Instrument and method for phacoemulsification by direct thermal irradiation
First Claim
1. A phacoemulsification and aspiration device comprising:
- a) a substantially hollow housing comprising a first end and a second end;
b) an electrical resistance heating element disposed at the first end of the housing and configured to thermally irradiate a space proximal to the first end and exterior to the housing;
c) a source of electricity in electrical contact with the heating element; and
d) a vacuum source disposed at and integrally connected to the second end of the housing.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A phacoemulsification and aspiration device comprising: (a) a substantially hollow housing comprising a first end and a second end; (b) an electrical resistance heating element disposed at the first end of the housing and configured to thermally irradiate a space proximal to the first end and exterior to the housing; (c) a source of electricity in electrical contact with the heating element; and (d) a vacuum source disposed at and integrally connected to the second end of the housing; and 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: (a) thermally irradiating and liquefying a lens; and (b) aspirating the lens.
140 Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A phacoemulsification and aspiration device comprising:
-
a) a substantially hollow housing comprising a first end and a second end;
b) an electrical resistance heating element disposed at the first end of the housing and configured to thermally irradiate a space proximal to the first end and exterior to the housing;
c) a source of electricity in electrical contact with the heating element; and
d) a vacuum source disposed at and integrally connected to the second end of the housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
a) a source of DC or AC electricity comprising first and second terminals;
b) a first set of one or more wires which are integrated electrically, and which are in electrical contact with the first terminal and a first end of the heating element; and
c) a second set of one or more wires which are integrated electrically, and which are in electrical contact with a second end of the heating element and the second terminal.
-
-
6. The device of claim 1 wherein the source of electricity and electrical resistance heating element form an electrical circuit which comprises:
-
a) a source of DC or AC electricity comprising first and second terminals;
b) a first electrically insulated wire which is in electrical contact with the first terminal of the source of DC or AC electricity, and which traverses the housing and makes electrical contact with a first end of the heating element;
c) an electrical contact between a second end of the heating element and the housing; and
d) a second electrically insulated wire that contacts the housing and the source of DC or AC electricity.
-
-
7. The device of claim 1 further comprising a vacuum regulator.
-
8. The device of claim 1 further comprising an electricity regulator.
-
9. 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:
-
a) thermally irradiating and liquefying a lens by;
i) providing a hollow housing comprising a first end and a second end;
ii) contacting an electrically resistive element disposed at the first end of the hollow housing with the lens; and
iii) creating an electrical potential across the element; and
b) aspirating the lens. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
Specification