US5921999A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method employing a pie-zoelectric crystal and transverse oscillation to perform a capsulotomy
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1997-06-03
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Granted: 1999-07-13
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Expires: 2017-06-03
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for performing a capsulotomy employ a handpiece including a cutting assembly that fits into the anterior chamber of the eye, and cuts an opening in the capsule of the eye with mechanical oscillation. The cutting assembly includes a rigid sleeve enclosing an oscillating shaft. The sleeve and oscillating shaft are configured to induce a laminar flow of fluid in the interior of the sleeve during operation of the system. The cutting member oscillates in a direction transverse to the longitudinal dimension of the handpiece.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank Dileo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:00
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/00736; A61F9/00754; A61F9/00745; A61M; A61M1/00; A61M1/84; A61M1/85
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A system for performing a capsulotomy under control of a surgeon, the system comprising: a manual control, responsive to manipulation by the surgeon, for generating a first electrical signal; circuitry for generating a second electrical signal in response to the first signal; a handpiece housing defining a longitudinal dimension; an oscillating mechanism, in the handpiece housing, configured to move in response to the second electrical signal; a fluid source; a sleeve; and a cutting member coupled to the oscillating mechanism, the cutting member in the sleeve such that the sleeve and the cutting member define a channel between the sleeve and the cutting member, the cutting member including a mechanism that causes a laminar fluid flow in the channel whereby the channel is in fluid communication with the fluid source, the cutting member configured to move relative to the sleeve, and configured to oscillate transverse to the longitudinal dimension.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
149 words
A system for performing a capsulotomy under control of a surgeon, the system comprising: a manual control, responsive to manipulation by the surgeon, for generating a first electrical signal; circuitry for generating a second electrical signal in response to the first signal; a handpiece housing defining a longitudinal dimension; an oscillating mechanism, in the handpiece housing, configured to move in response to the second electrical signal; a fluid source; a sleeve; and a cutting member coupled to the oscillating mechanism, the cutting member in the sleeve such that the sleeve and the cutting member define a channel between the sleeve and the cutting member, the cutting member including a mechanism that causes a laminar fluid flow in the channel whereby the channel is in fluid communication with the fluid source, the cutting member configured to move relative to the sleeve, and configured to oscillate transverse to the longitudinal dimension.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 further including an aspirator, and a tube defining a channel in fluid communication with the aspirator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the circuitry includes means for generating the second signal such that the oscillating mechanism oscillates at greater than 10,000 Hz.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 further including a stabilizing member, mechanically coupled to the handpiece housing, for contacting the capsule while the cutting member cuts the capsule.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 4 wherein the stabilizing member is attached to the sleeve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the sleeve defines a curved path for the cutting member.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
249 words
A method of controlling a system for performing a capsulotomy under control of a surgeon, the system including a manual control, responsive to manipulation by the surgeon, for generating a first electrical signal; circuitry for generating a second electrical signal in response to the first signal; a handpiece housing defining a longitudinal dimension; an oscillating mechanism, in the handpiece housing, configured to move in response to the second electrical signal; an aspirator; a fluid source; a sleeve; a first cutting member coupled to the oscillating mechanism, the first cutting member in the sleeve such that the sleeve and the cutting member define a channel between the sleeve and the first cutting member, the first cutting member including a mechanism that causes a first laminar fluid flow in the channel whereby the channel is in fluid communication with the fluid source, the first cutting member configured to move relative to the sleeve; and a second cutting member defining a hollow distal end, the method comprising the steps of: coupling the first cutting member to the oscillating member; activating the manual control to cause the first cutting member to oscillate transverse to the longitudinal dimension; removing the first cutting member from the oscillating member; coupling the second cutting member to the oscillating member, such that the hollow end is in fluid communication with the aspirator; activating the aspirator to induce a second fluid flow into the hollow end; and activating the manual control to cause the second cutting member to oscillate.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
249 words
A method of controlling a system for performing a capsulotomy under control of a surgeon, the system including a manual control, responsive to manipulation by the surgeon, for generating a first electrical signal; circuitry for generating a second electrical signal in response to the first signal; a handpiece housing defining a longitudinal dimension; an oscillating mechanism, in the handpiece housing, configured to move in response to the second electrical signal; an aspirator; a fluid source; a sleeve; a first cutting member coupled to the oscillating mechanism, the first cutting member in the sleeve such that the sleeve and the cutting member define a channel between the sleeve and the first cutting member, the first cutting member including a mechanism that causes a first laminar fluid flow in the channel whereby the channel is in fluid communication with the fluid source, the first cutting member configured to move relative to the sleeve; and a second cutting member defining a hollow distal end, the method comprising the steps of: coupling the first cutting member to the oscillating member; activating the manual control to cause the first cutting member to oscillate transverse to the longitudinal dimension; removing the first cutting member from the oscillating member; coupling the second cutting member to the oscillating member, such that the hollow end is in fluid communication with the aspirator; activating the aspirator to induce a second fluid flow into the hollow end; and activating the manual control to cause the second cutting member to oscillate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 1 further including a stabilizing member, fixedly attached relative to the handpiece housing, for contacting the capsule while the cutting member cuts the capsule.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for a system for performing a capsulotomy under control of a surgeon, the system including a handpiece housing defining a longitudinal dimension, a first member in the handpiece housing, and a fluid source, a sleeve, a first cutting member coupled to the oscillating mechanism, the cutting member in the sleeve such that the sleeve and the cutting member define a channel between the sleeve and the cutting member, the cutting member including a mechanism that causes a laminar fluid flow in the channel whereby the channel is in fluid communication with the fluid source, the cutting member configured to move relative to the sleeve, the method comprising: coupling the cutting member to the first member; generating a first electrical signal in response to manipulation by the surgeon; generating a second electrical signal in response to the first electrical signal; oscillating the first member in response to the second electrical signal; and oscillating the cutting member, in the eye, transverse to the longitudinal dimension of the handpiece housing.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for a system for performing a capsulotomy under control of a surgeon, the system including a handpiece housing defining a longitudinal dimension, a first member in the handpiece housing, and a fluid source, a sleeve, a first cutting member coupled to the oscillating mechanism, the cutting member in the sleeve such that the sleeve and the cutting member define a channel between the sleeve and the cutting member, the cutting member including a mechanism that causes a laminar fluid flow in the channel whereby the channel is in fluid communication with the fluid source, the cutting member configured to move relative to the sleeve, the method comprising: coupling the cutting member to the first member; generating a first electrical signal in response to manipulation by the surgeon; generating a second electrical signal in response to the first electrical signal; oscillating the first member in response to the second electrical signal; and oscillating the cutting member, in the eye, transverse to the longitudinal dimension of the handpiece housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the cutting member has an elliptical cross section.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the cutting member has a circular cross section.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 9 further including effecting a fluid flow inside the cutting member while generating the second electrical signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 9 further including effecting a fluid flow in a distal end of the cutting member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the oscillating mechanism includes a piezoelectric crystal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the oscillating member includes a piezoelectric crystal and the step of coupling a first cutting member includes coupling the first cutting member to the piezoelectric crystal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the first member includes a piezoelectric crystal and the step of oscillating the first member includes oscillating the piezoelectric crystal.
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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) | 2002-07-12 | 2003-01-11 | 2003-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-07-12 | 2007-01-11 | 2007-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-07-12 | 2011-01-11 | 2011-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |