US4626248A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ophthalmic cassette
Assignee: Bausch and Lomb Inc
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Filing: 1985-12-16
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Granted: 1986-12-02
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Expires: 2005-12-16
Abstract
Abstract The replaceable cassette is integrally formed with a small primary container for fast response time when aspirating, and an integrally formed, larger secondary container into which the contents of the primary container are periodically flushed. During aspiration, the secondary container is sealed from the primary container and, therefore, has no adverse effect on aspiration response time. The primary container is located above the secondary container and the two containers are connected by a standpipe through which substances are flushed by the force of gravity in emptying the contents of the primary container into the secondary container. Although the cassette will operate with microsurgical consoles having two separate vacuum sources, only one vacuum source is required.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregg D. Scheller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 03:48
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M1/00; A61M1/60; A61M1/63; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/00736; A61M1/61; A61M2205/00; A61M2205/12; A61M2205/33; A61M2205/3379; A61M2205/3382
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A microsurgical apparatus for collecting substances removed from a surgical situs by suction comprising: a primary container having means for selectively applying a vacuum thereto and having inlet means for communicating with said surgical situs; a secondary container of a capacity greater than said primary container; first passage means communicating between said primary and secondary containers for conducting substances from said primary container to said secondary container by gravity; and first valve means responsive to the vacuum within said primary container for opening and closing said first passage means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A microsurgical apparatus for collecting substances removed from a surgical situs by suction comprising: a primary container having means for selectively applying a vacuum thereto and having inlet means for communicating with said surgical situs; a secondary container of a capacity greater than said primary container; first passage means communicating between said primary and secondary containers for conducting substances from said primary container to said secondary container by gravity; and first valve means responsive to the vacuum within said primary container for opening and closing said first passage means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a means for selectively equalizing the pressure between said primary and secondary containers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said secondary container is vented to atmosphere.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said secondary container is vented to atmosphere and said primary container has second valve means for selectively venting said primary container to atmosphere.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising second valve means for selectively opening and closing said inlet means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising second valve means for selectively opening and closing said inlet means and wherein said means for selectively applying a vacuum comprises second passage means for coupling to a source of vacuum and third valve means for selectively opening and closing said second passage means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said second and third valve means are arranged for substantially simultaneous operation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said primary and secondary containers share at least one common substance containment wall.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said primary and secondary containers each have a lowermost containment wall and said lowermost containment wall of said primary container is elevated above said lowermost containment wall of said secondary container.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
112 words
A microsurgical apparatus for collecting substances removed from a surgical situs by suction comprising: a cassette integrally defining a primary container and integrally defining a secondary container of greater capacity than said primary container; a means for applying a vacuum to said primary container and an inlet means for communicating between said primary container and said surgical situs; and first passage means communicating between said primary and secondary containers having first valve means responsive to the vacuum within said primary containers; said containers being disposed such that a given quantity of substance in said primary container has a greater potential energy than the same quantity of substance has in said secondary container.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
112 words
A microsurgical apparatus for collecting substances removed from a surgical situs by suction comprising: a cassette integrally defining a primary container and integrally defining a secondary container of greater capacity than said primary container; a means for applying a vacuum to said primary container and an inlet means for communicating between said primary container and said surgical situs; and first passage means communicating between said primary and secondary containers having first valve means responsive to the vacuum within said primary containers; said containers being disposed such that a given quantity of substance in said primary container has a greater potential energy than the same quantity of substance has in said secondary container.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a means for selectively equalizing the pressure between said primary and secondary containers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said secondary container is vented to atmosphere.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said secondary container is vented to atmosphere and said primary container has second valve means for selectively venting said primary container to atmosphere.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising second valve means for selectively opening and closing said inlet means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising second valve means for selectively opening and closing said inlet means and wherein said means for selectively applying a vacuum comprises second passage means for coupling to a source of vacuum and third valve means for selectively opening and closing said second passage means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said second and third valve means are arranged for substantially simultaneous operation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said primary and secondary containers share at least one common substance containment wall.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said primary and secondary containers each have a lowermost containment wall and said lowermost containment wall of said primary container is elevated above said lowermost containment wall of said secondary container.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said cassette defines a generally box-shaped locus and said primary and secondary containers are confined witin said locus.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said primary container is generally box-shaped having a bottom wall and at least one side wall in common with said secondary container.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-12-01 | 1990-06-02 | 1990-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-01 | 1994-06-02 | 1994-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-01 | 1998-06-02 | 1998-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |