Patent US4855026A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4909249A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surgical cutting instrument
Assignee: Nestle SA
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Filing: 1987-11-05
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Granted: 1990-03-20
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Expires: 2007-11-05
Abstract
Abstract A surgical cutting instrument such as for use in intraocular surgery having a handpiece with an elongate probe extending foward from it. The probe has an elongate stationary outer cutter with a port at its tip and an elongate inner cutter with a cutting surface coaxially disposed therein. The interior of the inner cutter communicates with a vacuum source. A spring and diaphragm assembly in the handpiece and powered by a low pressure pump causes the inner cutter to rapidly reciprocate axially in the outer cutter, and body material, such as vitreous material, drawn in through the port by the vacuum source is thereby chopped by the cutting surface and aspirated out of the patient's body through the handpiece. A large adjustment nut on the handpiece allows the size of the port to be easily adjusted. Irrigation fluid can be provided at the surgical site through an infusion cap which is adjustable both longitudinally and rotatably on the handpiece.
Inventors
- 👤 Tamer Akkas
- 👤 Ted Carlson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:36
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B17/32; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/00736; A61F9/00763; A61B2017/0023; A61B2017/00535; A61B2017/00544
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A surgical cutting instrument comprising: a diaphragm assembly connectable to a source of pressure, an inner cutter operatively connected to said diaphragm assembly, connectable to a source of vacuum, and defining a cutting surface, an outer cutter positioned outside of said inner cutter and defining a suction port, a biasing means for biasing said inner cutter against the bias caused by the force of the source of pressure on said inner cutter via said diaphragm assembly, said biasing means and the operation of the source of pressure causing said cutting surface to reciprocate relative to said port and to thereby cut the matter drawn into said port by the operation of the source of vacuum, an adjustment means connected to said inner cutter for adjusting the normal position of said cutting surface relative to said port, and a body member secured to said outer cutter, and said adjustment means comprising an adjustment nut threaded on said body member and operatively connected to said inner cutter such that as said adjustment nut is threaded on said body member the longitudinal position of said cutting surface relative to said port is adjusted.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
A surgical cutting instrument comprising: a diaphragm assembly connectable to a source of pressure, an inner cutter operatively connected to said diaphragm assembly, connectable to a source of vacuum, and defining a cutting surface, an outer cutter positioned outside of said inner cutter and defining a suction port, a biasing means for biasing said inner cutter against the bias caused by the force of the source of pressure on said inner cutter via said diaphragm assembly, said biasing means and the operation of the source of pressure causing said cutting surface to reciprocate relative to said port and to thereby cut the matter drawn into said port by the operation of the source of vacuum, an adjustment means connected to said inner cutter for adjusting the normal position of said cutting surface relative to said port, and a body member secured to said outer cutter, and said adjustment means comprising an adjustment nut threaded on said body member and operatively connected to said inner cutter such that as said adjustment nut is threaded on said body member the longitudinal position of said cutting surface relative to said port is adjusted.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said diaphragm assembly comprises a diaphragm and a diaphragm hub connected to said diaphragm and positioned generally forward thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The instrument of claim 2 wherein said inner cutter is secured in said diaphragm hub.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The instrument of claim 2 wherein said biasing means comprises a spring which biases against said hub.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The instrument of claim 4 wherein said hub is positioned directly between and adjacent said spring and said diaphragm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The instrument of claim 2 wherein said hub defines a hub passageway communicating said inner cutter with the source of vacuum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The instrument of claim 6 wherein said diaphragm defines a diaphragm passageway communicating said hub passageway with the source of vacuum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said diaphragm assembly means includes an expanding and contracting bellows area at a generally rearward location thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said diaphragm assembly defines a debris passageway therethrough communicating the interior of said inner cutter with the source of vacuum.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said diaphragm assembly includes a diaphragm against which air from the source of pressure directly impacts.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The instrument of claim 1 further comprising an adjustment means connected to said inner cutter for adjusting the normal position of said cutting surface relative to said port.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The instrument of claim 1 further comprising an infusion means connectable to a source of irrigation fluid for conducting irrigation fluid from the source of irrigation fluid to a site adjacent said port.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The instrument of claim 12 wherein said infusion means comprises an infusion cap which includes an infusion sleeve surrounding said outer cutter, and an infusion fitting communicating the source of irrigation fluid with said infusion sleeve.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The instrument of claim 13 further comprising a body member secured to said outer cutter and said infusion cap being fitted onto the distal end of said body member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The instrument of claim 14 further comprising a sealing means disposed between said infusion cap and said body member for preventing the flow of irrigation fluid to the proximal end of said body member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The instrument of claim 13 wherein said infusion sleeve defines at the distal end thereof at least one fluid opening around said outer cutter and out through which the irrigation fluid can flow.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The instrument of claim 16 wherein said at least one fluid opening comprises two fluid openings.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The instrument of claim 1 further comprising a gasket means at the proximal end of said outer cutter for preventing the flow of air between said inner and outer cutters.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
46 words
The instrument of claim 1 further comprising a body member connected to said outer cutter and defining at least one relief opening through which air can pass between the interior and exterior of said body member as said diaphragm assembly is moved relative thereto and therein.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said diaphragm assembly includes an annular diaphragm portion, and further comprising an end cap surrounding a portion of said diaphragm assembly, and an annular adapter sandwiched between said end cap and said annular diaphragm portion and defining a seal therebetween.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
42 words
The instrument of claim 20 wherein said end cap defines an opening therethrough through which pressurized air from the source of pressure can flow and adjacent to said annular diaphragm portion so that the pressurized air directly impacts said annular diaphragm portion.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The instrument of claim 20 wherein said adapter is snap-fitted to the distal end of said end cap.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The instrument of claim 1 further comprising a body member to which said outer cutter is secured, and said biasing means comprising a spring operatively positioned between said diaphragm assembly and said body member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
43 words
The instrument of claim 23 wherein said diaphragm assembly includes at least one diaphragm surface, and said biasing means further comprises a communicating means for communicating the source of vacuum with said diaphragm surface to effect a sucking force on said diaphragm assembly.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
The instrument of claim 1 further comprising an end cap to which a distal end of said diaphragm assembly is secured, and said end cap defining an end cap opening through which the source of vacuum can communicate with said port.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The instrument of claim 25 wherein said diaphragm assembly includes a distal portion thereof extending out through said end cap opening.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The instrument of claim 25 wherein said diaphragm assembly defines an expandable and contractable bellows portion positioned entirely within said end cap.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said outer cutter defines a cutting surface at said port.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
The instrument of claim 1 further comprising a body sleeve surrounding at least a portion of said outer cutter and whereby said instrument defines a posterior vitrectomy handpiece.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
192 words
A surgical cutting instrument comprising: a diaphragm assembly connectable to a source of pressure, an inner cutter operatively connected to said diaphragm assembly, connectable to a source of vacuum, and defining a cutting surface, an outer cutter positioned outside of said inner cutter and defining a suction port, a biasing means for biasing said inner cutter against the bias caused by the force of the source of pressure on said inner cutter via said diaphragm assembly, said biasing means and the operation of the source of pressure causing said cutting surface to reciprocate relative to said port and to thereby cut the matter drawn into said port by the operation of the source of vacuum, and a body member secured to said outer cutter, an adjustment nut threadably received on said body member, an end cap, an adapter disposed between said adjustment nut and said end cap, and said adapter being operatively connected to said diaphragm assembly such that, when said adjustment nut is turned on said body member, said inner cutter is moved relative to said body member to thereby adjust the position of said cutting surface relative to said port.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
192 words
