Active acoustic streaming in hand piece for occlusion surge mitigation

• US 9,962,288 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2014
• Issued: 05/08/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Novartis Ag
• Inventors: Yalamanchili, Satish
• Primary Examiner(s): HAYMAN, IMANI N
• Application Number:
  US14/190,652
• Publication Number:
  US 20140257172A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,532 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00736 Instruments for removal of intra-ocular material or intra-ocular injection, e.g. cataract instruments A61F9/008 takes precedence
• 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 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• 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 1/774 Handpieces specially adapted for providing suction as well as irrigation, either simultaneously or independently
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0202 with electronic control means or interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0208 before use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/022 Volume; Flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0275 Pulsating jets; Vibrating nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0283 with at least two inner passageways, a first one for irrigating and a second for evacuating suction-irrigation systems A61M1/77; aspiration tips with fluid supply means A61M1/85; for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92

Abstract

An acoustic streaming arrangement supplements irrigation flow to a surgical site. The acoustic streaming arrangement may include an irrigation conduit configured to carry an irrigation fluid to a surgical site, a selectively vibrating flow generator having a sharp edge, and a driving device configured to selectively vibrate the flow generator to create a streaming fluid flow in a direction away from the sharp edge through the irrigation conduit. Systems and methods are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An acoustic streaming arrangement operable to provide supplemental irrigation fluid flow to a surgical site, the acoustic streaming arrangement comprising:

an irrigation conduit configured to carry an irrigation fluid to a surgical site;

an acoustic chamber in fluid communication with the irrigation conduit via a first shunt line at a first end of the acoustic chamber and a second shunt line at a second end of the acoustic chamber;

a flow generator disposed in the acoustic chamber, the flow generator having a sharp edge; and

a driving device configured to selectively vibrate the flow generator to create a streaming fluid flow in a direction away from the sharp edge through the irrigation conduit.

2. The acoustic streaming arrangement of claim 1, wherein the flow generator comprises two nonparallel surfaces forming an angle.

3. The acoustic streaming arrangement of claim 2, wherein the two nonparallel surfaces converge to form the sharp edge.

4. The acoustic streaming arrangement of claim 2, wherein the sharp edge defines an angle of 90 degrees or less.

5. The acoustic streaming arrangement of claim 1, wherein the driving device is configured to vibrate the flow generator at a resonance frequency of the flow generator.

6. The acoustic streaming arrangement of claim 1, wherein the driving device is one of a piezoelectric stack and a coil.

7. A surgical system, comprising:

an irrigation conduit configured to provide irrigation fluid to a surgical site; and

an acoustic streaming arrangement disposed in an acoustic chamber adjacent to and in fluid communication with the irrigation conduit;

a supplemental fluid flow generated by the acoustic streaming arrangement and introduced into the irrigation conduit via a shunt line, the supplemental fluid flow provided to the surgical site via the irrigation conduit.

8. The surgical system of claim 7, further comprising a hand-held surgical instrument, the acoustic streaming arrangement being disposed on the hand-held surgical instrument.

9. The surgical system of claim 7, further comprising a driving device,

wherein the acoustic streaming arrangement comprises a flow generator, and

wherein the driving device is configured to vibrate the flow generator to provide the supplemental fluid flow to the surgical site.

10. The surgical system of claim 9, wherein the flow generator comprises two nonparallel surfaces forming an angle.

11. The surgical system of claim 10, wherein the two nonparallel surfaces converge to form a sharp edge.

12. The surgical system of claim 11, wherein the sharp edge defines an angle of 90 degrees or less.

13. The surgical system of claim 7, further comprising an aspiration conduit configured to extend from the surgical site and operable to conduct fluid away from the surgical site.

14. The surgical system of claim 7, further comprising:

an irrigation system operable to direct irrigating fluid to an eye for a phacoemulsification procedure, the irrigation conduit being a part of the irrigation system;

an aspiration system operable to aspirate fluid from the eye during a phacoemulsification procedure; and

a phacoemulsification hand piece carrying the acoustic streaming arrangement, the hand piece being connected to both the irrigation system and the aspiration system.