Quick-opening vent valve for phaco fluidics aspiration system

• US 9,931,447 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2014
• Issued: 04/03/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Novartis Ag
• Inventors: Layser, Gregory S., White, Daniel G., Yalamanchili, Satish
• Primary Examiner(s): BOUCHELLE, LAURA A
• Application Number:
  US14/571,374
• Publication Number:
  US 20160166742A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,204 Days
• Field of Search: 604119, 251207-209
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00745 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/72 Cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/742 by changing the size of a vent A61M1/7411 takes precedence
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/229 Stopcocks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/128 with incorporated valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0201 Cassettes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 27/065 with cylindrical plugs
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 5/0407 with particular plug arrangements, e.g. particular shape or built-in means
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 5/18 for plugs with cylindrical surfaces

Abstract

Apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided for rapid venting of vacuum to mitigate occlusion break surge within a phaco fluidics aspiration system. The aspiration system may utilize a positive displacement pump to generate flow and a vent valve to vent or moderate the pressure or vacuum level based on pressure sensor feedback detected within the eye and at the pump. Embodiments described herein provide a quick-opening vent valve that produces a quick-opening flow response upon angular rotation of the quick-opening vent valve. The flow performance at the quick-opening vent valve is improved by increasing the effective cross-sectional area of the valve at near-closed valve positions. In particular, the increase in the cross-sectional area is achieved by forming a concaving edge portion to complement a circular edge of and opening of a flow channel formed through the vent valve.

Claims

1. A phacoemulsification surgical system, comprising:

an irrigation system configured to provide an irrigating fluid to a surgical site; and

an aspiration system arranged to aspirate an aspirating fluid from the surgical site, the aspiration system comprising;

an aspiration path configured to direct the aspirating fluid away from the surgical site to an aspirating fluid drain; and

a cassette disposed in the aspiration path, the cassette comprising;

a pump interface portion configured to pass the aspirating fluid along the aspiration path to the aspirating fluid drain;

a vent path connecting the aspiration path to a vent reservoir bypassing the pump interface portion;

a valve chamber having a solid wall and a first opening in the solid wall, the first opening having a first edge portion between the solid wall and the first opening;

a vent valve disposed in the valve chamber and configured to selectively rotate between an open position and a closed position, the vent valve comprising a flow channel therethrough, the flow channel having a second opening selectively alignable with the solid wall in the closed position to prevent fluid flow therethrough and alignable with the first opening in the open position to permit fluid flow therethrough, the second opening of the vent valve having a second edge portion substantially complementary in shape to the first edge portion of the valve chamber, wherein the first edge portion of the valve chamber and the second edge portion of the vent valve pass each other as the vent valve transitions from the closed position to the open position;

wherein one of the first edge portions and the second edge portions has a convex shape;

wherein the other of the first edge portion and the second edge portion has a concave shape complementing the convex shape;

wherein the concave shape has a radius substantially the same as that of a circular shape; and

wherein the second opening of the flow channel comprises the concave shape and has an hour-glass shape including two concaving sides of the hour-glass shape.

2. The phacoemulsification surgical system of claim 1,

wherein the flow channel has a circular cross sectional shape;

and

wherein the second opening of the flow channel transitions gradually from the hour-glass shape to the circular cross sectional shape of the flow channel.

3. The phacoemulsification surgical system of claim 1, wherein the vent valve is a rotary cock stop valve.

4. The phacoemulsification surgical system of claim 1, further comprising:

a motor configured to rotate the vent valve between the open position and the closed position to selectively open and close the vent path;

a pressure sensor disposed in the hand piece and configured to detect a fluid pressure; and

a controller configured to detect a vacuum in the aspirating fluid via the pressure sensor and control the motor to rotate the vent valve from the closed position to the open position when the vacuum is detected.

5. The phacoemulsification surgical system of claim 4, wherein the vent valve further comprises:

a motor engagement portion configured to engage the motor when the cassette is installed onto the phacoemulsification surgical system; and

a body portion through which the flow channel is formed,

wherein, when the vent valve is installed in the valve chamber, the body portion of the vent valve is disposed within the valve chamber and the motor engagement portion protrudes from the valve chamber.

6. The phacoemulsification surgical system of claim 5,

wherein the motor engagement portion of the vent valve comprises a rotation restriction portion configured to slide on a top surface of the valve chamber when the vent valve rotates,

wherein the valve chamber further comprises a rotation stopper disposed on the top surface of the valve chamber, and

wherein the rotation stopper is configured to stop a rotation of the vent valve by stopping when the rotation restriction portion of the vent valve slides up against the rotation stopper.

7. The phacoemulsification surgical system of claim 6, where a rotation range of the vent valve is defined by positions and sizes of the rotation stopper of the valve chamber and the rotation restriction portion of the vent valve.

8. A cassette for use in an aspiration system of a phacoemulsification surgical system, comprising:

a pump interface portion configured to pass an aspirating fluid along an aspiration path;

a vent path connecting the aspiration path to a vent reservoir bypassing the pump interface portion;

a valve chamber having a solid wall and a first opening formed in the solid wall, the first opening having a first edge portion between the solid wall and the first opening; and

a vent valve disposed in the valve chamber and configured to selectively rotate between an open position and a closed position, the valve chamber comprising a flow channel therethrough, the flow channel having a second opening selectively alignable with the solid wall in the closed position to prevent fluid flow therethrough and alignable with the first opening in the open position to permit fluid flow therethrough, the second opening of the vent valve having a second edge portion substantially complementary in shape to the first edge portion of the valve chamber, wherein the first edge portion of the valve chamber and the second edge portion of the vent valve passes each other as the vent valve transitions from the closed position to the open position;

wherein one of the first edge portion and the second edge portion has a convex shape, and

wherein the other of the first edge portion and the second edge portion has a concave shape complementing the convex shape;

wherein the concave shape has a radius substantially the same as that of the convex shape;

wherein the concave shape comprises an hour-glass shape including two concaving sides of the hour-glass shape.

9. The cassette of claim 8,

wherein the flow channel has a circular cross sectional shape;

and

wherein the second opening of the flow channel transitions gradually from the hour-glass shape to the circular cross sectional shape of the flow channel.

10. The cassette of claim 8, wherein the vent valve is a rotary cock stop valve.

11. The cassette of claim 8, wherein the valve chamber is formed with a first thermoplastic material and the vent valve is formed with a second thermoplastic material less rigid than the first thermoplastic material, such that the vent valve is press fit into the valve chamber.

12. A rotary vent valve for use in a cassette installed in an aspiration system of a phacoemulsification surgical system, the rotary vent valve comprising:

a motor engagement portion configured to engage a motor by which the rotary vent valve is rotated; and

a body portion through which a flow channel and two openings of the flow channel are formed, wherein an edge portion of at least one of the two openings of the flow channel has a concave shape;

wherein the at least one of the two openings of the flow channel has an hour-glass shape including the edge portion as one of two concave sides of the hour-glass shape.

13. The rotary vent valve of claim 12, wherein the flow channel has a circular cross sectional shape and the at least one of the two openings of the flow channel transitions gradually from the hour-glass shape to the circular shape of the flow channel.