US5176628A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vitreous cutter
Assignee: Alcon Research LLC
•
Filing: 1991-05-16
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Granted: 1993-01-05
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Expires: 2011-05-16
Abstract
Abstract An improved vitreous cutter having a housing with two halves connected together by tapered pins on one half fitting into holes on the other half with a proximal end, a distal end, an internal transverse bore and a longitudinal bore intersecting the transverse bore and penetrating the housing at the proximal and distal ends, a pair of inlets in the proximal end of the housing in fluid communication with opposite ends of the transverse bore for allowing pressurized air to be introduced into the transverse bore, a thermoplastic piston slideably received in the transverse bore having a toothed, longitudinal slot, a stainless steel stationary outer cutting tube having a cutting port on a distal end, a stainless steel rotatable inner cutting tube telescopically received in the outer cutting tube having a cutting port on a distal end and penetrating the proximal end of the housing to form a suction port, a flexible seal between the inner cutting tube and the outer cutting tube and a pinion gear on a medial section of the inner cutting tube that is received in the piston slot so as to rotate alternately the inner cutting tube within the outer cutting tube as the piston moves within the transverse bore in response to the pressurized air.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven T. Charles
- 👤 Hugh J. Tyler, deceased
- 👤 David M. Domash
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 19:28
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/00736; A61F9/00763; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00535; A61B2017/00544
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
An improved vitreous cutter, comprising: a. a housing having a proximal end, a distal end, and internal transverse bore and a longitudinal bore intersecting the transverse bore and penetrating the housing at the proximal and distal ends; b. a pair of inlets in the proximal end of the housing in fluid communication with opposite ends of the transverse bore for allowing pressurized air to be introduced into the transverse bore; c. a piston slideably received in the transverse bore having a toothed, longitudinal slot; d. a stationary outer cutting tube having a cutting port on a distal end; e. a rotatable inner cutting tube telescopically received in the outer cutting tube having a cutting port on a distal end and penetrating the proximal end of the housing to form a suction port; f. a flexible seal between the inner cutting tube and the outer cutting tube; and g. a pinion gear on a medial section of the inner cutting tube that is received in the piston slot so as to rotate alternately the inner cutting tube within the outer cutting tube as the piston moves within the transverse bore in response to the pressurized air.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
An improved vitreous cutter, comprising: a. a housing having a proximal end, a distal end, and internal transverse bore and a longitudinal bore intersecting the transverse bore and penetrating the housing at the proximal and distal ends; b. a pair of inlets in the proximal end of the housing in fluid communication with opposite ends of the transverse bore for allowing pressurized air to be introduced into the transverse bore; c. a piston slideably received in the transverse bore having a toothed, longitudinal slot; d. a stationary outer cutting tube having a cutting port on a distal end; e. a rotatable inner cutting tube telescopically received in the outer cutting tube having a cutting port on a distal end and penetrating the proximal end of the housing to form a suction port; f. a flexible seal between the inner cutting tube and the outer cutting tube; and g. a pinion gear on a medial section of the inner cutting tube that is received in the piston slot so as to rotate alternately the inner cutting tube within the outer cutting tube as the piston moves within the transverse bore in response to the pressurized air.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The vitreous cutter of claim 1 wherein the outer cutting tube and the inner cutting tube comprise stainless steel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vitreous cutter of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises two halves connected together by tapered pins on one half fitting into holes on the other half.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The vitreous cutter of claim 1 wherein the piston comprises thermoplastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
217 words
An improved vitreous cutter, comprising: a. a housing having two halves connected together by tapered pins on one half fitting into holes on the other half with a proximal end, a distal end, an internal transverse bore and a longitudinal bore intersecting the transverse bore and penetrating the housing at the proximal and distal ends; b. a pair of inlets in the proximal end of the housing in fluid communication with opposite ends of the transverse bore for allowing pressurized air to be introduced into the transverse bore; c. a thermoplastic piston slideably received in the transverse bore having a toothed, longitudinal slot; d. a stainless steel stationary outer cutting tube having a cutting port on a distal end; e. a stainless steel rotatably inner cutting tube telescopically received in the outer cutting tube having a cutting port on a distal end and penetrating the proximal end of the housing to form a suction port; f. a flexible seal between the inner cutting tube and the outer cutting tube; and a pinion gear on a medial section of the inner cutting tube that is received in the piston slot so as to rotate alternately the inner cutting tube within the outer cutting tube as the piston moves within the transverse bore in response to the pressurized air.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
217 words
An improved vitreous cutter, comprising: a. a housing having two halves connected together by tapered pins on one half fitting into holes on the other half with a proximal end, a distal end, an internal transverse bore and a longitudinal bore intersecting the transverse bore and penetrating the housing at the proximal and distal ends; b. a pair of inlets in the proximal end of the housing in fluid communication with opposite ends of the transverse bore for allowing pressurized air to be introduced into the transverse bore; c. a thermoplastic piston slideably received in the transverse bore having a toothed, longitudinal slot; d. a stainless steel stationary outer cutting tube having a cutting port on a distal end; e. a stainless steel rotatably inner cutting tube telescopically received in the outer cutting tube having a cutting port on a distal end and penetrating the proximal end of the housing to form a suction port; f. a flexible seal between the inner cutting tube and the outer cutting tube; and a pinion gear on a medial section of the inner cutting tube that is received in the piston slot so as to rotate alternately the inner cutting tube within the outer cutting tube as the piston moves within the transverse bore in response to the pressurized air.
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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) | 1996-01-05 | 1996-07-06 | 1997-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-01-05 | 2000-07-06 | 2001-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-01-05 | 2004-07-06 | 2005-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |