US5342293A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable vacuum/variable flow phacoemulsification method
Assignee: Johnson and Johnson Surgical Vision Inc
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Filing: 1993-06-22
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Granted: 1994-08-30
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Expires: 2013-06-22
Abstract
Abstract A method useful in a process for cataractous lens removal for operating phacoemulsifier apparatus having a vacuum pump and a fluid irrigation pump in order to simultaneously control vacuum, for aspiration, and fluid flow, for irrigation, to a phacoemulsifier handpiece. The method includes selecting a vacuum limit for aspiration; selecting a fluid flow limit for irrigation; assigning a linear relationship between a remotely disposed control lever and vacuum provided to the handpiece by the vacuum pump between zero and the vacuum limit; supplying vacuum to the handpiece by actuating the control lever; and controlling the fluid flow to the handpiece in response to the level of vacuum provided to the handpiece so that as more vacuum is provided, less fluid flow than the fluid flow limit is provided to the handpiece.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank Zanger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/00736; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00743; A61B2017/00747; A61B2017/00973; A61B2017/00977; A61M; A61M1/00; A61M1/71; A61M1/77
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
In a process for cataractous lens removal, a method for operating phacoemulsifier apparatus having a vacuum pump and a fluid irrigation pump in order to simultaneously control vacuum, for aspiration, and fluid flow, for irrigation, to a phacoemulsifier handpiece, said method comprising: selecting a vacuum limit for aspiration; selecting a fluid flow limit for irrigation; assigning a linear relationship between a remotely disposed control lever and vacuum provided to the handpiece by the vacuum pump between zero and the vacuum limit; supplying vacuum to the handpiece by actuating the control lever; and controlling the fluid flow to the handpiece linearly in response to the level of vacuum provided to the handpiece so that as more vacuum is provided, less fluid flow than the fluid flow limit is provided to the handpiece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a process for cataractous lens removal, a method for operating phacoemulsifier apparatus having a vacuum pump and a fluid irrigation pump in order to simultaneously control vacuum, for aspiration, and fluid flow, for irrigation, to a phacoemulsifier handpiece, said method comprising: selecting a vacuum limit for aspiration; selecting a fluid flow limit for irrigation; assigning a linear relationship between a remotely disposed control lever and vacuum provided to the handpiece by the vacuum pump between zero and the vacuum limit; supplying vacuum to the handpiece by actuating the control lever; and controlling the fluid flow to the handpiece linearly in response to the level of vacuum provided to the handpiece so that as more vacuum is provided, less fluid flow than the fluid flow limit is provided to the handpiece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the control lever is a foot pedal and the method comprises depressing the foot pedal to supply vacuum to the handpiece.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein the supply of vacuum and fluid flow are provided through separate tubes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 3 further comprising the step of applying voltage to the handpiece for cautery.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
133 words
In a process for cataractous lens removal, a method for operating phacoemulsifier apparatus having a vacuum pump and a fluid irrigation pump in order to simultaneously control vacuum, for aspiration, and fluid flow, for irrigation, to a phacoemulsifier handpiece, said method comprising: selecting a vacuum limit for aspiration; selecting a fluid flow limit for irrigation; assigning a linear relationship between a remotely disposed control lever and fluid flow provided to the handpiece by the irrigation pump between zero and the fluid flow limit; supplying fluid flow to the handpiece by actuating the control lever; and controlling the vacuum to the handpiece linearly in response to the amount of fluid flow provided to the handpiece so that as more fluid flow is provided, less vacuum than the vacuum limit is provided to the handpiece.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
133 words
In a process for cataractous lens removal, a method for operating phacoemulsifier apparatus having a vacuum pump and a fluid irrigation pump in order to simultaneously control vacuum, for aspiration, and fluid flow, for irrigation, to a phacoemulsifier handpiece, said method comprising: selecting a vacuum limit for aspiration; selecting a fluid flow limit for irrigation; assigning a linear relationship between a remotely disposed control lever and fluid flow provided to the handpiece by the irrigation pump between zero and the fluid flow limit; supplying fluid flow to the handpiece by actuating the control lever; and controlling the vacuum to the handpiece linearly in response to the amount of fluid flow provided to the handpiece so that as more fluid flow is provided, less vacuum than the vacuum limit is provided to the handpiece.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 5 wherein the control lever is a foot pedal and the method comprises depressing the foot pedal to supply fluid flow to the handpiece.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 6 wherein the supply of vacuum and fluid flow are provided through separate tubes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 7 further comprising the step of applying voltage to the handpiece for cautery.
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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) | 1997-08-29 | 1998-02-28 | 1998-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-29 | 2002-02-28 | 2002-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-29 | 2006-02-28 | 2006-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |