Vitrectomy probe
First Claim
1. A microsurgical cutting device for cutting and removing fibrous gel, said device having a housing, a substantially hollow outer needle having an outward end with an aperture therein, a hollow tubular member having a cutting blade disposed within said outer needle an actuation means, and a suction means, said device comprising:
- said housing containing a spring compartment and containing means for communicating with said actuation means, said spring compartment containing a compression spring acting against said actuation means;
said outer needle extending outwardly from said housing and containing said hollow tubular member reciprocable within said outer needle, said hollow tubular member communicating with said suction means a said cutting blade extending toward said apertured end of said outer needle;
said inner tubular member being reciprocable within said outer needle between a first open position and a second cutting position wherein said cutting blade slides across said apertured end of said outer needle, said actuation means tending to force said inner tubular member and cutting blade toward said second position and said compression spring tending to restore said inner tubular member and cutting blade to said first position;
adjustment means for adjusting the location of said inner tubular member when in said first open position;
tubular outlet port attached to said inner tubular member and communicating with said suction means;
tubular vacuum fitting extending outwardly from said housing and communicating with said vacuum means, said tubular vacuum fitting being isolated from the reciprocal motion of said tubular output port and said inner tubular member;
vacuum hose coupled to said suction means and attached to said tubular vacuum fitting; and
said outer needle having at said outward end, a protrusion for facilitating the entry of said fibrous gel into said aperture.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved vitrectomy probe for removing vitreous and other fibrous gel materials. A hollow cutting blade is reciprocated within a smooth bore hollow needle of the microsurgical vitrectomy probe across a cutting edge of the outer needle slicing the fibrous material of the vitreous. A pressurized fluid source, diaphragm and spring cooperate to provide for the reciprocation of the blade. A vacuum source removes vitreous material through the hollow needle. A reciprocating suction outlet tube attached to the hollow needle directs vitreous material into a vacuum fitting which is isolated from the motion of the reciprocating outlet tube. An adjustment screw limits the travel of the reciprocating blade as well as the size of the opening in the needle. A dissector head faciitates the separation of vitreous fibers and directs them into the needle opening.
224 Citations
26 Claims
-
1. A microsurgical cutting device for cutting and removing fibrous gel, said device having a housing, a substantially hollow outer needle having an outward end with an aperture therein, a hollow tubular member having a cutting blade disposed within said outer needle an actuation means, and a suction means, said device comprising:
-
said housing containing a spring compartment and containing means for communicating with said actuation means, said spring compartment containing a compression spring acting against said actuation means; said outer needle extending outwardly from said housing and containing said hollow tubular member reciprocable within said outer needle, said hollow tubular member communicating with said suction means a said cutting blade extending toward said apertured end of said outer needle; said inner tubular member being reciprocable within said outer needle between a first open position and a second cutting position wherein said cutting blade slides across said apertured end of said outer needle, said actuation means tending to force said inner tubular member and cutting blade toward said second position and said compression spring tending to restore said inner tubular member and cutting blade to said first position; adjustment means for adjusting the location of said inner tubular member when in said first open position; tubular outlet port attached to said inner tubular member and communicating with said suction means; tubular vacuum fitting extending outwardly from said housing and communicating with said vacuum means, said tubular vacuum fitting being isolated from the reciprocal motion of said tubular output port and said inner tubular member; vacuum hose coupled to said suction means and attached to said tubular vacuum fitting; and said outer needle having at said outward end, a protrusion for facilitating the entry of said fibrous gel into said aperture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A microsurgical cutting device for cutting and removing fibrous gel, said device including a fingergrip, a substantially hollow outer needle having an open end disposed within said fingergrip and a substantially closed outer end extending from said fingergrip, said needle including an aperture near said closed end, a reciprocable tubular tool having a cutting end disposed within said needle, means for reciprocating said tool operatively connected to said tool, a suction means connected to the end of said tool opposite said cutting end, said device comprising:
-
adjustment means for reducing the size of said aperture by limiting the range of motion of said reciprocable tubular tool; outlet port attached to said reciprocable tool and communicating with said suction means; vacuum fitting extending outwardly from said fingergrip and isolated from the reciprocal motion of said outlet port and said tubular tool, and connected to said suction means; and said needle having a protrusion adjacent to said aperture for separating said fibrous gel from the retina prior to its cutting and removal by said device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A microsurgical cutting device for cutting and removing fibrous gel, said device including a fingergrip, a substantially hollow outer needle having an open end disposed within said fingergrip and a substantially closed end extending from said fingergrip, said needle including an aperture near said closed end, a reciprocable tubular tool having a cutting end disposed within said needle, means for reciprocating said tool operatively connected to said tool, a suction means connected to the end of said tool opposite said cutting end, said device comprising:
-
outlet port attached to said reciprocable tool and communicating with said suction means; vacuum fitting extending outwardly from said fingergrip and isolated from the reciprocal motion of said outlet port and said tubular tool, and connected to said suction means; and said needle having a protrusion adjacent to said aperture for separating said fibrous gel from the retina prior to its cutting and removal by said device.
-
-
21. A microsurgical cutting device for cutting and removing fibrous gel, said device including a fingergrip, a substantially hollow outer needle having an open end disposed within said fingergrip and a substantially closed end extending from said fingergrip, and needle including an aperture near said closed end, a reciprocable tubular tool having a cutting end disposed within said needle, means for reciprocating said tool operatively connected to said tool, a suction means connected to the end of said tool opposite said cutting end, said device comprising:
-
adjustment means for reducing the size of said aperture by limiting the range of motion of said reciprocable tubular tool; outlet port attached to said reciprocable tool and communicating with said suction means; and said needle having a protrusion adjacent to said aperture for separating said fibrous gel from the retina prior to its cutting and removal by said device.
-
-
22. A microsurgical cutting device for cutting and removing fibrous gel, said device including a fingergrip, a substantially hollow outer needle having an open end disposed within said fingergrip and a substantially closed end extending from said fingergrip, said needle including an aperture near said closed end, a reciprocable tubular tool having a cutting end disposed within said needle, means for reciprocating said tool operatively connected to said tool, a suction means connected to the end of said tool opposite said cutting end, said device comprising:
-
outlet port attached to said reciprocable tool and communicating with said suction means; and said needle having a protrusion adjacent to said aperture for separating said fibrous gel from the retina prior to its cutting and removal by said device. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
-
Specification