EP0356372A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for removing a cataract
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-07-22
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-07-22
Abstract
Abstract To remove a cataract, a cannula is inserted through a plurality of layers of compacted material in the lens and fluid of between 1/500 and 1/100 of a milliliter is injected to separate the layers of the lens cortex and lens nucleus. These steps are repeated until the nucleus and cortex of the lens are decompacted at increasing penetrations until a compacted portion of the nucleus is reached which resists the insertion of a needle. An elongated tool is inserted through an incision into the capsular chamber and against the lens to cut the lens in a series of paths diverging from the incision and thus to break the lens into a series of wedge-shaped sections. The tool may have an ultrasonic vibrator mounted within its center, whereby the cutting action is aided.
Inventors
- 👤 Aziz Yehia Anis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:19
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/00736
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of removing a cataract from an eye by inserting a cannula through at least one of a plurality of layers of compacted material in the lens and injecting fluid characterized in that the fluid is injected in a volume between 1/500 and 1/10 milliliter to separate the layers of the lens cortex and lens nucleus; and repeating the above steps at least two more times, whereby the nucleus and cortex of the lens are decompacted so that a series of substantially concentric rings identify the hardest part of the nucleus viscally; and fragmenting the decompacted layers of the lens into particles having a diameter no greater than 4 millimeters and aspirating the particles.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of removing a cataract from an eye by inserting a cannula through at least one of a plurality of layers of compacted material in the lens and injecting fluid characterized in that the fluid is injected in a volume between 1/500 and 1/10 milliliter to separate the layers of the lens cortex and lens nucleus; and repeating the above steps at least two more times, whereby the nucleus and cortex of the lens are decompacted so that a series of substantially concentric rings identify the hardest part of the nucleus viscally; and fragmenting the decompacted layers of the lens into particles having a diameter no greater than 4 millimeters and aspirating the particles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 further characterized by repeatedly injecting fluid between different layers at increasing penetrations until a compacted portion of the nucleus is reached which resists the insertion of a needle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to either claim 1 or 2 further characterized by inserting an elongated tool through an incision into the capsular chamber and against the lens; and cutting the lens in a series of paths diverging from the incision to break the lens into a series of wedge-shaped sections.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method in accordance with claim 3 characterized in that the lens is cut with a cannula wherein portions of the cortex are forced into the cannula during cutting, whereby large negative pressure is not required to remove the nuclear or cortial portions from the capsular bag.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
33 words
A method in accordance with claims 3 or 4 characterized in that the lens is cut with a cannula having an ultrasonic vibrator mounted within its center, whereby the cutting action is aided.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
39 words
A method in accordance with any of claims 1-5 characterized by fragmenting a hardened portion of the lens nucleus by repeatedly impacting it with a chissel-like point at a high frequency or by rotating a grinder against the lens.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
26 words
A method according to any of claims 1-6 in which the step of fragmenting the lens includes the step of shearing a portion of the lens.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus for removing a cataract comprising means for fragmenting a lens while it is in the capsular sac characterized in that the means for fragmenting includes a motor driven means that repeatedly and cyclically moves an operative tip under the control of an electrical signal at a low power level and the operative tip has a size in the range of between 30 and 18 gauge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus for removing a cataract comprising means for fragmenting a lens while it is in the capsular sac characterized in that the means for fragmenting includes a motor driven means that repeatedly and cyclically moves an operative tip under the control of an electrical signal at a low power level and the operative tip has a size in the range of between 30 and 18 gauge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 characterized in that the operative tip is a solid wedge vibrated by the motor at high frequency or a motor adapted to rotate a grinder or cutter against the lens.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
85 words
Apparatus for removing a cataract having an injection means for injecting fluid; control means for controlling the amount of injected fluid and means for fragmenting the lens; and for separating layers of lens from other layers, whereby layers of the cortex and nucleus of the lens are delineated by a plurality of rings; and fragmenting the lens into particles having a diameter no larger than 4 millimeters characterized in that the control means maintains the injected fluid in a range of 1/100 and 1/500 milliliter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
85 words
Apparatus for removing a cataract having an injection means for injecting fluid; control means for controlling the amount of injected fluid and means for fragmenting the lens; and for separating layers of lens from other layers, whereby layers of the cortex and nucleus of the lens are delineated by a plurality of rings; and fragmenting the lens into particles having a diameter no larger than 4 millimeters characterized in that the control means maintains the injected fluid in a range of 1/100 and 1/500 milliliter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus comprising an elongated tool and motorized means for rotating it characterized in that the elongated tool has an operative tip having a size in the range of between 30 and 18 gauge edges for grinding or cutting the lens of an eye.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus comprising an elongated tool and motorized means for rotating it characterized in that the elongated tool has an operative tip having a size in the range of between 30 and 18 gauge edges for grinding or cutting the lens of an eye.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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