Irrigation/aspiration tip

• US 7,967,775 B2
• Filed: 01/09/2007
• Issued: 06/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Inventors: Hong, Karen
• Primary Examiner(s): Stigell; Theodore J
• Application Number:
  US11/621,395
• Publication Number:
  US 20080167604A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,631 Days
• Field of Search: 604/27, 604/30, 604/33, 604 35- 36, 604 39- 40, 604 43- 44, 604/93.01, 604/158, 604/164.01, 604/164.02, 604/164.04, 604/164.07, 604/164.08, 604/167.01, 604/167.06, 604/173, 604/289, 604/294
• US Class Current: 604/27
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0813 Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00745 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/85 with gas or fluid supply means, e.g. for supplying rinsing fluids or anticoagulants for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92, A61M1/94; combined with tracheal tubes A61M16/0463; dental instruments with combined rinsing and aspirating A61C17/0208
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0283 with at least two inner passageways, a first one for irrigating and a second for evacuating suction-irrigation systems A61M1/77; aspiration tips with fluid supply means A61M1/85; for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92

Abstract

An irrigation/aspiration tip having a relatively rigid cannula attached to a hub and an open end opposite the hub. Coaxially and removable received over the tip is a soft elastomeric or rubber sleeve. The sleeve forms a gap between the sleeve and the cannula, the gap allowing irrigation flow. The distal end of the sleeve is closed by a cap of reduced diameter. The reduced diameter of the cap seals the distal end of the cannula. The relatively soft cap reduces the likelihood that the posterior capsule will tear during cortical clean-up and capsule polishing. Removing the sleeve allows the cannula to be resterilized an unlimited number of times, thereby allowing unlimited reuse of the cannula.

Claims

1. An irrigation/aspiration tip, comprising:

a) an open aspiration cannula, the cannula having a hub enabling attachment of the cannula to a handpiece and an open end opposite the hub; and

b) a removable, elastomeric sleeve, the sleeve coaxially surrounding the cannula and having a shaft, the shaft having an end cap of reduced diameter, the end cap sealing about the open end of the cannula;

wherein the sleeve is coupled to the cannula through a friction-fit between a portion of the end cap and the cannula and wherein the portion of the end cap forming the friction-fit with the cannula is between an aspiration port defined by the sleeve and an irrigation port defined by the sleeve;

wherein a proximal portion of the elastomeric sleeve includes internal threads;

wherein the end cap defines the aspiration port and wherein the aspiration port is axially aligned with the open end of the cannula opposite the hub;

wherein the aspiration port is located at a distal tip of a rounded outer end of the end cap, the aspiration port located distal to the open end of the cannula.

2. The irrigation/aspiration tip of claim 1, wherein the aspiration cannula is configured to be repeatedly reused by sterilizing the aspiration cannula after removal of the elastomeric sleeve.

3. The irrigation/aspiration tip of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is external to the hub and hand piece.

4. The irrigation/aspiration tip of claim 3, further comprising a gap between a proximal end surface of the sleeve and the hand piece.

5. An irrigation/aspiration tip, comprising:

a rigid, open aspiration cannula, the cannula having a hub enabling attachment of the cannula to a handpiece and an open end opposite the hub; and

a removable, elastomeric sleeve, the sleeve coaxially surrounding the cannula and having a shaft, the shaft having an end cap of reduced diameter, the end cap sealing about the open end of the cannula;

wherein the aspiration cannula is configured to be repeatedly reused by sterilizing the aspiration cannula after removal of the elastomeric sleeve and replacing the elastomeric sleeve after sterilizing the aspiration cannula;

wherein the end cap defines an aspiration port located at a distal tip of a rounded outer end of the end cap; and

wherein the aspiration port is axially aligned with the open end of the cannula opposite the hub, the aspiration port located distal to the open end of the cannula;

wherein a proximal portion of the elastomeric sleeve includes internal threads;

wherein the sleeve is configured to leave a gap between a proximal end surface of the sleeve and a grip portion of the handpiece when the sleeve is fully screwed onto the handpiece.

6. The irrigation/aspiration tip of claim 5, wherein the sleeve is a rubber material.

7. The irrigation/aspiration tip of claim 5, wherein the sleeve is coupled to the cannula through a friction-fit between a portion of the end cap and the cannula and wherein the portion of the end cap forming the friction-fit with the cannula is between the aspiration port defined by the sleeve and an irrigation port defined by the sleeve.