# US 11,998,484 B2 · Dynamic support for ophthalmic device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,998,484 B2 - Document ID: US11998484B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/673,669 - Filed: 2022-02-16 - Published: 2022-08-04 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2015-09-25 - Assignees: Edwin Ryan - Applicants: Edwin Ryan - Inventors: Edwin Ryan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11998484B2 ## CPC - A61F 9/00763: {with rotating or reciprocating cutting elements, e.g. concentric cutting needles (atherectomy cutting instruments A61B17/3207; endoscopic cutting instruments A61B17/320016)} - A61B 17/34: Trocars; Puncturing needles - A61F 9/00736: {Instruments for removal of intra-ocular material or intra-ocular injection, e.g. cataract instruments (A61F9/008 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/00544: {pneumatically} - A61B 2017/3407: {including a base for support on the body} - A61B 2017/3492: {against the outside of the body} - A61B 2090/062: {penetration depth} - A61B 2090/0811: {for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument} - A61F 9/007: Methods or devices for eye surgery - 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 a lateral gripping surface; a small diameter instrument 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, and free to move along the length; a biasing device to urge the support frame towards an extended location along the length of the small diameter instrument; and one or more supply lines routed through an interior of the base unit to the small diameter instrument, wherein the support frame is spaced apart from the one or more supply lines, and both the support frame and the one or more supply lines are contained laterally within the lateral gripping surface as they pass through the interior of the base unit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 1, wherein the biasing device includes a spring. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 2, further including a screw adjuster to adjust a preload spring force. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 1, wherein the biasing device includes a piston adapted to be biased by pneumatic pressure. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 1, wherein the one or more supply lines includes a fiber optic line. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 1, wherein the one or more supply lines includes a media infusion line. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 1, wherein the one or more supply lines includes a suction line. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 1, wherein the one or more supply lines includes a drug delivery line. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 1, wherein the small diameter instrument includes a cutting tool. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 1, wherein the small diameter instrument includes a forceps. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 1, wherein the small diameter instrument includes a vitrectomy blade. ### Claim 12 (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 13 (depends on 12) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 12, wherein the small diameter instrument is approximately 23 gauge or smaller in diameter. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 12, wherein the small diameter instrument is approximately 25 gauge in diameter. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 12, wherein the small diameter instrument is approximately 27 gauge in diameter. ### Claim 16 An ophthalmologic instrument, comprising: a base unit having a lateral gripping surface; a small diameter instrument 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, and free to move along the length; a biasing device to urge the support frame towards an extended location along the length of the small diameter instrument, wherein a biasing force preload amount of the biasing device is adjustable; wherein a distal portion of the support frame is adapted to make contact with a patient's eye and wherein a biasing force of the biasing device may be overcome by pressing the distal portion of the support frame against the patient's eye, to extend the small diameter instrument into a posterior portion of the patient's eye when in use. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 16, further including a screw adjuster to adjust the preload amount. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 16, wherein the support frame includes a cylinder that fits closely around the small diameter instrument. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 18, wherein the small diameter instrument is approximately 23 gauge or smaller in diameter. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 18, wherein the small diameter instrument is approximately 25 gauge in diameter. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The ophthalmologic instrument of claim 18, wherein the small diameter instrument is approximately 27 gauge in diameter.