US5222960A — Cracking and rotating cataract for removal from e…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 160 words

In the method of removing a cataract nucleus from a lens capsule wherein a trough is formed in the nucleus with a tool inserted through a first incision, the nucleus is split along the trough to form two smaller segments, the segments are rotated within the capsule and then removed by phako-emulsification, the improvement comprising, providing a splitting instrument having convexly rounded surfaces on opposite sides thereof adjacent an end of said instrument, said instrument being openable to move said surfaces outwardly away from one another, removing said tool from said first incision after said trough has been formed, and thereafter inserting said splitting instrument through said first incision and placing it within said trough between side walls thereof, and opening said splitting instrument so that said convexly rounded surfaces engage said side walls of said trough and apply force laterally to said side walls to push them apart and thereby split said nucleus into two segments along said trough.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 160 words

In the method of removing a cataract nucleus from a lens capsule wherein a trough is formed in the nucleus with a tool inserted through a first incision, the nucleus is split along the trough to form two smaller segments, the segments are rotated within the capsule and then removed by phako-emulsification, the improvement comprising, providing a splitting instrument having convexly rounded surfaces on opposite sides thereof adjacent an end of said instrument, said instrument being openable to move said surfaces outwardly away from one another, removing said tool from said first incision after said trough has been formed, and thereafter inserting said splitting instrument through said first incision and placing it within said trough between side walls thereof, and opening said splitting instrument so that said convexly rounded surfaces engage said side walls of said trough and apply force laterally to said side walls to push them apart and thereby split said nucleus into two segments along said trough.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 55 words

The improvement of claim 1 further wherein said segments are rotated within said capsule by inserting a rotator instrument through a second incision spaced angularly from said first incision, and turning one of said segments with said rotator instrument while simultaneously turning the second said segment with a second instrument inserted through said first incision.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 129 words

In the method of removing a cataract nucleus from a lens capsule wherein a trough is formed in the nucleus with a tool inserted through a first incision, the nucleus is split along the trough to form two smaller segments, the segments are rotated within the capsule and then removed by phyakoemulsification, the improvement comprising, rotating said segments within said capsule after said splitting by inserting a rotator instrument through a second incision spaced angularly from the first incision, and turning one of said segments with said rotator instrument while simultaneously turning the second of said segments with a second instrument inserted through said first incision, said first and second instruments being engaged with and pushing against opposite side walls of said trough after said nucleus has been split.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 129 words

In the method of removing a cataract nucleus from a lens capsule wherein a trough is formed in the nucleus with a tool inserted through a first incision, the nucleus is split along the trough to form two smaller segments, the segments are rotated within the capsule and then removed by phyakoemulsification, the improvement comprising, rotating said segments within said capsule after said splitting by inserting a rotator instrument through a second incision spaced angularly from the first incision, and turning one of said segments with said rotator instrument while simultaneously turning the second of said segments with a second instrument inserted through said first incision, said first and second instruments being engaged with and pushing against opposite side walls of said trough after said nucleus has been split.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 150 words

In the ophthalmological procedure of removing a cateract nucleus from a lens capsule wherein a trough is formed in the nucleus with a tool inserted through an incision, the nucleus is split along the trough to form two smaller segments, and said segments are removed, the improvement wherein said nucleus is split into said two segments with a single instrument, said improvement comprising, providing an instrument having convexly rounded surfaces on opposite sides thereof adjacent an end of said instrument, said instrument being openable to move said surfaces outwardly away from one another, inserting aid instrument through said incision and placing said outwardly rounded surfaces within said trough between side walls thereof, and opening said instrument to move said surfaces oppositely away from one another and against said side walls so as to press laterally on said walls and thereby split said nucleus along said trough into said two segments.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 150 words

In the ophthalmological procedure of removing a cateract nucleus from a lens capsule wherein a trough is formed in the nucleus with a tool inserted through an incision, the nucleus is split along the trough to form two smaller segments, and said segments are removed, the improvement wherein said nucleus is split into said two segments with a single instrument, said improvement comprising, providing an instrument having convexly rounded surfaces on opposite sides thereof adjacent an end of said instrument, said instrument being openable to move said surfaces outwardly away from one another, inserting aid instrument through said incision and placing said outwardly rounded surfaces within said trough between side walls thereof, and opening said instrument to move said surfaces oppositely away from one another and against said side walls so as to press laterally on said walls and thereby split said nucleus along said trough into said two segments.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 12 words

The improvement of claim 4 wherein said trough is formed by phakoemulsification.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 13 words

The improvement of claim 5 wherein said instrument is inserted after said phakoemulsification.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 33 words

The improvement of claim 4 wherein said surfaces are provided on adjacent blades of said instrument and said blades are moved apart from one another and perpendicularly into engagement with said side walls.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 22 words

The improvement of claim 7 wherein said blades are engaged within said side walls substantially along the length of the side walls.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 30 words

The improvement of claim 4 wherein said surfaces of said instrument engage said side walls of said trough when placed within said trough, prior to said opening of said instrument.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 30 words

The improvement of claim 4 wherein said surfaces are spoon shaped and said walls of said trough are pushed apart by engaging said spoon-shaped blades of sad instrument against them.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1996-06-28	1996-12-28	1997-06-29	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2000-06-28	2000-12-28	2001-06-29	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2004-06-28	2004-12-28	2005-06-29	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Cracking and rotating cataract for removal from eye

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