Device for removable connection of a functional unit to a housing

#This application claims the priority of Swiss Patent Applications Serial No. CH 2002 0634/02, filed Apr. 16, 2002, and Serial No. CH 2002 2031/02, filed Dec. 2, 2002, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

#The present invention relates, in general, to instruments used in ophthalmologic surgery, and more particularly relates to an instrument including a device for removable connection of a functional unit with a surgical tool for ophthalmologic procedures, to a housing and operable by manual means or motor means.

#Instruments that are suitably configured for ophthalmologic surgery are generally known. For example, instruments known in the prior art comprise a housing, which is configured as a hand piece and provided with drive elements for manual or motor operation and a functional unit to which the surgical tool is connected, which tool is at a distal end thereof and configured as a cutting-, grasping- or clamping element. In assembled condition, the surgical tool for carrying out the surgical procedures is connected to the functional unit and is operated by means of drive elements provided in the housing.

#Other features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent upon reading the following description of currently preferred exemplified embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the surgical instrument according to the present invention including a housing configured as a hand piece for removable disposition of a functional unit at the housing;

#FIG. 2 is a front view of the surgical instrument according to FIG. 1 showing the functional unit detached with respect to the housing;

#Throughout all the Figures, same or corresponding elements are generally indicated by same reference numerals. These depicted embodiments are to be understood as illustrative of the invention and not as limiting in any way.

#For a general illustration of the present invention, FIG. 1 through FIG. 25 show various configurations and variations of embodiments of the surgical instrument. Each of the instruments essentially comprise a housing 10 configured as a hand piece and a functional unit 50. Supported in housing 10 is a first rod 12, which is operatively connected with manual or motor means for movement in axial direction. The first rod 12, in operative engagement with a sliding pin 60 for moving a tube shaped probe 57 disposed in the functional unit 50 in axial direction relative to a second rod 58, which is co-axially supported in the probe 57. When moving the first rod 12 in conjunction with operatively connected locking peg 63, a probe disposed at the functional unit 50 is moved in axial direction relative to a co-axially-arranged second rod 58. Due to the axial relative motion of the probe with respect to the second rod 58, tool 80 connected to the distal end thereof, the instrument can be actuated for operation.

#It is pointed out that the cutting-, grasping- or clamping-element shown schematically in the Figures are hereinafter designated generally as tool 80. The functional unit 50 as shown in the various figures in either an attached or detached position are configured as the functional unit described in connection with the functional unit 50 shown in FIG. 3.