US3884237A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for intraocular surgery
Assignee: Malley Conor C O
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Filing: 1973-12-05
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Granted: 1975-05-20
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Expires: 1993-12-05
Abstract
Abstract A pneumatically operated intraocular surgery apparatus which is of very light weight and small size, the part inserted into the eye having a diameter of 1 mm. or less. One embodiment of this invention employs a high frequency electric current electrode for cutting or severing vitreous or other material, said electrode being provided with means for removing coagulated material adhering thereto. Other embodiments of this invention which are also of very small size and light weight employ concentric tubes with a pneumatic means for moving one of the tubes with respect to the other at a slow or fast rate so that vitreous sucked into one of the tubes is sheared off by the sharp end of the other tube and the severed vitreous is sucked into a calibrated cylinder and at the same time saline solution is automatically supplied to the eyeball to replace the removed vitreous.
Inventors
- 👤 Conor C O'malley
- 👤 Sr Ralph M Heintz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 21:43
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/00736; A61F9/00763; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1402; A61M; A61M1/00; A61M1/71; A61M1/74; A61M1/75; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00535; A61B2017/00544; A61F9/0079; A61M2210/00; A61M2210/06; A61M2210/0612
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
In an apparatus for intraocular surgery such as cutting or severing of undesired material within the eyeball of a patient, the combination comprising a cutting electrode of very small diameter, an insulated tubular member having an open outer end in communication with an electrode-receiving bore extending longitudinally of said member for slidably and snugly receiving said cutting electrode, a source of electric current, means connecting said source to said cutting electrode and means reciprocating said cutting electrode in said tubular member so that the outer end of said cutting electrode intermittently projects from and recedes within said outer end of said tubular member during the cutting whereby coagulated material adhering to said electrode is removed therefrom by a scraping action of said outer end of said tubular member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
In an apparatus for intraocular surgery such as cutting or severing of undesired material within the eyeball of a patient, the combination comprising a cutting electrode of very small diameter, an insulated tubular member having an open outer end in communication with an electrode-receiving bore extending longitudinally of said member for slidably and snugly receiving said cutting electrode, a source of electric current, means connecting said source to said cutting electrode and means reciprocating said cutting electrode in said tubular member so that the outer end of said cutting electrode intermittently projects from and recedes within said outer end of said tubular member during the cutting whereby coagulated material adhering to said electrode is removed therefrom by a scraping action of said outer end of said tubular member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
In an apparatus for intraocular surgery such as cutting or severing of undesired material within the eyeball of a patient, the combination as set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said connecting means comprises a transmission line having a predetermined impedance and a matching impedance connecting said cutting electrode to said transmission line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
In an apparatus for intraocular surgery such as cutting or severing of undesired material within the eyeball of a patient, the combination as set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said insulated tubular member is connected to a handle by a flexible member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
In an apparatus for intraocular surgery such as cutting or severing of undesired material within the eyeball of a patient, the combination as set forth in claim 3, further characterized in that said moving means comprises a piston slidable in said handle, means attaching said electrode to said piston, and pneumatic means reciprocating said piston.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
In an apparatus for intraocular surgery such as cutting or severing of undesired material within the eyeball of a patient, the combination as set forth in claim 3, further comprising means adjusting said tubular member with respect to said handle so that the excursion of the end of said electrode from said tubular member may be adjusted.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
156 words
A lightweight device for intraocular surgery such as cutting or severing of undesired material within the eyeball of the patient, the combination comprising an electrode of small diameter, a tubular handle, means supporting said electrode projecting from one end of said handle, said means including a small sleeve, said electrode being slidable in said sleeve, actuating means inside of said handle attached to said electrode, pneumatic means connected to said handle providing alternately compressed air and vacuum for moving said last means through short strokes so that said electrode is moved through said short strokes inside of said sleeve and the outer end of said electrode is alternately projected from the outer end of said sleeve, a source of high frequency electric current, means connecting said source to said electrode to energize said electrode for the cutting and severing operation when said outer end of said electrode is periodically exposed at the end of said sleeve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
156 words
A lightweight device for intraocular surgery such as cutting or severing of undesired material within the eyeball of the patient, the combination comprising an electrode of small diameter, a tubular handle, means supporting said electrode projecting from one end of said handle, said means including a small sleeve, said electrode being slidable in said sleeve, actuating means inside of said handle attached to said electrode, pneumatic means connected to said handle providing alternately compressed air and vacuum for moving said last means through short strokes so that said electrode is moved through said short strokes inside of said sleeve and the outer end of said electrode is alternately projected from the outer end of said sleeve, a source of high frequency electric current, means connecting said source to said electrode to energize said electrode for the cutting and severing operation when said outer end of said electrode is periodically exposed at the end of said sleeve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A lightweight device as set forth in claim 6, further characterized in that said sleeve is adjustable with respect to said tubular handle so that the length of said electrode that is projected from said sleeve may be adjusted.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A lightweight device as set forth in claim 6, further characterized in that said actuating means comprises a member slidable in said handle and said connecting means includes a chuck carried by said member for receiving an end of said electrode inside of said handle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A lightweight device as set forth in claim 6, further comprising a valve for connecting said pneumatic means to said handle and means controlling said valve for alternately providing said compressed air and vacuum.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A lightweight device as set forth in claim 9, further characterized in that said valve controlling means includes an electromagnetic device and means energizing said device at a predetermined rate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A lightweight device as set forth in claim 10, further comprising means for varying said predetermined rate at which said electromagnetic device is energized.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-19 | 1978-11-18 | 1979-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-19 | 1982-11-18 | 1983-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-19 | 1986-11-18 | 1987-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |