Retractable tip for vitrectomy tool
First Claim
1. A probe for a vitrectomy tool comprising:
- a vitreous cutter tube having a blunt tip at a distal end and adapted to be coupled at a proximal end to a handpiece of a vitrectomy tool, wherein the vitreous cutter tube comprises an aperture extending into a central bore adapted to receive a flow of vitreous material;
a reciprocal cutter fitted in the central bore of the vitreous cutter tube, the reciprocal cutter having a cutting edge adapted for travel across the aperture;
a retractable outer trocar tube surrounding the vitreous cutter tube having an open distal end with a sharpened edge forming a bevel and a sharp tip;
a retraction mechanism comprising a movable hub coupled to a proximal end of the outer trocar tube that imparts relative movement to the outer trocar tube for selectively extending and retracting the outer trocar tube between a first extended position wherein the sharp tip of the outer trocar is extended beyond the blunt tip of the vitreous cutter tube until the blunt tip remains partially protruding from a proximal end of the bevel to facilitate insertion into the eye without further cutting by the proximal end of the bevel and a second retracted position wherein the sharp tip of the outer trocar is retracted behind the blunt tip of the vitreous cutter tube to facilitate safe operation of the probe;
wherein the retraction mechanism is configured to secure the outer trocar tube in the first extended position and in the second retracted position.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A probe for a vitrectomy tool is provided having a vitreous cutter tube having a blunt tip at a distal end and adapted to be coupled at a proximal end to a handpiece of a vitrectomy tool; a retractable outer trocar tube surrounding the vitreous cutter tube having an open distal end with a sharpened edge; and a retraction mechanism coupled to a proximal end of the outer trocar for selectively extending and retracting the outer trocar tube between a first extended position wherein the sharpened edge of the outer trocar is extended beyond the blunt tip of the vitreous cutter tube to facilitate insertion into the eye and a second retracted position wherein the sharpened edge of the outer trocar is retracted behind the blunt tip of the vitreous cutter tube to facilitate safe operation of the probe.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A probe for a vitrectomy tool comprising:
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a vitreous cutter tube having a blunt tip at a distal end and adapted to be coupled at a proximal end to a handpiece of a vitrectomy tool, wherein the vitreous cutter tube comprises an aperture extending into a central bore adapted to receive a flow of vitreous material; a reciprocal cutter fitted in the central bore of the vitreous cutter tube, the reciprocal cutter having a cutting edge adapted for travel across the aperture; a retractable outer trocar tube surrounding the vitreous cutter tube having an open distal end with a sharpened edge forming a bevel and a sharp tip; a retraction mechanism comprising a movable hub coupled to a proximal end of the outer trocar tube that imparts relative movement to the outer trocar tube for selectively extending and retracting the outer trocar tube between a first extended position wherein the sharp tip of the outer trocar is extended beyond the blunt tip of the vitreous cutter tube until the blunt tip remains partially protruding from a proximal end of the bevel to facilitate insertion into the eye without further cutting by the proximal end of the bevel and a second retracted position wherein the sharp tip of the outer trocar is retracted behind the blunt tip of the vitreous cutter tube to facilitate safe operation of the probe;
wherein the retraction mechanism is configured to secure the outer trocar tube in the first extended position and in the second retracted position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A vitrectomy tool for removing vitreous material from and injecting fluid into an eye of a patient comprising:
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a housing body having a proximal end and a distal end; a probe coupled to the proximal end of the housing body, wherein the probe comprises; a vitreous cutter tube having a blunt tip at a distal end and adapted to be coupled at a proximal end to the housing, wherein the vitreous cutter tube comprises an aperture extending into a central bore adapted to receive a flow of vitreous material; a reciprocal cutter fitted in the central bore of the vitreous cutter tube, the reciprocal cutter having a cutting edge adapted for travel across the aperture; a retractable outer trocar tube surrounding the vitreous cutter tube having an open distal end with a sharpened edge forming a bevel and a sharp tip; and
a retraction mechanism comprising a movable hub coupled to a proximal end of the outer trocar tube that imparts relative movement to the outer trocar tube for selectively extending and retracting the outer trocar tube between a first extended position wherein the sharp tip of the outer trocar is extended beyond the blunt tip of the vitreous cutter tube until the blunt tip remains partially protruding from a proximal end of the bevel to facilitate insertion into the eye without further cutting by the proximal end of the bevel and a second retracted position wherein the sharp tip of the outer trocar is retracted behind the blunt tip of the vitreous cutter tube to facilitate safe operation of the probe;
wherein the retraction mechanism is configured to secure the outer trocar tube in the first extended position and in the second retracted position. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification