Fiberoptic probe tip

• US 6,730,076 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2001
• Issued: 05/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Inventors: Hickingbotham, Dyson W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peffley, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Farah, Ahmed M
• Application Number:
  US09/962,642
• Publication Number:
  US 20030060812A1
• Time in Patent Office: 952 Days
• Field of Search: 606/7, 606/10, 606/13-16, 606/27, 606/32, 606/41, 606/51, 606/52, 606/159, 606/205-211, 414/1-7
• US Class Current: 606/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/306 using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/36 Image-producing devices or illumination devices not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A probe tip having a surgical tool manufactured from a light transmissive material. Such a construction eliminates the need for a separate fiberoptic and surgical tool. If desired, the probe tip may be used in combination with a surgical probe having an actuation handle made from springy material having a memory. Squeezing the handle causing the actuation device to elongate, thereby causing movement in the probe tip. The probe handle of the present invention may be held and actuated in any position.

Claims

1. A surgical device, comprising:

a) a tip made from a light transmissive material;

b) a forceps formed on the tip from the light transmissive material; and

c) a fiberoptic mechanically connected to the tip.

2. The probe of claim 1 wherein light transmissive material is a nylon monofilament.

3. The probe of claim 1 wherein the fiberoptic is connected to the tip by an adhesive and a sleeve.

4. A probe, comprising:

a) an actuation handle having a first diameter and a first length in its relaxed stated and a second diameter and a second length in its compressed state, the first diameter being larger than the second diameter and the second length being longer than the first length;

b) a tube fixed to a distal end of the actuation handle; and

c) a probe tip made from a light transmissive material, the probe tip being mechanically connected to a fiberoptic and having a forceps telescopically received through the tube and fixed to an end sleeve located on a proximal end of the actuation handle so that compression of the actuation handle causes compression of the forceps.

5. The probe of claim 4 wherein the light transmissive material is a nylon monofilament.

6. A surgical device, comprising:

a) a tip made from a light transmissive material;

b) a pic formed on the tip from the light transmissive material; and

c) a fiberoptic mechanically connected to the tip.

7. A surgical device, comprising:

a) a tip made from a light transmissive material;

b) jaws formed on the tip from the light transmissive material; and

c) a fiberoptic mechanically connected to the tip.