US5217465A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible and steerable aspiration tip for microsurgery
Assignee: Allergan Inc
•
Filing: 1992-02-28
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Granted: 1993-06-08
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Expires: 2012-02-28
Abstract
Abstract A flexible and steerable aspiration tip for microsurgery includes a tip portion, the configuration of which may be remotely altered to access different areas at a surgical site. The aspiration tip includes a flexible portion which includes a spring material therewith which may be configured in a relaxed and pre-curved state or, alternatively, a stressed and straight configuration. The aspiration tip may be combined with a handpiece assembly which includes means to remotely alter the configuration of the aspiration tip. Different surgical procedures can be formed with a single flexible and steerable aspiration tip which results in a reduction of trauma and stress to the surgical site by elimination of the use of several surgical instruments and complicated surgical techniques.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis L. Steppe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M1/00; A61M1/84; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/00736; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00292; A61B2017/003; A61B2017/00318; A61B2017/00331; A61M2205/00; A61M2205/10; A61M2205/106; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S604/00; Y10S604/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
An irrigation and aspiration handpiece for microsurgery, comprising: a) a housing; b) a cap having a relatively rigid sleeve with an open end and a longitudinal bore that is received on and attached to a distal end of the housing; c) an aspiration tip that is received on a tubular member in the housing and has a curved, hollow, flexible free end opposite the tubular member that projects down the longitudinal bore of the sleeve; d) an irrigation fluid flow passage coaxially located between the tip and the sleeve; and e) a piston attached to the tubular member adapted to reciprocate within a chamber in the housing in response to pneumatic pressure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
An irrigation and aspiration handpiece for microsurgery, comprising: a) a housing; b) a cap having a relatively rigid sleeve with an open end and a longitudinal bore that is received on and attached to a distal end of the housing; c) an aspiration tip that is received on a tubular member in the housing and has a curved, hollow, flexible free end opposite the tubular member that projects down the longitudinal bore of the sleeve; d) an irrigation fluid flow passage coaxially located between the tip and the sleeve; and e) a piston attached to the tubular member adapted to reciprocate within a chamber in the housing in response to pneumatic pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The handpiece of claim 1 wherein the flexible free end of the tip comprises a spring coated by an elastomeric material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
10 words
The handpiece of claim 1 wherein the cap comprises titanium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The handpiece of claim 1 wherein the cap comprises stainless steel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
The handpiece of claim 1 wherein the cap comprises thermoplastic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
138 words
An irrigation and aspiration handpiece for microsurgery, comprising: a) a housing; b) a cap having a sleeve with an open end and a longitudinal bore that is received on a distal end of the housing; c) an aspiration tip that is received on a tubular member in the housing that projects down the longitudinal bore of the sleeve; d) a curved, hollow, flexible free end on the tip opposite the tubular member that projects outwardly from the open end of the sleeve; e) an irrigation fluid flow passage coaxially located between the tip and the sleeve; and f) a pull wire attached to a distal end of the free end and a piston attached to the pull wire opposite the free end, the piston adapted to reciprocate within a chamber in the housing in response to pneumatic pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
138 words
An irrigation and aspiration handpiece for microsurgery, comprising: a) a housing; b) a cap having a sleeve with an open end and a longitudinal bore that is received on a distal end of the housing; c) an aspiration tip that is received on a tubular member in the housing that projects down the longitudinal bore of the sleeve; d) a curved, hollow, flexible free end on the tip opposite the tubular member that projects outwardly from the open end of the sleeve; e) an irrigation fluid flow passage coaxially located between the tip and the sleeve; and f) a pull wire attached to a distal end of the free end and a piston attached to the pull wire opposite the free end, the piston adapted to reciprocate within a chamber in the housing in response to pneumatic pressure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The handpiece of claim 6 wherein the flexible free end of the tip comprises a spring coated by an elastomeric material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
10 words
The handpiece of claim 6 wherein the cap comprises titanium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The handpiece of claim 6 wherein the cap comprises stainless steel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
10 words
The handpiece of claim 6 wherein the cap comprises thermoplastic.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-06-07 | 1996-12-07 | 1997-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-06-07 | 2000-12-07 | 2001-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-06-07 | 2004-12-07 | 2005-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |