US5318560A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser delivery system
Assignee: INNOVATION MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES INC
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Filing: 1991-11-06
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Granted: 1994-06-07
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Expires: 2011-11-06
Abstract
Abstract A laser delivery system for ophthalmic surgery and the like includes a handpiece, a laser connector, and an optical fiber for transmitting laser light from a laser source to an eye to be treated. The optical fiber extends through the handpiece tip. The tip also includes a fluid path from the distal end thereof to the interior of the handpiece body. The handpiece body has a fluid path in fluid communication with the fluid path of the tip, which fluid path extends to the exterior of the handpiece. The probe is inserted into the eye during surgery and may have multiple functions, reducing surgical complications. Fluid in the eye may flow through the tip and the handpiece body while laser light from the laser source is directed by the optical fiber into the eye. Structure is provided for refluxing material in the tip back into the eye as desired by the user. Alternatively, fluid may be delivered through the handpiece and tip to the surgical site if needed. A clamp is included to hold the optical fiber in place in an operating field if desired.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory A. Blount
- 👤 Stanley Chang
- 👤 James C. Easley
- 👤 Gregg D. Scheller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:03
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/008; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/28; A61B2017/2808; A61M; A61M1/00; A61M1/71; A61M1/74; A61M1/75; A61M3/00; A61M3/02; A61M3/0279; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S604/00; Y10S604/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
260 words
A laser delivery system for ophthalmic surgery and the like comprising: a handpiece having a handpiece body by means of which the handpiece may be held and manipulated by a user and a hollow tip of a size suitable for insertion into a human eye, said hollow tip extending distally from the handpiece body; a laser connector for connection directly to a laser source; an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, said optical fiber terminating at the proximal end in the laser connector and terminating at the distal end in the handpiece, said optical fiber forming a lenseless optical path for transmitting laser light from a laser source to an eye to be treated; said optical fiber extending through the handpiece body and at least partially through the handpiece tip, said tip having a proximal end and a distal end, said tip also including a fluid path from the distal end thereof to the interior of the handpiece body; said handpiece body having a fluid path in fluid communication with the fluid path of the tip, said handpiece body fluid path extending to the exterior of the handpiece, whereby fluid in the eye may flow through the tip and the handpiece body while laser light from the laser source is directed by the optical fiber into the eye; said handpiece body fluid path including a cavity inside the handpiece body and a port connecting said cavity to the exterior of the handpiece, said cavity being larger in cross-section than the fluid path in the handpiece tip.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
260 words
A laser delivery system for ophthalmic surgery and the like comprising: a handpiece having a handpiece body by means of which the handpiece may be held and manipulated by a user and a hollow tip of a size suitable for insertion into a human eye, said hollow tip extending distally from the handpiece body; a laser connector for connection directly to a laser source; an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, said optical fiber terminating at the proximal end in the laser connector and terminating at the distal end in the handpiece, said optical fiber forming a lenseless optical path for transmitting laser light from a laser source to an eye to be treated; said optical fiber extending through the handpiece body and at least partially through the handpiece tip, said tip having a proximal end and a distal end, said tip also including a fluid path from the distal end thereof to the interior of the handpiece body; said handpiece body having a fluid path in fluid communication with the fluid path of the tip, said handpiece body fluid path extending to the exterior of the handpiece, whereby fluid in the eye may flow through the tip and the handpiece body while laser light from the laser source is directed by the optical fiber into the eye; said handpiece body fluid path including a cavity inside the handpiece body and a port connecting said cavity to the exterior of the handpiece, said cavity being larger in cross-section than the fluid path in the handpiece tip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
219 words
A laser delivery system for ophthalmic surgery and the like comprising: a handpiece having a handpiece body and a hollow tip of a size suitable for insertion into a human eye, said hollow tip extending distally from the handpiece body; a laser connector for connection to a laser source; an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, said optical fiber terminating at the proximal end in the laser connector and terminating at the distal end in the handpiece, said optical fiber forming a lenseless optical path for transmitting laser light from a laser source to an eye to be treated; said optical fiber extending at least partially through the handpiece tip, said tip having a proximal end and a distal end, said tip also including a fluid path from the distal end thereof to the interior of the handpiece body; said handpiece body having a fluid path in fluid communication with the fluid path of the tip, said handpiece body fluid path extending to the exterior of the handpiece, whereby fluid in the eye may flow through the tip and the handpiece body while laser light from the laser source is directed by the optical fiber into the eye; and means for refluxing material drawing into the fluid path from the eye back into the eye.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
