Small diameter fragmatome for minimally traumatic retained lens fragments removal

• US 9,050,171 B2
• Filed: 05/12/2011
• Issued: 06/09/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: William J. Foster
• Original Assignee: William J. Foster
• Inventors: Foster, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): FARAH, AHMED M
• Application Number:
  US13/106,478
• Publication Number:
  US 20120083773A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,489 Days
• Field of Search: 606 4- 6, 606 10- 12, 606/107, 604 19- 28, 128/898
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2009/0087 Lens
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2009/00887 Cataract
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00745 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/008 using laser

Abstract

A medical instrument is disclosed, comprising a tubular member with proximal and distal ends. The distal end of the tubular member provides an elongated section having a substantially constant outside diameter of no more than 23-gauge (about 0.57 mm). The tubular member is in energy communication with an emulsification energy source disposed to deliver emulsification energy at the distal end of the tubular member. The tubular member may also be in suction communication with a suction source disposed to deliver suction at the distal end of the tubular member. The medical instrument may be used in a method to remove lens fragments from the eye, through incisions in the eye that are small enough not to require suturing after the operation.

Claims

1. A fragmatome for eye tissue removal, comprising:

a tubular fragmatome needle with proximal and distal ends, the fragmatome needle providing a lumen therethrough;

the distal end of the fragmatome needle providing an elongated section thereof, the elongated section of the fragmatome needle having a constant outside diameter of no more than 23-gauge;

a fragmatome handle connected to the proximal end of the fragmatome needle;

the fragmatome needle configured to be connected to an emulsification source, and when connected to the emulsification energy source, delivering emulsification energy at the distal end of the fragmatome needle; and

the lumen configured to be connected to a suction source, and when connected to the suction source, delivering suction at the distal end of the fragmatome needle;

the fragmatome needle further configured to deliver, at the distal end thereof, emulsification energy at selected times concurrently with said delivery of suction by the lumen.

2. The fragmatome of claim 1, in which said emulsification energy is selected from the group consisting of:

(a) ultrasound energy; and

(b) the laser energy.