Aspirator tip

• US 6,902,558 B2
• Filed: 03/11/2003
• Issued: 06/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsurgical Technology Incorporated (Halma PLC)
• Original Assignee: Microsurgical Technology Incorporated (Halma PLC)
• Inventors: Laks, Lawrence
• Primary Examiner(s): KENNEDY, SHARON E
• Application Number:
  US10/388,207
• Publication Number:
  US 20030199883A1
• Time in Patent Office: 819 Days
• Field of Search: 604/27, 604/28, 604/30, 604/35, 604/39, 604/48, 604/521, 607/107
• US Class Current: 604/521
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00709 Instruments for removing foreign bodies for removal of intra-ocular material A61F9/00736

Abstract

An elongated, rigid cannula has a peripheral wall defining a central bore and a side port for introduction of material into the bore. A covering of resilient, flexible material is provided in the area of the side port, with a corresponding aperture aligned with the port of the cannula. The aperture of the resilient covering can be somewhat smaller than the underlying cannula port, forming a resilient margin that overhangs and surrounds the port.

Claims

1. An aspirator tip comprising:

an elongated cannula having a peripheral wall forming a central bore, the cannula having an aspiration port opening transversely through the wall, the cannula being adapted to be connected to a low pressure source for aspiration of material through the port; and

a covering of flexible, resilient material extending over the port and having an aperture aligned with the port, the cannula port being larger than the aperture of the covering, such that the covering has a marginal portion adjacent to the aperture which marginal portion overhangs the port.

2. The tip defined in claim 1, in which the covering includes a cylindrical sleeve encircling the cannula in the area of the port.

3. The tip defined in claim 2, in which the cannula has an outer periphery of reduced diameter in the area of the port, the sleeve being fitted in the area of reduced diameter.

4. The tip defined in claim 3, in which the reduced diameter portion of the cannula continues to a distal end of the cannula.

5. The tip defined in claim 2, which the cannula has a peripheral groove in the area of the port forming longitudinally spaced, annular proximate and distal shoulders, the sleeve being closely fitted in the groove.

6. The tip defined in claim 5, in which the sleeve has a wall thickness approximately equal to the depth of the groove, so that there is a smooth transition along the exterior of the cannula and the exterior of the sleeve.

7. The tip defined in claim 5, in which the sleeve includes proximate and distal ends that are closely adjacent to the annular shoulders of the groove.

8. The tip defined in claim 1, in which the covering is translucent or clear for improved visualization of material entering the aspiration port.

9. The tip defined in claim 1, in which the cannula includes an integral closed distal end.

10. The tip defined in claim 1, in which the cannula includes an open distal end.

11. The tip defined in claim 10, in which the covering includes an end cap closing the distal end of the cannula.

12. The tip defined in claim 1, in which the covering includes a sleeve having proximate and distal ends, at least one of said ends being tapered toward the outer periphery of the cannula.

13. The tip defined in claim 1, in which the cannula has a recess in the area of the port, the covering including an inset piece of flexible, resilient material fitted in the recess.

14. The tip defined in claim 13, which the recess extends longitudinally of the cannula from the port toward the distal end of the cannula.

15. An aspirator tip comprising:

an elongated cannula having a peripheral wall forming a central bore, the cannula having an aspiration port opening transversely through the wall; and

a covering of flexible, resilient material extending over the port and having an aperture aligned with the port, the covering including a cylindrical sleeve encircling the cannula in the area of the port, the cannula having an outer periphery of reduced diameter in the area of the port, the sleeve being fitted in the area of reduced diameter, the reduced diameter portion of the cannula continuing to a distal end of the cannula, the cannula having a peripheral groove in the area of the port forming longitudinally spaced, annular proximate and distal shoulders, the sleeve being closely fitted in the groove, the sleeve having a wall thickness approximately equal to the depth of the groove, so that there is a smooth transition along the exterior of the cannula and the exterior of the sleeve.