Irrigating cannula for extracting lens nucleus for use in extracapsular cataract extraction

Claim 1

An irrigating cannula for extracting a lens nucleus in an extracapsular cataract extraction while providing a flow of irrigating liquid, said cannula comprising; (a) a connector having a bore extending centrally therethrough; (b) a small-diameter tube, the small-diameter tube having a bore extending therethrough, the tube having a proximal end secured to the connector and in fluid communication with the connector, the small-diameter tube having a distal end extending outwardly from the connector; (c) an insertion piece attached to the distal end of the tube, the insertion piece extending both forwardly and laterally from the tube, to form a planar surface; (d) the insertion piece having a base end attached to the small-diameter tube, a front end comprising a forward surface, a lateral side surface located between the front end and the base end, and an upper planar surface extending between the base end and the front end of the insertion piece; (e) a bore within the insertion piece, the insertion piece bore extending from the base end of the insertion piece and in fluid communication with the bore of the small-diameter tube, the insertion piece bore having a lateral outlet on the lateral side surface of the insertion piece; (f) a restraining piece provided at the base end of the insertion piece, the restraining piece projecting at an angle in the range of between 180 and 270 degrees to the planar upper surface of the insertion piece; (g) the restraining piece serving to limit the extent to which the insertion piece is inserted beneath the nucleus and to apply a slight pressure on the sclera for easy delivery of the lens nucleus.