US6254587B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for delivering viscoelastic material to an eye
Assignee: Johnson and Johnson Surgical Vision Inc
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Filing: 1999-09-11
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Granted: 2001-07-03
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Expires: 2019-09-11
Abstract
Abstract A phacoemulsification handpiece for ophthalmic surgical procedures includes a needle having a tip and connected to a source of ultrasonic energy, for cutting and/or fragmenting eye tissue along with a conduit for introducing irrigation fluid proximate the needle tip. The handpiece also includes separate structure for introducing a viscous fluid, such as a viscoelastic material, proximate the needle tip as well as bore through the needle and handpiece for aspirating irrigation fluid, viscoelastic material end cut and/or fragmented eye tissue. An accumulator, connected to the housing is provided for containing a supply of viscous fluid. A diaphragm assembly and a manual valve are provided for delivering viscous material to the needle tip.
Inventors
- 👤 F. Richard Christ
- 👤 Edward R. Zaleski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 04:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/00736; A61F9/00745; A61F9/0008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A method useful in ophthalmic surgical procedures, the method comprising the steps of: radiating ultrasonic energy from a needle tip of a phacoemulsification handpiece, into an eye in order to cut, fragment or emulsify eye tissue; delivering an irrigation fluid to the needle tip; delivering a viscoelastic material to the needle tip; mixing the irrigation fluid and viscoelastic material inside the phacoemulsification handpiece prior to the steps of delivering the irrigation fluid and viscous material; aspirating cut, fragmented or emulsified eye tissue, irrigation fluid and viscous fluid from the eye, the steps of delivering an irrigation fluid, delivering a viscoelastic material and aspirating, performed without removing the needle from the eye.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A method useful in ophthalmic surgical procedures, the method comprising the steps of: radiating ultrasonic energy from a needle tip of a phacoemulsification handpiece, into an eye in order to cut, fragment or emulsify eye tissue; delivering an irrigation fluid to the needle tip; delivering a viscoelastic material to the needle tip; mixing the irrigation fluid and viscoelastic material inside the phacoemulsification handpiece prior to the steps of delivering the irrigation fluid and viscous material; aspirating cut, fragmented or emulsified eye tissue, irrigation fluid and viscous fluid from the eye, the steps of delivering an irrigation fluid, delivering a viscoelastic material and aspirating, performed without removing the needle from the eye.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of making a single incision in the eye with the needle tip, and wherein the steps of radiating ultrasonic energy, delivering irrigation fluid, delivering viscoelastic material and aspirating are performed through the single incision.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
An ophthalmic surgical procedure comprising the steps of: fragmenting eye tissue using an ultrasonically driven needle tip; simultaneously delivering a viscoelastic material to the eye proximate the needle tip, the delivery including mixing the viscoelastic material with the irrigation fluid before delivering to the eye, the mixing occurring in a chamber within a handpiece supporting the needle tip; and aspirating irrigation fluid, viscoelastic material and tissue fragments from the eye.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
An ophthalmic surgical procedure comprising the steps of: fragmenting eye tissue using an ultrasonically driven needle tip; simultaneously delivering a viscoelastic material to the eye proximate the needle tip, the delivery including mixing the viscoelastic material with the irrigation fluid before delivering to the eye, the mixing occurring in a chamber within a handpiece supporting the needle tip; and aspirating irrigation fluid, viscoelastic material and tissue fragments from the eye.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The procedure according to claim 3 further comprising the step of accumulating the viscoelastic material in a handpiece accumulator prior to mixing same with irrigation fluid in the handpiece chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The procedure according to claim 4 further comprising supplying the viscoelastic material to the handpiece accumulator and chamber by compressed air.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
78 words
An ophthalmic surgical procedure comprising the steps of: fragmenting eye tissue; delivering an irrigation fluid into the eye proximate the fragmented eye tissue; simultaneously delivering a viscelastic material to the eye proximate the fragmented eye tissue, the delivery including mixing the viscoelastic material with the irrigation fluid before delivering the eye, the mixing occurring in a chamber within a handpiece apparatus for fragmenting the eye tissue; and aspirating irrigation fluid, viscoelastic material and tissue fragments from the eye.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
78 words
An ophthalmic surgical procedure comprising the steps of: fragmenting eye tissue; delivering an irrigation fluid into the eye proximate the fragmented eye tissue; simultaneously delivering a viscelastic material to the eye proximate the fragmented eye tissue, the delivery including mixing the viscoelastic material with the irrigation fluid before delivering the eye, the mixing occurring in a chamber within a handpiece apparatus for fragmenting the eye tissue; and aspirating irrigation fluid, viscoelastic material and tissue fragments from the eye.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The procedure according to claim 6 further comprising the step of accumulating the viscoelastic material in a handpiece accumulator prior to mixing same with irrigation fluid in the handpiece chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The procedure according to claim 7 further comprising supplying the viscoelastic material to the handpiece accumulator chamber by compressed air.
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) | 2004-07-02 | 2005-01-01 | 2005-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-07-02 | 2009-01-01 | 2009-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-07-02 | 2013-01-01 | 2013-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |