End Cutting Vitrectomy Probe

An end-cutting vitrectomy probe, comprising:

• a hollow sleeve with a distal end portion and having an opening in a side wall of the sleeve's distal end portion, and a tapered annular surface disposed in the interior of the sleeve's distal end;
• a pneumatic device configured to apply a vacuum to the interior of the hollow sleeve, for aspirating vitreous tissues in through said opening into the interior of the hollow sleeve;
• a cutting member movably disposed within the hollow sleeve, the cutting member having a cylindrical distal end defining a circumferential cutting edge which, when the cutting member is fully displaced against the distal end of the sleeve, frictionally engages the tapered annular surface within the hollow sleeve, to thereby cut any vitreous tissue disposed between the circumferential cutting edge and the tapered annular surface;
• and
• a drive mechanism for slidably displacing the cutting member within the hollow sleeve in a reciprocating manner, such that the cutting member oscillates between a position of engagement with the tapered annular surface and a position spaced apart from the tapered annular surface, to thereby provide for repetitive cutting action.

An end-cutting vitrectomy probe, comprising:

• a hollow sleeve having an opening in a side wall of the sleeve's distal end portion;
• a disc element having a tapered annular surface on one face, the disc element being secured on the distal end of the hollow sleeve with the tapered annular surface facing the interior of the sleeve's distal end;
• a pneumatic device configured to apply a vacuum to the interior of the hollow sleeve, for aspirating vitreous tissues in through said opening into the interior of the hollow sleeve;
• a cutting member movably disposed within the hollow sleeve, the cutting member having a cylindrical distal end defining a circumferential cutting edge which, when the cutting member is fully displaced against the distal end of the sleeve, frictionally engages the tapered annular surface within the hollow sleeve, to thereby cut any vitreous tissue disposed between the circumferential cutting edge and the tapered annular surface;
• and
• a drive mechanism for slidably displacing the cutting member within the hollow sleeve in a reciprocating manner, such that the cutting member oscillates between a position of engagement with the tapered annular surface and a position spaced apart from the tapered annular surface, to thereby provide for repetitive cutting action.