Microsurgical cassette

• US 5,499,969 A
• Filed: 07/14/1994
• Issued: 03/19/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nestle SA
• Original Assignee: Nestle SA
• Inventors: Berkman, John W., Walbrink, Harold J., Etherington, Roger, Beuchat, Charles E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenbaum, C. Fred
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILKENS, FRANK
• Application Number:
  US08/274,935
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• Field of Search: 604/27, 604/30, 604/31, 604/35, 604/65, 604/118, 604/119, 604/151, 604/153, 128/DIG. 12, 128/DIG. 13
• US Class Current: 604/30
• 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 1/72 Cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/7411 by changing the size of a vent in combination with changing the cross-section of the line A61M1/7413
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/77 Suction-irrigation systems aspiration tips supplying fluids A61M1/85; specific for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92; combined with tracheal tubes A61M16/0463
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/12 with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/123 with incorporated reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/125 with incorporated filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/128 with incorporated valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6081 Colour codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0201 Cassettes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/12 Pressure infusion

Abstract

A cassette for use in combination with a surgical handpiece and a control console for controlling irrigation and/or aspiration fluid flows in the handpiece having a housing with an external surface and an interface adapted to be held in operative association with the control console, an inlet coupling, a pump tube having an inlet and a discharge line in fluid communication with a waste container and a fluid flow passage in fluid communication with the inlet coupling and the pump inlet consisting of an open channel formed in the external surface and a gasket adhered to the external surface to seal the channel fluid-tight.

Claims

1. A cassette for use in combination with a surgical handpiece and a control console for controlling irrigation and aspiration fluid flows in the handpiece, comprising:

a) a housing having an external surface and an interface adapted to be held in operative association with the control console;

b) a means for generating a partial vacuum through interaction with a motive force having an inlet and a discharge line;

c) an aspiration fluid inlet coupling integrally formed in the housing;

d) an irrigation fluid inlet coupling integrally formed in the housing;

e) an irrigation fluid outlet coupling integrally formed in the housing;

f) an aspiration fluid flow passage integrally formed in the housing in fluid communication with the aspiration fluid inlet coupling and the partial vacuum generating means inlet;

g) an irrigation fluid inlet flow passage integrally formed in the housing in communication with the irrigation fluid inlet coupling;

h) an irrigation fluid outlet flow passage integrally formed in the housing in communication with the irrigation fluid inlet flow passage and the irrigation fluid outlet coupling to form a continuous irrigation fluid flow passage between the irrigation fluid inlet coupling and the irrigation fluid outlet coupling; and

i) a valve spaced within the continuous irrigation fluid flow passage between the irrigation fluid inlet flow passage and the irrigation fluid outlet flow passage in operative association with a valve actuator in the console.

2. The cassette of claim 1 wherein the valve is a diaphragm valve.

3. The cassette of claim 1 wherein the partial vacuum generating means is a peristaltic pump tube and the motive force is a peristaltic pump roller head.

4. The cassette of claim 1 wherein the discharge line is in fluid communication with a waste container.

5. The cassette of claim 1 wherein the aspiration fluid flow passage and the continuous irrigation fluid flow passage comprise open channels formed in the external surface and a gasket adhered to the external surface to seal the channels fluid-tight.

9. The cassette of claim 1 further comprising a vent for venting atmospheric air to the aspiration fluid flow passage.

10. The cassette of claim 9 wherein the vent comprises a aspiration fluid vent passage intersecting and in fluid communication with the aspiration fluid flow passage between the aspiration fluid inlet coupling and the peristaltic pump tube inlet on one end and in fluid communication with an aspiration fluid vent valve on the console on another end.

11. The cassette of claim 9 wherein the vent comprises:

a) an aspiration fluid vent valve in the interface operated by an aspiration fluid vent valve actuator on the console;

b) an aspiration fluid vent passage integrally formed in the housing in fluid communication with the aspiration fluid flow passage and the aspiration fluid vent valve; and

c) an irrigation fluid transfer flow passage integrally formed in the housing in fluid communication with the irrigation fluid inlet flow passage and the aspiration fluid vent valve.

12. The cassette of claim 11 wherein the valve is a diaphragm valve.

13. The cassette of claim 11 wherein the aspiration fluid flow passage, the continuous irrigation fluid flow passage, the aspiration fluid vent passage and the irrigation fluid transfer flow passage comprise open channels formed in the external surface and a gasket adhered to the external surface to seal the channels fluid-tight.

6. A cassette for use in combination with a surgical handpiece and a control console for controlling irrigation and aspiration fluid flows in the handpiece, comprising:

a) a housing having an external surface and an interface adapted to be held in operative association with the control console;

b) a peristaltic pump tube having an inlet and a discharge line in fluid communication with a waste container;

c) an aspiration fluid inlet coupling integrally formed in the housing;

d) an irrigation fluid inlet coupling integrally formed in the housing;

e) an irrigation fluid outlet coupling integrally formed in the housing;

f) an aspiration fluid flow passage integrally formed in the housing in fluid communication with the aspiration fluid inlet coupling and the peristaltic pump tube inlet;

g) an irrigation fluid inlet flow passage integrally formed in the housing in communication with the irrigation fluid inlet coupling;

h) an irrigation fluid outlet flow passage integrally formed in the housing in communication with the irrigation fluid inlet flow passage and the irrigation fluid outlet coupling to form a continuous irrigation fluid flow passage between the irrigation fluid inlet coupling and the irrigation fluid outlet coupling; and

i) a diaphragm valve spaced within the continuous irrigation fluid flow passage between the irrigation fluid inlet flow passage and the irrigation fluid outlet flow passage in operative association with a valve actuator on the console to control irrigation fluid flow in the continuous irrigation fluid flow passage.

7. The cassette of claim 6 wherein the aspiration fluid flow passage and the continuous irrigation fluid flow passage comprise open channels formed in the external surface and a gasket adhered to the external surface to seal the channels fluid-tight.

8. The cassette of claim 6 wherein the housing is plastic.

14. A cassette for use in combination with a surgical handpiece and a control console for controlling irrigation and aspiration fluid flows in the handpiece, comprising:

a) a housing having an external surface and an interface adapted to be held in operative association with the control console;

b) a peristaltic pump tube having an inlet and a discharge line in fluid communication with a waste container;

c) an aspiration fluid inlet coupling integrally formed in the housing;

d) an irrigation fluid inlet coupling integrally formed in the housing;

e) an irrigation fluid outlet coupling integrally formed in the housing;

f) an aspiration fluid flow passage integrally formed in the housing in fluid communication with the aspiration fluid inlet coupling and the pump inlet;

g) an irrigation fluid inlet flow passage integrally formed in the housing in communication with the irrigation fluid inlet coupling;

h) an irrigation fluid outlet flow passage integrally formed in the housing in communication with the irrigation fluid inlet flow passage and the irrigation fluid outlet coupling to form a continuous irrigation fluid flow passage between the irrigation fluid inlet coupling and the irrigation fluid outlet coupling;

i) a diaphragm valve spaced within the continuous irrigation fluid flow passage between the irrigation fluid inlet flow passage and the irrigation fluid outlet flow passage in operative association with a valve actuator on the console to control irrigation fluid flow in the irrigation fluid flow passage; and

j) a vent comprising

i) an aspiration fluid vent valve in the interface operated by an aspiration fluid vent valve actuator on the console,

ii) an aspiration fluid vent passage integrally formed in the housing in fluid communication with the aspiration fluid flow passage and the aspiration fluid vent valve and

iii) an irrigation fluid transfer flow passage integrally formed in the housing in fluid communication with the irrigation fluid inlet flow passage and the aspiration fluid vent valve.

15. The cassette of claim 14 wherein the aspiration fluid flow passage, the continuous irrigation fluid flow passage, the aspiration fluid vent passage and the irrigation fluid transfer flow passage comprise open channels formed in the external surface and a gasket adhered to the external surface to seal the channels fluid-tight.

16. The cassette of claim 14 wherein the housing is plastic.

17. A cassette for use in combination with a surgical handpiece and a control console for controlling irrigation and aspiration fluid flows in the handpiece, comprising:

a) a housing having an external surface and an interface adapted to be held in operative association with the control console;

b) a peristaltic pump tube having an inlet and a discharge line in fluid communication with a waste container;

c) an aspiration fluid inlet coupling integrally formed in the housing;

d) an irrigation fluid inlet coupling integrally formed in the housing;

e) an irrigation fluid outlet coupling integrally formed in the housing;

f) an irrigation fluid valve in the interface operated by an irrigation fluid valve actuator on the console;

g) an aspiration fluid vent valve in the interface operated by an aspiration fluid vent valve actuator on the console;

h) an aspiration fluid flow passage integrally formed in the housing in fluid communication with the aspiration fluid inlet coupling and the pump inlet;

i) an aspiration fluid vent passage integrally formed in the housing in fluid communication with the aspiration fluid flow passage and the aspiration fluid vent valve;

j) an irrigation fluid inlet flow passage integrally formed in the housing in communication with the irrigation fluid inlet coupling and the irrigation fluid valve;

k) an irrigation fluid transfer flow passage integrally formed in the housing in communication with the irrigation fluid inlet flow passage and the aspiration fluid vent valve; and

l) an irrigation fluid outlet flow,passage integrally formed in the housing in communication with the irrigation fluid valve and the irrigation fluid outlet coupling to form a continuous irrigation fluid flow passage between the irrigation fluid inlet coupling and the irrigation fluid outlet coupling.

18. The cassette of claim 17 wherein the aspiration fluid flow passage, the irrigation fluid inlet flow passage, the irrigation fluid outlet flow passage, the aspiration fluid vent passage and the irrigation fluid transfer flow passage comprise open channels formed in the external surface and a gasket adhered to the external surface to seal the channels fluid-tight.

19. The cassette of claim 17 wherein the valve is a diaphragm valve.

20. The cassette of claim 17 wherein the housing is plastic.

21. The cassette of claim 17 further comprising a means for monitoring the pressure within the aspiration fluid flow passage.

22. The cassette of claim 17 wherein the pressure monitoring means comprises:

a) a pressure chamber having an interior and an open end integrally formed in the aspiration fluid flow passage;

b) a resilient diaphragm having an interior side exposed to the pressure chamber interior and an exterior side;

c) a diaphragm cover having a peripheral edge, a diaphragm side that rests against the exterior side of the diaphragm, an exterior side, a central port that communicates between the diaphragm side of the cover, a peripheral port in the peripheral edge and a radial channel on the exterior side of the cover running between and in fluid communication with the central port and the peripheral port that fits within and seals the open end of the pressure chamber;

d) a cover gasket adhered to the exterior side of the cover to seal the radial channel;

e) a pressure sensor port on the interface in fluid communication with the peripheral port; and

f) a pressure sensor on the console that cooperates with the pressure sensor port.

23. A cassette for use in combination with a surgical handpiece and a control console for controlling irrigation and aspiration fluid flows in the handpiece, comprising:

a) a housing having an external surface and an interface adapted to be held in operative association with the control console;

b) a peristaltic pump tube having an inlet and a discharge line in fluid communication with a waste container;

c) an aspiration fluid inlet coupling integrally formed in the housing;

d) an irrigation fluid inlet coupling integrally formed in the housing;

e) an irrigation fluid outlet coupling integrally formed in the housing;

f) an irrigation fluid diaphragm valve in the interface operated by an irrigation fluid valve actuator on the console;

g) an aspiration fluid vent diaphragm valve in the interface operated by an aspiration fluid vent valve actuator on the console;

h) an aspiration fluid flow passage integrally formed in the housing in fluid communication with the aspiration fluid inlet coupling and the pump inlet;

i) an aspiration fluid vent passage integrally formed in the housing in fluid communication with the aspiration fluid flow passage and the aspiration fluid vent valve;

j) an irrigation fluid inlet flow passage integrally formed in the housing in communication with the irrigation fluid inlet coupling and the irrigation fluid valve;

k) an irrigation fluid transfer flow passage integrally formed in the housing in communication with the irrigation fluid inlet flow passage and the aspiration fluid vent valve;

l) an irrigation fluid outlet flow passage integrally formed in the housing in communication with the irrigation fluid valve and the irrigation fluid outlet coupling to form a continuous irrigation fluid flow passage between the irrigation fluid inlet coupling and the irrigation fluid outlet coupling; and

m) a means for monitoring the pressure within the aspiration fluid flow passage comprising

i) a pressure chamber having an interior and an open end integrally formed in the aspiration fluid flow passage,

ii) a resilient diaphragm having an interior side exposed to the pressure chamber interior and an exterior side,

iii) a diaphragm cover having a peripheral edge, a diaphragm side that rests against the exterior side of the diaphragm, an exterior side, a central port that communicates between the diaphragm side of the cover, a peripheral port in the peripheral edge and a radial channel on the exterior side of the cover running between and in fluid communication with the central port and the peripheral port that fits within and seals the open end of the pressure chamber,

iv) a cover gasket adhered to the exterior side of the cover to seal the radial channel,

v) a pressure sensor port on the interface in fluid communication with the peripheral port and

vi) a pressure sensor on the console that cooperates with the pressure sensor port.

24. The cassette of claim 23 wherein the aspiration fluid flow passage, the irrigation fluid inlet flow passage, the irrigation fluid outlet flow passage, the aspiration fluid vent passage and the irrigation fluid transfer flow passage comprise open channels formed in the external surface and a gasket adhered to the external surface to seal the channels fluid-tight.

25. The cassette of claim 23 wherein the housing is plastic.