Surgical cassette latching mechanism

• US 7,070,578 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2002
• Issued: 07/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Inventors: Leukanech, Kurt D., Wilson, Daniel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Freay, Charles G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sayoc, Emmanuel
• Application Number:
  US10/132,797
• Publication Number:
  US 20030202894A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,531 Days
• Field of Search: 417/360, 417/477.2, 417/474, 292/201, 292/48, 292/44, 292/49, 292/210, 292/304, 403/119, 403/113, 403/322.3, 403/312, 403/222.1, 403/222, 604/33, 604/32, 604/34, 604/250, 604/153.X
• US Class Current: 604/153
• 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 1/72 Cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• 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 1/80 Suction pumps A61M1/64, A61M1/71, A61M60/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/12 with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/121 interface between cassette and base
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0201 Cassettes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0853 Link and lever
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0854 Cam
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1082 Motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1092 Swinging catch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/444 Swinging catch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32557 for pivotal motion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32606 Pivoted
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/593 Remotely actuated

Abstract

A surgical system having a cassette latching mechanism having two pivoting latching rails. The rails are connected to a rotating latching wheel by spring-loaded latching arms. The latching wheel is connected to a motor by a latching pushbar. The cassette is pressed into the rails which initiates the rotation of the rails, which close onto the cassette. The motor next rotates the latching wheel, producing cam-like movement of the latching arms and thereby further pivoting the latching rails to the fully closed and locked position.

Claims

1. A surgical cassette latching mechanism, comprising:

a) a motor having a cam;

b) a latching wheel eccentrically connected to the motor by a pushbar so that rotation of the motor causes rotation of the latching wheel; and

c) a pair of pivoting latching rails, connected to the latching wheel by a pair of latching arms so that rotation of the latching wheel causes pivoting of the rails thereby holding a surgical cassette between the rails.

2. The surgical cassette latching mechanism of claim 1 wherein rotation of the motor causes pivoting of the latching rails.

3. A surgical console, comprising:

a cassette latching mechanism, the latching mechanism including a motor;

a latching wheel connected to the motor by a pushbar so that rotation of the motor causes rotation of the latching wheel; and

a pair of pivoting latching rails, the rails connected to the latching wheel by a pair of latching arms so that rotation of the latching wheel causes pivoting of the rails thereby holding a surgical cassette between the rails.

4. The surgical console of claim 3 wherein the cassette latching mechanism further includes latching rails containing a plurality of latching fingers.

5. The surgical console of claim 3 wherein the latching arms contain a spring.

6. The surgical console of claim 3 wherein the latching wheel contains a projection that cooperates with a stop so as to limit the rotation of the latching wheel.

7. The surgical console of claim 3 wherein the motor contains a cam and the pushbar is eccentrically connected to the cam.

8. The surgical console of claim 7 wherein rotation of the motor causes pivoting of the latching rails.