A surgical cutting instrument comprising: a diaphragm assembly connectable to a source of pressure, an inner cutter operatively connected to said diaphragm assembly, connectable to a source of vacuum, and defining a cutting surface, an outer cutter positioned outside of said inner cutter and defining a suction port, a biasing means for biasing said inner cutter against the bias caused by the force of the source of pressure on said inner cutter via said diaphragm assembly, said biasing means and the operation of the source of pressure causing said cutting surface to reciprocate relative to said port and to thereby cut the matter drawn into said port by the operation of the source of vacuum, and a body member secured to said outer cutter, an adjustment nut threadably received on said body member, an end cap, an adapter disposed between said adjustment nut and said end cap, and said adapter being operatively connected to said diaphragm assembly such that, when said adjustment nut is turned on said body member, said inner cutter is moved relative to said body member to thereby adjust the position of said cutting surface relative to said port.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
The instrument of claim 1 including an interference fit between said adjustment nut and said body member providing a click noise when said adjustment nut is turned a predetermined amount on said body member.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said predetermined amount is thirty degrees in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
165 words
A surgical cutting instrument comprising: a diaphragm assembly connectable to a source of pressure, an inner cutter operatively connected to said diaphragm assembly, connectable to a source of vacuum, and defining a cutting surface, an outer cutter positioned outside of said inner cutter and defining a suction port, a biasing means for biasing said inner cutter against the bias caused by the force of the source of pressure on said inner cutter via said diaphragm assembly, said biasing means and the operation of the source of pressure causing said cutting surface to reciprocate relative to said port and to thereby cut the matter drawn into said port by the operation of the source of vacuum, and an end cap to which a distal end of said diaphragm assembly is secured, and said end cap defining an end cap opening through which the source of vacuum can communicate with said port, said diaphragm assembly includes a distal portion thereof extending out through said end cap opening.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
165 words
A surgical cutting instrument comprising: a diaphragm assembly connectable to a source of pressure, an inner cutter operatively connected to said diaphragm assembly, connectable to a source of vacuum, and defining a cutting surface, an outer cutter positioned outside of said inner cutter and defining a suction port, a biasing means for biasing said inner cutter against the bias caused by the force of the source of pressure on said inner cutter via said diaphragm assembly, said biasing means and the operation of the source of pressure causing said cutting surface to reciprocate relative to said port and to thereby cut the matter drawn into said port by the operation of the source of vacuum, and an end cap to which a distal end of said diaphragm assembly is secured, and said end cap defining an end cap opening through which the source of vacuum can communicate with said port, said diaphragm assembly includes a distal portion thereof extending out through said end cap opening.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
166 words
A surgical cutting instrument comprising: a diaphragm assembly connectable to a source of pressure, an inner cutter operatively connected to said diaphragm assembly, connectable to a source of vacuum, and defining a cutting surface, an outer cutter positioned outside of said inner cutter and defining a suction port, a biasing means for biasing said inner cutter against the bias caused by the force of the source of pressure on said inner cutter via said diaphragm assembly, said biasing means and the operation of the source of pressure causing said cutting surface to reciprocate relative to said port and to thereby cut the matter drawn into said port by the operation of the source of vacuum, and an end cap to which a distal end of said diaphragm assembly is secured, and said end cap defining an end cap opening through which the source of vacuum can communicate with said port, said diaphragm assembly defines an expandable and contractible bellows portion positioned entirely within said end cap.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
166 words
A surgical cutting instrument comprising: a diaphragm assembly connectable to a source of pressure, an inner cutter operatively connected to said diaphragm assembly, connectable to a source of vacuum, and defining a cutting surface, an outer cutter positioned outside of said inner cutter and defining a suction port, a biasing means for biasing said inner cutter against the bias caused by the force of the source of pressure on said inner cutter via said diaphragm assembly, said biasing means and the operation of the source of pressure causing said cutting surface to reciprocate relative to said port and to thereby cut the matter drawn into said port by the operation of the source of vacuum, and an end cap to which a distal end of said diaphragm assembly is secured, and said end cap defining an end cap opening through which the source of vacuum can communicate with said port, said diaphragm assembly defines an expandable and contractible bellows portion positioned entirely within said end cap.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-03-19 | 1993-09-18 | 1994-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-03-19 | 1997-09-18 | 1998-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-03-19 | 2001-09-18 | 2002-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |