Vitreoretinal instrument

• US 7,141,048 B1
• Filed: 09/26/2003
• Issued: 11/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Inventors: Charles, Steven T.
• Primary Examiner(s): FARAH, AHMED M
• Application Number:
  US10/672,612
• Time in Patent Office: 1,159 Days
• Field of Search: 606/4, 606/6, 606/166, 604/14, 604/20, 604/21, 604/27, 604/28, 604/264, 604/268, 604/273, 604/274, 362/551, 362553-556, 362/562, 362/572
• US Class Current: 606/4
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/0008 provided with illuminating means A61B3/117 takes precedence; goniolenses used for laser treatment A61F9/009; illuminating means for optical instruments G02B27/00
• 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

Abstract

An improved instrument for helping to remove subretinal fluid and helping to perform fluid exchanges in vitreoretinal surgery is disclosed. The instrument includes a handle and a probe coupled to the handle. The probe includes a curved distal portion having a closed tip with a smooth surface capable of safely touching the retina.

Claims

1. A method of displacing subretinal fluid from a space between a retinal detachment or a retinal tear and a choroid of an eye, comprising the steps of:

providing an vitreoretinal instrument, comprising;

a handle; and

a probe coupled to said handle comprising a curved distal portion made from a flexible plastic, said curved distal portion having a smooth dorsal surface capable of safely touching the retina;

grasping said handle;

disposing said probe within a vitreous cavity of said eye above said retinal detachment or retinal tear with said dorsal surface proximate an inner surface of said retina; and

moving said handle so that said dorsal surface contacts said inner surface of said retina and displaces subretinal fluid.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said probe comprises an optical fiber disposed in said handle and said curved portion, and further comprising the step of transmitting light from said optical fiber and said curved portion to an interior of said eye.