Method and apparatus for lenticular liquefaction and aspiration

• US 6,319,222 B1
• Filed: 04/20/2000
• Issued: 11/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mark S. Andrew, Mylina Andrew
• Original Assignee: Mark S. Andrew, Mylina Andrew
• Inventors: Andrew, Mark S., Andrew, Mylina
• Primary Examiner(s): Bockelman, Mark
• Application Number:
  US09/552,767
• Time in Patent Office: 579 Days
• Field of Search: 607/107, 604/22, 604/35, 604/43, 604/28, 604/113-114
• US Class Current: 604/28
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00172 Pulse trains, bursts, intermittent continuous operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00011 with fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00035 with return means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/046 in liquid form
• 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 1/77 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 2210/0612 Eyes

Abstract

A technique is described for liquefying, or gelifying, a hardened, cataractous lens nucleus and aspirating the same. Heat or heated solution is delivered to the lens nucleus in vivo so that the heat or heated solution is placed in contact with the hardened nucleus in order to heat and liquefy the same. The lens nucleus is irrigated simultaneously with a cooled solution to thereby limit to a very small area where the heat or heated solution is present in the eye. This allows the surgeon precise control over which intraocular anterior segment structures are exposed to the heat or heated solution. The liquefied lens nuclear material is then aspirated from the eye. The above allows the removal of a lens nucleus through a 1 to 2 mm corneal or limbal incision which is smaller than the smallest incision allowable with previously known small incision cataract techniques. The above benefits the patient as it allows small incision cataract removal to be done in a way that is non-traumatic to intraocular structures. The above benefits the surgeon, and the patient, in that it is a relatively straightforward and easy surgical maneuver for the surgeon to perform. This is in stark contrast to current phacoemulsification, which is potentially very traumatic to intraocular structures, and which is a relatively difficult surgical maneuver to perform.

Claims

1. In a method for treating cataracts in vivo by liquefying a cataractous lens nucleus and aspirating the same wherein the improvement comprises liquefying said lens nucleus by heating the same to a temperature of about 110°

F. to about 215°

F. by delivering a fluid to the lens which has been heated in a fluid delivery system.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said fluid is a saline solution.

3. In a method for treating cataracts in vivo by liquefying a cataractous lens nucleus and aspirating the same from within a surrounding lens capsule comprising the steps of:

delivering a fluid which has been heated in a fluid delivery system to a temperature in the range of about 110°

F. to 215°

F. directly into said lens nucleus in order to liquify the same;

irrigating said lens nucleus, and

aspirating said liquified lens nucleus while continuing to irrigate the same.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said fluid is comprised of a saline solution.

5. The method of claim 3 further including effectuating an opening in said lens capsule, said heated fluid being delivered into said opening and said liquified lens nucleus being aspirated out of said opening.

6. The method of claim 3 wherein said liquified lens nucleus is irrigated with a cooled solution so that said lens nucleus and said heated fluid are rapidly cooled.

7. In a method for treating a cataractous lens in vivo by liquefying a hardened nucleus of a cataractous lens and aspirating the same from a surrounding lens capsule comprising the steps of:

effectuating an opening in said lens capsule;

delivering a fluid which has been heated in a fluid delivery system to a temperature in the range of about 110°

F. to 215°

F. through said opening so that said heated solution comes into contact with said hardened nucleus in order to liquify the same;

irrigating said lens nucleus with a cooled solution while carrying out the heated solution delivery step, and

aspirating said liquified nucleus while continuing to irrigate the same.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said heated solution is comprised of a balanced salt solution.

9. In a method for treating cataracts in vivo by liquefying a cataractous lens nucleus and aspirating the same wherein the improvement comprises contacting said lens nucleus with a fluid having a temperature of about 110°

F. to about 215°

F. that has been heated in a fluid delivery system.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said fluid is comprised of a saline solution.