Apparatus and method for phacoemulsification
First Claim
1. A phacoemulsification needle for use with a phacoemulsification handpiece, said needle comprising:
- an elongate needle body having an outer surface, an inner surface, a proximal end and a distal end,said elongated needle body defining a central longitudinal needle axis,said elongated needle body having an axial length along said central longitudinal needle axis between said proximal and distal ends,said elongated needle body having an aspiration passageway extending through said elongated needle body,said elongated needle body inner and outer surfaces defining therebetween a needle body wall having a body wall thickness;
a flaring needle tip formed at said elongated needle body distal end,said flaring needle tip having an exterior surface and an interior surface defining therebetween a needle tip wall terminating at a lip on a distal end of the flaring needle tip,said flaring needle tip having a mouth defined by said lip, said mouth defining a central longitudinal axis, said mouth central longitudinal axis substantially parallel to and offset from said elongated needle body central longitudinal needle axis, andat least a portion of said needle tip wall having a non-uniform distribution of mass.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Phacoemulsification needles are configured to cause eccentric or wobble-type motion by being formed to distribute the mass of the needle non-uniformly. In one version the non-uniform property is created by angling the needle'"'"'s aspiration passage with respect to the needle axis. In another, the needle tip walls are formed with non-uniform thicknesses, with or without including an off-axis configuration with respect to the needle aspiration passageway. In another, the needle tip walls are formed in a scalloped configuration. In another, external protuberances or “bumps” are formed on the needle tip exterior wall surfaces. In another, the needle tip walls have weighted inserts placed therein. In another, the needle tip is formed with skewed bevels and ridges. In another, the needle body is formed with non-uniformly shaped segments. In another, a portion of the needle tip is twisted with respect to the rest of the tip.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A phacoemulsification needle for use with a phacoemulsification handpiece, said needle comprising:
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an elongate needle body having an outer surface, an inner surface, a proximal end and a distal end, said elongated needle body defining a central longitudinal needle axis, said elongated needle body having an axial length along said central longitudinal needle axis between said proximal and distal ends, said elongated needle body having an aspiration passageway extending through said elongated needle body, said elongated needle body inner and outer surfaces defining therebetween a needle body wall having a body wall thickness; a flaring needle tip formed at said elongated needle body distal end, said flaring needle tip having an exterior surface and an interior surface defining therebetween a needle tip wall terminating at a lip on a distal end of the flaring needle tip, said flaring needle tip having a mouth defined by said lip, said mouth defining a central longitudinal axis, said mouth central longitudinal axis substantially parallel to and offset from said elongated needle body central longitudinal needle axis, and at least a portion of said needle tip wall having a non-uniform distribution of mass. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification