Remotely operable intraocular surgical instrument for automated capsulectomies

US5860994A · kind A · utility

Inventor

• Yoseph Yaacobi · Fort Worth, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 30, 1996
• Grant date: Jan 19, 1999
• Expiry date: Jul 30, 2016

Classification

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

Abstract

A remotely operable intraocular surgical instrument specially adapted to perform anterior capsulectomy/capsulorhexis for extracapsular cataract extractions and emulsifications is disclosed. The intraocular instrument has a main body portion including at least two internally defined passageways and a rounded internal chamber including a rotatable wheel or a gear. An arm of variable length including a knife is associated with the rotatable wheel or gear such that movement of the wheel/gear rotates the knife through 360 degrees. In one embodiment, the wheel is driven through the use of a fluid forced through the internal passageways and around the wheel. In another embodiment a shaft having specialized teeth communicates pressure applied to a handle to the gear, thus turning the associated knife. Both embodiments include a releasable stop to prevent the knife from rotating and cutting past 360 degrees. Both embodiments also include structure for providing a viscoelastic solution to the operative field and an optional passageway to remove undesired material from the operative field. The lack of movement of the main body portion of the instrument during the procedure, simplicity of desi…