Cataract removal technique
First Claim
1. A method comprising the steps of:
- inserting a cannula through at least one of a plurality of layers of compacted material in the lens of an eye;
injecting fluid in a volume between 1/500 and 1/10 a milliliter to separate the layers of the lens cortex and lens nucleus;
repeating the above steps at least two more times, whereby the nucleus and cortex of the lens are decompacted; and
fragmenting the decompacted layers of the lens.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
To remove a cataract, a cannula is inserted through a plurality of layers of compacted material in the lens and fluid of between 1/500 and 1/100 of a milliliter is injected to separate the layers of the lens cortex and lens nucleus. These steps are repeated until the nucleus and cortex of the lens are decompacted at increasing penetrations until a compacted portion of the nucleus is reached which resists the insertion of a needle. An elongated tool is inserted through an incision into the capsular chamber and against the lens to cut the lens in a series of paths diverging from the incision and thus to break the lens into a series of wedge-shaped sections. The tool may have an ultrasonic vibrator mounted within its center, whereby the cutting action is aided.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method comprising the steps of:
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inserting a cannula through at least one of a plurality of layers of compacted material in the lens of an eye; injecting fluid in a volume between 1/500 and 1/10 a milliliter to separate the layers of the lens cortex and lens nucleus; repeating the above steps at least two more times, whereby the nucleus and cortex of the lens are decompacted; and fragmenting the decompacted layers of the lens. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification