US5356407A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ophthalmic surgery probe assembly
Assignee: INNOVATION MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES INC
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Filing: 1993-07-29
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Granted: 1994-10-18
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Expires: 2013-07-29
Abstract
Abstract An ophthalmic surgery probe assembly includes a handpiece having a handpiece body and a hollow tip of a size suitable for insertion into a human eye, the hollow tip extending distally from the handpiece body. A laser connector is provided for connection to a laser source. A first optical fiber terminates at its proximal end in the laser connector and terminates at the distal end in the handpiece for transmitting laser light from the laser source to an eye to be treated, the first optical fiber extending at least partially through the handpiece tip. An illumination connector is provided for connection to an illumination source. A second optical fiber terminates at its proximal end in the illumination connector and terminates at the distal end in the handpiece for transmitting illumination from the illumination source to an eye to be treated, the second optical fiber extending at least partially through the handpiece tip.
Inventors
- 👤 James C. Easley
- 👤 Gregory A. Blount
- 👤 Gregg D. Scheller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:36
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/008; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/28; A61B2017/2808; A61B90/00; A61B90/30; A61B2090/306
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
A probe assembly 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 handpiece body having a proximal end and a distal end, said hollow tip having a single wall of uniform thickness, a proximal end and a distal end and extending distally from the handpiece body, said hollow tip also having a transverse cross-section with a major axis and a minor axis; a laser connector for connection to a laser source; a first optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, said first optical fiber terminating at the proximal end in the laser connector and terminating at the distal end in the handpiece for transmitting laser light from the laser source to an eye to be treated; said first optical fiber extending at least partially through the handpiece tip; an illumination connector for connection to an illumination source; a second optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, said second optical fiber terminating at the proximal end in the illumination connector and terminating at the distal end in the handpiece for transmitting illumination from the illumination source to an eye to be treated; said second optical fiber extending at least partially through the handpiece tip; said optical fibers lying on the major axis of the hollow tip.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
230 words
A probe assembly 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 handpiece body having a proximal end and a distal end, said hollow tip having a single wall of uniform thickness, a proximal end and a distal end and extending distally from the handpiece body, said hollow tip also having a transverse cross-section with a major axis and a minor axis; a laser connector for connection to a laser source; a first optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, said first optical fiber terminating at the proximal end in the laser connector and terminating at the distal end in the handpiece for transmitting laser light from the laser source to an eye to be treated; said first optical fiber extending at least partially through the handpiece tip; an illumination connector for connection to an illumination source; a second optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, said second optical fiber terminating at the proximal end in the illumination connector and terminating at the distal end in the handpiece for transmitting illumination from the illumination source to an eye to be treated; said second optical fiber extending at least partially through the handpiece tip; said optical fibers lying on the major axis of the hollow tip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The probe assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the centerlines of the optical fibers lie on the major axis of the hollow handpiece tip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The probe assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the handpiece tip is substantially oval in cross section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The probe assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber extend substantially to the distal end of the handpiece tip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The probe assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein the first optical fiber is substantially smaller in diameter than the second optical fiber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The probe assembly as set forth in claim 3 further including a bushing disposed in the distal end of the handpiece body, said hollow tip being metal and being secured in said bushing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The probe assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including a length of tubing covering the first and second optical fibers for a predetermined distance proximally from the proximal end of the handpiece.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The probe assembly as set forth in claim 7 further including first and second separate lengths of tubing covering the first and second optical fibers respectively proximally from the aforesaid length of tubing to the laser and illumination connectors.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The probe assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the sum of the first optical fiber diameter and the second optical fiber diameter substantially equal the inner dimension of the handpiece tip measured along the major axis of the tip.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The probe assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the handpiece tip substantially corresponds in outer circumference to twenty gauge tubing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
218 words
A probe assembly 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 handpiece body having a proximal end and a distal end, said hollow tip having a proximal end and a distal end and extending distally from the handpiece body; a laser connector for connection to a laser source; an illumination connector for connection to an illumination source; a fiber optic assembly, said fiber optic assembly consisting essentially of a first single optical fiber and a second single optical fiber, said first optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, said first optical fiber terminating at the proximal end in the laser connector and terminating at the distal end in the handpiece for transmitting laser light from the laser source to an eye to be treated; said first optical fiber extending at least partially through the handpiece tip; said second optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, said second optical fiber terminating at the proximal end in the illumination connector and terminating at the distal end in the handpiece for transmitting illumination from the illumination source to an eye to be treated; said second optical fiber extending at least partially through the handpiece tip.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
218 words
A probe assembly 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 handpiece body having a proximal end and a distal end, said hollow tip having a proximal end and a distal end and extending distally from the handpiece body; a laser connector for connection to a laser source; an illumination connector for connection to an illumination source; a fiber optic assembly, said fiber optic assembly consisting essentially of a first single optical fiber and a second single optical fiber, said first optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, said first optical fiber terminating at the proximal end in the laser connector and terminating at the distal end in the handpiece for transmitting laser light from the laser source to an eye to be treated; said first optical fiber extending at least partially through the handpiece tip; said second optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, said second optical fiber terminating at the proximal end in the illumination connector and terminating at the distal end in the handpiece for transmitting illumination from the illumination source to an eye to be treated; said second optical fiber extending at least partially through the handpiece tip.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The probe assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein the handpiece tip has a transverse major axis, the centerlines of the first and second optical fibers lying on said transverse major axis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The probe assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein the handpiece tip has a single wall of uniform thickness.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The probe assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein the hollow handpiece tip is essentially empty except for the first and second optical fibers.
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) | 1997-10-17 | 1998-04-18 | 1998-10-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-10-17 | 2002-04-18 | 2002-10-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-10-17 | 2006-04-18 | 2006-10-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |