Reversible peristaltic pump and other structures for reflux in eye surgery

• US 8,852,139 B2
• Filed: 11/09/2007
• Issued: 10/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Abbott Medical Optics Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: King, David, Muri, John I., Sutton, Thomas B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bosworth, Kami A
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAYMAN, IMANI N
• Application Number:
  US11/937,640
• Publication Number:
  US 20080114290A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,524 Days
• Field of Search: 604/35, 604/294, 604/296, 604/30, 604/34, 604/118, 604/131
• US Class Current: 604/28
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00745 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/72 Cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/73 comprising sensors or indicators for physical values
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/742 by changing the size of a vent A61M1/7411 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/77 Suction-irrigation systems aspiration tips supplying fluids A61M1/85; specific for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92; combined with tracheal tubes A61M16/0463
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/774 Handpieces specially adapted for providing suction as well as irrigation, either simultaneously or independently
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/802 by vacuum created above a liquid flowing from a closed container
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/12 with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3351 Controlling upstream pump pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0201 Cassettes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0202 with electronic control means or interfaces

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods for treatment of an eye alter aspiration flow from the eye in response to an occlusion of the aspiration conduit pathway. Where aspiration is drawn from the eye using a volumetric pump, the pump can be reversed so as to induce fluid reflux from the aspiration conduit pathway into the eye to help clear the occlusion. The pump may vary the reverse flow in response to sensed aspiration pressure or the like, and the reverse flow may be halted before the pressure within the aspiration conduit pathway adjacent the eye significantly exceeds the irrigation fluid pressure and/or the pressure within the eye. Reflux may alternatively be generated by modulating a vent valve disposed between an irrigation conduit pathway and the aspiration conduit pathway.

Claims

1. An eye treatment method comprising:

providing a phacoemulsification system comprising

an irrigation conduit pathway,

an aspiration pathway,

a pump, wherein the pump is coupled with the aspiration pathway, and

a pressure sensor, wherein the pressure sensor is coupled with the aspiration pathway;

directing an irrigation flow into the eye through the irrigation conduit pathway;

aspirating material from within the eye by drawing an aspiration flow through the aspiration conduit pathway with the pump; and

sensing a pressure via the pressure sensor indicating pressure within the aspiration conduit pathway;

providing a first correlation between the sensed pressure and a reverse pump speed, or between the sensed pressure and a reverse flow rate;

providing a second correlation between the sensed pressure and the reverse pump speed, or between the sensed pressure and the reverse flow rate;

reversing the pump to provide an initial reverse flow rate;

based on the sensed pressure, selecting the first correlation or the second correlation, the sensed pressure being within a predetermined pressure range;

and based on the selection, controlling the reverse pumping flow rate.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pump comprises a volumetric pump, wherein an occlusion induces a complaint reduction in volume of the aspiration conduit between the eye and the pump, and wherein the reversing of the pump at least partially compensates for the reduction in volume.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising controlling the reversing of the pump in response to an aspiration system parameter.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the reversing of the pump is halted when the sensed pressure is less than or substantially equal to an irrigation flow pressure at the eye so that the reflux into the eye is largely generated by momentum in the aspiration conduit pathway toward the eye.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein a substantially constant reverse pumping flow rate is maintained while the sensed pressure comprises a vacuum above a vacuum threshold.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein a reduced reverse pumping flow rate is determined from the sensed pressure is between a vacuum threshold and atmospheric pressure, the reduced reverse pumping flow rate decreasing linearly with decreasing vacuum.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the reduced reverse pumping flow rate is determined from the sensed pressure that is more than atmospheric pressure and while a pressure of the aspiration flow adjacent the eye is less than an irrigation pressure at the eye, the reduced reverse pumping flow rate decreasing linearly with increasing pressure.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the irrigation and aspiration flows are initiated by actuation of a foot pedal input device from a nominal undeflected position to a first position, and from the first position to the second position, respectively, and wherein the pump is reversed while the foot pedal input device is released back to the nominal position.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling the reversing of the pump in response to a pressure of the irrigation flow and a height of the eye of the patient.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the height of the eye of the patient is estimated from a height of an accessory tray of the system.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein a vacuum source is coupled to the aspiration fluid conduit by an aspiration selector valve, and further comprising closing the aspiration selector valve during the aspiration of material and reversing of the pump.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first correlation and the second correlation are each linear correlations, the second correlation having a slope that is different from the first correlation.