Method and apparatus for forming an aperture in a lens capsule of an eye
OwnerForest Ellisinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved cutter assembly is used to form an aperture in a lens capsule of an eye. The cutter assembly is resiliently deflectable between a contracted condition and an expanded condition. When the cutter assembly is in the contracted condition, it is moved through an opening in the eye into alignment with an anterior portion of lens capsule of the eye. The cutter assembly is then operated to the expanded condition and moved against the anterior portion of the lens capsule under the influence of fluid pressure. To move the cutter assembly against the anterior portion of the lens capsule, a seal engages an anterior portion of the lens capsule and a conduit connected with the cutter assembly is connected in fluid communication with a source of low pressure (vacuum).
Claims19
A method of forming an aperture in a lens capsule of an eye, said method comprising the steps of:
- forming an opening in the eye,
- moving a cutter assembly through the opening in the eye into alignment with an anterior portion of the lens capsule of the eye,
- moving the cutter assembly relative to the anterior portion of the lens capsule under the influence of fluid pressure, and
- cutting the anterior portion of the lens capsule with a cutter in the cutter assembly as the cutter assembly is moved relative to the anterior portion of the lens capsule under the influence of fluid pressure.
An apparatus for use in forming an aperture in a lens capsule in an eye, said apparatus comprising a cutter assembly, a conduit which is connected with said cutter assembly, and a valve connected with said conduit, said valve being operable from a closed condition to an open condition to connect said cutter assembly in fluid communication with a source of low pressure, said cutter assembly having an outer side which is exposed to fluid pressure in the eye to urge a cutter member in said cutter assembly toward an anterior portion of the lens capsule when said valve is in the open condition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.