Vitrectomy probe with adjustable cutter port size
First Claim
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1. A vitrectomy probe comprising:
- a housing;
a cutter extending from a first end of the housing along a longitudinal axis, the cutter comprising;
an outer cutting member coupled to the housing;
an interior assembly comprising;
an inner cutting member slideable within the outer cutting member, the inner cutting member slideable between a retracted position and an extended position; and
an engagement surface; and
an adjustable port, a size of the adjustable port defined by an edge of an opening formed in the outer cutting member and an end surface of the inner cutting member when the inner cutting member is in a fully retracted position;
an oscillator operable to reciprocate the interior assembly; and
a stroke limiter operable to limit the size of the adjustable port, the stroke limiter movable longitudinally relative to the housing, a location where the engagement surface contacts the stroke limiter defining the fully retracted position of the inner cutting member; and
a stepper motor coupled to the housing and operable to actuate the stroke limiter to cause the longitudinal movement thereof,wherein the stepper motor comprises;
an eccentric gear moveable laterally relative to the housing, the eccentric gear comprising a first geared surface;
a first actuator operable to displace the eccentric gear in a first lateral direction; and
a second actuator operable to displace the eccentric gear in a second lateral direction angularly offset from the first lateral direction.
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Abstract
Vitrectomy probes and system related thereto are disclosed herein. The disclosure describes vitrectomy probes having an adjustable cutting port size. The cutting port size may be adjusted by altering a position of a stroke limiter via a stepper motor. Various example features are described for adjusting the size of the cutting port.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A vitrectomy probe comprising:
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a housing; a cutter extending from a first end of the housing along a longitudinal axis, the cutter comprising; an outer cutting member coupled to the housing; an interior assembly comprising; an inner cutting member slideable within the outer cutting member, the inner cutting member slideable between a retracted position and an extended position; and an engagement surface; and an adjustable port, a size of the adjustable port defined by an edge of an opening formed in the outer cutting member and an end surface of the inner cutting member when the inner cutting member is in a fully retracted position; an oscillator operable to reciprocate the interior assembly; and a stroke limiter operable to limit the size of the adjustable port, the stroke limiter movable longitudinally relative to the housing, a location where the engagement surface contacts the stroke limiter defining the fully retracted position of the inner cutting member; and a stepper motor coupled to the housing and operable to actuate the stroke limiter to cause the longitudinal movement thereof, wherein the stepper motor comprises; an eccentric gear moveable laterally relative to the housing, the eccentric gear comprising a first geared surface; a first actuator operable to displace the eccentric gear in a first lateral direction; and a second actuator operable to displace the eccentric gear in a second lateral direction angularly offset from the first lateral direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A vitrectomy probe comprising:
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a housing comprising a sleeve having an internal threaded surface; a cutter extending from a first end of the housing along a longitudinal axis, the cutter comprising; an outer cutting member coupled to the housing; an interior assembly comprising; an inner cutting member slideable within the outer cutting member, the inner cutting member slideable between a retracted position and an extended position; and an engagement surface; and an adjustable port, a size of the adjustable port defined by an edge of an opening formed in the outer cutting member and an end surface of the inner cutting member when the inner cutting member is in a fully retracted position; an oscillator operable to reciprocate the interior assembly; and a stroke limiter received within the sleeve and longitudinally moveable therein, the stroke limiter operable to contact the engagement surface at a selectable location to define the fully retracted position of the inner cutting member, the stroke limiter comprising; a member having a threaded outer surface matingly engaged with the internal threaded surface of the sleeve, the threaded outer surface and the internal threaded surface cooperatively engaging to convert a rotation of the stroke limiter into a longitudinal movement; and a stepper motor coupled to the housing and operable rotate the stroke limiter in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction, wherein the stepper motor comprises; an eccentric gear comprising; a first geared surface; and an opening adapted to receive the stroke limiter; a first actuator operable to displace the eccentric gear in a first lateral direction; and a second actuator operable to displace the eccentric gear in a second lateral direction that is angularly offset relative to the first lateral direction. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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Specification