219 words
A laser delivery system for ophthalmic surgery and the like comprising: a handpiece having a handpiece body and a hollow tip of a size suitable for insertion into a human eye, said hollow tip extending distally from the handpiece body; a laser connector for connection to a laser source; an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, said optical fiber terminating at the proximal end in the laser connector and terminating at the distal end in the handpiece, said optical fiber forming a lenseless optical path for transmitting laser light from a laser source to an eye to be treated; said optical fiber extending at least partially through the handpiece tip, said tip having a proximal end and a distal end, said tip also including a fluid path from the distal end thereof to the interior of the handpiece body; said handpiece body having a fluid path in fluid communication with the fluid path of the tip, said handpiece body fluid path extending to the exterior of the handpiece, whereby fluid in the eye may flow through the tip and the handpiece body while laser light from the laser source is directed by the optical fiber into the eye; and means for refluxing material drawing into the fluid path from the eye back into the eye.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The laser delivery system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the handpiece body includes the refluxing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The laser delivery system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the refluxing means includes an elastically deformable member for exerting pressure on the fluid in the fluid path to push said material out of the tip back into the eye.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The laser delivery system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the refluxing means is manually operable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The laser delivery system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the refluxing means includes a deformable sleeve disposed axially along the handpiece.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The laser delivery system as set forth in claim 6 wherein the deformable sleeve is disposed over a substantially rigid, tubular member, said tubular member having an orifice therethrough into which a portion of the sleeve may be pushed to exert pressure on the fluid in the fluid path.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The laser delivery system as set forth in claim 7 wherein the deformable sleeve has a port formed therein over the orifice, said port forming a portion of the fluid path to the exterior of the handpiece.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The laser delivery system as set forth in claim 6 wherein the deformable sleeve includes a hollow protrusion extending from the body of the sleeve, said hollow protrusion being in fluid communication with the interior of the sleeve and serving as a locator of the reflux means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The laser delivery system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the refluxing means includes a deformable bulb extending outwardly from the handpiece.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The laser delivery system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the refluxing means includes means for simultaneously closing the fluid path through the handpiece upon operation of the refluxing means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
The laser delivery system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the refluxing means includes a resilient tube, a portion of which is disposed externally of the handpiece intermediate the ends of the handpiece, said exposed portion of the resilient tube being disposed such that the user may press upon the resilient tube during use of the handpiece.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
274 words
A laser delivery system for ophthalmic surgery and the like comprising: a handpiece having a handpiece body by means of which the handpiece may be held and manipulated by a user and a hollow tip of a size suitable for insertion into a human eye, said hollow tip extending distally from the handpiece body; a laser connector for connection directly to a laser source; an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, said optical fiber terminating at the proximal end in the laser connector and terminating at the distal end in the handpiece, said optical fiber forming a lenseless optical path for transmitting laser light from a laser source to an eye to be treated; said optical fiber extending through the handpiece body and at least partially through the handpiece tip, said tip having a proximal end and a distal end, said tip also including a fluid path from the distal end thereof to the interior of the handpiece body; said handpiece body having a fluid path in fluid communication with the fluid path of the tip, said handpiece body fluid path extending to the exterior of the handpiece, whereby fluid in the eye may flow through the tip and the handpiece body while laser light from the laser source is directed by the optical fiber into the eye; said handpiece body fluid path including a cavity inside the handpiece body, said cavity being larger in cross-section than the fluid path in the handpiece tip, a bore extending from the cavity to the exterior of the handpiece, and a tube for providing fluid communication between the bore and a suction source.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
