Patent · US Expired

Adjustable stiffness membrane scraper

US6575989B1 · kind B1 · utility

60Cited by
24References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 11, 2000
Grant dateJun 10, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 1, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61F9/013
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A microsurgical instrument used in ophthalmic surgery to remove proliferative membranes during a surgical procedure treating proliferative vitreoretinal membrane disorders and other macular diseases where the microsurgical instrument has a instrument handle, a tip, and abrasive particles attached to a scraping edge projecting beyond the tip. The microsurgical instrument may be fitted with infusion, aspiration, or illumination sources, and these sources are directed to the surgical site in proximity to the scraping edge, the abrasive particles on the edge scrape membranes to remove tissue at the surgical site. In one embodiment, the microsurgical instrument may be configured with a retractable/extendable pick where the relative stiffness of the pick and the edge may be adjusted. In another embodiment the edge may also be angularly positionable as it is retracted/extended from the microsurgical instrument.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.