INSTRUMENT FOR INTRAOCULAR SURGICAL PROCEDURE

Abstract

An instrument for intraocular surgical procedure comprises a handle, a probe designed as a hollow body connected to the handle, and a core arranged in the probe, with an active element at the end for removing impurities from the eye, wherein either the probe is displaceable at least partially out of the handle and into it with respect to the core firmly connected to the handle, or the core is slidable at least partially out of the handle and into it with respect to the probe firmly connected to the handle, so that the core with the active element is completely within the probe or protrudes from the probe by a predetermined length, with an actuating device for actuating the probe or core being provided in the handle.

Claims

1. An instrument for intraocular surgical procedure, comprising: a handle; a probe including a hollow body and connected to the handle; a core in the probe; an active element at a distal end of the probe for removing impurities from an eye; and an actuating device in the handle for actuating the probe, wherein either a) the probe is at least partially displaceable in and out of the handle and the core is firmly connected to the handle, or b) the core is at least partially slidable in and out of the handle and the probe is firmly connected to the handle, so that the core with the active element is completely within the probe or protrudes from the probe by a predetermined length.

2. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein the active element comprises at least one of a brush, mop, cloth, sponge, wiper blade, fibrous material, flat material, and a ball-like material.

3. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein the core is substantially straight when out of the handle.

4. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein the core is bent by 45° to 180° towards the distal end so that when the core is out of the handle, the core undergoes elastic relaxation and unfolds, and when the core is in the handle, the core exerts an elastic bias against an inner wall of the probe.

5. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a sleeve, and an actuating element of the actuating device slides within the sleeve.

6. The instrument according to claim 5, wherein the actuating device comprises a locking mechanism for locking a relative position between the probe and the core.

7. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a reservoir for a liquid which can be discharged through the probe towards the active element.

8. The instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a connection for connecting a syringe a proximal end of the handle, wherein contents of the syringe can be discharged through the handle and the probe towards the active element.

9. The instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a connection at a proximal end of the handle for connecting to a vitrectomy device having infusion and aspiration connections.

10. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the handle and/the probe is made from plastic or metal.

11. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein the core is made from a plastic or a metal alloy having a shape memory.

12. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein the probe has dimensions that enable the probe to be inserted into an eye through a trocar having a diameter of 0.4 to 0.8 mm.

Description

[0023] Now, there are different possibilities of designing and further improving the teaching of the present disclosure in an advantageous manner. In this respect, reference is made to the claims dependent on claim 1 on the one hand, and on the following explanations on a preferred exemplary embodiment of the disclosure by way of the drawings on the other hand. In conjunction with the explanation of the preferred exemplary embodiment of the disclosure by way of the drawings, generally preferred designs and further improvements of the teaching are also explained. In the drawings:

[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an exemplary embodiment of an instrument according to the disclosure with only slightly pushed-out straight core and active element at the end,

[0025] FIG. 2 is a schematic enlarged view of the probe with the core pushed out slightly and the active element at the end,

[0026] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the instrument of FIG. 1 with the core being far out and pushed by 180 degrees and the active element at the end,

[0027] FIG. 4 is a schematic enlarged view of the probe with the core pushed out far and the active element at the end,

[0028] FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of the core at the end with unfolded active element with respect to the pushed-in state with an enlarged surface, and

[0029] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of two engaging situations using the instrument according to the disclosure on/in the human eye.

[0030] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an instrument according to the disclosure for intraocular surgical procedure. The instrument comprises handle 1 and probe 2 connected to handle 1.

[0031] Rinsing and aspiration connection 3 is provided at the proximal end of handle 1.

[0032] FIG. 2 shows the object of FIG. 1 in the area of the distal end, specifically probe 2 and the slightly and/or sparsely extended core 4, which extends in a straight line out of probe 2. At the end of core 4, active element 5 is provided, as shown in detail in FIG. 5 as one of many possibilities. It consists of a cleaning material with an enlarged surface.

[0033] FIG. 3 shows the object of FIG. 1, wherein core 4 is pushed out far. Since the material of core 4 is a curved material with shape memory, core 4 bends when it is pushed out of probe 2 according to the shape memory, according to FIG. 4, by about 180 degrees. Active element 5 is arranged at the end of core 4.

[0034] At this point it should be noted that the core 4 can also be pushed out just far enough that active element 5 protrudes approximately orthogonally from the longitudinal direction of probe 2.

[0035] FIGS. 1 and 3 also show that the housing comprises an actuating device with actuating element 6. For locking the position of core 4 with respect to probe 2, locking member 7 of a locking mechanism is provided.

[0036] FIG. 5 shows the situation at the end at the distal end of probe 2 and/or core 4, according to which active element 5 is arranged at the end of core 4. In the example shown in FIG. 5, active element 5 unfolds like a mop and comprises four cleaning cloths 8 which unfold when core 4 is pushed out of probe 2. Due to their material, they are suitable for absorbing impurities. In the center of active element 5, opening 9 serving for aspiration, which opens into inner channel 10, can be provided.

[0037] Finally, FIG. 6 shows two different situations in the context of an intraocular intervention, the instrument according to the disclosure being merely indicated. Probe 2 and core 4 can be seen, wherein two different instruments or working states with a straight core 4 and a curved core 4 are shown. In both cases, active element 5 is shown at the distal end of core 4 in accordance with the above explanations. In both cases, the instrument according to the disclosure is used to clean the lens surface.

[0038] For the sake of a complete representation, lens 11, iris 12, cornea 13 as well as anterior chamber of the eye 14 and posterior chamber of the eye 15 are indicated in the schematic view according to FIG. 6.

[0039] Regarding further advantageous embodiments of the instrument according to the disclosure, reference is made to the general section of the description and the enclosed claims to avoid repetition.

[0040] Finally, it is important to note that the exemplary embodiment of the instrument according to the disclosure described above are only set forth for the purpose of discussing the teaching claimed, but do not limit it to the exemplary embodiment.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0041] 1 handle

[0042] 2 probe

[0043] 3 rinsing and aspiration connection

[0044] 4 core

[0045] 5 active element

[0046] 6 actuating element

[0047] 7 locking device

[0048] 8 cleaning cloth

[0049] 9 opening

[0050] 10 inner channel

[0051] 11 lens

[0052] 12 iris