US5690641A — Rotary device for removing ophthalmic lens

Claim 1

Independent Claim 182 words

A device which is insertable through the cornea of a mammalian eye and into the lens capsule thereof, for reducing an ophthalmic lens within the lens capsule, said device comprising: an elongate probe which is insertable into the lens capsule, said probe comprising: i) an elongate tubular sheath; ii) a rotatable drive shaft extending longitudinally through said elongate tubular sheath, said drive shaft having a distal end; iii) a rotatable lens-reducing head on the distal end of said drive shaft; iv) said tubular sheath having a distal portion, said distal portion being insertable through the cornea and into the lens capsule, said distal portion having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of said distal portion being at least as large in cross-dimension as the proximal end of said distal portion; and, v) said tubular sheath being further configured and positioned, during operation of the device, such that at least one side of the rotating lens-reducing head is shielded by said tubular sheath while the remainder of the rotating lens-reducing head is allowed to contact and reduce lens matter.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 182 words

A device which is insertable through the cornea of a mammalian eye and into the lens capsule thereof, for reducing an ophthalmic lens within the lens capsule, said device comprising: an elongate probe which is insertable into the lens capsule, said probe comprising: i) an elongate tubular sheath; ii) a rotatable drive shaft extending longitudinally through said elongate tubular sheath, said drive shaft having a distal end; iii) a rotatable lens-reducing head on the distal end of said drive shaft; iv) said tubular sheath having a distal portion, said distal portion being insertable through the cornea and into the lens capsule, said distal portion having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of said distal portion being at least as large in cross-dimension as the proximal end of said distal portion; and, v) said tubular sheath being further configured and positioned, during operation of the device, such that at least one side of the rotating lens-reducing head is shielded by said tubular sheath while the remainder of the rotating lens-reducing head is allowed to contact and reduce lens matter.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 29 words

The device of claim 1 further in combination with a drive motor which is connectable to said drive shaft, to rotatably drive said drive shaft and said lens-reducing head.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 85 words

The device of claim 1 wherein said distal portion of said tubular sheath comprises: a first side which extends beyond the distal end of the rotatable lens-reducing head during operation thereby shielding a first side of said lens-reducing head; a second side which terminates short of the distal end of the lens-reducing head during operation thereof; and a transverse frontal surface which extends from the distal end of the first side of said sheath to the distal end of the second side of said sheath.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 12 words

The device of claim 3 wherein said transverse frontal surface is curved.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 12 words

The device of claim 4 wherein said transverse frontal surface is straight.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 59 words

The device of claim 3 wherein said distal portion of said sheath comprises: a tube having a closed distal end which substantially surrounds said lens-reducing head during operation thereof, and which has at least one aperture formed near the closed distal end of said tube to permit said lens-reducing head to contact and reduce lens material through said aperture.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 26 words

The device of claim 1 wherein said rotatable lens-reducing head incorporates an impeller which is configured to draw a flow of fluid toward said lens-reducing head.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 61 words

The device of claim 7 wherein the distal portion of said tubular sheath is further configured and positioned to shield one side of the lens-reducing head while another side of the lens-reducing head remains unshielded, and such that most of said flow of fluid is exhausted away from said lens-reducing head in the general direction of the side which remains unshielded.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 77 words

The device of claim 1 wherein said device includes means for changing the relative positioning of the lens-reducing head and the tubular sheath between: a non-operating position wherein the lens-reducing head is positioned within the tubular sheath; and, an operative position wherein a portion of the lens-reducing head is shielded by a portion of the sheath and the remainder of the lens-reducing head is sufficiently unshielded by the sheath and allowed to contact and reduce lens matter.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 43 words

The device of claim 9 wherein said means for changing the relative positioning of the lens-reducing head and the tubular sheath comprises: apparatus for longitudinally moving the tubular sheath back and forth while the rotatable drive shaft and lens-reducing head remain longitudinally stationary.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 44 words

The device of claim 9 wherein said means for changing the relative positioning of the lens-reducing head and the tubular sheath comprises: apparatus for longitudinally moving the rotatable drive shaft and lens reducing head back and forth while the tubular sheath remains longitudinally stationary.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 36 words

The device of claim 1 wherein said tubular sheath is rotatable so as to permit the operator to adjust the rotational orientation of the tubular sheath, after the device has been inserted into the lens capsule.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 23 words

The device of claim 1 further comprising: a fluid flow passageway extending longitudinally through said probe for infusing fluid into the lens capsule.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 60 words

The device of claim 13 wherein said rotatable drive shaft extends through a non-rotatable tubular sleeve having an outer surface and an inner surface, and wherein said tubular sleeve is disposed longitudinally within said tubular sheath, and wherein said fluid flow passageway comprises a space which exists between the inner surface of said tubular sleeve and said rotatable drive shaft.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 82 words

The device of claim 14 further comprising: a helical bearing member having a multiplicity of spaced-apart helical convolutions, said bearing member being disposed within the fluid flow passageway provided between the inner surface of said tubular sleeve and the outer surface of said rotatable shaft so as to rotatably hold said shaft in an axially centered position within said sleeve; and, whereby, a helical fluid flow passageway is created by the disposition of said helical bearing member within said fluid flow space.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 31 words

The device of claim 15 wherein said helical bearing member is configured such that rotation of said shaft will pump fluid in the distal direction through said helical fluid flow passageway.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 35 words

The device of claim 15 wherein said helical bearing member is divided into a plurality of oppositely wound segments, said oppositely wound segments to deter any pumping effect created by rotation of said drive shaft.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 27 words

The device of claim 14 further comprising a second fluid flow passageway between the outer surface of said sleeve and the inner surface of said tubular sheath.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 36 words

The device of claim 18 wherein at least one fluid/debris inlet aperture is formed in said tubular sheath near the distal end thereof to facilitate suctioning of fluid and debris through said second fluid flow passageway.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 30 words

The device of claim 13 further in combination with: a source of irrigation fluid connected to said fluid flow passageway to facilitate infusion of irrigation fluid through said fluid passageway.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 171 words

The device of claim 15 further comprising: a bulkhead positioned transversely within the lumen of said tubular sheath, near the distal end thereof; an aperture extending longitudinally through said bulkhead; a tubular extension member interposed between the distal end of said drive shaft and said lens-reducing head, said tubular extension member extending longitudinally through the central aperture of said bulkhead, said tubular extension member being rotatable concurrently with rotation of said drive shaft and said lens-reducing head, said tubular extension member having at least one fluid inlet aperture located proximal to said bulkhead and in communication with said first fluid flow space, and at least one fluid outlet aperture located distal to said bulkhead; said device being thereby operable such that fluid may be infused in the distal direction through the first fluid flow space and through the lumen of said tubular extension member, such that said fluid will flow out of the outlet aperture of said tubular extension member and into a mammalian eye in which said device is inserted.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 43 words

The device of claim 21 wherein said tubular extension member has an outer bearing surface which rides in contact with said central aperture of said bulkhead as said tubular extension member rotates in conjunction with said drive shaft and said lens reducing head.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 28 words

The device of claim 18 further in combination with: a source of negative pressure connected to said second passageway to aspirate fluid and debris through said second passageway.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 95 words

The device of claim 15 further comprising: a bulkhead positioned transversely within the tubular sheath, near the distal end thereof; an aperture extending longitudinally through said bulkhead; said tubular sleeve being aligned with said aperture such that said rotatable drive shaft which extends through said tubular sleeve also extends through said aperture, said drive shaft being smaller in diameter than said aperture such that a space exists to allow fluid infused through said fluid flow passageway to flow around said drive shaft, through said aperture, and out of the distal end of the tubular sheath.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 49 words

The device of claim 24 wherein: the distal end of the tubular sleeve is in abutment with and supported by said bulkhead to hold the distal end of the sleeve in position within the surrounding tubular sheath with the lumen of said sleeve in axial alignment with said aperture.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 25 words

The device of claim 1 further comprising: a fluid flow passageway extending longitudinally through said probe for aspirating fluid and debris from the lens capsule.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 13 words

The device of claim 1 wherein said elongate probe is of straight configuration.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 13 words

The device of claim 1 wherein said elongate probe is of curved configuration.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 76 words

The device of claim 1 wherein one of said tubular sheath and said rotatable drive shaft are longitudinally moveable relative to the other to alternately position the rotatable lens-reducing head relative to the tubular sheath in: a first position wherein the lens-reducing head is positioned within the tubular sheath; and, a second position wherein at least a portion of the lens-reducing head is sufficiently exposed to contact and reduce lens matter during operation of said device.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 42 words

The device of claim 29 wherein a non-rotating tubular sleeve is mounted about said drive shaft and held in fixed or longitudinal relation to said drive shaft and lens-reducing head, said tubular sleeve extending longitudinally within the lumen of said tubular sheath.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 78 words

The device of claim 30 wherein said elongate probe is of curved configuration and wherein: said rotatable drive shaft is sufficiently pliable to rotate while in said curved configuration; and, one of said tubular sheath and said tubular sleeve are formed of rigid material shaped in said curved configuration and the other thereof is formed of material which is sufficiently pliable to conform to said curved configuration as the device is transitioned between said first and second positions.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 17 words

The device of claim 31 wherein said tubular sheath is pliable and said tubular sleeve is rigid.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 16 words

The device of claim 31 wherein said tubular sheath is rigid and tubular sleeve is pliable.

Claim 35

Independent Claim 183 words

A method for reducing an ophthalmic lens within the lens capsule within a mammalian eye, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing a lens-reducing device which comprises: i) a tubular sheath having a distal end; ii) an elongate drive shaft extending longitudinally through said tubular sheath and having a distal end; iii) a rotating lens-reducing head positioned on the distal end of said drive shaft; and iv) said sheath being configured and positioned, during operation of said device, such that the distal end of the sheath will shield one side of the lens-reducing head, while allowing an unshielded portion of the lens-reducing head to remain sufficiently unshielded to contact and reduce lens matter within the lens capsule; b) inserting said device into the eye such that the distal end of the sheath is positioned at a non-centered location within the lens capsule; c) positioning the sheath to cause the shielded side of the lens-reducing head to be located adjacent a selected portion of the lens capsule; d) rotationally driving the drive shaft and lens-reducing head to effect reduction of the ophthalmic lens.

Claim 36

Independent Claim 183 words

A method for reducing an ophthalmic lens within the lens capsule within a mammalian eye, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing a lens-reducing device which comprises: i) a tubular sheath having a distal end; ii) an elongate drive shaft extending longitudinally through said tubular sheath and having a distal end; iii) a rotating lens-reducing head positioned on the distal end of said drive shaft; and iv) said sheath being configured and positioned, during operation of said device, such that the distal end of the sheath will shield one side of the lens-reducing head, while allowing an unshielded portion of the lens-reducing head to remain sufficiently unshielded to contact and reduce lens matter within the lens capsule; b) inserting said device into the eye such that the distal end of the sheath is positioned at a non-centered location within the lens capsule; c) positioning the sheath to cause the shielded side of the lens-reducing head to be located adjacent a selected portion of the lens capsule; d) rotationally driving the drive shaft and lens-reducing head to effect reduction of the ophthalmic lens.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 41 words

The method of claim 34 wherein step b) further comprises: inserting the probe at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the eye, with the distal end of the probe being located in said non-centered position within the lens capsule.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 34 wherein step c) further comprises: positioning said sheath such that the flow of fluid exhausted from the rotating head will be caused to flow around the periphery of the lens capsule.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 52 words

The method of claim 36 wherein the sheath of the device is rotatable, and wherein said positioning of said sheath comprises: rotating said sheath to cause the distal end of the sheath to become situated such that the unshielded portion of the sheath is directed toward the center of the lens capsule.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 87 words

The method of claim 34 wherein step c) comprises: rotating said sheath such that the flow of fluid created by rotation of the lens-reducing head will: i) initially spin the lens in a flat plane within the lens capsule to facilitate initial reduction of a peripheral portion of the lens; and ii) thereafter cause the remainder of the lens to tumble within the lens capsule to cause repeated contact of the lens with the lens-reducing head, thereby facilitating complete reduction of the remaining portion of the lens.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 34 further comprising the step of: infusing a fluid into the lens capsule.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 34 further comprising the step of: aspirating fluid and debris from the lens capsule.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 34 further comprising the step of: concomitantly infusing fluid into the lens capsule and aspirating fluid and debris from the lens capsule.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 140 words

The method of claim 34 wherein: the device provided in step a) incorporates means for alternately positioning the lens-reducing head, relative to the sheath, in: i) a first position whereby the entire lens-reducing head is located within and shielded by the sheath; and ii) a second position wherein one side of the lens-reducing head is shielded by the distal tip portion of the sheath and a remaining portion of the lens-reducing head is unshielded and capable of contacting and reducing lens matter within the lens capsule; and wherein the method further comprises the steps of: initially causing the lens-reducing head to be located in said first position during insertion of the probe into the lens capsule; and subsequently causing the lens-reducing head to become positioned in said second position to facilitate reduction of the ophthalmic lens within the lens capsule.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 85 words

The method of claim 42 wherein, prior to insertion of the device in step b, of the method, said method comprises the additional step of: causing said lens-reducing head to be in said first position relative to said sheath to facilitate insertion of the device into the eye; and, prior to the performance of step d, said method comprises the additional step of: causing said lens-reducing head to be moved to said second position, relative to said sheath, to facilitate reduction of the ophthalmic lens.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method of claim 43 wherein the step of "causing the lens-reducing head to be placed in said first position relative to the sheath" is accomplished by longitudinally advancing the sheath in the distal direction.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method of claim 43 wherein the step of "causing the lens-reducing head to be located in said second position relative to said sheath" is accomplished by longitudinally retracting said sheath in the proximal direction.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 227 words

A rotary ophthalmic lens-reducing device for in situ reduction of the ophthalmic lens of a mammalian eye, said device comprising: a handpiece portion which is sized and configured to be grasped by the human hand; and an elongate probe portion which extends distally from said handpiece portion, said probe portion comprising: i) an elongate tubular sheath having a distal end; ii) a rotatable drive shaft extending longitudinally through said elongate tubular sheath, said drive shaft having a distal end and an outer surface; iii) a rotatable lens-reducing head member positioned on the distal end of said drive shaft; said tubular sheath having a distal end portion which is configured such that a first side of said distal end portion is longer than an opposite second side of said distal end portion; said tubular sheath being alternately moveable back and forth between: i) a first position wherein both the first and second sides of the distal end portion of the sheath extend beyond the distal end of the rotatable lens-reducing head, thereby shielding the entire lens-reducing head; and ii) a second position wherein only the first side of said tubular sheath extends beyond the distal end of the rotatable lens-reducing head, thereby allowing the portion of the head which is next to the second side of the sheath to be sufficiently unshielded to contact and reduce lens matter.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 227 words

A rotary ophthalmic lens-reducing device for in situ reduction of the ophthalmic lens of a mammalian eye, said device comprising: a handpiece portion which is sized and configured to be grasped by the human hand; and an elongate probe portion which extends distally from said handpiece portion, said probe portion comprising: i) an elongate tubular sheath having a distal end; ii) a rotatable drive shaft extending longitudinally through said elongate tubular sheath, said drive shaft having a distal end and an outer surface; iii) a rotatable lens-reducing head member positioned on the distal end of said drive shaft; said tubular sheath having a distal end portion which is configured such that a first side of said distal end portion is longer than an opposite second side of said distal end portion; said tubular sheath being alternately moveable back and forth between: i) a first position wherein both the first and second sides of the distal end portion of the sheath extend beyond the distal end of the rotatable lens-reducing head, thereby shielding the entire lens-reducing head; and ii) a second position wherein only the first side of said tubular sheath extends beyond the distal end of the rotatable lens-reducing head, thereby allowing the portion of the head which is next to the second side of the sheath to be sufficiently unshielded to contact and reduce lens matter.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 34 words

The device of claim 46 wherein said lens-reducing head comprises at least one impeller member to draw an axial flow of fluid in the proximal direction, toward the distal end of the lens-reducing head.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 39 words

The device of claim 47 wherein the configuration of the distal end portion of the sheath, causes at least some of the fluid which is exhausted by the lens-reducing head to flow toward said second side of said sheath.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 36 words

The device of claim 46 wherein said tubular sheath is rotatable so as to permit the operator to adjust the rotational positioning of the tubular sheath, after the device has been inserted into the lens capsule.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 24 words

The device of claim 46 further comprising: a first fluid flow passageway extending longitudinally through said probe for infusing fluid into the lens capsule.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 73 words

The device of claim 50 wherein said drive shaft has an outer surface and is surrounded by a tubular sleeve having a lumenal surface, and wherein said tubular sleeve is disposed within the lumen of the tubular sheath and about the outer surface of said drive shaft such that said first fluid flow passageway is provided between the lumenal surface of said tubular sleeve and the outer surface of said rotatable drive shaft.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 80 words

