Opthalmic fluid flow control system

• US 4,935,005 A
• Filed: 02/01/1989
• Issued: 06/19/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nestle SA Alcon Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nestle SA
• Inventors: Haines, Stephen W.
• Primary Examiner(s): KRUTER, JEROME
• Application Number:
  US07/304,711
• Time in Patent Office: 503 Days
• Field of Search: 604/22, 604/27, 604/28, 604/30, 604/31, 604/35
• US Class Current: 604/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00745 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/742 by changing the size of a vent A61M1/7411 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 41/03 comprising junction pieces for four or more pipe members

Abstract

A fluid flow control apparatus specially adapted for use with an ultrasonic surgical tool which provides for irrigation of a surgical site and for aspirating fluid from the site comprises a source of irrigation fluid, comprises an irrigation fluid conduit for conducting the irrigation fluid to a surgical site, an aspiration fluid conduit for conducting fluid away from the surgical site, a suction pump connected to the aspiration fluid conduit for aspirating fluid from the surgical site, a pressure-sensitive control system for removing the source of suction from the aspiration conduit when a predetermined value of suction is exceeded, and a valve for controllably admitting irrigation fluid into the aspiration fluid conduit. A check valve in the irrigation conduit prevents a reverse surge when the irrigation fluid is admitted to the aspiration conduit.

Claims

1. A fluid control apparatus for use with a surgical irrigation and aspiration instrument adapted for irrigation and aspiration of a surgical site located in a small elastic chamber, said fluid control apparatus comprising:

an irrigation fluid conduit means including valve means for conducting irrigation fluid from a single source of irrigation fluid to the surgical site,

an aspiration fluid conduit means operatively connected to a source of vacuum for removing fluid from the surgical site,

a single controllable pump means in fluid communication with said aspiration fluid conduit means for providing suction in said aspiration fluid conduit means, and

a pressure sensitive transducer means in fluid communication with said aspiration fluid conduit means for generating, when said controllable pump means is pumping, a pump control signal for said controllable pump means proportional to the rise in vacuum in said aspiration fluid conduit means induced by said pump means, and said transducer means sensing a vacuum rise in said aspiration fluid conduit means and,

a liquid pressure equalizing means for admitting irrigation liquid from the single source of irrigation liquid when said valve means is opened to said aspiration fluid conduit means when a blockage occurs therein to vent the vacuum therein so as to remove the blockage, said pressure equalizing means allowing the equalizing of the pressure in said aspiration and irrigation conduit means.

2. A fluid control apparatus for use with a surgical irrigation and aspiration instrument adapted for irrigation and aspiration of a surgical site located in a small elastic chamber, said fluid control apparatus comprising:

an irrigation fluid conduit means including valve means for conducting irrigation fluid from a single source of irrigation fluid to the surgical site,

an aspiration fluid conduit means for removing fluid from the surgical site,

a suction means in fluid communication with said aspiration fluid conduit means for providing suction in said aspiration fluid conduit means,

a pressure sensitive transducer means in fluid communication with said aspiration fluid conduit means for generating, when said controllable pump means is pumping, a pump control signal for said controllable pump means proportional to the rise in vacuum in said aspiration fluid conduit means induced by said pump means, and said transducer means sensing a vacuum rise in said aspiration fluid conduit means and for disconnecting said aspiration fluid conduit means from the source,

a liquid pressure equalizing means for admitting irrigation liquid from the single source of irrigation liquid when said valve means is opened to said aspiration fluid conduit means when a blockage occurs therein to vent the vacuum therein so as to remove the blockage, and

said liquid pressure equalizing means including a pressure equalizing conduit providing communication for the irrigation liquid from the single source of irrigation liquid to said aspiration fluid conduit means, said pressure equalizing means allowing the equalizing of the pressure in said aspiration and irrigation conduit means.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the source of irrigation fluid comprises a bottle containing the irrigation fluid and is positioned generally above the surgical site.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the source of irrigation fluid comprises a bag containing the irrigation fluid and is positioned generally above the surgical site.