Ophthalmic flow converter
AssigneeSyntec, Inc.
InventorJames C. Easley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device for preventing post occlusion flow surges during eye surgery includes an enclosure defining an inlet and an outlet. The enclosure further defines a flow passage between the inlet and the outlet. A restriction is positioned in the flow passage. Structure preferring a filtering function is placed upstream of the restriction for permitting fluid passage through the device. The enclosure further defines a storage area for collecting material restrained by the filter structure. In the preferred embodiment, the device is constructing from a suitable plastic or other molded material, and is intended for disposable use.
Claims21
A device for use in eye surgery comprising:
- an enclosure having an inlet and outlet, said enclosure defining a fluid flow passage therebetween, said flow including a liquid component and a gas component;
- a filter assembly mounted in said flow passage, said filter permitting passage of said fluid but preventing passage of solid material;
- a valve restriction mounted in said flow passage, downstream of said filter;
- and
- an adjustment structure for varying the size of the restriction operatively associated with valve restriction so as to enable a user to maintain stable fluid pressure in the eye.
An anti-cornea collapsing device for use in performing phacoevacuation comprising:
- an enclosure, said enclosure having an inlet side for receiving aspirating material including fluid and solids from the eye, and an outlet side, said enclosure defining a first passage between the inlet and outlet;
- a valve positioned in said passage for restricting suction through said device;
- and
- a filter mounted upstream of said passage, said filter permitting passage of fluid in at least one operating condition of said device, while generally inhibiting flow of solids through said device, said filter including a labyrinth structure.
An anti-cornea collapsing device for use in performing eye surgery comprising:
- an enclosure defining an inlet and outlet, and a flow passage therebetween;
- a restriction formed in said flow passage;
- a filter in said flow passage upstream of said restriction, said filter permitting passage of fluid but inhibiting passage of solid material;
- said enclosure defining storage area upstream of said filter;
- and
- a hand piece for performing eye surgery, said enclosure being removeably mounted to said handpiece.
A device for performing eye surgery comprising:
- an enclosure having an inlet and an outlet, said enclosure defining a fluid flow passage there between, said fluid flow including a liquid component and a gas component;
- a filter assembly mounted in said fluid flow passage, said filter assembly permitting passage of said fluid but preventing passage of solid material;
- a valve restriction mounted in said flow passage downstream of said filter;
- and
- an adjustment structure for varying the size of the restriction operatively associated with the restriction so as to enable a user to maintain stable fluid pressure in the eye.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.