Ophthalmic valved trocar vent

• US 8,343,106 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2010
• Issued: 01/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcon Research, LLC (Alcon Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Alcon Research Limited (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Lopez, Jose Luis, Martin, Michael M., Huculak, John C., Souza, Marcus A.
• Primary Examiner(s): VU, QUYNH-NHU HOANG
• Application Number:
  US12/951,272
• Publication Number:
  US 20110152775A1
• Time in Patent Office: 771 Days
• Field of Search: 604/164.01, 604/164.02, 604/164.04, 604/164.07, 604/164.08, 604/165.01, 604/165.02, 604/264, 604/272, 604/158, 604 43- 45, 604/167.01
• US Class Current: 604/167.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3498 Valves therefor, e.g. flapper valves, slide valves haemostasis valves A61M39/06; check valves A61M39/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/007 Methods or devices for eye surgery

Abstract

In various embodiments, a trocar cannula may be configured for insertion into an eye to facilitate insertion and removal of instruments during surgery. The cannula may be affixed to an overcap (to inhibit rotation of the overcap relative to the cannula) that includes a seal. In some embodiments, the seal may be overmolded into the overcap or may include a wafer that is fixed between the cannula and the overcap to inhibit rotation relative to the cannula and the overcap. In some embodiments, the cannula and overcap may snap together through a tab/slot interface in a permanent fashion such that the cannula and overcap may not be separated without damaging the cannula or overcap. In some embodiments, a vent cannula may be receivable in the slit of the seal for allowing fluids to vent from the eye through the cannula (which may include an indentation to frictionally engage the vent).

Claims

1. A trocar cannula device, comprising:

a trocar cannula having a seal;

a vent cannula, comprising;

a lower cylindrical portion;

a cylindrical rim extending from the lower cylindrical portion;

a flexible, cylindrical sleeve coupled to the rim;

wherein the lower cylindrical portion comprises a first outer diameter proximal to the cylindrical rim and a second outer diameter on the lower cylindrical portion distal from the cylindrical rim and wherein the first outer diameter is greater than the second outer diameter;

wherein the vent cannula is configured to slide into the seal of the trocar cannula to open the seal to allow fluid to vent through the trocar cannula and out of an eye, wherein the rim is configured to prevent the vent cannula from slipping completely into the trocar cannula;

wherein the rim comprises a tube portion and wherein the sleeve frictionally engages the tube portion, and

wherein the sleeve frictionally engages the tube portion along more than half of the length of the sleeve.

2. The trocar cannula device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is at least partially transparent and wherein a fluid entering the sleeve is visible through the sleeve.

3. The trocar cannula device of claim 2, wherein the sleeve is a cylindrical silicone tube.

4. The trocar cannula device of claim 1, wherein the vent is configured to provide an opening in the trocar cannula seal without requiring removal of a part or all of the trocar cannula from the eye.

5. The trocar cannula device of claim 1, wherein the lower cylindrical portion of the vent cannula comprises a tapered transition portion between the first outer diameter and the second outer diameter;

wherein the tapered transition portion is configured to interact with a retention feature on the trocar cannula to provide resistance to removal of the vent cannula from the trocar cannula.

6. The trocar cannula device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is a cylindrical silicone tube.

7. The trocar cannula of claim 1, wherein, when the vent cannula is inserted into the trocar cannula, the portion of the lower cylindrical portion with the first outer diameter is configured to be in contact with the seal and the portion of the lower cylindrical portion with the second outer diameter is configured to be inside a reduced diameter portion of the trocar cannula configured to extend into the eye.