GB1349881A - Apparatus suitable for cataract surgery - Google Patents

Abstract

1349881 Probe for cataract surgery H T DINKELKAMP and N G DOUVAS 4 Jan 1971 [5 Jan 1970] 249/71 Heading A5R Apparatus for removing cataractous tissue from the eye comprises a probe tip 68, through which fluid for irrigating the cataractous lens may pass, a rotary cutter in the probe tip for cutting thin layers or slices of cataractous tissue from the lens, and means for aspirating by suction cut tissues through the probe tip. The probe tip 68 comprises an inner tube 73 rotatable within a fixed outer tube 70, housed in an adaptor 71, the cutting means being 'located at the end of the inner tube. The inner tube 73 is attached to the hollow shaft 43 of a motor 31 by means of a coupling 74 and adaptor 45. A safety plunger 52 with bore hole 58 located in the channel 56 is urged towards the hollow shaft 43 of the motor by a spring 53 which abutts an adjusting screw 54. U-shaped cross parts 55 bypass the spring and adjusting screw. When the probe is in operation salt solution is passed from an elevated container 10, through a duct 12 into an enlarged section 24 of the probe from which it passes through ducts 74 and 97 into the annulus between the tubes 70 and 46, and to the eye. Thin slices of cataractous material cut from the cataract, and the salt solution are aspirated from the eye through inner tube 46 and then through channels 47, 58, 55 and 61, through tubes 15 and 16 to a container 20 by the suction of a vacuum pump 21. In response to an excessive aspiration pressure build up at the eye, plunger 52 is forced against the spring thus cutting off the U- shaped cross parts and the vacuum from pump 21, whereby the pressure on each side of the plunger 52 is equalised and the pressure at the eye reduced. A further safety valve 17 is provided upstream of the bottle 20, whereby the vacuum stream may be vented to atmosphere should the aspiration pressure become excessive. The valve 17 is operated by coil 17a which is actuated by electrical foot switch 22 and master switch 41. The motor 31 is similarly operated by foot switch 33 and master switch 42, whilst a stop valve 14 in the salt solution tube is operated by foot switch 28 and master switch 39. The cutting tip of the probe comprises closely adjusted diametric strips (80) and (81) (Fig. 5 not shown) at the ends of the inner rotatable and outer tubes, respectively. The end of the outer tube may be curled over to close the annulus between the inner and outer tubes where parts (85) are provided for the outlet of the salt solution (Fig. 6 not shown). In a further embodiment of the cutting element the ends of both tubes are closed and the outer tube is reduced in diameter to closely approach the inner tube which is notched to provide a cutting edge 92 to correspond with a part 90 in the outer tube. Parts 91 near the end of the outer tube are provided for the salt solution outlet. Reference has been directed by the comptroller to Specification 1286339.