Reduction or elimination of the introduction of air within fluid introduced into a surgical field
AssigneeAlcon Inc.
InventorRichard J. MacKool
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Air bubbles can be reduced or eliminated from the infusion source used during surgical procedures which require the delivery of irrigating fluid to the operating field. This is particularly a problem during surgical procedures performed within a closed organ, such as the eye. A constant low rate of infusion is created upon removal of a test chamber from a surgical handpiece. Pressure within the test chamber is lowered prior to removal of the test chamber.
Claims26
A method to reduce air introduction via infusion through a surgical handpiece, comprising
- generating commands;
- in response to the commands, lowering a pressure;
- removing the test chamber from the surgical handpiece;
- and
- providing a constant low rate of flow of the infusion fluid as a consequence of the lowering of the pressure upon removal of the test chamber from the surgical handpiece.
An apparatus to reduce air introduction via infusion through a surgical handpiece, comprising means for generating commands;
- means responsive to the commands for lowering a pressure and means for providing a constant low rate of flow of the infusion fluid upon removal of the test chamber from the surgical handpiece as a consequence of the lowering of the pressure by said means responsive to the commands for lowering a pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.