Phaco tip with fluid bypass port

• US 6,398,754 B1
• Filed: 09/28/2000
• Issued: 06/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Allergan, Inc. (Canada) (Abbvie Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kadziauskas, Kenneth E., Rockley, Paul W., Sutton, Thomas B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Casler, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thissell, Jeremy
• Application Number:
  US09/675,339
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• Field of Search: 604/22, 604/27, 604/35, 604/43, 604/20
• US Class Current: 604/22
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320084 Irrigation sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00745 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic

Abstract

Phaco tip apparatus for a phacoemulsification/irrigation and aspiration handpiece having an ultrasonic drive assembly includes a needle having a tip for emulsifying a cataractic lens and a lumen for aspirating emulsified lens. A compressible sleeve establishes an annular passage around the needle and enables irrigation fluid to pass into an eye through a cornea/sclera wound while cooling the needle. The compressible sleeve includes a wall configuration for controlling compression of the sleeve in order to cause the compressible sleeve to shape and conform to the cornea/sclera wound and limit fluid egress from the wound. A bypass port, disposed in said needle and under said compressible sleeve, establishes fluid communication between the lumen and the annular passage in order to enable irrigation fluid to pass into said lumen upon clogging of the tip, thus providing fluid surge protection. A depending member disposed within said compressible sleeve limits compression of opposing walls of said compressible sleeve in order to prevent contact of said compressible sleeve with the needle, maintain the annular passage flow of irrigation fluid past the needle and prevent the compressible sleeve from closing the bypass port.

Claims

1. Phaco tip apparatus for a phacoemulsification handpiece having an ultrasonic drive assembly, said phaco tip apparatus comprising:

a needle having a tip, for emulsifying a cataract lens through a cornea/sclera wound, and a lumen for aspirating emulsified lens therethrough;

a compressible sleeve for establishing an annular passage around the needle and enabling irrigation fluid to pass into an eye through the cornea/sclera wound while cooling the needle;

a bypass port, disposed in said needle and under said compressible sleeve, for establishing a fluid communicating between said lumen and said annular passage in order to enable irrigation fluid to pass into said lumen upon clogging of the tip, thus providing fluid surge protection; and

a depending member disposed within said compressible sleeve for limiting compression of opposing walls of said compressible sleeve in order to prevent contact of said compressible sleeve with said needle, maintain the annular passage flow of irrigation fluid past said needle and prevent the compressible sleeve from closing said bypass port.

2. The sleeve apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said depending member having a length greater than a diameter of said needle.

6. The sleeve apparatus according to claim 1, 3, or 5 wherein said depending member comprises two depending members, said needle being disposed between said two depending members.

7. The sleeve apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said compressible sleeve has a cylindrical shape before compression by the cornea/sclera wound.

3. Phaco tip apparatus for a phacoemulsification handpiece having an ultrasonic drive assembly, said phaco tip apparatus comprising:

a needle having a tip, for emulsifying a cataract lens through a cornea/sclera wound, and a lumen for aspirating emulsified lens therethrough;

a compressible sleeve for establishing an annular passage around the needle and enabling irrigation fluid to pass into an eye through the cornea/sclera wound while cooling the needle, said compressible sleeve including a wall for controlling compression of the sleeve in order to cause said compressible sleeve to shape and conform to the cornea/sclera wound and limit fluid egress from the wound, said wall including a variation in wall thickness of said compressible sleeve, said variation in wall thickness comprising two areas of sleeve wall having greater thickness than adjoining areas of sleeve wall, the two areas being spaced apart from one another at 180 degree. around the sleeve circumference;

a bypass port, disposed in said needle and under said compressible sleeve, for establishing fluid communication between said lumen and said annular passage in order to enable irrigation fluid to pass into said lumen upon clogging of the tip, thus providing fluid surge protection; and

a depending member disposed within said compressible sleeve means and attached to opposing walls of the sleeve means between the two areas, for limiting compression of the opposing walls in order to prevent contact of said compressible sleeve means with said needle, maintain annular flow of irrigation fluid past said needle and prevent the compressible sleeve from closing said bypass port.

4. The sleeve apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said depending member has a length greater than a diameter of said needle.

5. Phaco tip apparatus for a phacoemulsification handpiece having an ultrasonic drive assembly, said phaco tip apparatus comprising:

a needle having a tip, for emulsifying a cataract lens through a cornea/sclera wound, and a lumen for aspirating emulsified lens therethrough;

a compressible sleeve for establishing an annular passage around the needle and enabling irrigation fluid to pass into an eye through the cornea/sclera wound while cooling the needle, said compressible sleeve including a wall for controlling compression of the sleeve means in order to cause said compressible sleeve to shape and conform to the cornea/sclera wound and limit fluid egress from the wound, said wall including a variation in wall density of said compressible sleeve around a circumference of said compressible sleeve, said variation in wall density comprising two areas of sleeve wall having a lower density than adjoining areas of sleeve wall, the two areas being spaced apart from one another at 180 degree around the sleeve circumference;

a bypass port, disposed in said needle and under said compressible sleeve, for establishing fluid communication between said lumen and said annular passage in order to enable irrigation fluid to pass into said lumen upon clogging of the tip, thus providing fluid surge protection; and

a depending member disposed within said compressible sleeve and attached to opposing walls of the sleeve means between the two areas, for limiting compression of the opposing walls in order to prevent contact of said compressible sleeve with said needle, maintain an annular flow of irrigation fluid past said needle and prevent the compressible sleeve from closing said bypass port.

8. The sleeve apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said depending member has a length greater than a diameter of said needle.

9. Phaco tip apparatus for a phacoemulsification handpiece having an ultrasonic drive assembly, said phaco tip apparatus comprising:

a needle having a tip for emulsifying a cataract lens through a cornea/sclera wound, and a lumen for aspirating emulsified lens therethrough;

a compressible sleeve for establishing an annular passage around the needle and enabling irrigation fluid to pass into an eye through the cornea/sclera wound while cooling the needle, said compressible sleeve having an initial uncompressed circular inside diameter, said compressible sleeve including a wall for controlling compression of the sleeve in order to cause said compressible sleeve to shape and conform from the initial circular diameter to the cornea/sclera wound and limit fluid egress from the wound;

a bypass port, disposed in said needle under said compressible sleeve, for establishing fluid communication between said lumen and said annular passage in order to enable irrigation fluid to pass into said lumen upon clogging of the tip thus providing fluid surge protection; and

depending members disposed within said compressible sleeve, for limiting compression of opposing walls of said compressible sleeve in order to prevent contact of said compressible sleeve with said needle, maintain annular flow of irrigation fluid past said needle and prevent the compressible sleeve from closing said bypass port.

10. The sleeve apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said depending members have a length greater than a diameter of said needle.