Kadziauskas, Kenneth E. (Coto de Caza, CA, US)
Steen, Mark E. (Chino Hills, CA, US)

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10/290700

05/20/2008

11/08/2002

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Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. (Santa Ana, CA, US)

73/865.900

G01N33/00

73/865.9, 604/43-45, 73/863.73, 604/22, 73/865.8, 604/119, 606/169, 73/863.72, 606/107, 134/43, 73/863.71, 604/35, 604/27

4386927	Device to be utilized in extracapsular cataract surgery	June, 1983	Eichenbaum
4493694	Surgical pre-aspirator	January, 1985	Wuchinich
4531934	Apparatus for the fragmentation and aspiration of ocular tissue	July, 1985	Kossovsky et al.
4689040	Tip for a phacoemulsification needle	August, 1987	Thompson
4959049	Tip for a phacoemulsification needle	September, 1990	Smirmaul
5213569	Tip for a tissue phacoemulsification device	May, 1993	Davis
5257988	Apparatus for phacoemulsifying cataractous-lens tissue within a protected environment	November, 1993	L'esperance, Jr.
5299591	Device for containing leaks above suspended ceilings	April, 1994	Duncan	73/863.71
5413556	Phacoemulsification handpiece	May, 1995	Whittingham
5429601	Aspiration control system	July, 1995	Conley et al.	604/65
5653724	Angled phacoemulsifier tip	August, 1997	Imonti
5695461	Ophthalmic instrument for fracturing and removing a cataract and a method for using the same	December, 1997	Schaible
5718676	Grooved phaco-emulsification needle	February, 1998	Barrett
5725495	Phacoemulsification handpiece, sleeve, and tip	March, 1998	Strukel et al.
5741226	Phacoemulsification handpiece, sleeve, and tip	April, 1998	Strukel et al.
5741244	Probe for the suctioning of ocular tissue	April, 1998	Klaas
5743871	Phacoemulsification handpiece, sleeve, and tip	April, 1998	Strukel et al.
5746713	Phacoemulsification needle	May, 1998	Hood et al.
5788679	Phacoemulsification needle	August, 1998	Gravlee, Jr.
D399557	High gain phacoemulsification needle	October, 1998	Hood et al.
5830192	Irrigation sleeve for phacoemulsification apparatus	November, 1998	Van Voorhis
5935096	Grooved phaco-emulsification needle	August, 1999	Barrett
5989209	Grooved phaco-emulsification needle	November, 1999	Barrett
5993408	Thin tip phaco needle	November, 1999	Zaleski
5993409	Needle for surgical use	November, 1999	Maaskamp	604/22
6007555	Ultrasonic needle for surgical emulsification	December, 1999	Devine
6013046	Sleeve shielded needles for phaco-emulsification devices	January, 2000	Maaskamp et al.
6013049	Controlled outflow sleeve	January, 2000	Rockley et al.	604/22
6083192	Pulsed ultrasound method for fragmenting/emulsifying and removing cataractous lenses	July, 2000	Bath	604/22
6126629	Multiple port phaco needle	October, 2000	Perkins
6135991	Aspiration method	October, 2000	Muni et al.
6299591	Phacoemulsification handpiece, sleeve, and tip	October, 2001	Banko
6432078	System and method for removing cataract or other cells in an eye using water jet and suction	August, 2002	Peyman	604/27
6506176	Methods, apparatus and system for removal of lenses from mammalian eyes	January, 2003	Mittelstein et al.	604/22
20020134716	Monitoring unit for monitoring the condition of a semi-permeable membrane	September, 2002	Maartens et al.
20040089330	Washing and extracting head for microplate washing appliance and corresponding appliance	May, 2004	Muller	134/167R

DE4131401	September, 1991
JP2000237228	September, 2000			SLEEVE FOR OPHTHALMIC OPERATION, AND OPHTHALMIC OPERATION DEVICE EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME

Definition of “irrigate” from The American Heritage Dictionary, 1982.

Raevis, Robert

What is claimed is:

1. Test apparatus for bi-manual phaco needle apparatus, said test apparatus comprising: a chamber for establishing a fluidic circuit between an irrigation needle and an aspiration needle; a first inlet into said chamber for establishing fluid communication with an irrigation line, wherein said first inlet is sized for sealing around a handpiece portion supporting the irrigation needle; and a second inlet into said chamber for establishing fluid communication with an aspiration line, wherein said second inlet is sized for sealing around a handpiece portion supporting the aspiration needle; the chamber configured to enable visual monitoring of the fluidic circuit.

2. The test apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first inlet and the second inlet are disposed proximate one end of said chamber.

3. The test apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first inlet and the second inlet are disposed on opposite ends of said chamber.

4. The test apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said chamber is formed from a transparent material for enabling visual monitoring of the fluidic circuit.

5. The test apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the chamber is flexible.

6. A phacoemulsification apparatus, comprising: an irrigation handpiece having an irrigation needle; an aspiration handpiece having an aspiration needle; and a chamber configured to provide a fluidic circuit between the irrigation needle and the aspiration needle, the chamber comprising: a first inlet for sealably engaging a portion of at least one of the irrigation handpiece and the irrigation needle; and a second inlet for sealably engaging a portion of at least one of the aspiration handpiece and the aspiration needle; the chamber configured to enable visual monitoring of the fluidic circuit.

7. The test apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said chamber is formed from a transparent material for enabling visual monitoring of the fluidic circuit.

8. The test apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the chamber is flexible.

The present invention generally relates to phacoemulsification apparatus and is more particularly directed to test apparatus for bi-manual phaco needle apparatus.

By way of background, phacoemulsification apparatus is utilized for surgically removing cataractic lenses and replacing same with an artificial interocular lens.

Cataract removal was first effected through manual surgical procedures which necessitated the cutting of the cornea resulting in a wound of up to 12 mm in length.

Since these large wounds can result in corneal or scleral tissue damage, phacoemulsification procedures have been developed in which a needle is inserted through an incision into a lens capsule and needle is ultrasonically vibrated to mechanically emulsify the lens. The incision required for this procedure has been typically about 2.5 to about 4 mm. Once fragmented, or emulsified, the lens material is then aspirated from the lens capsule.

Phacoemulsification apparatus may include a handpiece having a coaxial assembly which includes a needle with an aspiration lumen therethrough and a sleeve disposed over the needle for establishing an annulus for providing irrigation fluid over the needle. While the sleeve surrounding a phacoemulsification needle provides an important function of establishing the annulus for introducing irrigation fluid into the lens capsule it unfortunately necessitates a larger overall diameter for which an incision must be made.

Other phacoemulsification apparatus known as, “bi-manual” phacoemulsification apparatus utilizes two needles, one for introducing an irrigation fluid into a lens capsule and another ultrasonically vibrated needle for inserting into the lens capsule for emulsifying the lens tissue therein. Such apparatus is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/894,503 “Bi-Manual Phaco Needle” filed on Jun. 28, 2001. This application is to be incorporated herein in its entirety, including all drawings and specifications for the purpose of describing apparatus for which the present invention is useful for testing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Test apparatus in accordance with the present invention for bi-manual phaco needle apparatus generally includes a chamber for establishing a fluidic circuit, a first inlet into the chamber for establishing fluid communication with an irrigation needle and a second inlet into the chamber for establishing fluid communication with an aspiration needle.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the first and second inlets are disposed proximate one another on one end of the chamber and in another embodiment of the present invention, the first and second inlets are disposed on opposite ends of the chamber.

The chamber thus provides a fluidic circuit to assist in priming fluids in irrigation and aspiration lines as well as assist in the process of air bubble elimination from the irrigation line.

More particularly, the first inlet may be sized for sealing around the irrigation needle and the second inlet is sized for sealing around a handpiece supporting the aspiration needle. In this manner, the bi-manual phacoemulsification apparatus requires no further adjustment or modification upon completion of a testing and is thereafter immediately ready for use in a subsequent phacoemulsification procedure.

Preferably, the chamber is formed from a transparent material for enabling visual monitoring of the fluidic circuit. As noted above, this assists in the process of air bubble elimination from the irrigation line.

A method in accordance with the present invention for testing bi-manual phacoemulsification apparatus generally includes the steps of providing a sealed chamber having a first inlet for an irrigation needle and a second inlet for an aspiration needle, thus establishing a fluidic circuit therebetween.

Irrigation fluid is introduced into the chamber with the irrigation needle and such introduced fluid is aspirated through an aspiration needle.

Preferably, the chamber is sealed and the method includes the use of a transparent chamber in order that the step of visually monitoring the fluidic circuit through chamber walls is enabled.

The method in accordance with the present invention may further include the step of circulating irrigation fluid through the chamber for the elimination of air bubbles in the fluid, which may be observed following the filling of the chamber with irrigation fluid.

The method may include, alternatively, the step of providing a chamber having the first and second inlets proximate one into the chamber or in which the chamber is provided with first and second inlets disposed on opposite ends of the chamber.

More particularly, method, in accordance with the present invention, may provide for priming bi-manual phacoemulsification apparatus which includes the steps of introducing irrigation fluid into a sealed chamber with an irrigation needle and aspirating the introduced fluid with an aspiration needle. As noted hereinabove, the sealed chamber establishes a fluidic circuit between the irrigation needle and the aspiration needle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will be better understood by the following description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of test apparatus in accordance with the present invention as it may be used with bi-manual phacoemulsification apparatus generally showing a chamber for establishing a fluidic circuit between an irrigation needle and an aspiration needle with the apparatus including first and second inlets disposed proximate one end of the chamber; and

FIG. 2 is a diagram of apparatus similar to that shown in FIG. 1 showing a chamber for establishing a fluidic circuit between an irrigation needle and an aspiration needle with the use of first and second inlets disposed on opposite ends of the chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown test apparatus 10 in accordance with the present invention for bi-manual phaco apparatus 12 which generally includes an irrigation handpiece 18 having an irrigation needle 20 and aspiration handpiece 24 including an aspiration needle 26 . Both the irrigation handpiece 18 and aspiration handpiece 24 communicate through lines 30 , 32 to a console 36 . Operation of the handpieces 18 , 24 and console 36 is described in U.S. Ser. No. 09/894,503 hereinabove referenced and incorporated herein. Accordingly, no further description of the use of the bi-manual phaco apparatus 12 for removal of cataractic tissue is discussed herein.

However, the use of separate irrigation needles 20 and aspiration needles 26 necessitates priming of fluids, particularly through lines 30 , 32 and the elimination of air bubbles and otherwise confirming proper operation of the phacoemulsification apparatus 12 .

The test apparatus 10 preferably includes a chamber 40 which is formed from a transparent silicone which enables visual monitoring of the fluidic circuit established therein by the irrigation needle 20 and aspiration needle 26 . However, other suitable materials may be utilized in the formation of the chamber 40 which can be produced in any conventional manner. A flexible chamber 40 has the advantage of assisting a user in identifying fluidic balance within the apparatus 12 by simulation of flexibility of a lens capsule (not shown). That is, the size and wall thickness may be determined to provide comparable lens capsule dynamics.

A first inlet 42 formed in the chamber 40 is provided for establishing fluid communication with the irrigation line 30 , preferably with the irrigation handpiece 18 or irrigation needle 20 . While the first inlet 42 is illustrated in an engaging relationship with the needle 20 , it may be sized for engaging the handpiece 18 or with direct engagement with the line 30 through a fitting, not shown. A second inlet 44 formed in the chamber 40 is provided for establishing fluid communication with the aspiration line 32 , preferably with the aspiration handpiece 24 , as shown or directly with the aspiration needle 26 . Again fluid communication may be established directly with the aspiration line 32 through a fitting, not shown. The second inlet 44 may be sized for sealing around the handpiece 24 supporting the needle 26 and the first inlet 42 may be sized for sealing around the irrigation needle 20 . Alternatively, inlets (not shown) may be formed in the chamber 40 receiving only the needles 20 , 26 or one or both of the handpieces 18 , 24 .

The advantage of sealing around the handpiece is 18 , 26 rather than the needles 20 , 26 is to facilitate handling of the needles and test apparatus 10 . That is, to reduce direct handling of the needles 20 , 26 which, of course, may inadvertently cause injury to a user if not properly manipulated.

In the embodiment 10 , the first and second inlets 42 , 44 are formed proximate one end 50 of the chamber 40 .

With reference to FIG. 2, there is shown another embodiment 60 in accordance with the present invention utilizing a chamber 62 for establishing a fluidic circuit between the irrigation needle 20 and the aspiration needle 26 . Common reference numbers illustrated in FIG. 2 correspond to identical or similar structure as shown in FIG. 1.

The chamber 62 includes a first inlet 66 disposed in a first end 68 of the chamber 62 for sealably receiving the irrigation needle 20 and a second inlet 72 disposed on an opposite end 74 of the test chamber 62 for receiving the handpiece 24 and establishing fluid communication with the aspiration needle 26 .

The chamber 62 may include a necked down portion 78 for enhancing visual acuity of any bubbles in irrigation fluid in the chamber 62 after filling with the irrigation needle 20 .

The test apparatus 10 , 60 hereinabove describe enables a method of the present invention for testing bi-manual phacoemulsification apparatus including priming thereof. Priming involves the filling of lines 30 , 32 (see FIG. 1) through appropriate pumping and vacuum action provided by the console 36 . Typically, the fluid comprises a saline solution and it is important to remove any gaseous formation, such as bubbles, not shown, from the apparatus 12 before a phacoemulsification procedure is performed.

Accordingly, a method in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of providing a sealed chamber at 40 with the first inlet 42 for the irrigation needle 20 and the second inlet 44 for the aspiration needle 26 .

In the method, irrigation fluid is introduced into the chamber preferably filling the same and aspirating the introduced fluid with the aspiration needle 26 .

Providing of a sealed transparent chamber 40 enables the step of visually monitoring the fluidic circuit through the chamber walls 54 or necked down portion 78 in chamber 60 (see FIG. 2).

The method further includes a step of providing the chamber 40 having the inlets 42 , 44 proximate the end 50 . This is of particular advantage when the chamber 40 is flexible as herein above noted. The chamber wall 54 may be of a length designed in combination with the material of construction for enabling collapse thereof during selected aspiration and irrigation procedures mandated by the console 36 . That is, a simulated lens capsule is provided.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2, inlets 66 , 72 may be provided on opposite ends 68 , 74 of the chamber 62 . This provides the advantage of utilizing the necked down portion 78 as a specific flexible portion for enabling collapse thereof as noted hereinabove and for more direct visualization of the fluidic circuit, also hereinabove noted.

Although there has been hereinabove described a specific test chamber for bimanual lens extraction in accordance with the present invention for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the invention may be used to advantage, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto. That is, the present invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the recited elements. Further, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein. Accordingly, any and all modifications, variations or equivalent arrangements which may occur to those skilled in the art, should be considered to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.