274 words
A laser delivery system for ophthalmic surgery and the like comprising: a handpiece having a handpiece body by means of which the handpiece may be held and manipulated by a user and a hollow tip of a size suitable for insertion into a human eye, said hollow tip extending distally from the handpiece body; a laser connector for connection directly to a laser source; an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, said optical fiber terminating at the proximal end in the laser connector and terminating at the distal end in the handpiece, said optical fiber forming a lenseless optical path for transmitting laser light from a laser source to an eye to be treated; said optical fiber extending through the handpiece body and at least partially through the handpiece tip, said tip having a proximal end and a distal end, said tip also including a fluid path from the distal end thereof to the interior of the handpiece body; said handpiece body having a fluid path in fluid communication with the fluid path of the tip, said handpiece body fluid path extending to the exterior of the handpiece, whereby fluid in the eye may flow through the tip and the handpiece body while laser light from the laser source is directed by the optical fiber into the eye; said handpiece body fluid path including a cavity inside the handpiece body, said cavity being larger in cross-section than the fluid path in the handpiece tip, a bore extending from the cavity to the exterior of the handpiece, and a tube for providing fluid communication between the bore and a suction source.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
258 words
A laser delivery system for ophthalmic surgery and the like comprising: a handpiece having a handpiece body by means of which the handpiece may be held and manipulated by a user and a hollow tip of a size suitable for insertion into a human eye, said hollow tip extending distally from the handpiece body; a laser connector for connection directly to a laser source; an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, said optical fiber terminating at the proximal end in the laser connector and terminating at the distal end in the handpiece, said optical fiber forming a lenseless optical path for transmitting laser light from a laser source to an eye to be treated; said optical fiber extending through the handpiece body and at least partially through the handpiece tip, said tip having a proximal end and a distal end, said tip also including a fluid path from the distal end thereof to the interior of the handpiece body; said handpiece body having a fluid path in fluid communication with the fluid path of the tip, said handpiece body fluid path extending to the exterior of the handpiece, whereby fluid in the eye may flow through the tip and the handpiece body while laser light from the laser source is directed by the optical fiber into the eye; further including means for removably securing an intermediate portion of the optical fiber in a fixed position with respect to an operating field, said intermediate portion of the optical fiber being disposed exteriorly of the handpiece.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
258 words
A laser delivery system for ophthalmic surgery and the like comprising: a handpiece having a handpiece body by means of which the handpiece may be held and manipulated by a user and a hollow tip of a size suitable for insertion into a human eye, said hollow tip extending distally from the handpiece body; a laser connector for connection directly to a laser source; an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, said optical fiber terminating at the proximal end in the laser connector and terminating at the distal end in the handpiece, said optical fiber forming a lenseless optical path for transmitting laser light from a laser source to an eye to be treated; said optical fiber extending through the handpiece body and at least partially through the handpiece tip, said tip having a proximal end and a distal end, said tip also including a fluid path from the distal end thereof to the interior of the handpiece body; said handpiece body having a fluid path in fluid communication with the fluid path of the tip, said handpiece body fluid path extending to the exterior of the handpiece, whereby fluid in the eye may flow through the tip and the handpiece body while laser light from the laser source is directed by the optical fiber into the eye; further including means for removably securing an intermediate portion of the optical fiber in a fixed position with respect to an operating field, said intermediate portion of the optical fiber being disposed exteriorly of the handpiece.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
146 words
A laser delivery system for ophthalmic surgery and the like comprising: a handpiece having a handpiece body and a hollow tip of a size suitable for insertion into a human eye, said hollow tip extending distally from the handpiece body; a laser connector for connection to a laser source; an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, said optical fiber terminating at the proximal end in the laser connector and terminating at the distal end in the handpiece, said optical fiber extending through the handpiece body and at least partially through the handpiece tip for transmitting laser light from a laser source to an eye to be treated; and means for removably securing an intermediate portion of the optical fiber in a fixed position with respect to an operating field, said intermediate portion of the optical fiber being disposed exteriorly of the handpiece.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
146 words
A laser delivery system for ophthalmic surgery and the like comprising: a handpiece having a handpiece body and a hollow tip of a size suitable for insertion into a human eye, said hollow tip extending distally from the handpiece body; a laser connector for connection to a laser source; an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, said optical fiber terminating at the proximal end in the laser connector and terminating at the distal end in the handpiece, said optical fiber extending through the handpiece body and at least partially through the handpiece tip for transmitting laser light from a laser source to an eye to be treated; and means for removably securing an intermediate portion of the optical fiber in a fixed position with respect to an operating field, said intermediate portion of the optical fiber being disposed exteriorly of the handpiece.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The laser delivery system as set forth in claim 15 wherein the removably securing means is a clamp.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The laser delivery system as set forth in claim 16 wherein the clamp is a one-piece plastic molded part.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
101 words
The laser delivery system as set forth in claim 17 wherein said tip has a proximal end and a distal end, said tip also including a fluid path from the distal end thereof to the interior of the handpiece body, and wherein the handpiece body has a fluid path in fluid communication with the fluid path of the tip, said handpiece body fluid path extending to the exterior of the handpiece, whereby fluid in the eye may flow through the tip and the handpiece body while laser light from the laser source is directed by the optical fiber into the eye.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The laser delivery system as set forth in claim 15 further including means for refluxing material drawn into the fluid path from the eye back into the eye.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The laser delivery system as set forth in claim 19 wherein the handpiece body includes the refluxing means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
The laser delivery system as set forth in claim 19 wherein the refluxing means includes an elastically deformable member for exerting pressure on the fluid in the fluid path to push said material out of the tip back into the eye.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The laser delivery system as set forth in claim 19 wherein the refluxing means is manually operable.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The laser delivery system as set forth in claim 19 wherein the refluxing means includes a deformable sleeve disposed axially along the handpiece.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
49 words
The laser delivery system as set forth in claim 23 wherein the deformable sleeve is disposed over a substantially rigid, tubular member, said tubular member having an orifice therethrough into which a portion of the sleeve may be pushed to exert pressure on the fluid in the fluid path.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The laser delivery system as set forth in claim 19 wherein the refluxing means includes a deformable bulb extending outwardly from the handpiece.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
The laser delivery system as set forth in claim 19 wherein the refluxing means includes means for simultaneously closing the fluid path through the handpiece upon operation of the refluxing means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
The laser delivery system as set forth in claim 15 wherein the optical fiber is fixedly secured to the handpiece body and is otherwise loosely disposed in the handpiece tip.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of performing ophthalmic surgery comprising: inserting the distal end of a probe into the interior of an eye; aspirating material out of the interior of the eye through the probe; applying laser energy through the probe into the interior of the eye, without replacing said probe; infusing medication through the probe into the eye during surgery.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of performing ophthalmic surgery comprising: inserting the distal end of a probe into the interior of an eye; aspirating material out of the interior of the eye through the probe; applying laser energy through the probe into the interior of the eye, without replacing said probe; infusing medication through the probe into the eye during surgery.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as set forth in claim 28 wherein the medication is a blood clotting factor, said step of infusing medication thereby including the step of clotting blood at the site where the medication is infused.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of performing ophthalmic surgery comprising: inserting the distal end of a probe into the interior of an eye; aspirating material out of the interior of the eye through the probe; applying laser energy through the probe into the interior of the eye, without replacing said probe; delivering an adhesive through the probe into the interior of the eye and activating the adhesive by the application of laser energy through the probe.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of performing ophthalmic surgery comprising: inserting the distal end of a probe into the interior of an eye; aspirating material out of the interior of the eye through the probe; applying laser energy through the probe into the interior of the eye, without replacing said probe; delivering an adhesive through the probe into the interior of the eye and activating the adhesive by the application of laser energy through the probe.
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) | 1997-06-06 | 1997-12-06 | 1998-06-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-06-06 | 2001-12-06 | 2002-06-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-06-06 | 2005-12-06 | 2006-06-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |