Apparatus and method to elevate an infusion source

• US 5,876,016 A
• Filed: 05/14/1997
• Issued: 03/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Novartis Ag
• Original Assignee: Alcon Universal Ltd.
• Inventors: Franks, Matthew A., Urban, Theodore A.
• Primary Examiner(s): BERGER, DEREK JOEL
• Application Number:
  US08/856,066
• Time in Patent Office: 657 Days
• Field of Search: 248/121, 248/125, 248/129, 248/158, 248/159, 248/176.1, 604/246
• US Class Current: 248/159
• 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: A61M 1/72 Cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• 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 2205/3569 sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0201 Cassettes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0202 with electronic control means or interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0208 before use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0212 after use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/022 Volume; Flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0241 the liquid being supplied by gravity
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0266 Stands, holders or storage means for irrigation devices containers with storage means for cannula A61M3/0245
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0287 with an external liquid collector

Abstract

An apparatus and method to elevate an infusion source, the pole of a control unit is increased by about thirty-two (32) cm to increase the height of an infusion bottle attached to a hanger on the pole during ophthalmic surgery including that performed with a phacoemulsification surgical handpiece. The control unit being for irrigation and suction lines that lead to the phacoemulsification surgical handpiece used to conduct eye surgery.

Claims

1. An apparatus to elevate an infusion source, comprising:

an infusion source;

an irrigation tubular element extending from said infusion source to channel fluid therethrough;

a base having an area accommodating said irrigation tubular element, said irrigation tubular element channeling the fluid to flow from the infusion source to said area and then in a direction away from said base;

an extension member extending from said base;

a pole adaptor; and

a hanger spaced from said base and holding said infusion source at an elevation higher than that of said area of said base, said pole adaptor being arranged between said hanger and said extension member to space apart said hanger from said base so that an elevational difference between said infusion source and said area of said base is between 79 cm and 140 cm.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said pole adaptor extends in an upright position with said infusion source at a higher elevation than said base so that said distance provides adequate infusion delivery for at least 250 mm Hg of vacuum.

3. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said pole adaptor has a length between opposite end portions of about 1 cm to about 62 cm.

4. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising a phacoemulsification surgical instrument, connected between said irrigation tubular element and a suction tubular element.

5. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising a cassette in the area, said irrigation tubular element being connected to said cassette.

6. An apparatus as in claim 5, further comprising irrigation and suction lines attached to said cassette.

7. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said base and hanger each have respective connection areas, said pole adaptor having opposite ends each configured to connect in a complementary manner to respective ones of the connection areas of said base and hanger.

8. A method to elevate an infusion source, comprising the steps of:

channeling fluid to flow from an infusion source through an irrigation tubular element;

accommodating said irrigation tubular element in an area of a base, said irrigation tubular element channeling the fluid to flow from the infusion source to said area and then in a direction away from said base;

holding the infusion source by the hanger at an elevation higher than that of said area of said base;

extending an extension member from said base; and

arranging a pole adaptor between said extension member and the hanger to space apart said hanger from said base an elevational difference between said infusion source and said area of said base is between 79 cm and 140 cm.

9. A method as in claim 8, wherein the step of extending includes extending said extension member in an upright position with said infusion source at a higher elevation than said base so that said distance provides adequate infusion delivery for at least 250 mm Hg of vacuum.

10. A method as in claim 8, wherein said pole adaptor has a length between opposite end portions of about 1 cm to about 62 cm.

11. A method as in claim 8, further comprising the step of connecting said irrigation tubular element and a suction tubular element to a phacoemulsification instrument.

12. A method as in claim 8, wherein said base and hanger each have respective connection areas, said pole adaptor having opposite ends, further comprising the step of connecting the ends in a complementary manner to respective ones of the connection areas of said base and hanger.

13. An apparatus to elevate an infusion source, comprising:

an infusion source;

an irrigation tubular element extending from said infusion source to channel fluid therethrough;

a base having an area accommodating said irrigation tubular element, said irrigation tubular element channeling the fluid to flow from the infusion source to said area and then in a direction away from said base;

at least one extension member extending from said base;

a pole adaptor; and

a hanger spaced from said area of said base and holding said infusion source at an elevation higher than said area of said base, said pole adaptor being arranged between said hanger and said extension member to space said hanger and base apart so that an elevational difference between said infusion source and said area of said base is sufficient to provide adequate infusion delivery from the infusion source to said area of said base of at least 250 mm Hg of vacuum.

14. An apparatus as in claim 13, wherein said pole adaptor has a length between opposite end portions of about 1 cm to about 62 cm.

15. An apparatus as in claim 13, further comprising a cassette in said area of said base and being connected to the irrigation tubular element, a phacoemulsification surgical instrument, and irrigation and suction lines connected to said phacoemulsification instrument and to said cassette.

16. An apparatus as in claim 13, further comprising a cassette in said area of said base, the irrigation tubular element being connected to said cassette.

17. An apparatus as in claim 16, further comprising irrigation and suction lines attached to said cassette.

18. An apparatus as in claim 13, wherein said base and hanger each have respective connection areas, said pole adaptor having opposite ends each configured to connect in a complementary manner to respective ones of the connection areas of said base and hanger.

19. A method to elevate an infusion source, comprising the steps of:

channeling fluid to flow from an infusion source through an irrigation tubular element;

accommodating said irrigation tubular element in an area of a base, said irrigation tubular element channeling the fluid to flow from the infusion source to said area of said base and then in a direction away from said base;

holding an infusion source with a hanger at an elevation higher than said area of said base;

extending at least one extension member from said base;

arranging a pole adaptor between said extension member and said hanger to space apart said hanger and said base so as that an elevational difference between said infusion source and said area of said base is sufficient to provide adequate infusion delivery from the infusion source to said area of said base of at least 250 mm Hg of vacuum.

20. A method as in claim 19, wherein said pole adaptor has a length between opposite end portions of about 1 cm to about 62 cm.

21. A method as in claim 19, further comprising the step of connecting said irrigation tubular element and a suction tubular element to a phacoemulsification instrument.

22. A method as in claim 19, wherein said base and hanger each have respective connection areas, said pole adaptor having opposite ends, further comprising the step of connecting the ends in a complementary manner to respective ones of the connection areas of said base and hanger.