DUAL BLADE OPHTHALMOLOGIC SURGERY DEVICE

• US 20180125712A1
• Filed: 09/25/2017
• Published: 05/10/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsurgical Technology Incorporated (Halma PLC)
• Original Assignee: Neomedix Corp.
• Inventors: Sorensen, John T., Mittelstein, Michael, Mirhashemi, Soheila
• Granted Patent: US 10,888,460 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1482 having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320064 with tissue or sample retaining means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1497 Electrodes covering only part of the probe circumference
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/007 Methods or devices for eye surgery
• 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 9/00781 Apparatus for modifying intraocular pressure, e.g. for glaucoma treatment drainage implants in general A61M27/002
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0079 using non-laser electromagnetic radiation, e.g. non-coherent light or microwaves

Abstract

A dual blade device and method useable for performing an ab interno procedure within a human eye to remove a strip of trabecular meshwork tissue.

Claims

1. A dual blade device useable for performing an ab interno procedure within a human eye to remove a strip of trabecular meshwork tissue, said device comprising:

a handle configured to be grasped by an operator'"'"'s hand;

an elongate probe that extends from the handle along a longitudinal axis to a distal end;

a blunt protruding tip that extends laterally from the distal end of the probe forming a bend or curve of approximately 30 degrees to approximately 90 degrees relative to the adjacent longitudinal axis of the probe, the blunt protruding tip having a transverse width, a top surface, a bottom surface and a terminal end, the transverse width of the blunt protruding tip being narrowest at its terminal end;

first and second laterally directed cutting edges formed at stationary, spaced-apart locations on the distal end of the probe with an area existing between the first and second lateral cutting edges, the first and second lateral cutting edges having top ends and being oriented in side-by-side planes such that they will simultaneously cut tissue that passes over the top surface of the blunt protruding tip and into contact with the first and second lateral cutting edges; and

a blunt top edge that extends transversely from the top end of the first lateral cutting edge to the top end of the second lateral cutting edge and traverses above the area between the first and second lateral cutting edges;

wherein;

a) the top surface of the blunt protruding tip is below the area between the first and second lateral cutting and extends ahead of the first and second lateral cutting edges such that tissue may pass over the top surface of the blunt protruding tip and then into contact with the first and second lateral cutting edges;

b) a distal portion of the probe, inclusive of the blunt protruding tip, is sized to pass through an incision formed in the eye by a 1.5 mm slit knife; and

c) the blunt protruding tip is sized to fit within Schlemm'"'"'s Canal of the human eye and, when so positioned, is advanceable through Schlemm'"'"'s Canal with trabecular meshwork tissue passing over its top surface and into contact with the first and second lateral cutting edges.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the first and second lateral cutting edges are spaced apart by a distance D and cut a strip of trabecular meshwork tissue having a width W that is substantially equal to distance D.

3. A device according to claim 1 useable for cutting a sector of trabecular meshwork tissue having a length of 2 to 10 millimeters.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein the bottom surface of the blunt protruding tip extends at an angle of approximately 90 degrees relative to the adjacent longitudinal axis of the shaft.

5. A system comprising a device according to claim 1 in combination with a 1.5 mm slit knife for forming said incision in the human eye.

6. A device according to claim 1 wherein the device is manually operable to remove a strip of trabecular meshwork tissue.

7. A device according claim 1 wherein the shaft comprises a tube having at least one lumen.