Support for fluid infusion tube for use during eye surgery
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A fluid conveying device that resists kinking, comprising:
- an elongated tube that is compressible and pliable and which has a lumen;
a handpiece with an interior containing an aspiration needle and a sleeve defining an irrigation channel between the needle and the sleeve, said elongated tube extending exteriorly of said handpiece and being connected to said handpiece in operative fluid communication with said interior so that fluid flows between the lumen of said tube and said interior of said handpiece; and
a support reinforcing said tube, said support extending in a direction of elongation of said tube and being rigid to resist kinking of said tube and thereby being less compressible and pliable than said tube.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A support for reinforcing a fluid infusion tube to prevent it from kinking during a surgical operation. The support runs to the distal end of the tube and is either embedded in the wall of the tube, adhered or heat sealed to the tube either on the tube'"'"'s interior surface or on the exterior surface, or loosely retained within the lumen. The support may be coiled about the exterior or interior of the tube to provide the desired rigidity to prevent kinking.
67 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fluid conveying device that resists kinking, comprising:
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an elongated tube that is compressible and pliable and which has a lumen; a handpiece with an interior containing an aspiration needle and a sleeve defining an irrigation channel between the needle and the sleeve, said elongated tube extending exteriorly of said handpiece and being connected to said handpiece in operative fluid communication with said interior so that fluid flows between the lumen of said tube and said interior of said handpiece; and a support reinforcing said tube, said support extending in a direction of elongation of said tube and being rigid to resist kinking of said tube and thereby being less compressible and pliable than said tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of preventing inadvertent kinking, comprising the steps of:
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conveying fluid through an elongated tube to an interior of a handpiece having irrigation and aspiration channels within said interior, the tube being connected to and in fluid communication with said interior of the handpiece; and reinforcing said tube with a support to prevent kinking of said tube, said tube being compressible and pliable, said support being rigid to resist the kinking of said tube and thereby being less compressible and pliable than said tube, said support extending in a direction of elongation of said tube. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A flow apparatus that prevents inadvertent kinking during eye surgery, comprising:
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an elongated tube; a phacoemulsification handpiece connected to and in operative fluid communication with said tube for the conveyance of fluid between said tube and said phacoemulsification handpiece; and a support that reinforces said tube to prevent kinking of said tube, said tube being compressible and pliable, said support being rigid to resist kinking of said tube and thereby being less compressible and pliable than said tube and extending in a direction of elongation of said tube. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification