Vitrectomy probe with adjustable cutter port size

• US 9,180,049 B2
• Filed: 05/05/2014
• Issued: 11/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alcon Research Limited (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Underwood, John R., Auld, Jack Robert, Huculak, John Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): Fristoe, Jr., John K
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le, Minh
• Application Number:
  US14/269,847
• Publication Number:
  US 20140243735A1
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• Field of Search: 137/596.1, 137/596.17, 137/625.43, 606/166, 606/167, 606/171, 914/44, 914/54, 914/63
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32002 with continuously rotating, oscillating or reciprocating cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320783 through side-hole, e.g. sliding or rotating cutter inside catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00402 Piezo electric actuators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320028 with reciprocating movements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 with suction drainage system
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00763 with rotating or reciprocating cutting elements, e.g. concentric cutting needles atherectomy cutting instruments A61B17/3207; endoscopic cutting instruments A61B17/320016
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86839 Four port reversing valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87217 Motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87233 Biased exhaust valve

Abstract

Vitrectomy probes and system related thereto are disclosed herein. The disclosure describes various example vitrectomy probes having an adjustable cutting port size. Various example features are described for adjusting the size of the cutting port. Further, the disclosure provides examples for adjusting the size of the cutter port while the vitrectomy probe is in operation.

Claims

1. A control system for operating a vitrectomy probe and controlling a port size of the vitrectomy probe comprising:

an output valve;

a first output port operable to communicate pneumatic pressure to the vitrectomy probe, the first output port coupled to the output valve;

a second output port operable to communicate pneumatic pressure to the vitrectomy probe, the second output port coupled to the output valve;

a first conduit coupled to the output valve and operable to communicate pneumatic pressure to the output valve;

a venting control valve;

a second conduit extending between the output valve and the venting control valve operable to conduct pneumatic pressure from the output valve to the venting control valve;

a first outlet coupled to the venting control valve and open to the atmosphere; and

a controller operable to;

oscillate the output valve between a first position in which the first conduit is in communication with the first output port and the second conduit is in communication with the second output port, and a second position in which the first conduit is in communication with the second output port and the first output port is in communication with the second conduit, the output valve maintained at the first position and the second position for a selected time period;

move the venting control valve from a first position in which the second conduit provides a first amount of communication with the first outlet and a second position in which the second conduit provides a second amount of communication with the first outlet when the output valve is in one of the first position or second position;

maintain the venting control valve in the second position for a first period of time less than the selected period of time when the output valve is in one of the first position or second position to define the port size of the vitrectomy probe; and

move the venting control valve from the first position to the second position after the first period of time has elapsed.

2. The control system of claim 1, wherein the first amount of communication is greater than the second amount of communication.

3. The control system of claim 1, wherein the venting control valve is an on/off valve,

wherein the first amount of communication between the second conduit and the first outlet when the venting control valve is in the first position comprises a full amount of communication between the second conduit and the first outlet, and

wherein the second amount of communication between the second conduit and the first outlet when the venting control valve is in the second position comprises no communication between the second conduit and the first outlet.

4. The control system of claim 1, wherein the venting control valve is a proportional valve and wherein the first amount of communication is greater than the second amount of communication.

5. The control system of claim 1, wherein the venting control valve is a proportional valve,

wherein the first amount of communication provided between the second conduit and the first outlet when the venting control valve is in the first position comprises a first variable amount of communication, and

wherein the second amount of communication provided between the second conduit and the first outlet when the venting control valve is in the second position comprises a second variable amount of communication between the second conduit and the first outlet, the first variable amount being different than the second variable amount.

6. The control system of claim 1 further comprising:

an isolation valve, the first conduit extending between the isolation valve and the output valve;

an inlet conduit coupled to the isolation valve and operable to communicate pneumatic pressure to the isolation valve,

a second outlet coupled to the isolation valve and open to the atmosphere;

wherein the controller is further operable to move the isolation valve between a first position in which the first conduit is in communication with the second outlet to vent pneumatic pressure in the first conduit to the atmosphere and a second position in which the inlet conduit is in communication with the first conduit to conduct pneumatic pressure to the output valve.

7. The control system of claim 6 further comprising:

a first pressure sensor coupled to the first output port; and

a second pressure sensor coupled to the second output port,

wherein controller is operable to;

receive a first signal from the first pressure sensor corresponding to pneumatic pressure at the first output port and a second signal from the second pressure sensor corresponding to pneumatic pressure at the second output port; and

move the isolation valve to the first position if the first pressure signal or the second pressure signal is outside of a selected range.