The device of claim 51 further comprising: a helical bearing member having a multiplicity of spaced-apart helical convolutions, said bearing member being disposed within the first fluid flow passageway formed between said tubular sleeve and the outer surface of said rotatable shaft so as to rotatably hold said shaft in an axially centered position within said sleeve; and, a helical fluid flow path is thereby created by the disposition of said helical bearing member within said first fluid flow passageway.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 28 words

The device of claim 51 wherein a second fluid flow passageway is defined between the outer surface of said sleeve and the inner surface of said tubular sheath.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 34 words

The device of claim 53 wherein at least one fluid/debris inlet aperture is formed in said tubular sheath near the distal end thereof to facilitate suctioning of fluid and debris through said second passageway.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 98 words

The device of claim 51 further comprising: a bulkhead positioned transversely within the lumen of the tubular sheath, near the distal end thereof; an aperture extending longitudinally through said bulkhead; the lumen of said tubular sleeve being aligned with said aperture such that said rotatable drive shaft extends through said aperture, said drive shaft being smaller in diameter than said aperture such that a space exists around said drive shaft to allow fluid infused through said first fluid passageway to flow around said drive shaft, through said aperture, and out of the distal end of the tubular sheath.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 56 words

The device of claim 55 wherein: an annular shoulder is formed in the proximal surface of the bulkhead; and, wherein the distal end of the tubular sleeve is in abutment with said annular shoulder such that the distal end of said tubular sleeve is thereby supported in a co-axially centered position within the surrounding tubular sheath.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 171 words

The device of claim 51 further comprising: a bulkhead positioned transversely within the lumen of the tubular sheath, near the distal end thereof; an aperture extending longitudinally through said bulkhead; a tubular extension member interposed between the distal end of said drive shaft and said lens-reducing head, said tubular extension member extending longitudinally through the aperture of said bulkhead, said tubular extension member being rotatable concurrently with rotation of said drive shaft and said lens reducing head, said tubular extension member having at least one fluid inlet aperture located proximal to said bulkhead and in communication with said first fluid flow passageway, and at least one fluid outlet aperture located distal to said bulkhead; said device being thereby operable such that fluid may be infused in the distal direction through the first fluid flow passageway and through the lumen of said tubular extension member, such that said fluid will flow out of the outlet aperture of said tubular extension member and into a mammalian eye in which said device is inserted.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 42 words

The device of claim 57 wherein said tubular extension member has an outer bearing surface which rides in contact with said central aperture of said bulkhead as said tubular extension member rotates in conjunction with said drive shaft and said lens-reducing head.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 53 words

The device of claim 52 wherein said helical bearing member is configured such that rotation of the drive shaft within such helical bearing member will operate to pump fluid in the distal direction, through the helical fluid flow path created by the disposition of said helical bearing within said second fluid flow passageway.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 31 words

The device of claim 52 wherein said helical bearing member comprises a plurality of opposite wound segments to deter any pumping effect from being created by rotation of said drive shaft.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 31 words

The device of claim 50 further in combination with: a source of pressurized irrigation fluid connected to said fluid flow passageway to facilitate infusion of irrigant fluid through said fluid passageway.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 26 words

The device of claim 46 further comprising: a second fluid flow passageway extending longitudinally through said probe for aspirating fluid and debris from the lens capsule.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 28 words

The device of claim 62 further in combination with: a source of negative pressure connected to said second passageway to aspirate fluid and debris through said second passageway.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 17 words

The device of claim 46 wherein said elongate probe portion of said device is of straight configuration.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 32 words

The device of claim 46 wherein the elongate probe portion of a device is of said curved configuration and said drive shaft is sufficiently pliable to rotate while in said curved configuration.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 81 words

The device of claim 65 wherein said drive shaft extends through a tubular sleeve, said tubular sleeve being positioned longitudinally within the tubular sheath, and wherein one of said tubular sleeve and said tubular sheath is pliable while the other thereof is rigid and disposed in said curved configuration such that the pliable one thereof will conform to the curved configuration of the rigid one thereof, as the tubular sheath is moved back and forth between said first and second positions.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 17 words

The device of claim 66 wherein said tubular sleeve is rigid and said tubular sheath is pliable.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 17 words

The device of claim 66 wherein said tubular sleeve is pliable and said tubular sheath is rigid.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2000-11-24	2001-05-26	2001-11-25	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2004-11-24	2005-05-26	2005-11-25	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2008-11-24	2009-05-26	2009-11-25	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Rotary device for removing ophthalmic lens

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