Flexible and steerable aspiration tip for microsurgery

• US 5,217,465 A
• Filed: 02/28/1992
• Issued: 06/08/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alcon Research Limited (Nestle SA)
• Original Assignee: Alcon Surgical Incorporated (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Steppe, Dennis L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellegrino, Stephen C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DAWSON, GLENN K
• Application Number:
  US07/841,990
• Time in Patent Office: 466 Days
• Field of Search: 606/1, 606/107, 623/4, 623/6, 604/35, 604/95, 604/281, 604/902, 604/19, 604/27
• US Class Current: 606/107
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00331 with preformed bends
• 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: A61M 1/84 Drainage tubes; Aspiration tips for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/90; for surgical cutting instruments A61B17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/106 reciprocating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 604/902 Suction wands

Abstract

A flexible and steerable aspiration tip for microsurgery includes a tip portion, the configuration of which may be remotely altered to access different areas at a surgical site. The aspiration tip includes a flexible portion which includes a spring material therewith which may be configured in a relaxed and pre-curved state or, alternatively, a stressed and straight configuration. The aspiration tip may be combined with a handpiece assembly which includes means to remotely alter the configuration of the aspiration tip. Different surgical procedures can be formed with a single flexible and steerable aspiration tip which results in a reduction of trauma and stress to the surgical site by elimination of the use of several surgical instruments and complicated surgical techniques.

Claims

1. An irrigation and aspiration handpiece for microsurgery, comprising:

a) a housing;

b) a cap having a relatively rigid sleeve with an open end and a longitudinal bore that is received on and attached to a distal end of the housing;

c) an aspiration tip that is received on a tubular member in the housing and has a curved, hollow, flexible free end opposite the tubular member that projects down the longitudinal bore of the sleeve;

d) an irrigation fluid flow passage coaxially located between the tip and the sleeve; and

e) a piston attached to the tubular member adapted to reciprocate within a chamber in the housing in response to pneumatic pressure.

2. The handpiece of claim 1 wherein the flexible free end of the tip comprises a spring coated by an elastomeric material.

3. The handpiece of claim 1 wherein the cap comprises titanium.

4. The handpiece of claim 1 wherein the cap comprises stainless steel.

5. The handpiece of claim 1 wherein the cap comprises thermoplastic.

6. An irrigation and aspiration handpiece for microsurgery, comprising:

a) a housing;

b) a cap having a sleeve with an open end and a longitudinal bore that is received on a distal end of the housing;

c) an aspiration tip that is received on a tubular member in the housing that projects down the longitudinal bore of the sleeve;

d) a curved, hollow, flexible free end on the tip opposite the tubular member that projects outwardly from the open end of the sleeve;

e) an irrigation fluid flow passage coaxially located between the tip and the sleeve; and

f) a pull wire attached to a distal end of the free end and a piston attached to the pull wire opposite the free end, the piston adapted to reciprocate within a chamber in the housing in response to pneumatic pressure.

7. The handpiece of claim 6 wherein the flexible free end of the tip comprises a spring coated by an elastomeric material.

8. The handpiece of claim 6 wherein the cap comprises titanium.

9. The handpiece of claim 6 wherein the cap comprises stainless steel.

10. The handpiece of claim 6 wherein the cap comprises thermoplastic.