes a hollow elongated sleeve portion with at least one fluid outlet at or near its distal end portion, and a hub secured to the sleeve portion and adapted to receive at least a portion of the surgical instrument. The present sleeve is made of one or more organic polymeric materials and provides substantial benefits, e.g., providing effective fluid seals and being non-irrigating in use, and being disposable after use.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A sleeve useful on a surgical instrument comprising:
- an elongated sleeve portion having a hollow interior space through which fluid is passed, and at least one fluid outlet at or near the distal end portion of said elongated sleeve portion to allow fluid to leave said interior space; and
a hub secured to said elongated sleeve portion and adapted to receive at least a portion of said surgical instrument, said hub including one or more surfaces structured and adapted to contact said surgical instrument so as to substantially prevent fluid in said hub from passing out of said hub through the opening in said hub through which said surgical instrument enters said hub, said elongated sleeve portion and said hub each being made of one or more organic polymeric materials substantially free of silicon, and said elongated sleeve portion being harder than said hub. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
- an elongated sleeve portion having a hollow interior space through which fluid is passed, and at least one fluid outlet at or near the distal end portion of said elongated sleeve portion to allow fluid to leave said interior space; and
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9. The sleeve of claim wherein said organic polymeric materials are selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyurethanes and mixtures thereof.
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17. An apparatus comprising:
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a surgical instrument useful for treating the eye of a patient; and a sleeve comprising an elongated sleeve portion having a hollow interior space through which fluid is passed, and at least one fluid outlet at or near the distal end portion of said elongated sleeve portion to allow fluid to leave said interior space, and a hub secured to said elongated sleeve portion and adapted to receive at least a portion of said surgical instrument, said hub including one or more surfaces structured and adapted to contact said surgical instrument so as to substantially prevent fluid in said hub from passing out of said hub through the opening in said hub through which said surgical instrument enters said hub, said elongated sleeve portion and said hub each being made of one or more organic polymeric materials substantially free of silicon, and said elongated sleeve portion being harder than said hub. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A sleeve useful on a surgical instrument comprising:
- an elongated sleeve portion having a hollow interior space through which fluid is passed, and at least one fluid outlet at or near the distal end portion of said elongated sleeve portion to allow fluid to leave said interior space; and
a hub secured to said elongated sleeve portion and adapted to receive at least a portion of said surgical instrument, said hub including one or more surfaces structure and adapted to contact said surgical instrument so as to substantially prevent fluid in said hub from passing out of said hub through the opening in said hub through which said surgical instrument enters said hub, said elongated sleeve portion and said hub each being made of one or more organic polymeric materials, said organic polymeric materials being selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyurethane and mixtures thereof. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
- an elongated sleeve portion having a hollow interior space through which fluid is passed, and at least one fluid outlet at or near the distal end portion of said elongated sleeve portion to allow fluid to leave said interior space; and
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29. An apparatus comprising:
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a surgical instrument useful for treating the eye of a patient; and a sleeve comprising an elongated sleeve portion having a hollow interior space through which fluid is passed, and at least one fluid outlet at or near the distal end portion of said elongated sleeve portion to allow fluid to leave said interior space, and a hub secured to said elongated sleeve portion and adapted to receive at least a portion of said surgical instrument, said hub including one or more surfaces structured and adapted to contact said surgical instrument so as to substantially prevent fluid in said hub from passing out of said hub through the opening in said hub through which said surgical instrument enters said hub, said elongated sleeve portion and said hub each being made of one or more organic polymeric materials, said organic polymeric materials being selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyurethanes and mixtures thereof. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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Specification