Fragmentation and emulsification modes in a cataract surgical device
US11576815B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 15, 2022 |
| Grant date | Feb 14, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 15, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2217/005
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Disclosed is a surgical instrument for cataract eye surgery. The instrument generally includes a handpiece that delivers sub-ultrasonic and ultrasonic vibrations in either a steady-state emulsification mode or with on-off pulses that dynamically drives a hollow needle in either a pulsed fragmentation mode or a pulsed emulsification mode. The pulsed fragmentation mode is efficient at cutting lens tissue and the pulsed emulsification mode is efficient and emulsifying the cut lands tissue. The pulsed modes manage heat buildup from becoming excessive in the eye during the cataract surgery. While in the pulsed fragmentation mode, the hollow needle is never given the chance to vibrate at an established resonant frequency of the handpiece due to the short on-off period. In contrast, the pulsed emulsification mode has a long enough on-off period to permit an ultrasonic resonant frequency in the handpiece to develop thereby driving the hollow needle at a higher energy than the pulsed fragmentation mode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.