Illuminated infusion cannula
AssigneeAlcon Inc.
InventorsRonald Smith, Jack Auld, Christopher McCollam, Dean Lin, Dyson Hickingbotham
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A transparent illuminated infusion cannula is provided for illuminating an area during eye surgery. An optical fiber may be spaced a certain distance away from the cannula such that fluid flow around the distal end of the fiber and into the transparent cannula may occur with a much higher flow rate than what had previously been possible. The fiber cannula airspace may be optimized so that the cross-sectional area of the fluid conduit remains substantially constant in order to achieve a best compromise between high light transmittance and high fluid flow rate.
Claims24
An illuminated infusion cannula, comprising:
- an endo-illuminator operable to provide light;
- a hose operable to transport a fluid;
- a hub mechanically coupled to the endo-illuminator and the hose;
- and
- a transparent cannula downstream from the hub wherein:
- the cannula is positioned coaxially with the endo-illuminator;
- and
- a space between a distal end of the endo-illuminator and proximal end of the transparent cannula, wherein the space allows fluid to flow around the distal end of the endo-illuminator and into the transparent cannula.
A transparent illuminated infusion cannula, comprising:
- an endo-illuminator operable to provide light to illuminate an area within an eye;
- a hose operable to transport a fluid;
- a protective sheath operable to combine the endo-illuminator and hose within a single cable;
- an incision cannula operable to incise the sclera of the eye;
- and
- a transparent cannula within the incision cannula wherein:
- the transparent cannula is positioned coaxially with the endo-illuminator;
- and
- a space between a distal end of the endo-illuminator and proximal end of the transparent cannula allows fluid to flow around the distal end of the endo-illuminator, into the transparent cannula, and into a sclera aperture.
A transparent illuminated infusion cannula, comprising:
- an optical fiber operable to provide light to illuminate an area within an eye;
- a hose operable to transport a fluid;
- a protective sheath operable to combine the optical fiber and hose within a single cable;
- an incision cannula operable to incise the sclera of the eye;
- and
- a transparent cannula within the incision cannula wherein:
- the transparent cannula is positioned coaxially with the optical fiber;
- and
- space between a distal end of the optical fiber and proximal end of the transparent cannula allows fluid to flow around the distal end of the optical fiber, into the transparent cannula, and into a sclera aperture, and wherein a flow cross-sectional area is substantially constant within the hose, cannula, and interface between the hose, cannula and optical fiber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.