GB1445488A - Surgical apparatus for removal of tissue - Google Patents

Abstract

1445488 Surgical apparatus for disintegrating and removing tissue M WALLACH 21 June 1974 27659/74 Heading A5R Surgical apparatus for disintegrating and removing tissue, such as a cataract from the lens L, Fig. 3, of an eye, comprises a nozzle tube 12 having a distally disposed outlet port 16 and being connected via a flexible tube 19, Fig. 1, and a liquid-pulsator 20, e.g. a piston pump, to a tank 21 of liquid, said pump providing a stream of pulsating liquid through port 16 at a frequency between 0.25 and 333 pulses per second, at a pressure of 15 to 3500 p.s.i., and with a velocity of between 50 and 500 feet per second, and a suction tube 13 having an inlet port 17 disposed adjacent port 16, tube 13 being connected via a flexible tube 23 to a suction pump 26, tissue disintegrated and entrained in the liquid stream being removed through said suction tube. A bathing tube 14 having ports 18 along its distal length and being connected by a flexible tube 27 to a tank 28 of liquid, is arranged adjacent tube 12, tubes 12-14 being parallel and joined together. The pulse frequency, the pressure and the velocity of the.liquid stream may be varied. A sensor 24 on tube 23 causes reversal of the flow in tubes 13 and 23 when the pressure therein falls below a predetermined level subsequent to clogging of tube 13 or 23. The liquid used may be a slightly alkaline, isotonic solution and may contain antiseptics or coagulants. The diameter of the port 16 is between 0.001 and 0.01 inch and the suction is at a pressure between 76 and 304 mm of mercury. In an alternative embodiment, the suction tube (48) Fig. 7, (not shown); has a closed distal end and a longitudinally extending side port (51) for inlet of liquid, said side port extending beyond the distal end of the nozzle tube (47). In further embodiments, said nozzle tube and said suction tube are defined by inner and outer coaxial tubes (44), (42) Fig. 6, (not shown), respectively, or the nozzle tube (34), Fig. 4, (not shown), is annular with the axial portion thereof defining the suction tube (37).