Devices, Systems, and Methods for Tip Vacuum Control During Aspiration

• US 20150157501A1
• Filed: 12/05/2013
• Published: 06/11/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alcon Research Limited (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Bourne, John Morgan, Carpenter, John Richard
• Granted Patent: US 9,731,065 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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: A61M 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• 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 1/772 operating alternately
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/774 Handpieces specially adapted for providing suction as well as irrigation, either simultaneously or independently
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/84 Drainage tubes; Aspiration tips for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/90; for surgical cutting instruments A61B17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/85 with gas or fluid supply means, e.g. for supplying rinsing fluids or anticoagulants for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92, A61M1/94; combined with tracheal tubes A61M16/0463; dental instruments with combined rinsing and aspirating A61C17/0208
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0216 Pressure
• 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

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for insertion in an eye of a patient for aspirating material from the eye in the treatment of an ocular condition, the apparatus comprising a needle disposed at a distal end of the apparatus, an aspiration channel extending from a distal aperture of the needle to a proximal end of the apparatus, and an irrigation sleeve coaxially disposed about the needle. The aspiration channel comprises a proximal portion having a first diameter, a bypass portion having a second diameter and at least one bypass port, and a distal portion having a third diameter. The second diameter is larger than the first diameter. The irrigation sleeve and the needle form an annular irrigation passageway therebetween. The bypass port is shaped and configured to establish fluid communication between the irrigation passageway and the aspiration channel.

Claims

1. An apparatus for insertion in an eye of a patient for aspirating material from the eye in the treatment of an ocular condition, the apparatus comprising:

a needle disposed at a distal end of the apparatus, the needle including a distal aperture;

an aspiration channel extending from the distal aperture of the needle to a proximal end of the apparatus, the aspiration channel comprising a proximal portion having a first diameter, a bypass portion having a second diameter, and a distal portion having a third diameter, wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter;

an irrigation sleeve coaxially disposed about the needle, the irrigation sleeve and the needle forming an annular irrigation passageway therebetween; and

at least one bypass port formed within the bypass portion of the aspiration channel, wherein the at least one bypass port is shaped and configured to establish fluid communication between the irrigation passageway and the aspiration channel.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bypass portion of the aspiration channel is a portion of the needle.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a body disposed at a proximal end of the apparatus, wherein the aspiration channel extends through the needle and the body, and the bypass portion of the aspiration channel is disposed within the body.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a coupler shaped and configured to couple the needle and the body, wherein the aspiration channel extends through the coupler, and the bypass portion of the aspiration channel is disposed within the coupler.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second diameter and the third diameter are equal.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second diameter is larger than the third diameter.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sealing element disposed on the irrigation sleeve adjacent the irrigation passageway, the sealing element being shaped and configured to selectively seat against the at least one bypass port and block fluid flow through the at least one bypass port with the application of force on the sealing element.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the sealing element comprises a displaceable portion of the irrigation sleeve configured to shift into the irrigation passageway to seat against the at least one bypass port with the application of force upon the sealing element in the direction of the aspiration channel.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising an annular chamber formed within the irrigation sleeve to circumferentially surround the aspiration channel, wherein the sealing element is disposed on the irrigation sleeve between the annular chamber and the irrigation passageway.

10. An apparatus for insertion in an eye of a patient for aspirating material from the eye in the treatment of an ocular condition, the apparatus comprising:

an aspiration channel extending from a distal end to a proximal end of the apparatus, the aspiration channel comprising a proximal portion having a first diameter, a bypass portion having a second diameter, and a distal portion having a third diameter, the distal portion in fluid communication with the distal aperture of the needle, wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter;

an irrigation sleeve coaxially disposed about the aspiration channel, the irrigation sleeve and the aspiration channel forming an annular irrigation passageway therebetween;

at least one bypass port formed within the bypass portion of the aspiration channel, wherein the at least one bypass port is shaped and configured to establish fluid communication between the irrigation passageway and the aspiration channel; and

a sealing element disposed on the irrigation sleeve adjacent the irrigation passageway, the sealing element being shaped and configured to selectively seat against the at least one bypass port and block fluid flow through the at least one bypass port with the application of force on the sealing element.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a needle disposed at the distal end of the apparatus, wherein the bypass portion of the aspiration channel is a portion of the needle.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a body disposed at a proximal end of the apparatus, wherein the aspiration channel extends through the needle and the body, and the bypass portion of the aspiration channel is disposed within the body.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a coupler shaped and configured to couple the needle and the body, wherein the aspiration channel extends through the coupler, and the bypass portion of the aspiration channel is disposed within the coupler.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second diameter is larger than the third diameter.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the sealing element comprises a displaceable portion of the irrigation sleeve configured to shift into the irrigation passageway to seat against the at least one bypass port with the application of force upon the sealing element in the direction of the aspiration channel.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising an annular chamber formed within the irrigation sleeve to circumferentially surround the aspiration channel, wherein the sealing element is disposed between the annular chamber and the irrigation passageway.

17. A method for controlling vacuum pressures within an aspiration handpiece for insertion within an eye of a patient, comprising:

positioning a distal tip of the aspiration handpiece within the eye, the distal tip in fluid communication with an aspiration channel extending from the distal tip to a proximal end of the handpiece, the aspiration channel including a distal portion having a first diameter and a bypass portion having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter, the bypass portion including at least one bypass port;

providing irrigation fluid to the eye through an irrigation sleeve coaxially disposed about the aspiration channel, the irrigation sleeve and the needle forming an annular irrigation passageway therebetween;

allowing irrigation fluid to pass from the irrigation passageway into the aspiration lumen through the at least one bypass port; and

providing a vacuum pressure within the aspiration channel to aspirate fluid and tissue from the eye through the distal tip into the aspiration channel.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising increasing the vacuum pressure within the aspiration channel by selectively blocking flow through the at least one bypass port.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising applying force on a sealing element disposed on the irrigation sleeve adjacent the irrigation passageway, the sealing element being shaped and configured to selectively seat against the at least one bypass port and block fluid flow through the at least one bypass port.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein applying force on a sealing element comprises compressing an annular chamber formed within the irrigation sleeve to circumferentially surround the aspiration channel, wherein the sealing element is disposed on the irrigation sleeve between the annular chamber and the irrigation passageway.