Reduced friction vitrectomy probe
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vitrectomy probe, comprising:
- a housing;
a fluidic motor disposed within the housing, wherein the motor comprises a diaphragm connected to the drive shaft in a manner that drives the drive shaft in an oscillating manner;
a needle extending from the housing,a cutter assembly comprising;
an inner cutting member, comprising an aspiration path, disposed within and axially moveable relative to the needle;
a drive shaft disposed within the housing and axially moveable relative to the housing; and
a coupler disposed within the housing coupling the drive shaft and the inner cutting member, wherein the inner cutting member, drive shaft and coupler are co-linear such that axial motion of the drive shaft causes axial motion of the inner cutting member, andwherein the coupler diverts the aspiration path, from the inner cutting member, away from the drive shaft such that the aspiration path does not flow through the drive shaft;
the motor being associated with the drive shaft in a manner that drives the cutter assembly in an oscillating manner; and
two or fewer seals within the housing for sealing against fluid leakage, wherein a first seal of the two or fewer seals is in contact with the inner cutting member and wherein a second seal of the two or fewer seals is in contact with the drive shaft between the motor and the coupler.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vitrectomy probe includes a housing, a fluidic motor disposed within the housing, a needle extending from the housing, and a cutter assembly. The cutter assembly includes an inner cutting member disposed within and axially moveable relative to the needle, a drive shaft disposed within the housing and axially moveable relative to the housing, and a coupler disposed within the housing coupling the drive shaft and the inner cutting member. The motor is associated with the drive shaft in a manner that drives the cutter assembly in an oscillating manner. The probe also includes two or fewer seals within the housing in contact with the cutter assembly for sealing against fluid leakage.
70 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A vitrectomy probe, comprising:
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a housing; a fluidic motor disposed within the housing, wherein the motor comprises a diaphragm connected to the drive shaft in a manner that drives the drive shaft in an oscillating manner; a needle extending from the housing, a cutter assembly comprising; an inner cutting member, comprising an aspiration path, disposed within and axially moveable relative to the needle; a drive shaft disposed within the housing and axially moveable relative to the housing; and a coupler disposed within the housing coupling the drive shaft and the inner cutting member, wherein the inner cutting member, drive shaft and coupler are co-linear such that axial motion of the drive shaft causes axial motion of the inner cutting member, and wherein the coupler diverts the aspiration path, from the inner cutting member, away from the drive shaft such that the aspiration path does not flow through the drive shaft; the motor being associated with the drive shaft in a manner that drives the cutter assembly in an oscillating manner; and two or fewer seals within the housing for sealing against fluid leakage, wherein a first seal of the two or fewer seals is in contact with the inner cutting member and wherein a second seal of the two or fewer seals is in contact with the drive shaft between the motor and the coupler. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A vitrectomy probe, comprising:
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a housing, a fluidic motor disposed within the housing, wherein the motor comprises a diaphragm connected to the drive shaft in a manner that drives the drive shaft in an oscillating manner; a needle extending from the housing, the needle comprising an outer cutting member, a cutter assembly comprising; an inner cutting member, comprising an aspiration path, disposed within and axially moveable relative to the needle; a drive shaft disposed within the housing and axially moveable relative to the housing; a coupler disposed within the housing coupling the drive shaft and the inner cutting member, wherein the inner cutting member, drive shaft and coupler are co-linear such that axial motion of the drive shaft causes axial motion of the inner cutting member, and wherein the coupler diverts the aspiration path, from the inner cutting member, away from the drive shaft such that the aspiration path does not flow through the drive shaft; the motor being associated with the drive shaft in a manner that drives the cutter assembly in an oscillating manner; a total of two seals within the housing for sealing against fluid leakage, the total of two seals comprising; a first seal sealing about the cutter assembly, the first seal being disposed in fluid communication with at least one air port and prevents fluid flow along the cutter assembly; and a second seal sealing about the cutter assembly, the second seal being disposed in fluid communication with the aspiration pressure to prevent air flow past the second seal and into aspiration fluid flow. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification