# US 10,945,882 B2 · Small gauge surgical instrument with adjustable support > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,945,882 B2 - Document ID: US10945882B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/805,306 - Filed: 2020-02-28 - Published: 2020-06-25 - Granted: 2021-03-16 - Earliest claimed: 2011-09-27 - Assignees: Edwin Ryan - Applicants: Edwin Ryan - Inventors: Edwin Ryan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10945882B2 ## CPC - A61F 9/007: Methods or devices for eye surgery - A61B 1/005: Flexible endoscopes - A61B 1/0051: {with controlled bending of insertion part} - A61B 1/07: using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres - A61F 9/00736: {Instruments for removal of intra-ocular material or intra-ocular injection, e.g. cataract instruments (A61F9/008 takes precedence)} - A61B 1/0052: {Constructional details of control elements, e.g. handles} - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A small gauge surgical instrument is shown with advantages such as diminished “play” at the tip. A surgical instrument assembly is also shown with support along a length of the instrument that can be selected by the surgeon. Devices and method described provide adjustability of the instrument without protruding into a gripping surface of the instrument. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An ophthalmologic instrument, comprising: a base unit having an outer surface lateral to a longitudinal axis, with no protrusions or controls on the outer surface lateral to the longitudinal axis of the base unit; a small diameter instrument fixed in relation to the base unit, and extending from the base unit, the small diameter instrument having a length; a support frame slidably coupled to the small diameter instrument along the length; an adjustment mechanism for the support frame, to provide two or more different levels of lateral support to the small diameter instrument, wherein the adjustment mechanism is located on a surface other than the outer surface lateral to the longitudinal axis of the base unit; and wherein the support frame is spaced laterally apart from the small diameter instrument, and contained within the outer surface lateral to the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes one or more rods that slide within holes in the base unit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a scale on a side of a rod to indicate the different levels of lateral support. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a threaded knob that moves within a threaded mating pocket on the base unit to adjust the different levels of lateral support. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 4, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a flexible cable between the threaded knob and the one or more rods. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 1, wherein the small diameter instrument includes a fiber optic instrument. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 1, wherein the small diameter instrument includes an infusion cannula. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 1, wherein the small diameter instrument includes a cutting tool. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 1, wherein the small diameter instrument includes a forceps. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 1, wherein the small diameter instrument includes a probe. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 1, wherein the support frame includes a cylinder that fits closely around the small diameter instrument. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 1, wherein the small diameter instrument is approximately 23 gauge or smaller in diameter. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 1, wherein the small diameter instrument is approximately 2.5 gauge in diameter. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 1, wherein the small diameter instrument is approximately 27 gauge in diameter. ### Claim 15 An ophthalmologic instrument, comprising: a base unit having an outer surface lateral to a longitudinal axis, with no protrusions or controls on the outer surface lateral to the longitudinal axis of the base unit; a small diameter instrument fixed in relation to the base unit, and extending from the base unit, the small diameter instrument having a length; a support frame slidably coupled to the small diameter instrument along the length; an adjustment mechanism for the support frame, including a plurality of rods that extend both proximally and distally through the base unit, to provide two or more different levels of lateral support to the small diameter instrument, wherein the adjustment mechanism is located on a surface other than the outer surface lateral to the longitudinal axis of the base unit; and wherein the support frame is spaced apart from the small diameter instrument, and contained within the outer surface lateral to the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 15, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes three or more rods that slide within holes in the base unit, wherein the three or more rods form a stable configuration providing support on three axes for stability and control. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 15, wherein the outer surface lateral to the longitudinal axis includes a concave surface to facilitate gripping. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 15, wherein the small diameter instrument includes a fiber optic instrument. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 15, wherein the small diameter instrument includes an infusion cannula. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 15, wherein the small diameter instrument includes a cutting tool. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 15, wherein the small diameter instrument includes a forceps. ### Claim 22 (depends on 15) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 15, wherein the small diameter instrument includes a probe.