SELF-CONTAINED OCULAR SURGERY INSTRUMENT

Abstract

A self-contained ocular surgery instrument, including a power module having a body presenting a mating coupler and including a compressed gas supply; a fluid reservoir; an aspiration pump; an aspirated material reservoir and a control panel. The mating coupler is structured to receive and couple to at least one module that facilitates performance of an eye surgery task. The compressed gas supply is coupled to the aspiration pump and the aspirated material reservoir is in fluid communication with the aspiration pump to receive aspirated material from the mating coupler. The fluid reservoir is in fluid communication with the mating coupler such that fluid is supplied under pressure to the mating coupler and thus to the at least one module that facilitates performance of an eye surgery task. The control panel is in controlling communication with the compressed gas supply, the aspiration pump and the aspirated material reservoir.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A method of performing ocular surgery, the method comprising: coupling at least one module that facilitates performance of an eye surgery task to a self-contained hand holdable power module that is not coupled to a console; inserting at least one portion of the at least one module that facilitates performance of the eye surgery task into an eye; performing the eye surgery task; and removing the at least one portion of the at least one module that facilitates performance of an eye surgery task from the eye.

3. The method of performing ocular surgery as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: selecting or making the at least one module to comprise a lens aspiration module, the lens aspiration module including a module coupler structured to operably attach to the self-contained hand holdable power module via a mating coupler, a lens aspiration tube and an irrigation sleeve; and aspirating fragments of a crystalline lens from the eye by application of the lens aspiration module.

4. The method of performing ocular surgery as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: selecting or making the at least one module to comprise a vitrectomy module including a module coupler structured to operably attach to the self-contained hand holdable power module via a mating coupler, a cutting probe, an aspiration portion and a fluid replacement portion; and performing at least a partial vitrectomy by application of the vitrectomy module.

5. The method of performing ocular surgery as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: selecting or making the at least one module to comprise an IOL insertion module including a module coupler structured to operably attach to the self-contained hand holdable power module via a mating coupler, a cannula structure that is structured to receive a foldable or rolled IOL therein and a slide or plunger structure that is structured for sliding movement within the cannula structure whereby the folded or rolled IOL can be advanced through the cannula structure; and inserting an IOL into the eye by application of the IOL insertion module.

6. The method of performing ocular surgery as claimed in claim 2, further comprising supplying viscoelastic solution into the eye instead of a balanced salt solution via an irrigation sleeve.

7. The method of performing ocular surgery as claimed in claim 6, further comprising supplying the viscoelastic solution into the eye in a volume of less than 10 milliliters.

8. The method of performing ocular surgery as claimed in claim 6, further comprising supplying the viscoelastic solution into the eye in a volume of less than 5 milliliters.

9. The method of performing ocular surgery as claimed in claim 2, further comprising dividing a crystalline lens of the eye into multiple fragments by application of femtosecond laser energy prior to aspiration of the multiple fragments from the eye.

10. An instrument kit that facilitates performing eye surgery, comprising: a hand holdable self-contained ocular surgery instrument that is not coupled to a console, including: a body presenting a mating coupler, wherein the mating coupler is structured to receive and operably couple to at least one module that facilitates performance of an eye surgery task; a compressed gas supply, wherein the compressed gas supply is operably coupled to the aspiration pump and the aspirated material reservoir is in fluid communication with the aspiration pump to receive aspirated material from the mating coupler; a fluid reservoir, further wherein the fluid reservoir is in fluid communication with the mating coupler such that fluid is supplied under pressure to the mating coupler and thus to at least one module that facilitates performance of an eye surgery task; an aspirated material reservoir; and a control panel that is in controlling communication with the compressed gas supply, the aspiration pump and the aspirated material reservoir.

11. The instrument kit as claimed in claim 10, wherein the hand holdable self-contained ocular surgery instrument further comprises: an aspiration pump; and wherein the control panel is in further controlling communication with the aspiration pump.

12. The instrument kit as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least one module further comprises a module selected from a group consisting of a lens aspiration module, a vitrectomy module and a lens insertion module.

13. The instrument kit as claimed in claim 10, wherein the hand holdable self-contained ocular surgery instrument further comprises an air motor in operable fluid communication with the compressed gas supply wherein the air motor is operably coupled to the aspiration pump and drives the aspiration pump.

14. The instrument kit as claimed in claim 10, wherein compressed gas supply is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir and pressurizes the fluid reservoir so that fluid is supplied to the mating coupler and thereby to the at least one module that facilitates performance of an eye surgery task.

15. The instrument kit as claimed in claim 11, wherein the aspiration pump comprises a pump selected from a group consisting of a venturi pump, a gas driven piston pump and a gas driven turbine pump.

16. The instrument kit as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least one module comprises a lens aspiration module, the lens aspiration module including a module coupler structured to operably attached to the mating coupler and a lens aspiration tube.

17. The instrument kit as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least one module comprises a vitrectomy module including a module coupler structured to operably attach to the mating coupler, a cutting probe, an aspiration portion and a fluid replacement portion.

18. The instrument kit as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least one module comprises an IOL insertion module including a module coupler structured to operably attach to the mating coupler, a cannula structure that is structured to receive a folded or rolled IOL therein and a slide or plunger structure that is structured for sliding movement within the cannula structure whereby the foldable or rolled IOL can be advanced through the cannula structure.

19. The instrument kit as claimed in claim 10, wherein the fluid reservoir is adapted to contain 50 to 70 mL of fluid.

20. The instrument kit as claimed in claim 10, wherein the fluid reservoir is adapted to contain a viscoelastic solution.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Subject matter hereof may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying figures, in which:

[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of a power module with an attached lens aspiration module according to an example embodiment of the invention;

[0025] FIG. 2 is a schematic depiction of a lens aspiration module according to an example embodiment of the invention;

[0026] FIG. 3 is a schematic depiction of a vitrectomy module according to an example embodiment of the invention; and

[0027] FIG. 4 is a schematic depiction of a lens insertion module according to an example embodiment of the invention.

[0028] While various embodiments are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the claimed inventions to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter as defined by the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, according to an example embodiment of the invention, self-contained handheld ophthalmic surgery instrument 10 generally includes power module 12, lens aspiration module 14, vitrectomy module 16 and lens insertion module 18. Power module 12 is coupleable to each of lens aspiration module 14, vitrectomy module 16 and lens insertion module 18 via mating coupler 20. Power module 12 is self-contained and provides operating support for lens aspiration module 14, vitrectomy module 16 and lens insertion module 18 without connection to any outside console.

[0030] Referring particularly to FIG. 1, power module 12 generally includes body 22 presenting mating coupler 20 on an outside thereof and further including, compressed gas supply 24, pressure regulator 26, fluid reservoir 28, air motor 30, vacuum pump 32 and aspirated material reservoir 34. Power module 12 further includes control panel 35.

[0031] Compressed gas supply 24 includes pressure vessel 36 structured to contain compressed gas such as compressed air. Compressed gas supply 24 is coupled in fluid communication with pressure regulator 26. Pressure regulator 26 controls pressure and flow of compressed gas contained in compressed gas supply 24.

[0032] Pressure regulator 26 is further coupled in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir 28 and air motor 30. Pressure regulator 26 is adapted supply compressed gas to air motor 30 at an appropriate pressure and flow rate in order to operate air motor 30. Air motor 30 may be similar to those utilized in dental equipment for example. Pressure regulator 26 is also adapted to supply compressed gas to fluid reservoir 28 at an appropriate pressure to cause fluid contained in fluid reservoir 28 to flow to provide replacement fluid to compensate for fluids removed from the eye during surgical procedures. Accordingly, pressure regulator 26 may be adjustable dependent upon whether power module 12 is utilized with a lens aspiration module 14 vitrectomy module 16 or lens insertion module 18. Adjustments may be accomplished manually or automatically based on the coupling of the appropriate module to power module 12.

[0033] Fluid reservoir 28 is in fluid communication with pressure regulator 26 as well as with mating coupler 20. Fluid reservoir 28 is adapted to contain a supply of a fluid for replacing high fluids that are removed during the eye surgery process. According to example embodiments of the invention, fluid reservoir 28 may have a volume of 50 to 70 mL. Fluid reservoir 28 is pressurized via pressure regulator 26 in to provide fluid to the eye at an appropriate volume and flow rate to compensate for fluid removed during surgery by, for example aspiration.

[0034] Vacuum pump 32 is mechanically coupled to air motor 30 via, for example, driveshaft 38. Vacuum pump 32 may for example include a venturi pump, a turbine pump or a piston pump.

[0035] In the case of a venturi pump, driveshaft 38 is not utilized. Instead, compressed gas is utilized to create a relative vacuum by the venturi principle as is known to those skilled in the art. In the case of a turbine pump or piston pump, driveshaft 38 transmits power from air motor 32 to vacuum pump 32. Vacuum pump 32 is structured and adapted to provide a sufficient level of vacuum to aspirate material from lens aspiration module 14 or vitrectomy model 16.

[0036] Vacuum pump 32 is coupled in fluid communication with aspirated material reservoir 34. Aspirated material reservoir 34 is structured and adapted to receive aspirated material that may arise from the eye during surgical procedures via a lens aspiration module 14 or vitrectomy module 16. Aspirated material reservoir 34 has a sufficient volume to receive and contain aspirated material expected to be received therein during a normal procedure. Aspirated material reservoir 34 may be appropriately vented to the ambient atmosphere to allow for the displacement of air therein. According to another example embodiment of the invention, aspirated material reservoir may be located between vacuum pump 32 and mating coupler 20 so that aspirated material may be drawn into aspirated material reservoir 34 via negative pressure.

[0037] Control panel 35 is in controlling communication with compressed gas supply 24, pressure regulator 26, fluid reservoir 28, air motor 30 and/or vacuum pump 32. Control panel may include valves, electromechanical controllers and electrical or electronic controllers as known to those skilled in the art that control the functions of self-contained ophthalmic surgery instrument 10.

[0038] Referring now to FIG. 2, lens aspiration module 14 generally includes coupler 40, aspiration cannula 42, aspiration conduit 44, irrigation sleeve 46 and irrigation conduit 48.

[0039] Coupler 40 is structured and adapted to be attached to mating coupler 20 of power module 12. Aspiration cannula 42 is coupled to aspiration conduit 44 which in turn is in fluid communication with vacuum pump 32 and/or aspirated material reservoir 34. Coupler 40 is structured so that when it is coupled to mating coupler 20, fluid communication is established between aspiration conduit 44 and vacuum pump 32 or aspirated material reservoir 34. Coupler 40 is further structured so that irrigation conduit 48 is placed in fluid communication with fluid reservoir 28. Aspiration cannula 42 is of an appropriate size to receive fragments of the crystalline lens to be aspirated therethrough. The size of aspiration cannula 42 is determined in part by the expected size of lens fragments to be aspirated. Irrigation sleeve 46 is of an appropriate size to provide a flow of liquid such as balanced salt solution or viscoelastic therethrough to replace fluid aspirated from the eye during surgery because of leakage or aspiration. It may be required that irrigation sleeve 46 be of a different, likely larger, size to accommodate viscoelastic rather than balanced salt solution if viscoelastic is used.

[0040] Referring now to FIG. 3 vitrectomy module 16 generally includes vitrectomy coupler 50, vitrectomy cannula 52, vitrectomy cutter 54 and cutter oscillator 56. Vitrectomy coupler 50 is adapted to couple in fluid communication with vacuum pump 32 and/or aspirated material reservoir 34. Vitrectomy coupler 50 may further be adapted to couple in fluid communication with pressure regulator 26. Vitrectomy coupler 50 may further house oscillator motor 58. In this case oscillator motor 58 can be coupled with pressure regulator 26. Oscillator motor 58 is operably coupled with cutter oscillator 56. Vitrectomy coupler 50 may also include vitrectomy aspiration conduit 60. Vitrectomy cannula 52 is in operable fluid communication with vitrectomy aspiration conduit 60 which when coupled is in further fluid communication with vacuum pump 32 and/or aspirated material reservoir 34.

[0041] Vitrectomy cutter 54 is located within vitrectomy cannula 52 proximate to cannula aperture 62. Cannula aperture 62 has edges in close fitting apposition to vitrectomy cutter 54. Vitrectomy cutter 54 is shiftable within vitrectomy cannula 52 for a distance approximating a length of cannula aperture 62.

[0042] Referring now particularly to FIG. 4, lens insertion module 18 generally includes lens insertion coupler 64, lens insertion cannula 66, lens insertion piston 68 and lens insertion connecting rod 70. Rolled or folded intraocular lens 72 is also depicted within the lens insertion cannula 66. Lens insertion coupler 64 is adapted to be coupled to mating coupler 20 and in fluid communication with pressure regulator 26 or fluid reservoir 28. Lens insertion piston 68 and lens insertion connecting rod 70 are structured to be advanced by application of pressure. Pressure may be supplied pneumatically via pressure regulator 26 or hydraulically via fluid reservoir 28. Lens insertion piston 68 is slidably advanceable within lens insertion cannula 66 thereby advancing intraocular lens 72 through and ultimately out of lens insertion cannula 66 into an eye.

[0043] Example embodiments of the invention further include a method of performing ocular surgery. An example method includes coupling at least one module that facilitates performance of an eye surgery task to a self-contained hand holdable power module that is not coupled to a console; inserting at least one portion of the at least one module into an eye; performing the eye surgery task; and removing then the at least one portion of the at least one module the eye.

[0044] The method of performing ocular surgery may further include selecting or making the at least one module to comprise a lens aspiration module, the lens aspiration module including a module coupler structured to operably attach to the self-contained hand holdable power module via a mating coupler, a lens aspiration tube and an irrigation sleeve; and aspirating fragments of a crystalline lens from the eye by application of the lens aspiration module.

[0045] The method of performing ocular surgery may further include selecting or making the at least one module to comprise a vitrectomy module including a module coupler structured to operably attached to operably attach to the self-contained hand holdable power module via a mating coupler, a cutting probe, an aspiration portion and a fluid replacement portion; and performing a vitrectomy by application of the vitrectomy module.

[0046] The method of performing ocular surgery may further include selecting or making the at least one module to comprise an IOL insertion module including a module coupler structured to operably attached to operably attach to the self-contained hand holdable power module via a mating coupler, a cannula structure that is structured to receive a foldable or rolled IOL therein and a slide or plunger structure that is structured for sliding movement within the cannula structure whereby the foldable or rolled IOL can be advanced through the cannula structure; and inserting an IOL into the eye by application of the IOL insertion module.

[0047] The method of performing ocular surgery may further include supplying viscoelastic solution into the eye instead of a balanced salt solution via an irrigation sleeve.

[0048] The method of performing ocular surgery may further include supplying the viscoelastic solution into the eye in a volume of less than 10 milliliters or less than 5 milliliters.

[0049] The method of performing ocular surgery may further include dividing a crystalline lens of the eye into multiple fragments by application of femtosecond laser energy.

[0050] In operation, at least one of lens aspiration module 14, vitrectomy module 16 and lens insertion module 18 is coupled to power module 12 via mating coupler 20. Upon coupling, compressed gas supply 24 vacuum pump 32 and aspirated material reservoir 34 as well as fluid reservoir 28 are coupled in fluid communication with lens aspiration module 14, vitrectomy module 16 or lens insertion module 18 as appropriate. This aspect will be further discussed below.

[0051] Once the one of lens aspiration module 14, vitrectomy module 16 and lens insertion module 18 is coupled to power module 12 an operating surgeon may grip power module 12 in a hand such that control panel 35 may be manipulated by the operating surgeon's fingers. Alternately, controlled panel 35 may be remotely located in and controlled by for example, a foot pedal (not shown).

[0052] If lens aspiration module 14 is coupled to power module 12 via mating coupler 20 and coupler 40, aspiration cannula 42 is coupled to aspirated material reservoir 34 and vacuum pump 32 so that negative pressure can be applied to aspiration cannula 42. Irrigation sleeve 46 is coupled via irrigation conduit 48 with fluid reservoir 28 so that fluid can be supplied under pressure through irrigation sleeve 46. Fluid may include for example balanced salt solution or viscoelastic. As mentioned above the application of viscoelastic in the lens aspiration process may reduce the volume of liquid required substantially to as little as a few milliliters.

[0053] An operating surgeon then manipulates aspiration cannula 42 to be placed in contact with fragments of the crystalline lens of the eye that have previously been created, for example, by the application of femtosecond laser energy to section the crystalline lens of the eye. Because of the vacuum or negative pressure present in aspiration cannula 42 lens fragments are then drawn through aspiration cannula 42 then through aspiration conduit 44 into aspirated material reservoir 34. Lens fragments are then held in aspirated material reservoir 34 for later disposal. Depending upon the design of example embodiments of the invention aspirated material reservoir 34 may either follow or precede vacuum pump 32. As aspiration of lens fragments is accomplished fluid from fluid reservoir 28 is directed through irrigation conduit 48 and then through irrigation sleeve 46 into the eye of the patient and to replace fluid removed by aspiration. This keeps the anterior chamber of the eye from collapsing due to the aspiration of materials from the eye during the procedure. Compressed gas supply 24 is applied to fluid reservoir 28 via pressure regulator 26 in order to supply irrigation fluid via irrigation sleeve 46 at an appropriate pressure and volume. Once all of the crystalline lens fragments armor removed from the eye aspiration cannula 42 an irrigation sleeve 46 are withdrawn from the incision into the eye and the lens extraction procedure is complete.

[0054] For vitrectomy procedures, vitrectomy module 16 is coupled to mating coupler 20 of power module 12 via vitrectomy coupler 50.

[0055] After coupling an operating surgeon grips power module 12 so that control panel 35 is appropriately manipulable. Vitrectomy cannula 52, including vitrectomy cutter 54, is inserted into the eye and placed in contact with the vitreous body through an incision typically in the pars plana of the sclera. Normally in vitrectomy procedures fluid is replaced in the eye via a separate conduit. Accordingly, fluid replacement may not be activated during a vitrectomy procedure.

[0056] Various embodiments of systems, devices, and methods have been described herein. These embodiments are given only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed inventions. It should be appreciated, moreover, that the various features of the embodiments that have been described may be combined in various ways to produce numerous additional embodiments. Moreover, while various materials, dimensions, shapes, configurations and locations, etc. have been described for use with disclosed embodiments, others besides those disclosed may be utilized without exceeding the scope of the claimed inventions.

[0057] Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that the subject matter hereof may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features of the subject matter hereof may be combined. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the various embodiments can comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, elements described with respect to one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments even when not described in such embodiments unless otherwise noted.

[0058] Although a dependent claim may refer in the claims to a specific combination with one or more other claims, other embodiments can also include a combination of the dependent claim with the subject matter of each other dependent claim or a combination of one or more features with other dependent or independent claims. Such combinations are proposed herein unless it is stated that a specific combination is not intended.

[0059] Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such that no subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicit disclosure herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is further limited such that no claims included in the documents are incorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is yet further limited such that any definitions provided in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein.

[0060] For purposes of interpreting the claims, it is expressly intended that the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.