Laser welding of disc to close needle end
First Claim
1. An ophthalmic surgical cutting apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
- a hollow needle, the needle havingan inner surface defining an inner diameter,an outer surface defining an outer diameter,a wall defined between the inner surface and the outer surface and having a wall thickness,a first end configured to be connected to a handle,a second end opposite the first end,an end cap welded to the second end by a weld, the end cap having a substantially flat inner surface, a substantially flat outer surface, and an end cap diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer surface of the needle, the weld having an inner portion that is positioned within the needle, an outer portion of the weld that is not within the needle, and defining a weld thickness that is greater than the wall thickness, anda port positioned a tip distance from the outer surface of the end cap; and
wherein the hollow needle is configured to receive a hollow cutter having a cutting edge disposed on a distal end and an outer cutter surface defining an outer cutter diameter, the outer cutter diameter of the cutter being less than the inner diameter of the needle, the distal end being movable past the port by an overtravel distance.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cutting apparatus has a handle and a hollow needle having a first end connected to the handle and a second end. The needle outer diameter is about 0.04 inch or less. An end cap is formed from a blank material. Preferably, at least one bridge is formed between the end cap and the blank material. The end cap is welded to the second end to enclose the needle and then the bridge is cut. The end cap has substantially flat inner and outer surfaces. The needle has a port and a hollow cutter that slides within the needle. The cutter has a first end connected to a drive, and a second end having a cutting edge. An outer cutter diameter is less than the needle inner diameter. The drive reciprocates the cutter within the needle to perform a cut.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An ophthalmic surgical cutting apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
a hollow needle, the needle having an inner surface defining an inner diameter, an outer surface defining an outer diameter, a wall defined between the inner surface and the outer surface and having a wall thickness, a first end configured to be connected to a handle, a second end opposite the first end, an end cap welded to the second end by a weld, the end cap having a substantially flat inner surface, a substantially flat outer surface, and an end cap diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer surface of the needle, the weld having an inner portion that is positioned within the needle, an outer portion of the weld that is not within the needle, and defining a weld thickness that is greater than the wall thickness, and a port positioned a tip distance from the outer surface of the end cap; and wherein the hollow needle is configured to receive a hollow cutter having a cutting edge disposed on a distal end and an outer cutter surface defining an outer cutter diameter, the outer cutter diameter of the cutter being less than the inner diameter of the needle, the distal end being movable past the port by an overtravel distance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of manufacturing an ophthalmic surgical cutting apparatus, the ophthalmic surgical cutting apparatus including an end cap coupled to an end of a hollow needle, the method comprising:
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forming an end cap from a blank material, wherein the forming leaves at least one bridge configured to couple the end cap to the blank material; forming a port through the side of the needle, the port being positioned a tip distance from an inner surface of the end cap; welding the end cap to the needle to enclose one end of the needle; and cutting the at least one bridge during welding. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification