System for operating and controlling a pneumatically driven vitrectomy probe
First Claim
1. A pneumatically driven vitrectomy probe system, comprising:
- a cylinder having an open end in which a movable member is disposed so as to define an enclosed pressure chamber, the enclosed pressure chamber having an inlet and an outlet therein;
a pressure transducer in communication with the enclosed pressure chamber, for sensing the pressure level within the enclosed pressure chamber;
a valve having an outlet that is in communication with the inlet of the enclosed pressure chamber, wherein the valve communicates pressurized air from a pressurized air source to the inlet of enclosed pressure chamber based on the sensed pressure level;
a displacement device coupled to the movable member so as to extend and retract the movable member within the enclosed pressure chamber, to respectively increase and decrease the pressure level of the chamber and the pressurized air being communicated via the outlet of the enclosed pressure chamber; and
a pneumatically activated vitrectomy probe having an enclosed volume that is in communication with the outlet of the enclosed pressure chamber, the pneumatically activated vitrectomy probe further including a hollow outer member having a port near its distal end, and a hollow inner cutting member within the hollow outer member, which is biased by a spring away from said port, whereupon extension of the displacement member, the resulting increase in pressure within the enclosed volume acts against the biasing spring to move the hollow inner cutting member towards the port, to thereby cut vitreous material extending through the port in the hollow outer member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pneumatically driven vitrectomy probe system includes a movable member disposed within a cylinder to define an enclosed pressure chamber, which has an inlet and an outlet. A pressure transducer senses the pressure level within the enclosed pressure chamber, and a valve communicates pressurized air to the inlet of the enclosed pressure chamber based on the pressure level. A displacement device coupled to the movable member extends and retracts the movable member within the enclosed pressure chamber, to respectively increase and decrease the pressure level of pressurized air communicated via the chamber outlet. The pressurized air is communicated to enclosed volume within a pneumatically activated vitrectomy probe, which includes a hollow inner cutting member disposed within the hollow outer member. Upon extension of the displacement member, the resulting increase in pressure level of the pressurized air in the enclosed volume acts against the biasing spring to move the hollow inner cutting member, to cut vitreous material extending within the hollow outer member.
10 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A pneumatically driven vitrectomy probe system, comprising:
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a cylinder having an open end in which a movable member is disposed so as to define an enclosed pressure chamber, the enclosed pressure chamber having an inlet and an outlet therein; a pressure transducer in communication with the enclosed pressure chamber, for sensing the pressure level within the enclosed pressure chamber; a valve having an outlet that is in communication with the inlet of the enclosed pressure chamber, wherein the valve communicates pressurized air from a pressurized air source to the inlet of enclosed pressure chamber based on the sensed pressure level; a displacement device coupled to the movable member so as to extend and retract the movable member within the enclosed pressure chamber, to respectively increase and decrease the pressure level of the chamber and the pressurized air being communicated via the outlet of the enclosed pressure chamber; and a pneumatically activated vitrectomy probe having an enclosed volume that is in communication with the outlet of the enclosed pressure chamber, the pneumatically activated vitrectomy probe further including a hollow outer member having a port near its distal end, and a hollow inner cutting member within the hollow outer member, which is biased by a spring away from said port, whereupon extension of the displacement member, the resulting increase in pressure within the enclosed volume acts against the biasing spring to move the hollow inner cutting member towards the port, to thereby cut vitreous material extending through the port in the hollow outer member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A pneumatically driven vitrectomy probe system, comprising:
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a cylinder having an open end in which a piston is disposed so as to define an enclosed pressure chamber, the enclosed pressure chamber having an inlet for receiving pressurized air, and an outlet for communicating pressurized air to a pneumatically actuated vitrectomy probe; a pressure transducer in communication with the enclosed pressure chamber, for sensing a pressure level within the enclosed pressure chamber; a valve having an outlet that is in communication with the inlet to the enclosed pressure chamber, wherein the valve communicates pressurized air from a pressurized air source to the inlet of enclosed pressure chamber based on the pressure level; a drive motor coupled to a crank shaft that is connected to the piston in a manner such that for every rotation of the motor the piston is extended and retracted within the enclosed pressure chamber, to thereby respectively increase and decrease the pressure level of the chamber and the pressurized air communicated via the outlet of the enclosed pressure chamber; and a pneumatically activated vitrectomy probe having an enclosed volume that is in communication with the outlet of the enclosed pressure chamber, the pneumatically activated vitrectomy probe further including a hollow outer member having a port near its distal end, and a hollow inner cutting member within the hollow outer member, which is biased by a spring away from the port, whereupon extension of the piston, the resulting increase in pressure level within the enclosed volume acts against the biasing spring to move the hollow inner cutting member towards the port, to thereby cut vitreous material extending through the port in the hollow outer member. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A pneumatically driven vitrectomy probe system, comprising:
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a cylinder having an open end in which a movable diaphragm is disposed so as to define an enclosed pressure chamber, the enclosed pressure chamber having an inlet for receiving pressurized air, and an outlet for communicating pressurized air to a pneumatically actuated vitrectomy probe; a pressure transducer in communication with the enclosed pressure chamber, for sensing a pressure level within the enclosed pressure chamber; a valve having an outlet that is in communication with the inlet to the enclosed pressure chamber, wherein the Valve communicates pressurized air from a pressurized air source to the inlet of the enclosed pressure chamber based on the pressure level; a drive motor coupled to a crank shaft that is connected to the movable diaphragm in a manner such that for every rotation of the motor the movable diaphragm is extendably displaced into the enclosed pressure chamber in the cylinder and then retracted, to thereby respectively increase and decrease the pressure within the enclosed pressure chamber and the enclosed volume in the pneumatically operated vitrectomy probe; and a pneumatically activated vitrectomy probe having an enclosed volume that is in communication with the outlet of the enclosed pressure chamber, the pneumatically activated vitrectomy probe further including a hollow outer member having a port near its distal end, and a hollow inner cutting member within the hollow outer member, which is biased by a spring away from the port, whereupon extension of the movable diaphragm, the resulting increase in pressure level within the enclosed volume acts against the biasing spring to move the hollow inner cutting member towards the port, to thereby cut vitreous material extending through the port in the hollow outer member. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification