PHACOFRAGMENTATION AND PHACOASPIRATION TIP

Abstract

Description of a phacofragmentation and phacoaspiration tip used in cataract surgery prepared for insertion of its distal end into any of the corneal incisions made for the fragmentation and aspiration of the lens. The tip is made up by an internally hollow cannular body that comprises a proximal portion for connection to any type of handle. The main characteristic is that this phaco tip presents a portion from the head portion up to the distal end and a distal end portion that in turn presents a pronounced external conical shape as it progresses towards the free end which length is considerably shorter than the intermediate portion, determining a gradual or staggered reduction in the thickness which, upon reaching the mentioned free end, forms a slimmed edge, polished although not cutting in itself, that ends in a blunt or rounded shape which is defined through an r radio.

Claims

1. Phacofragmentation and phacoaspiration tip for cataract surgery, regardless the cataract hardness, prepared for insertion of its distal end into any of the corneal incisions made for fragmentation and aspiration of an areawhether or not opacifiedof the lens. This phaco tip (1;1) has been conceived as a cannular body, hollow by virtue of an axial orifice extended throughout the length of the tip, endowed with a proximal portion (1a; 1a) designed for connection with any type of handle. Its main characteristic is that the body of the phaco tip presents, from the head portion to the distal end (2;2) an intermediate section (1b) of cannular body with a length (L) that spreads through most of the total length of the tip. After that intermediate portion (1b), the tip presents a distal end portion (1c; 1c) that in turn presents a strong external conicity as it advances towards the free end, and a length (L; L1) a lot shorter than the length of the intermediate portion (1b; 1b), which determines a reduction of the thickness that when reaching the mentioned free end (2;2) forms a slimmed edge, sharp but not cutting in itself to end in a blunt point.

2. Tip as per claim 1, characterized in that the mentioned intermediate longer portion (1b) may also be endowed with external and internal conicity. The external conicity rates are such that the internal and external diameters are reduced when advancing in direction of the distal end, with both rates of conicity in the intermediate portion (1b) lower than in the distal end portion (1c; 1c)

3. Tip as per claim 1 characterized in that the reduction of the internal diameter of the phacofragmentation and phacoaspiration tip (1;1) going in direction of the final end may either be continued and uniform or staggered by sections.

4. Tip as per claim 1 characterized in that it may incorporate, as an option, an external coating (3) of a flexible material such as elastomer, i.e. a material of low elasticity in order to provide certain cushioning in the contact between the phaco tip (1;1) and the eye tissue of the patient, thus minimizing or avoiding any risk of injury in the corneal incision.

5. Tip as per claim 1 characterized in that optionally the profile or contour of the end edge (2) may be vertical to the length of the axis, or it may form an angle () with the vertical of variable size.

6. Tip as per claim 1, characterized in that the configuration of the transversal section of the phaco tip (1;1) may be circular or oval.

7. Tip as per claim 1 characterized in that the distal end (2; 2) that forms the edge of attack of the end portion (1c; 1c) of the tip has a wall thickness (e) with an external curved profile in angle.

8. Tip as per claim 7 characterized in that the magnitude of the radio (r) of the curved profile of the distal end (2;2) of the external portion (1c; 1c) of the phaco tip ranges from values between 0 and e.

9. Tip as per claim 1, characterized in that the amplitude of the angle () measured between the lengthways axis of the tip and the area vertical to the fronts of attack in the distal end (2; 2) of the outermost end (1c; 1c) of the phaco tip ranges between values equal to or higher than 90 for values of 0.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The above as well as other characteristics of the invention regarding a preferential realization may be clearly seen on the detailed description that follows. Such description is offered only by way of illustrative example and is in no way limited to the attached sketches, where:

[0037] FIG. 1 is a schematic and simplified upper-side view, lengthways, divided into a fourth, of a phacofragmentation and phacoaspiration tip made in accordance with the basics of the present invention, together with a D1 detail, using a larger scale, of the distal portion of the phaco tip, and

[0038] FIG. 2 shows a view the same as that shown under FIG. 1 although this time referring to a version of realization of the tip of the present invention, together with a D2 detail, using a larger scale of the end portion and two cross-wise examples (section I and Section II) of the cannular body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0039] As indicated above, a detailed description of the suggested form of realization of the tip will be made below with the help of the attached drawings, where the same numerical references have been used to designate equal or similar parts. Thus, paying attention in the first place to the representation shown under FIG. 1, a schematic upper lateral view of the phacofragmentation and phacoaspiration tip is shown (phaco tip), with number 1, sectioned in a fourth and in lengthways direction following the tip of the phaco. In general terms, tip number 1 presents an elongated form and is internally hollow by virtue of an axial orifice that runs along its entire length. A head part may be seen in relation with the proximal end of the tip, that in the drawing is endowed, as a way of example, with a screw on the outer surface for connection or coupling to an appropriate handle, but that may include any other configuration among those known in the state of the art for connection to any kind of handle (not shown). After the head portion we have a cannular body identified with reference 1, which total length has been represented by L, that ends in a final distal portion1c-which L1 longitude represents only a minor portion of the total length L. The cannular body 1b has a frustum-conical form, in such a way at the beginning of the body, starting from the union to the head portion 1a, presents an external diameter indicated as 1e, and an internal diameter indicated as 1i, in such a way that the internal as well as the internal diameters are reduced towards the distal end.

[0040] Thus, in the realization suggested, the decrease of the external diameter is progressive until reaching the 1c distal end where the external diameter has been indicated as e2. Starting from that point of transition, the degree of conicity increases so that the diameter of the body becomes narrower sooner in comparison with portion 1b until reaching the end where the external diameter has been represented as e3. In accordance with the above, we have the relation of: e1>e2>e3. The experts in the matter will understand that in an alternative form of realization, this progressive reduction towards the distal end of the tip may be staggered instead of gradual, without changing the functionality neither the effectiveness of the phacofragmentation and phacoaspiration tip of the invention.

[0041] On the other hand and as said, the internal diameter is also reduced progressively when advancing towards the distal end, where it reaches the value represented by i2. In the form of realization shown under FIG. 2, this internal diameter reduction is continued and uniform although this is a fact that should not be construed as a limitation, as the reduction of the internal diameter, in other realizations, could be spaced out or staggered by sections. Therefore i1>i2 is fulfilled.

[0042] D1 illustrates a representation of the end portion 1c to higher scale. In this case, we may see the higher degree of conicity portion 1c has been endowed with in comparison with the longer intermediate portion. This higher conicity gives rise to a sharp and progressive reduction of the thickness of the wall of the cannular body, in such a wayand as clearly seen on D1that the distal end indicated with reference 2 presents a polished or refined edge although not sufficiently sharp as to become cutting in itself.

[0043] The thickness of this polished edge has such a commitment value that without being sharp as explained above, is sufficient to fragment the cataract when carrying out an aspiration. In fact, the external arrangement of the outer edge of portion 1c (i.e. the attacking edge) is such that it shows the thickness indicated in the graphic representation as e, with an external profile visibly arched, which curvature radio has been represented as r. Such radio may be of variable magnitude. Preferably the above radio magnitude r should be within a range of values going from 0 to e.

[0044] On the other hand, the diameter of the internal lumen of the cannular body progressively increases as it advances from the distal end towards the head portion, which makes the aspiration of the fragments that penetrate by distal end 2 easier and free from any unwanted possibility of jamming as it avoid the funnel effect existing in other conventional tips.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 1, and better seen in D1, the profile or contour of the terminal edge of distal end 2 is straight in a cross section, this is to say, vertical to the longitudinal axis of the body, and therefore a perfect circle of internal diameter i2, as stated above

[0046] Now with reference to FIG. 2 of the drawings, we have a representation equivalent to FIG. 1, where the tip of the phaco indicated in general with reference 1 has been divided lengthways in the same portions, namely a head portion 1a, a lengthways portion of the cannular body 1b of longitude L, and a distal end portion 1c of longitude L1. The phaco tip 1 is hollow internally throughout its entire length by virtue of a continued axial orifice that offers internal as well as external conical shape with an increase in the conicity degree in the end portion 1, the same as described for tip 1 of FIG. 1. However, unlike the latter, the body of phaco tip 1 has been endowed with an external coating, indicated with reference number 3, designed with a reduction in the thickness also in the direction of the distal end made, as explained earlier on, with a flexible material such as elastomer which elasticity component is very low and that provides the cushioning intended, so that the contact between the tip of the phaco and the eye tissue is minimum, or even better, equal to zero thus avoiding injuries in the corneal incision either by friction or heating when applying ultrasonic energy in cases of fragmentation of hard cataracts that also operates as a seal.

[0047] Additionally, in this realization we may find characteristics that involve a beveled end. As it may be seen on D2, the outermost portion 1c of the distal end, seen in a cross section, presents a cut that, in a tilted view, includes an angle with respect to the vertical. This angle may be chosen depending on the function of the final application of the phaco tip 1. Of course it will be understood that the finishing characteristics of the blunted attacking edge of the phaco tip of this realization may be the same as those already discussed in connection with the realization of FIG. 1

[0048] Likewise, and going back to D1, the representations allow to appreciate another important feature of the phaco tip of the present invention that concerns the angle identified with reference , located between the longitudinal axis of the tip and the area that runs in vertical to the area of attack. This angle should preferably be greater than 90, this is to say an obtuse angle for any value of 0.

[0049] Lastly, FIG. 2 also presents two sections, Section I and Section II. These representations refer to other possibilities of alternative realization as they show a cross section of the body in a circular form (Section I) and in oval form (section II). The choice between one or the other should be made by the professional depending on the specific requirements in order to allow an adaptation to the corneal incision producing as little deformation as possible and thus reducing the risk, as indicated above, of possible burns by excessive use of the ultrasonic energy

[0050] It is not considered necessary to extend the contents of this description any further for an expert in the matter to be able to understand its scope as well as its advantages and to finally carry out its practical realization.

[0051] Notwithstanding the above, and since the description only pertains to an example of suggested realization, it should be understood that multiple detail variations may be introduced in its essential parts, variations that are also protected and that may affect the form, the size or the fabrication materials of the whole instrument or any part thereof, without this implying any kind of alteration of the invention as a whole that should be restricted solely to the claims detailed hereunder: