Apparatus and method for performing phacoemulsification

• US 9,439,807 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2014
• Issued: 09/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fluidics Partners, LLC
• Original Assignee: Fluidics Partners, LLC
• Inventors: Koplin, Richard S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosen, Eric
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ulsh, George J
• Application Number:
  US14/197,295
• Publication Number:
  US 20140276365A1
• Time in Patent Office: 923 Days
• Field of Search: 606/107, 604/22
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32007 with suction or vacuum means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320084 Irrigation sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320088 with acoustic insulation, e.g. elements for damping vibrations between horn and surrounding sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00745 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic
• 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: A61M 1/77 Suction-irrigation systems aspiration tips supplying fluids A61M1/85; specific for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92; combined with tracheal tubes A61M16/0463

Abstract

An apparatus provides mechanical energy to vibrate a tip. The tip preferably formed of multiple prongs positioned approximately circumferentially (either symmetrically or asymmetrically) around an orifice of a needle. The tip is designed to emulsify a cataractous lens and to collect the resulting detritus through an aspiration aperture. An irrigating sleeve whose apertures/ports are protected from relative occlusion by untoward excursions of the phaco needle by a system of elevated stabilizing devices rising from within the inner wall of the sleeve (or from the outer wall of the phaco needle); this results in a plume or river of irrigating fluid exiting the sleeve that mitigates untoward dispersion of infusion fluid and material caught in its path including lens detritus, iris and other anatomical structures. This also provides for a more efficient process at the needle tip and therefore enhances aspirations of lens detritus in a more efficient and salutary manner as it flows to the aspiration aperture, said plume extend around the prongs. The prongs can be driven at either subsonic frequencies or ultrasonic frequencies. A stabilizer is provided to prevent the needle from interfering with the flow of the irrigating fluid during operation.

Claims

1. An apparatus for performing eye surgery comprising:

a vibration mechanism;

a handle connected to a source of irrigation fluid and including a needle having a cylindrical outside surface with a uniform needle diameter and a distal tip and being coupled to said vibration mechanism and adapted to be vibrated by said vibration mechanism, said handle further including an irrigation sleeve disposed around said needle and being configured for placement in the eye through a corneal or scleral wound;

said sleeve having an inlet and a port near said distal tip and an inner surface having a cylindrical shape and extending between said inlet and said port and defining a cannula between said sleeve and said needle, said sleeve receiving said irrigation fluid through said inlet and conducting said irrigation fluid along said outside surface through said cannula to said port; and

a plurality of stabilizers formed integrally with said sleeve between said inlet and extending inwardly into said cannula, said stabilizers being arranged within the sleeve to stabilize said needle and prevent said needle from deflection toward said irrigation aperture during said vibration; and

wherein said stabilizers each have axial and circumferential dimensions smaller than the dimensions of the sleeve selected to prevent the stabilizer from blocking a significant portion of the cannula and interfere with the irrigation fluid flow.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said port is configured to generate a plume of irrigation fluid at an angle of at least 90 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of said needle.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said angle is over 90 degrees.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said tip includes an aspiration aperture disposed at said tip, said irrigation aperture and said port cooperating to generate an irrigation plume between said port and said aspiration aperture and away from said tip.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said sleeve is formed with a plurality of ports disposed around said needle, said ports cooperating with said aspiration aperture to shape said plume into a toroidal shape.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said tip includes a plurality of prongs.

7. A device associated with an apparatus with a vibrating mechanism for providing surgery in the outside or within capsular bag of an eye, said apparatus comprising:

an elongated cylindrical tube terminating at one end with a tip and being adapted to couple to the apparatus at another end and adapted to vibrate, said tip having a cylindrical tip outer surface with a uniform diameter;

a sleeve covering a portion of said tip and including with an inlet receiving irrigation fluid and an irrigation aperture arranged to expel irrigation fluid from said sleeve away from said tip, said sleeve having a cylindrical inner surface forming a cannula with said tip outer surface, said cannula conducting irrigation fluid from said inlet to said irrigation aperture; and

a plurality of stabilizers disposed between said inlet and said aperture and arranged to stabilize said cylindrical tube during operation and prevent said cylindrical tube from occluding said irrigation aperture; and

wherein said stabilizers each have axial and circumferential dimensions smaller than the dimensions of the sleeve inner surface selected to prevent the stabilizer from blocking a significant portion of the cannula and interfere with the irrigation fluid flow.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said aperture is configured to generate a plume at an angle of at least 90 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of said needle.

9. The device of claim 7 wherein said tip is vibrating in a sonic frequency range.

10. The device of claim 7 wherein said tip is vibrating at a supersonic frequency range.

11. The device of claim 7 wherein said stabilizers are attached to said cylindrical inner surface.

12. The device of claim 7 wherein said stabilizers are attached to said tip outer surface.