Medical instrument for phacoemulsification

US6623477B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Asclepion-Meditec AG · DE

Inventors

• Jens Elbrecht · Jena, DE
• Eckhard Schroeder · Eckental, DE
• Frank Weidner · Stuttgart, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 1, 2001
• Grant date: Sep 23, 2003
• Expiry date: Oct 1, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61F2009/0087
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A medical instrument for phacoemulsification with which the biological tissue of a lens of the eye is comminuted by the introduction of energy, the comminuted product is sucked out through an incision in the cornea, while intraocular pressure is maintained by supplying an irrigating liquid. In an instrument of the type mentioned above, two cannulas are provided for sucking out the ablated lens material and for supplying the irrigating liquid and are connected, via feed lines, with the suction device and with the supply device. A switchable directional valve is provided in the feed lines between the cannulas and the suction device and supply device, by means of which, in a first valve position, a first cannula is connected with the suction device and the second cannula is connected with the supply device and, in a second valve position, the second cannula is connected with the suction device and the first cannula is connected with the supply device.