Soft tip cannula and methods for use thereof

• US 7,537,593 B2
• Filed: 09/04/2004
• Issued: 05/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Iridex Corporation
• Original Assignee: RetinaLabs.com, Inc.
• Inventors: Humayun, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): GIBSON, ROY DEAN
• Application Number:
  US10/934,050
• Publication Number:
  US 20050033272A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,725 Days
• Field of Search: 604/35, 604/264, 607 4- 6
• US Class Current: 606/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3614 using optical fibre
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3937 Visible markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/007 Methods or devices for eye surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/84 Drainage tubes; Aspiration tips for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/90; for surgical cutting instruments A61B17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 13/003 Blowing gases other than for carrying powders, e.g. for inflating, dilating or rinsing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes

Abstract

A surgical device having a body portion that is gripped by a user, the body portion having a distal end equipped with a soft tip and the proximal end optionally connected to an external vacuum or gas/air source. The surgical device is particularly suitable for use in ophthalmic surgical procedures to remove fluid from the eye or introduce gas/air into the eye. The soft tip is fabricated to protect the delicate tissues if the eye and is further modified so as to enhance a user'"'"'s visibility of the device in the surgical field.

Claims

1. A surgical device particularly suitable for ophthalmic surgical procedures comprising:

a hollow elongate body portion having a maximum diameter of 1.2 mm;

the elongate body portion having a proximal end and a distal end; and

a soft tip at the distal end of the body portion,

at least a portion of the soft tip being green, blue, or combinations thereof, or at least partially colored with a fluorescent material, so as to enhance a user'"'"'s visibility of the soft tip in the surgical area, and wherein the soft tip is hollow.

2. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the soft tip is formed of a soft material at least partially colored to enhance a user'"'"'s visibility of the soft tip.

3. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the soft tip is connected to a light source that illuminates the soft tip.

4. The surgical device of claim 3, wherein the light source further illuminates the surgical site.

5. The surgical device of claim 1, further comprising a fiber optic in connection with the cannula and configured so as to illuminate the soft tip.

6. The surgical device of claim 1, further comprising a laser fiber in connection with the cannula and configured so as to transmit light to the soft tip.

7. The surgical device of claim 6, wherein the laser fiber transmits colored beams.

8. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the soft tip is formed of a porous material that allows material to be passed through.

9. The surgical device of claim 1 further comprising a hub at the proximal end of the body portion.

10. A medical device kit, comprising one or more of the surgical devices of claim 1.

11. The kit of claim 10, wherein the one or more delivery devices are packaged in sterile condition.

12. A method for performing an ophthalmic surgical procedure comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a surgical device comprising;

an elongate body portion;

the elongate body portion having a proximal end and a distal end;

a soft tip at the distal end of the body portion;

the soft tip being at least partially colored with a fluorescent material so as to enhance a user'"'"'s visibility of the soft tip in the surgical area;

(b) making an incision in the eye of a patient to access the treatment area;

(c) inserting the surgical device into the treatment area through the incision;

(d) performing the ophthalmic surgical procedure; and

(e) removing the delivery device from the treatment area,

wherein the ability to visualize the soft tip during the ophthalmic surgical procedure is enhanced.

13. A method for performing an ophthalmic surgical procedure comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a surgical device comprising;

an elongate body portion;

the elongate body portion having a proximal end and a distal end;

a soft tip at the distal end of the body portion;

the soft tip being modified so as to enhance a user'"'"'s visibility of the soft tip in the surgical area, a least a portion of the soft tip being green, blue, or combinations thereof;

(b) making an incision in the eye of a patient to access the treatment area;

(c) inserting the surgical device into the treatment area through the incision;

(d) performing the ophthalmic surgical procedure; and

(e) removing the delivery device from the treatment area,

wherein the ability to visualize the soft tip during the ophthalmic surgical procedure is enhanced.

14. A method for performing an ophthalmic surgical procedure comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a surgical device comprising;

an elongate body portion;

the elongate body portion having a proximal end and a distal end;

a soft tip at the distal end of the body portion;

the soft tip being modified so as to enhance a user'"'"'s visibility of the soft tip in the surgical area;

wherein the body portion of the device is hollow and the device is an aspirating device, and wherein the soft tip is formed of a porous material that allows material to be passed through;

(b) making an incision in the eye of a patient to access the treatment area;

(c) inserting the surgical device into the treatment area through the incision;

(d) performing the ophthalmic surgical procedure; and

(e) removing the delivery device from the treatment area,

wherein the ability to visualize the soft tip during the ophthalmic surgical procedure is enhanced.

15. A surgical device particularly suitable for ophthalmic surgical procedures comprising:

an elongate body portion;

the elongate body portion having a proximal end and a distal end; and

a soft tip at the distal end of the body portion,

at least a portion of the soft tip being green, blue, or combinations thereof, or at least partially colored with a fluorescent material, so as to enhance a user'"'"'s visibility of the soft tip in the surgical area,

wherein the soft tip is connected to a light source that illuminates the soft tip.

16. The surgical device of claim 15, wherein the soft tip material is at least partially colored with a fluorescent material.

17. The surgical device of claim 15, wherein the light source further illuminates the surgical site.

18. The surgical device of claim 15, wherein the soft tip is illuminated by a fiber optic configured so as to be in connection with the cannula.

19. The surgical device of claim 15, wherein the soft tip is illuminated by a fiber in connection with the cannula and configured so as to transmit light to the soft tip.

20. The surgical device of claim 19, wherein the laser fiber transmits colored beams.

21. A surgical device particularly suitable for ophthalmic surgical procedures comprising:

a hollow elongate body portion having a maximum diameter of 1.2 mm;

the elongate body portion having a proximal end and a distal end; and

a soft tip at the distal end of the body portion,

wherein the device has a length from the soft tip to the proximal end of the body portion that is at least about 28 mm;

at least a portion of the soft tip being green, blue, or combinations thereof, or at least partially colored with a fluorescent material, so as to enhance a user'"'"'s visibility of the soft tip in the surgical area.

22. The surgical device of claim 21, wherein the device has a length from the soft tip to the proximal end of the body portion that ranges from about 28 mm to about 32 mm.

23. The surgical device of claim 21, wherein the device has a length from the soft tip to the proximal end of the body portion that ranges from about 29 mm to about 31 mm.

24. A surgical device particularly suitable for ophthalmic surgical procedures comprising:

a hollow elongate body portion having a maximum diameter of 1.2 mm;

the elongate body portion having a proximal end and a distal end; and

a soft tip at the distal end of the body portion,

at least a portion of the soft tip being green, blue, or combinations thereof, or at least partially colored with a fluorescent material, so as to enhance a user'"'"'s visibility of the soft tip in the surgical area, and wherein the soft tip has one or more apertures through which material may pass.

25. A surgical device particularly suitable for ophthalmic surgical procedures comprising:

a hollow elongate body portion having a maximum diameter of 1.2 mm;

the elongate body portion having a proximal end and a distal end; and

a soft tip at the distal end of the body portion,

at least a portion of the soft tip being green, blue, or combinations thereof, or at least partially colored with a fluorescent material, so as to enhance a user'"'"'s visibility of the soft tip in the surgical area, and wherein the device is configured for retinal manipulation or scraping of scar tissue or ocular tissues.