Vitrectomy probe

US11583441B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ALCON INC. · CH

Inventors

• Jose Luis Lopez · Austin, US
• Matthew McCawley · San Clemente, US
• Brian William McDonell · Irvine, US
• Timothy C. Ryan · Laguna Hills, US
• John R. Underwood · Laguna Niguel, US
• Salomon Valencia · Aliso Viejo, US
• Jack R. Auld · Laguna Niguel, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 31, 2020
• Grant date: Feb 21, 2023
• Expiry date: May 19, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61F9/00754
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

In some embodiments, a vitrectomy probe may include an inner cutting tube reciprocating in an outer tube. The outer tube includes a side port and the inner tube includes a distal cutting port, and, in some embodiments, an additional side port. In some embodiments, the inner tube may also include a flat upper edge that cuts across the outer tube side port. In some embodiments, a diaphragm drives the inner tube and may have an open-stroke side with a lower hardness material than a closed-stroke side. In some embodiments, an aspiration tube coupled to the vitrectomy probe may include a first aspiration tubing and a second aspiration tubing with a lower hardness than the first aspiration tubing. In some embodiments, the vitrectomy probe may be coupled to pneumatic tubing that is stepped or tapered.