US6984230B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Directional laser probe
Assignee: Synergetics Inc
•
Filing: 2003-04-09
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Granted: 2006-01-10
•
Expires: 2023-04-09
Abstract
Abstract A microsurgical laser probe is provided with a distal end portion of an optic fiber that projects from a tubular sleeve of the probe and can be caused to bend relative to the probe sleeve by manual manipulation of a mechanism on a handle of the probe.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregg D. Scheller
- 👤 Michael D. Auld
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 12:08
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B18/24; A61B90/00; A61B90/30; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/008; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/3205; A61B17/3207; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00867; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00184; A61B2018/00196; A61B2018/2238; A61B2018/2255; A61B2018/2288; A61B2090/306; A61B3/00; A61B3/10; A61B3/16; A61F2009/00861; A61F2009/00863
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
An ophthalmic surgery instrument comprising: an instrument handle having a hollow interior bore; a rigid tubular sleeve projecting from the handle, the sleeve having reduced dimensions that allow insertion of the sleeve through an eye incision in ophthalmic surgery procedures, the sleeve having a hollow interior bore that communicates with the handle interior bore; an optic fiber extending through the handle interior bore and the sleeve interior bore to a distal end portion of the fiber, the optic fiber being movable relative to the handle and the sleeve, the sleeve surrounding the optic fiber in close proximity to the optic fiber with a majority of the sleeve interior bore being occupied solely by the optic fiber whereby cross-sectional dimensions of the sleeve and optic fiber are minimized for use in minimally invasive surgery; and a mechanism on the handle and connected to the optic fiber to selectively move the optic fiber between a pushed forward position of the optic fiber where the optic fiber projects a first distance from the handle and a pulled back position of the optic fiber where the optic fiber projects a second distance from the handle that is less than the first distance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
An ophthalmic surgery instrument comprising: an instrument handle having a hollow interior bore; a rigid tubular sleeve projecting from the handle, the sleeve having reduced dimensions that allow insertion of the sleeve through an eye incision in ophthalmic surgery procedures, the sleeve having a hollow interior bore that communicates with the handle interior bore; an optic fiber extending through the handle interior bore and the sleeve interior bore to a distal end portion of the fiber, the optic fiber being movable relative to the handle and the sleeve, the sleeve surrounding the optic fiber in close proximity to the optic fiber with a majority of the sleeve interior bore being occupied solely by the optic fiber whereby cross-sectional dimensions of the sleeve and optic fiber are minimized for use in minimally invasive surgery; and a mechanism on the handle and connected to the optic fiber to selectively move the optic fiber between a pushed forward position of the optic fiber where the optic fiber projects a first distance from the handle and a pulled back position of the optic fiber where the optic fiber projects a second distance from the handle that is less than the first distance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The instrument of claim 1 , wherein: the tubular sleeve is secured stationary to the handle and a distal end portion of the optic fiber projects from the sleeve when the optic fiber is moved to the pushed forward position and the distal end portion of the optic fiber is contained in the sleeve when the optic fiber is moved to the pulled back position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The instrument of claim 2 , wherein: the distal end portion of the optic fiber has a bend formed therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The instrument of claim 3 , wherein: the distal end portion of the optic fiber is contained in a tubular tip that has the bend formed therein and is constructed of a shape memory material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The instrument of claim 4 , wherein: the tubular tip is constructed of nitinol and is secured stationary to the optic fiber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
The instrument of claim 1 , wherein: the sleeve is a rigid tube that projects from the handle and the distal end portion of the optic fiber has a preformed bend that is straightened when the distal end portion is retracted into the tube of the sleeve and bends when the distal end portion is extended from the tube of the sleeve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The instrument of claim 1 , wherein: the sleeve projects straight from the handle and the distal end portion of the optic fiber bends relative to the sleeve as it projects from the sleeve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The instrument of claim 1 , wherein: the optic fiber is the only optic fiber that passes through the handle and the sleeve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The instrument of claim 1 , wherein: the instrument is a laser probe.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The instrument of claim 1 , wherein: the tubular sleeve has an interior surface and there is an air gap between the sleeve interior surface and the optic fiber in the sleeve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The instrument of claim 1 , wherein: the tubular sleeve has an interior surface and a layer of sliding material between the sleeve interior surface and the optic fiber in the sleeve.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The instrument of claim 11 , wherein: the layer of sliding material is located in only a portion of the sleeve creating an air gap between the sleeve interior surface and the optic fiber where the layer of sliding material is not located.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
97 words
The instrument of claim 1 , wherein: the handle is elongated and has opposite proximal and distal ends; the sleeve projects from the handle distal end; and, the mechanism includes a finger pad that is mounted at a side of the handle between the handle proximal and distal ends where the finger pad is accessible by a finger of a surgeon's hand holding the handle, the finger pad being operatively connected to the optic fiber for movement of the optic fiber relative to the handle in response to movement of the finger pad relative to the handle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The instrument of claim 1 , wherein: the handle is dimensioned as a pencil to fit comfortably in a surgeon's hand.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
116 words
The instrument of claim 1 , wherein: the handle has a slot in a side of the handle; the optic fiber extends through the slot; and, the mechanism includes a finger pad that extends into the slot for movement of the finger pad in the slot between pushed forward and pulled back positions of the finger pad relative to the slot, the finger pad being operatively connected to the optic fiber to move the optic fiber between the pushed forward and pulled back positions of the optic fiber relative to the handle in response to the finger pad moving between the respective pushed forward and pulled back positions of the finger pad relative to the slot.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The instrument of claim 15 , wherein: the optic fiber extends through the finger pad.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The instrument of claim 1 , further comprising: the sleeve being minimally dimensioned for use in ophthalmic surgery whereby the sleeve is insertable into an eye.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The instrument of claim 17 , further comprising: the sleeve being insertable through an eye incision to position the sleeve distal end in the eye interior.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
161 words
An ophthalmic surgery instrument comprising: an instrument handle having a hollow interior bore; a rigid tubular sleeve projecting from the instrument handle, the sleeve being fixed stationary relative to the handle, the sleeve having reduced dimensions that allow insertion of the sleeve through an eye incision in ophthalmic surgery procedures and the sleeve having a hollow interior bore through the sleeve that communicates with the handle interior bore; an optic fiber extending through the handle interior bore and the sleeve interior bore to a distal end portion that projects from the sleeve, the distal end portion of the optic fiber having an adjustable bend therein, the optic fiber being movable relative to the handle and the sleeve, and the sleeve surrounding the optic fiber in close proximity to the optic fiber with a majority of the sleeve interior bore being occupied solely by the optic fiber whereby cross-sectional dimensions of the sleeve and optic fiber are minimized for minimally invasive surgery.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
161 words
An ophthalmic surgery instrument comprising: an instrument handle having a hollow interior bore; a rigid tubular sleeve projecting from the instrument handle, the sleeve being fixed stationary relative to the handle, the sleeve having reduced dimensions that allow insertion of the sleeve through an eye incision in ophthalmic surgery procedures and the sleeve having a hollow interior bore through the sleeve that communicates with the handle interior bore; an optic fiber extending through the handle interior bore and the sleeve interior bore to a distal end portion that projects from the sleeve, the distal end portion of the optic fiber having an adjustable bend therein, the optic fiber being movable relative to the handle and the sleeve, and the sleeve surrounding the optic fiber in close proximity to the optic fiber with a majority of the sleeve interior bore being occupied solely by the optic fiber whereby cross-sectional dimensions of the sleeve and optic fiber are minimized for minimally invasive surgery.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The instrument of claim 19 , wherein: the sleeve projects straight from the handle and the distal end portion of the optic fiber bends relative to the sleeve as it projects from the sleeve.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
48 words
The instrument of claim 19 , wherein: the distal end portion of the optic fiber has a preformed bend that is straightened when the distal end portion is retracted into the rigid tubular sleeve and bends when the distal end portion is extended from the rigid tubular sleeve.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
The instrument of claim 19 , wherein: the distal end of the optic fiber is contained in a tubular tip, the tubular tip has a pre-bent portion and is constructed of a shape memory material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The instrument of claim 22 , wherein: the tubular tip is constructed of plastic and is secured stationary to the optic fiber.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The instrument of claim 19 , wherein: the optic fiber is the only optic fiber that passes through the handle and the sleeve.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
The instrument of claim 19 , wherein: the instrument is an illuminating probe.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
The instrument of claim 19 , wherein: the instrument is a laser probe.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
The instrument of claim 19 , wherein: the tubular sleeve has an interior surface and there is an air gap between the sleeve interior surface and the optic fiber in the sleeve.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
The instrument of claim 19 , wherein: the tubular sleeve has an interior surface and a layer of sliding material between the sleeve interior surface and the optic fiber in the sleeve.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
113 words
The instrument of claim 19 , where: the handle is elongated and narrow and has opposite proximal and distal ends; the sleeve projects from the handle distal end; a finger pad is mounted on the handle adjacent the handle distal end, the finger pad is movable on the handle between a pushed forward position and a pulled back position of the finger pad relative to the handle, and the finger pad is operatively connected to the optic fiber and moves the optic fiber relative to the handle and sleeve in response to the finger pad being moved between the pushed forward and pulled back positions of the finger pad relative to the handle.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
45 words
The instrument of claim 29 , wherein: the handle has an axial slot in a side of the handle; the optic fiber extends through the slot; and, the finger pad extends into the slot and is operatively connected to the optic fiber in the slot.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The instrument of claim 30 , wherein: the optic fiber extends through the finger pad.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
47 words
The instrument of claim 30 , wherein: a hollow bore extends through the handle between the handle proximal and distal ends, the hollow bore intersects the slot, and the optic fiber extends through the hollow bore for sliding movement of the optic fiber in the hollow bore.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The instrument of claim 19 , wherein: the handle is dimensioned as a pencil to fit comfortably in a surgeon's hand.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
The instrument of claim 19 , further comprising: the sleeve being minimally dimensioned for use in ophthalmic surgery whereby the sleeve is insertable into an eye.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
The instrument of claim 34 , further comprising: the sleeve being insertable through an eye incision to position the sleeve distal end in the eye interior.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
132 words
A surgical instrument comprising: an instrument handle; a rigid tubular sleeve projecting from the instrument handle, the sleeve being fixed stationary relative to the handle; an optic fiber extending through the handle and the sleeve to a distal end portion that projects from the sleeve, the distal end portion of the optic fiber having an adjustable bend therein, the optic fiber being movable relative to the handle and the sleeve; the tubular sleeve has an interior surface and a layer of sliding material between the sleeve interior surface and the optic fiber in the sleeve; and, the layer of sliding material is located in only a portion of the sleeve creating an air gap between the sleeve interior surface and the optic fiber where the layer of sliding material is not located.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
132 words
A surgical instrument comprising: an instrument handle; a rigid tubular sleeve projecting from the instrument handle, the sleeve being fixed stationary relative to the handle; an optic fiber extending through the handle and the sleeve to a distal end portion that projects from the sleeve, the distal end portion of the optic fiber having an adjustable bend therein, the optic fiber being movable relative to the handle and the sleeve; the tubular sleeve has an interior surface and a layer of sliding material between the sleeve interior surface and the optic fiber in the sleeve; and, the layer of sliding material is located in only a portion of the sleeve creating an air gap between the sleeve interior surface and the optic fiber where the layer of sliding material is not located.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
183 words
An ophthalmic surgery instrument comprising: an instrument handle having a hollow interior bore; a rigid tubular sleeve projecting from the instrument handle, the sleeve having reduced dimensions that allow insertion of the sleeve through an eye incision in ophthalmic surgery procedures, the sleeve having a hollow interior bore that communicates with the handle interior bore; an optic fiber extending through the handle interior bore and the sleeve interior bore to a distal end portion that projects from the sleeve, the distal end portion of the optic fiber having an adjustable bend therein, the optic fiber being movable relative to the handle and the sleeve, the sleeve surrounding the optic fiber in close proximity to the optic fiber with a majority of the sleeve interior bore being occupied solely by the optic fiber whereby cross-sectional dimensions of the sleeve and optic fiber are minimized for use in minimally invasive surgery; and, the handle has a mechanism that is connected to the optic fiber and selectively moves the optic fiber between pushed forward and pulled back positions of the optic fiber relative to the handle.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
183 words
An ophthalmic surgery instrument comprising: an instrument handle having a hollow interior bore; a rigid tubular sleeve projecting from the instrument handle, the sleeve having reduced dimensions that allow insertion of the sleeve through an eye incision in ophthalmic surgery procedures, the sleeve having a hollow interior bore that communicates with the handle interior bore; an optic fiber extending through the handle interior bore and the sleeve interior bore to a distal end portion that projects from the sleeve, the distal end portion of the optic fiber having an adjustable bend therein, the optic fiber being movable relative to the handle and the sleeve, the sleeve surrounding the optic fiber in close proximity to the optic fiber with a majority of the sleeve interior bore being occupied solely by the optic fiber whereby cross-sectional dimensions of the sleeve and optic fiber are minimized for use in minimally invasive surgery; and, the handle has a mechanism that is connected to the optic fiber and selectively moves the optic fiber between pushed forward and pulled back positions of the optic fiber relative to the handle.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
61 words
The instrument of claim 37 , wherein: the sleeve is held stationary relative to the handle and in the pulled back position of the optic fiber the distal end portion of the optic fiber is contained in the sleeve and in the pushed forward position of the optic fiber the distal end portion of the optic fiber projects from the sleeve.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
97 words
The instrument of claim 37 , wherein: the handle is elongated and has opposite proximal and distal ends; the sleeve projects from the handle distal end; and, the mechanism includes a finger pad that is mounted at a side of the handle between the handle proximal and distal ends where the finger pad is accessible by a finger of a surgeon's hand holding the handle, the finger pad being operatively connected to the optic fiber for movement of the optic fiber relative to the handle in response to movement of the finger pad relative to the handle.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
The instrument of claim 39 , wherein: the handle is dimensioned as a pencil to fit comfortably in a surgeon's hand.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
116 words
The instrument of claim 37 , wherein: the handle has a slot in a side of the handle; the optic fiber extends through the slot; and, the mechanism includes a finger pad that extends into the slot for movement of the finger pad in the slot between pushed forward and pulled back positions of the finger pad relative to the slot, the finger pad being operatively connected to the optic fiber to move the optic fiber between the pushed forward and pulled back positions of the optic fiber relative to the handle in response to the finger pad moving between the respective pushed forward and pulled back positions of the finger pad relative to the slot.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
15 words
The instrument of claim 41 , wherein: the optic fiber extends through the finger pad.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
26 words
The instrument of claim 37 , further comprising: the sleeve being minimally dimensioned for use in ophthalmic surgery whereby the sleeve is insertable into an eye.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
26 words
The instrument of claim 43 , further comprising: the sleeve being insertable through an eye incision to position the sleeve distal end in the eye interior.
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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) | 2009-01-09 | 2009-07-11 | 2010-01-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-01-09 | 2013-07-11 | 2014-01-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-01-09 | 2017-07-11 | 2018-01-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |