WO1998009568A1 - Sleeve for a surgical instrument - Google Patents

Sleeve for a surgical instrument Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1998009568A1
WO1998009568A1 PCT/US1997/015392 US9715392W WO9809568A1 WO 1998009568 A1 WO1998009568 A1 WO 1998009568A1 US 9715392 W US9715392 W US 9715392W WO 9809568 A1 WO9809568 A1 WO 9809568A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cannula
sleeve
accordance
surgical
cutting tip
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1997/015392
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO1998009568A9 (en
Inventor
Mark Steen
Gloria D. Sefton
Original Assignee
Chiron Vision Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Chiron Vision Corporation filed Critical Chiron Vision Corporation
Priority to AU42448/97A priority Critical patent/AU4244897A/en
Priority to EP97940744A priority patent/EP1009287A4/en
Publication of WO1998009568A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998009568A1/en
Publication of WO1998009568A9 publication Critical patent/WO1998009568A9/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F9/00—Methods or devices for treatment of the eyes; Devices for putting-in contact lenses; Devices to correct squinting; Apparatus to guide the blind; Protective devices for the eyes, carried on the body or in the hand
    • A61F9/007—Methods or devices for eye surgery
    • A61F9/00736—Instruments for removal of intra-ocular material or intra-ocular injection, e.g. cataract instruments
    • A61F9/00745—Instruments for removal of intra-ocular material or intra-ocular injection, e.g. cataract instruments using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/00234—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for minimally invasive surgery
    • A61B2017/00292—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for minimally invasive surgery mounted on or guided by flexible, e.g. catheter-like, means
    • A61B2017/00336—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for minimally invasive surgery mounted on or guided by flexible, e.g. catheter-like, means with a protective sleeve, e.g. retractable or slidable
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/32—Surgical cutting instruments
    • A61B17/320068—Surgical cutting instruments using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic
    • A61B2017/320084—Irrigation sleeves

Definitions

  • the present invention pertains to a sleeve for attachment to a surgical instrument for removing the natural lens of an eye.
  • the surgical sleeve surrounds a slender cutting tip of the instrument and defines a fluid conduit about the tip.
  • the natural crystalline lens of the eye plays a primary role in focusing light onto the retina for proper vision.
  • the natural lens at times is replaced with an artificial lens to make a refractive correction or because of damage or injury to the natural lens. Under these circumstances, the natural lens is surgically removed from the eye.
  • Surgical procedures which require only a small incision to be made in the eye have been developed for removing the natural lens.
  • a slender cutting tip of a surgical instrument is inserted through the incision to emulsify the natural lens — typically through the use of ultrasonic vibrations.
  • a sleeve surrounds the tip to shield the corneal tissue from the action of the tip, and define an annular conduit for the passage of a fluid which acts to cool the tip and irrigate the eye.
  • the free end of the cutting tip still projects beyond the sleeve to engage and emulsify the natural lens.
  • Great care must therefore be taken by the surgeon to ensure that only the lens is engaged by the tip so that injury is avoided.
  • the emulsified portions of the lens are aspirated from the eye through a central bore in the tip. Further, during an operation, the surgical instrument is manipulated to remove the entire lens. On account of this movement, the sleeve can at times become pinched between the tip and the corneal tissue of the eye. The frictional contact between the sleeve and the vibrating tip can generate a significant amount of heat at the surgical site. The corneal tissue can be damaged by the heat in a matter of a few seconds.
  • the present invention pertains to a surgical sleeve which functions to protect the eye against injury during a procedure to remove the natural lens.
  • the sleeve includes a cannula which encircles and extends beyond the slender cutting tip of a surgical instrument to enshroud the tip and protect the eye when the sleeve is in an unstressed condition.
  • the cannula automatically retracts to expose the tip for emulsifying the natural lens when the tool is pressed axially against the lens.
  • the cannula is provided with a series of transverse rings which are axially spaced from one another. The rings enable the cannula to be retracted and expanded.
  • the spaced rings also function to protect the eye from undue heat generated by the instrument. More specifically, the rings reduce the surface contact between the sleeve and the tip, and define transverse channels through which fluid may flow when lateral pressure is applied to the sleeve. As a result of the reduced contact and continual fluid flow, severe temperature increases are avoided to prevent burning of the corneal tissue.
  • Figure 1 is a side view of a surgical sleeve in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a front end view of the sleeve.
  • Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Figure 2.
  • Figure 4 is a partial, enlarged sectional view of the end of the sleeve, identified by line 4 in Figure 3, with the cannula in an expanded condition.
  • Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in Figure 1.
  • Figure 6 is a sectional view of the sleeve mounted on a surgical instrument.
  • Figure 7 is a partial, enlarged sectional view of the end of the sleeve in a retracted condition.
  • Figures 8 and 9 are partial, longitudinal cross-sectional views of the end of the instrument in use.
  • Figure 10 is a partial perspective view of a cannula of a surgical sleeve of a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 11 is a longitudinal cross-section of a mid portion of the cannula of the second embodiment.
  • Pr f rred faaHwii-fce
  • the present invention pertains to a sleeve 10 which attaches to a surgical instrument provided with a slender cutting tip for removing the natural lens of an eye (Figs. 1-6).
  • the tip is typically driven to vibrate ultrasonically in an axial direction (e.g. , phacoemulsification) to emulsify the lens.
  • surgical instrument 12 (Fig. 6) includes a casing 14 to be grasped and manipulated by a surgeon, and a slender cutting tip 16 which projects from a distal end 17 of the casing.
  • Tip 16 has a slender cutting shank 20 and a base 18 with a threaded stud 19 for connection to a core assembly 21 contained within the casing (Fig. 6).
  • core 21 When activated, core 21 ultrasonically vibrates tip 16 in an axial direction to emulsify the natural lens.
  • Tip 16 has a central bore 22 coupled to a passage 23 in core 21.
  • Passage 23 is, in turn, attached to a vacuum source (not shown) to aspirate the emulsified lens fragments from the eye.
  • Sleeve 10 includes a base 24, a cannula 26, and a transition segment 28 with a funnel-like configuration connecting the cannula and the base (Figs. 1-6).
  • the sleeve is preferably a unitary molded member composed of silicone. Nevertheless, the sleeve could be formed as an integrated assembly of multiple pieces, or formed of other pliable materials which are suitable for insertion into an eye during surgery.
  • Base 24 is a hollow segment that forms the proximal end of the sleeve (Figs. 1-3 and 5-6).
  • the interior surface 30 of base 24 is cylindrical to slide over the distal end 17 of casing 14.
  • the base could be internally threaded for threaded attachment to the casing.
  • Cannula 26 is a narrow, pliable tube which encircles the cutting shank 20 of tip 16 and defines an annular conduit 34 about tip 16 (Figs. 1-6) .
  • Fluid is passed into passage 36 in casing 14 from a source (not shown) , and directed to flow through conduit 34 and into the eye (Fig. 6) .
  • the fluid is provided to cool the instrument and irrigate the eye during the operation.
  • cannula 26 In an unstressed state, cannula 26 extends over the entire length of cutting tip 16 and beyond the free end 39 of the tip (Figs. 6 and 8) . In this way, sleeve 10 enshrouds tip 16 and thus protects the interior portions of the eye from being inadvertently injured by the exposed tip.
  • Cannula 26 preferably has a circular cross-sectional configuration, although other shapes may also be used.
  • the interior wall 38 of cannula 26 is provided with a series of longitudinally spaced apart rings 40 (Figs. 3-7) .
  • each ring 40 is formed by a pair of concave arcuate sidewalls 42 which taper inward to form a narrow inner edge 44.
  • Opposing sidewalls 42 of adjacent rings 40 gradually merge to form generally U-shaped, annular channels 43 between the rings.
  • the formation of the rings on the thin wall of cannula 26 enables the cannula to be retracted rearwardly in order to expose the free end of tip 16 (Figs. 7 and 9) . More specifically, the surgeon abuts the free end 45 of cannula 26 against the natural lens 47 and presses surgical instrument 12 forward, to retract the cannula.
  • This axial compressive force 48 applied by the surgeon causes the cannula to axially crumple or retract as a bellows or accordion.
  • the portions of the cannula spanning between rings 40 will buckle outward such that the rings are axially moved closer together (Fig. 7).
  • the resilience of the sleeve material produces a forward biasing force which will automatically return cannula 26 to the extended position over tip 16 when instrument 12 is backed away from lens 47 (Figs. 6 and 8) .
  • rings 40 function to reduce the engagement between sleeve 10 and tip 16 to one or more line contacts when cannula 26 is laterally pressed against the corneal tissue.
  • rings 40 are spaced from contact with cutting tip 16 to maximize fluid flow and minimize the generation of heat.
  • the fluid passing through sleeve 10 flows primarily over rings 40 and axially along the exterior of the tip.
  • tip 16 at times laterally presses cannula 26 against the adjacent corneal tissue.
  • rings 40 prevent the recessed channels
  • the rings project from wall surface 38 a distance of about 0.003 inches, and are spaced apart about 0.015 inches center to center (i.e., edge 44 to edge 44).
  • the rings can extend continuously about the entire inner perimeter of cannula 26 (Figs. 1-9) , a plurality of spaced apart gaps 49 can alternatively be formed in rings 40 • to permit enhanced longitudinal flow of the fluid in addition to lateral flow through channels 43' (Figs. 10 and 11).
  • rings 40' would include essentially the same construction of sidewalls 42 ' and inner edges 44 ' except for gaps 49.
  • the gaps in the series of rings can be longitudinally aligned (Figs.
  • the rings extend along substantially the entire length of the cannula (Figs. 3 and 6) ; although the rings are only needed along the portions of the cannula expected to be positioned between the corneal tissue and the tip (i.e., in the region where the sleeve is likely to be pinched between the tip and the corneal tissue). Further, other arrangements, spacings, sizes and shapes of rings could be used to achieve the same objectives.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Ophthalmology & Optometry (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Surgery (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Surgical Instruments (AREA)

Abstract

This invention is a surgical sleeve (10) which includes a series of spaced apart rings (40) on an interior wall surface (38) encircling a slender cutting tip (16). The sleeve completely enshrouds the tip in an unstressed condition in order to avoid inadvertent injury to the interior portions of the eye. The sleeve, however, automatically retracts during use to expose the free end of the tip to effect emulsification of the natural lens. The spaced rings further reduce the surface contact between the sleeve and the tip, and define a transvers channel (43) through which fluid may flow when lateral pressure is applied to the sleeve. As a result, the sleeve is able to effectively remove heat from the tip even under adverse conditions, and alleviate the risk of burning the corneal tissue.

Description

SLEEVE FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT
Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to a sleeve for attachment to a surgical instrument for removing the natural lens of an eye. The surgical sleeve surrounds a slender cutting tip of the instrument and defines a fluid conduit about the tip. BaoKgrounfl of the invention
The natural crystalline lens of the eye plays a primary role in focusing light onto the retina for proper vision. However, the natural lens at times is replaced with an artificial lens to make a refractive correction or because of damage or injury to the natural lens. Under these circumstances, the natural lens is surgically removed from the eye.
Surgical procedures which require only a small incision to be made in the eye have been developed for removing the natural lens. In accordance with these procedures, a slender cutting tip of a surgical instrument is inserted through the incision to emulsify the natural lens — typically through the use of ultrasonic vibrations. A sleeve surrounds the tip to shield the corneal tissue from the action of the tip, and define an annular conduit for the passage of a fluid which acts to cool the tip and irrigate the eye. The free end of the cutting tip, however, still projects beyond the sleeve to engage and emulsify the natural lens. Great care must therefore be taken by the surgeon to ensure that only the lens is engaged by the tip so that injury is avoided. The emulsified portions of the lens are aspirated from the eye through a central bore in the tip. Further, during an operation, the surgical instrument is manipulated to remove the entire lens. On account of this movement, the sleeve can at times become pinched between the tip and the corneal tissue of the eye. The frictional contact between the sleeve and the vibrating tip can generate a significant amount of heat at the surgical site. The corneal tissue can be damaged by the heat in a matter of a few seconds. Summary of the invention
The present invention pertains to a surgical sleeve which functions to protect the eye against injury during a procedure to remove the natural lens. The sleeve includes a cannula which encircles and extends beyond the slender cutting tip of a surgical instrument to enshroud the tip and protect the eye when the sleeve is in an unstressed condition. The cannula automatically retracts to expose the tip for emulsifying the natural lens when the tool is pressed axially against the lens. The cannula is provided with a series of transverse rings which are axially spaced from one another. The rings enable the cannula to be retracted and expanded.
The spaced rings also function to protect the eye from undue heat generated by the instrument. More specifically, the rings reduce the surface contact between the sleeve and the tip, and define transverse channels through which fluid may flow when lateral pressure is applied to the sleeve. As a result of the reduced contact and continual fluid flow, severe temperature increases are avoided to prevent burning of the corneal tissue. Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a side view of a surgical sleeve in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 2 is a front end view of the sleeve.
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a partial, enlarged sectional view of the end of the sleeve, identified by line 4 in Figure 3, with the cannula in an expanded condition.
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in Figure 1.
Figure 6 is a sectional view of the sleeve mounted on a surgical instrument.
Figure 7 is a partial, enlarged sectional view of the end of the sleeve in a retracted condition.
Figures 8 and 9 are partial, longitudinal cross-sectional views of the end of the instrument in use.
Figure 10 is a partial perspective view of a cannula of a surgical sleeve of a second embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 11 is a longitudinal cross-section of a mid portion of the cannula of the second embodiment. Detailed Description of the Pr f rred —faaHwii-fce
The present invention pertains to a sleeve 10 which attaches to a surgical instrument provided with a slender cutting tip for removing the natural lens of an eye (Figs. 1-6). The tip is typically driven to vibrate ultrasonically in an axial direction (e.g. , phacoemulsification) to emulsify the lens. As an example, surgical instrument 12 (Fig. 6) includes a casing 14 to be grasped and manipulated by a surgeon, and a slender cutting tip 16 which projects from a distal end 17 of the casing. Tip 16 has a slender cutting shank 20 and a base 18 with a threaded stud 19 for connection to a core assembly 21 contained within the casing (Fig. 6). When activated, core 21 ultrasonically vibrates tip 16 in an axial direction to emulsify the natural lens. Tip 16 has a central bore 22 coupled to a passage 23 in core 21. Passage 23 is, in turn, attached to a vacuum source (not shown) to aspirate the emulsified lens fragments from the eye.
Sleeve 10 includes a base 24, a cannula 26, and a transition segment 28 with a funnel-like configuration connecting the cannula and the base (Figs. 1-6). The sleeve is preferably a unitary molded member composed of silicone. Nevertheless, the sleeve could be formed as an integrated assembly of multiple pieces, or formed of other pliable materials which are suitable for insertion into an eye during surgery.
Base 24 is a hollow segment that forms the proximal end of the sleeve (Figs. 1-3 and 5-6). The interior surface 30 of base 24 is cylindrical to slide over the distal end 17 of casing 14. Alternatively, the base could be internally threaded for threaded attachment to the casing. Cannula 26 is a narrow, pliable tube which encircles the cutting shank 20 of tip 16 and defines an annular conduit 34 about tip 16 (Figs. 1-6) . Fluid is passed into passage 36 in casing 14 from a source (not shown) , and directed to flow through conduit 34 and into the eye (Fig. 6) . The fluid is provided to cool the instrument and irrigate the eye during the operation.
In an unstressed state, cannula 26 extends over the entire length of cutting tip 16 and beyond the free end 39 of the tip (Figs. 6 and 8) . In this way, sleeve 10 enshrouds tip 16 and thus protects the interior portions of the eye from being inadvertently injured by the exposed tip.
Cannula 26 preferably has a circular cross-sectional configuration, although other shapes may also be used. The interior wall 38 of cannula 26 is provided with a series of longitudinally spaced apart rings 40 (Figs. 3-7) . In the preferred construction, each ring 40 is formed by a pair of concave arcuate sidewalls 42 which taper inward to form a narrow inner edge 44. Opposing sidewalls 42 of adjacent rings 40 gradually merge to form generally U-shaped, annular channels 43 between the rings.
The formation of the rings on the thin wall of cannula 26 enables the cannula to be retracted rearwardly in order to expose the free end of tip 16 (Figs. 7 and 9) . More specifically, the surgeon abuts the free end 45 of cannula 26 against the natural lens 47 and presses surgical instrument 12 forward, to retract the cannula. This axial compressive force 48 applied by the surgeon causes the cannula to axially crumple or retract as a bellows or accordion. In particular, the portions of the cannula spanning between rings 40 will buckle outward such that the rings are axially moved closer together (Fig. 7). Further, the resilience of the sleeve material produces a forward biasing force which will automatically return cannula 26 to the extended position over tip 16 when instrument 12 is backed away from lens 47 (Figs. 6 and 8) .
In addition, rings 40 function to reduce the engagement between sleeve 10 and tip 16 to one or more line contacts when cannula 26 is laterally pressed against the corneal tissue.
In particular, when sleeve 10 and tip 16 are inserted through a small incision in the eye, cannula 26 is ordinarily snugly received into the incision such that corneal tissue engages the exterior surface 46 of the cannula. In an unstressed state, rings 40 are spaced from contact with cutting tip 16 to maximize fluid flow and minimize the generation of heat. Under these circumstances, the fluid passing through sleeve 10 flows primarily over rings 40 and axially along the exterior of the tip. As the surgeon manipulates the instrument, tip 16 at times laterally presses cannula 26 against the adjacent corneal tissue. In the present invention, rings 40 prevent the recessed channels
43 from engaging tip 16, and thus limits the contact between sleeve 10 and tip 16 to engagement with the narrow inner edges
44 — which essentially form line contacts with the tip. The surface area contact between the sleeve and the cannula is thus kept very small when under lateral compression. Further, as mentioned above, the spaced apart rings 40 form annular channels 43 which extend around tip 16. When cannula 26 is pinched between the tip and the corneal tissue, channels 43 permit the fluid passing through sleeve 10 to circulate laterally about the entire tip even when compressed so that proper cooling can be maintained. As a result, the generation of heat due to the frictional contact of the vibrating tip against the sleeve is maintained within acceptable limits.
In one preferred construction, the rings project from wall surface 38 a distance of about 0.003 inches, and are spaced apart about 0.015 inches center to center (i.e., edge 44 to edge 44). Although the rings can extend continuously about the entire inner perimeter of cannula 26 (Figs. 1-9) , a plurality of spaced apart gaps 49 can alternatively be formed in rings 40 • to permit enhanced longitudinal flow of the fluid in addition to lateral flow through channels 43' (Figs. 10 and 11). In this alternative construction, rings 40' would include essentially the same construction of sidewalls 42 ' and inner edges 44 ' except for gaps 49. The gaps in the series of rings can be longitudinally aligned (Figs. 10 and 11) or staggered relative to each other such that at least some of the gaps are angularly oriented relative to each other (not shown) . The rings extend along substantially the entire length of the cannula (Figs. 3 and 6) ; although the rings are only needed along the portions of the cannula expected to be positioned between the corneal tissue and the tip (i.e., in the region where the sleeve is likely to be pinched between the tip and the corneal tissue). Further, other arrangements, spacings, sizes and shapes of rings could be used to achieve the same objectives.
The above-discussion concerns the preferred embodiments of a sleeve adapted for attachment to a surgical instrument provided with a cutting tip that is driven to remove the natural lens of an eye. Variations in the drive and construction of the surgical instrument and in the sleeve construction may be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

Claims
1. A surgical sleeve for use with an instrument to perform eye surgery, wherein the instrument includes a casing and a slender cutting tip projecting from the casing, said surgical sleeve comprising a tubular, pliable body having a base and a cannula, said base being attachable to the casing such that said cannula extends outward from said base and encircles the cutting tip to define a conduit, said cannula including an interior surface and a series of spaced apart rings along at least a portion of said cannula.
2. A surgical sleeve in accordance with claim 1 wherein each said ring extends inward from an interior surface of said cannula to minimize contact with the cutting tip when the cannula is under lateral compression.
3. A surgical sleeve in accordance with claim 2 wherein each said ring includes a pair of sidewalls which taper inwardly away from said interior surface of said cannula.
4. A surgical sleeve in accordance with claim 3 wherein each said sidewall has a generally concave configuration.
5. A surgical sleeve in accordance with claim 2 wherein each said ring is continuous about the entire interior perimeter of said cannula.
6. A surgical sleeve in accordance with claim 2 wherein at least one of said rings includes at least one gap for the passage of a fluid therethrough.
7. A surgical sleeve for use with a surgical instrument to perform eye surgery, wherein the instrument includes a casing and a slender cutting tip projecting from the casing, said surgical sleeve comprising a tubular, pliable body having a base and a cannula, said base being attachable to the casing such that said cannula extends outward and enshrouds the entire length of the cutting tip when unstressed, said cannula being retractable to expose the tip during use.
8. A surgical sleeve in accordance with claim 7 in which said cannula has an interior surface provided with a series of longitudinally spaced apart rings.
9. A surgical sleeve in accordance with claim 8 wherein each said ring includes a pair of sidewalls which taper inwardly away from said interior surface of said cannula.
10. A surgical sleeve in accordance with claim 8 wherein each said sidewall has a generally concave configuration.
11. A surgical sleeve in accordance with claim 8 wherein each said ring is continuous about the entire interior perimeter of said cannula.
12. A surgical sleeve in accordance with claim 8 wherein at least one of said rings includes at least one gap for the passage of a fluid therethrough.
13. A surgical instrument for eye surgery comprising: a casing; a cutting tip projecting from the casing; and a surgical sleeve comprising a tubular, pliable body having a base and a cannula, said base being attached to the casing such that said cannula extends outward from said base and encircles the cutting tip to define a conduit, said cannula including an interior surface and a series of spaced apart rings along at least a portion of said cannula.
14. A surgical instrument in accordance with claim 13 wherein each said ring extends inward from an interior surface of said cannula to minimize contact with the cutting tip when the cannula is under lateral compression.
15. A surgical instrument in accordance with claim 14 wherein each said ring includes a pair of sidewalls which taper inwardly away from said interior surface of said cannula.
16. A surgical instrument in accordance with claim 15 wherein each said sidewall has a generally concave configuration.
17. A surgical instrument in accordance with claim 14 wherein each said ring is continuous about the entire interior perimeter of said cannula.
18. A surgical instrument in accordance with claim 14 wherein at least one of said rings includes at least one gap for the passage of a fluid therethrough.
19. A surgical instrument for eye surgery comprising: a casing; a cutting tip projecting from the casing; and a surgical sleeve comprising a tubular pliable body having a base and a cannula, said base being attached to the casing such that said cannula extends outward and enshrouds the entire length of the cutting tip when unstressed, said cannula being retractable to expose the tip during use.
20. A surgical instrument in accordance with claim 19 in which said cannula has an interior surface provided with a series of spaced apart rings.
21. A surgical sleeve in accordance with claim 20 wherein each said ring includes a pair of sidewalls which taper inwardly away from said interior surface of said cannula.
22. A surgical sleeve in accordance with claim 20 wherein each said sidewall has a generally concave configuration.
23. A surgical sleeve in accordance with claim 20 wherein each said ring is continuous about the entire interior perimeter of said cannula.
24. A surgical sleeve in accordance with claim 20 wherein at least one of said rings includes at least one gap for the passage of a fluid therethrough.
25. A process for surgically removing a natural lens from an eye comprising: providing a surgical instrument including a casing, a slender cutting tip projecting from the casing and having a free end, and a pliable sleeve attached to said casing and having a cannula which enshrouds said entire cutting tip to cover said free end in an unstressed condition; inserting said slender cutting tip and cannula through an incision in an eye; pushing said cannula against the natural lens to apply an axial compressive force to the cannula to retract said cannula and expose the free end of the cutting tip; driving said cutting tip to emulsify the natural lens; and aspirating the emulsified portions of the natural lens.
26. A process in accordance with claim 25 wherein the provided sleeve includes a series of spaced apart annular rings about an interior surface of the cannula.
27. A process in accordance with claim 25 wherein said aspirating step in accomplished by providing the cutting tip with a central bore and applying a vacuum pressure to the bore.
28. A process in accordance with claim 25 wherein said driving step includes subjecting the cutting tip to axial ultrasonic vibrations.
29. A process in accordance with claim 25 further including supplying a fluid between the cutting tip and the sleeve to cool the surgical instrument and irrigate the eye.
PCT/US1997/015392 1996-09-03 1997-09-03 Sleeve for a surgical instrument WO1998009568A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU42448/97A AU4244897A (en) 1996-09-03 1997-09-03 Sleeve for a surgical instrument
EP97940744A EP1009287A4 (en) 1996-09-03 1997-09-03 Sleeve for a surgical instrument

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/706,803 1996-09-03
US08/706,803 US5941887A (en) 1996-09-03 1996-09-03 Sleeve for a surgical instrument

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998009568A1 true WO1998009568A1 (en) 1998-03-12
WO1998009568A9 WO1998009568A9 (en) 1998-07-02

Family

ID=24839106

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1997/015392 WO1998009568A1 (en) 1996-09-03 1997-09-03 Sleeve for a surgical instrument

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US5941887A (en)
EP (1) EP1009287A4 (en)
AU (1) AU4244897A (en)
WO (1) WO1998009568A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (71)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6071260A (en) * 1997-09-18 2000-06-06 The California Institute Of Tissue Engineering And Instrumentation, Llc Ultrasonic liposuction device and a method of using the same
US6132436A (en) * 1998-07-17 2000-10-17 Allergan Self-regulating phaco sleeve to reduce tissue burn
US6520929B2 (en) * 2000-04-20 2003-02-18 Advanced Medical Optics Infusion sleeve for ophthalmic surgery
AU2002217919B2 (en) * 2000-12-15 2005-12-01 Covidien Ag Electrosurgical electrode shroud
US20030208218A1 (en) * 2002-05-02 2003-11-06 Kenneth E. Kadziauskas Ultrasonic needle cover
WO2004010883A1 (en) 2002-07-25 2004-02-05 Sherwood Services Ag Electrosurgical pencil with drag sensing capability
US6747218B2 (en) 2002-09-20 2004-06-08 Sherwood Services Ag Electrosurgical haptic switch including snap dome and printed circuit stepped contact array
US7244257B2 (en) 2002-11-05 2007-07-17 Sherwood Services Ag Electrosurgical pencil having a single button variable control
US20040133200A1 (en) * 2002-11-15 2004-07-08 Ruch David S. Apparatus and method for maintaining bones in a healing position
EP1596743B1 (en) 2003-02-20 2008-04-09 Covidien AG Motion detector for controlling electrosurgical output
US7156842B2 (en) 2003-11-20 2007-01-02 Sherwood Services Ag Electrosurgical pencil with improved controls
US7503917B2 (en) 2003-11-20 2009-03-17 Covidien Ag Electrosurgical pencil with improved controls
US7879033B2 (en) 2003-11-20 2011-02-01 Covidien Ag Electrosurgical pencil with advanced ES controls
US8182501B2 (en) 2004-02-27 2012-05-22 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Ultrasonic surgical shears and method for sealing a blood vessel using same
US20050277897A1 (en) * 2004-06-14 2005-12-15 Ghannoum Ziad R Handpiece tip
ES2598134T3 (en) 2004-10-08 2017-01-25 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Llc Ultrasonic surgical instrument
US7500974B2 (en) 2005-06-28 2009-03-10 Covidien Ag Electrode with rotatably deployable sheath
US7828794B2 (en) 2005-08-25 2010-11-09 Covidien Ag Handheld electrosurgical apparatus for controlling operating room equipment
US20070191713A1 (en) 2005-10-14 2007-08-16 Eichmann Stephen E Ultrasonic device for cutting and coagulating
US8246642B2 (en) * 2005-12-01 2012-08-21 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Ultrasonic medical instrument and medical instrument connection assembly
US7621930B2 (en) * 2006-01-20 2009-11-24 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Ultrasound medical instrument having a medical ultrasonic blade
US7854735B2 (en) 2006-02-16 2010-12-21 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Energy-based medical treatment system and method
WO2007130611A2 (en) * 2006-05-04 2007-11-15 Ergotron, Inc. Stand system and method
US20070260240A1 (en) 2006-05-05 2007-11-08 Sherwood Services Ag Soft tissue RF transection and resection device
US8057498B2 (en) 2007-11-30 2011-11-15 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Ultrasonic surgical instrument blades
US8911460B2 (en) 2007-03-22 2014-12-16 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Ultrasonic surgical instruments
US20080300531A1 (en) * 2007-05-30 2008-12-04 Gills Jr James Pitzer Single infusion port apparatus and method for phacoemulsification
US8808319B2 (en) 2007-07-27 2014-08-19 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Surgical instruments
US8523889B2 (en) 2007-07-27 2013-09-03 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Ultrasonic end effectors with increased active length
US8430898B2 (en) 2007-07-31 2013-04-30 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Ultrasonic surgical instruments
US8512365B2 (en) 2007-07-31 2013-08-20 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Surgical instruments
US9044261B2 (en) 2007-07-31 2015-06-02 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Temperature controlled ultrasonic surgical instruments
US8506565B2 (en) 2007-08-23 2013-08-13 Covidien Lp Electrosurgical device with LED adapter
US10010339B2 (en) 2007-11-30 2018-07-03 Ethicon Llc Ultrasonic surgical blades
US8235987B2 (en) 2007-12-05 2012-08-07 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp Thermal penetration and arc length controllable electrosurgical pencil
US8597292B2 (en) 2008-03-31 2013-12-03 Covidien Lp Electrosurgical pencil including improved controls
US8663218B2 (en) 2008-03-31 2014-03-04 Covidien Lp Electrosurgical pencil including improved controls
US8636733B2 (en) 2008-03-31 2014-01-28 Covidien Lp Electrosurgical pencil including improved controls
US8162937B2 (en) 2008-06-27 2012-04-24 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp High volume fluid seal for electrosurgical handpiece
US8267891B2 (en) * 2008-12-18 2012-09-18 Alcon Research, Ltd. Gilled phacoemulsification irrigation sleeve
US8231620B2 (en) 2009-02-10 2012-07-31 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp Extension cutting blade
US8650728B2 (en) 2009-06-24 2014-02-18 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Method of assembling a transducer for a surgical instrument
US8623040B2 (en) 2009-07-01 2014-01-07 Alcon Research, Ltd. Phacoemulsification hook tip
US8951272B2 (en) 2010-02-11 2015-02-10 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Seal arrangements for ultrasonically powered surgical instruments
US8486096B2 (en) 2010-02-11 2013-07-16 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Dual purpose surgical instrument for cutting and coagulating tissue
US10258505B2 (en) 2010-09-17 2019-04-16 Alcon Research, Ltd. Balanced phacoemulsification tip
CA2817762C (en) * 2010-12-15 2019-05-21 Alcon Research Ltd. Infusion sleeve with multiple material layers
US9439807B2 (en) 2011-09-26 2016-09-13 Fluidics Partners, Llc Apparatus and method for performing phacoemulsification
US9433725B2 (en) 2011-12-23 2016-09-06 Alcon Research, Ltd. Combined coaxial and bimanual irrigation/aspiration apparatus
US10213533B2 (en) * 2012-03-05 2019-02-26 Keith A. Walter Medical tools with aspiration tips suitable for cataract surgeries and related methods
US8852091B2 (en) 2012-04-04 2014-10-07 Alcon Research, Ltd. Devices, systems, and methods for pupil expansion
US20130289469A1 (en) * 2012-04-26 2013-10-31 Karen T. Hong Infusion Sleeve With Motion Reduction Profile
US9820768B2 (en) 2012-06-29 2017-11-21 Ethicon Llc Ultrasonic surgical instruments with control mechanisms
EP2872083A1 (en) 2012-07-13 2015-05-20 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated Posterior capsulotomy using laser techniques
US10226273B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2019-03-12 Ethicon Llc Mechanical fasteners for use with surgical energy devices
US9839738B2 (en) * 2013-06-06 2017-12-12 Novartis Ag Transformer irrigation/aspiration device
GB2521229A (en) 2013-12-16 2015-06-17 Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc Medical device
US11020140B2 (en) 2015-06-17 2021-06-01 Cilag Gmbh International Ultrasonic surgical blade for use with ultrasonic surgical instruments
US10357303B2 (en) 2015-06-30 2019-07-23 Ethicon Llc Translatable outer tube for sealing using shielded lap chole dissector
US10702296B2 (en) * 2016-05-25 2020-07-07 Ethicon Llc Ultrasonic surgical instrument with cooling conduit
US10245064B2 (en) 2016-07-12 2019-04-02 Ethicon Llc Ultrasonic surgical instrument with piezoelectric central lumen transducer
USD847990S1 (en) 2016-08-16 2019-05-07 Ethicon Llc Surgical instrument
US10952759B2 (en) 2016-08-25 2021-03-23 Ethicon Llc Tissue loading of a surgical instrument
US10736649B2 (en) 2016-08-25 2020-08-11 Ethicon Llc Electrical and thermal connections for ultrasonic transducer
US11058578B2 (en) * 2017-06-14 2021-07-13 Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc. Convertible phacoemulsification i/a sleeve and mechanical activation mechanism
WO2019008540A1 (en) * 2017-07-07 2019-01-10 Robert Backstein Sheathing and lubricating device and method for lubricating and disinfecting a surgical instrument
CN108703836A (en) * 2018-08-02 2018-10-26 王振环 Heat-insulating and shock-absorbing perfusion cannula
CN110338969B (en) * 2019-07-23 2024-03-12 以诺康医疗科技（苏州）有限公司 Ultrasonic suction and liquid injection integrated instrument
CN114615958B (en) * 2019-11-04 2024-10-08 爱尔康公司 Irrigation sleeve for ophthalmic surgery
US11564732B2 (en) 2019-12-05 2023-01-31 Covidien Lp Tensioning mechanism for bipolar pencil
USD974558S1 (en) 2020-12-18 2023-01-03 Stryker European Operations Limited Ultrasonic knife

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5123903A (en) * 1989-08-10 1992-06-23 Medical Products Development, Inc. Disposable aspiration sleeve for ultrasonic lipectomy
US5346502A (en) * 1993-04-15 1994-09-13 Ultracision, Inc. Laparoscopic ultrasonic surgical instrument and methods for manufacturing the instruments

Family Cites Families (59)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2432641A (en) * 1944-06-20 1947-12-16 Wilsons Sons Inc William M Dispensing nozzle or faucet
NL145136C (en) * 1967-07-25 1900-01-01
US3659607A (en) * 1968-09-16 1972-05-02 Surgical Design Corp Method for performing surgical procedures on the eye
US3882872A (en) * 1970-01-05 1975-05-13 Nicholas G Douvas Method and apparatus for cataract surgery
US3693613A (en) * 1970-12-09 1972-09-26 Cavitron Corp Surgical handpiece and flow control system for use therewith
US3945375A (en) * 1972-04-04 1976-03-23 Surgical Design Corporation Rotatable surgical instrument
US3805787A (en) * 1972-06-16 1974-04-23 Surgical Design Corp Ultrasonic surgical instrument
US3902495A (en) * 1974-01-28 1975-09-02 Cavitron Corp Flow control system
US3948273A (en) * 1974-09-13 1976-04-06 Medical Engineering Corporation Endotracheal tube having a non-sticking inner surface
US4180074A (en) * 1977-03-15 1979-12-25 Fibra-Sonics, Inc. Device and method for applying precise irrigation, aspiration, medication, ultrasonic power and dwell time to biotissue for surgery and treatment
US4099147A (en) * 1977-05-02 1978-07-04 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Bulk acoustic delay device
US4370131A (en) * 1977-06-24 1983-01-25 Surgical Design Ultrasonic transducer tips
US4223676A (en) * 1977-12-19 1980-09-23 Cavitron Corporation Ultrasonic aspirator
US4316161A (en) * 1979-07-10 1982-02-16 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Wideband low triple transit delay line
US4428748A (en) * 1980-04-09 1984-01-31 Peyman Gholam A Combined ultrasonic emulsifier and mechanical cutter for surgery
US4516398A (en) * 1980-10-08 1985-05-14 Cooper Lasersonics, Inc. Method of use of an ultrasonic surgical pre-aspirator having a orifice by-pass
US4504264A (en) * 1982-09-24 1985-03-12 Kelman Charles D Apparatus for and method of removal of material using ultrasonic vibraton
US4515583A (en) * 1983-10-17 1985-05-07 Coopervision, Inc. Operative elliptical probe for ultrasonic surgical instrument and method of its use
US4808154A (en) * 1983-10-26 1989-02-28 Freeman Jerre M Phacoemulsification/irrigation and aspiration sleeve apparatus
US4652255A (en) * 1983-10-28 1987-03-24 Miguel Martinez Irrigating and aspirating handpiece for use in ophthalmic surgery
US4578059A (en) * 1984-05-07 1986-03-25 Fabricant Robert N Extra-capsular cataract surgery system
US4609368A (en) * 1984-08-22 1986-09-02 Dotson Robert S Jun Pneumatic ultrasonic surgical handpiece
US4573979A (en) * 1984-08-23 1986-03-04 Innovative Surgical Products, Inc. Irrigation/aspiration tip
US4634420A (en) * 1984-10-31 1987-01-06 United Sonics Incorporated Apparatus and method for removing tissue mass from an organism
US4655743A (en) * 1985-05-06 1987-04-07 Hyde Lawrence L Frog aspirator
US4816018A (en) * 1985-08-02 1989-03-28 Ultramed Corporation Ultrasonic probe tip
US4922902A (en) * 1986-05-19 1990-05-08 Valleylab, Inc. Method for removing cellular material with endoscopic ultrasonic aspirator
US4643717A (en) * 1985-09-16 1987-02-17 Site Microsurgical Systems, Inc. Aspiration fitting adaptor
US4787889A (en) * 1985-09-27 1988-11-29 Coopervision, Inc. Rigid, transparent fluid conduit for surgical irrigation
US4983160A (en) * 1985-09-27 1991-01-08 Nestle S.A. Rigid transparent fluid conduit for ophthalmic surgical irrigation
US4674502A (en) * 1985-09-27 1987-06-23 Coopervision, Inc. Intraocular surgical instrument
US4681561A (en) * 1986-01-24 1987-07-21 Coopervision, Inc. Ultrasonic decoupling sleeve
US4764165A (en) * 1986-07-17 1988-08-16 Mentor O & O, Inc. Ophthalmic aspirator-irrigator with valve
US4705500A (en) * 1986-07-17 1987-11-10 Mentor O & O, Inc. Ophthalmic aspirator-irrigator
EP0269870A1 (en) * 1986-11-07 1988-06-08 Alcon Laboratories, Inc. Half wave, one node ultrasonic probe
US5058570A (en) * 1986-11-27 1991-10-22 Sumitomo Bakelite Company Limited Ultrasonic surgical apparatus
US5015227A (en) * 1987-09-30 1991-05-14 Valleylab Inc. Apparatus for providing enhanced tissue fragmentation and/or hemostasis
US4869715A (en) * 1988-04-21 1989-09-26 Sherburne Fred S Ultrasonic cone and method of construction
US4897079A (en) * 1988-07-22 1990-01-30 Allergan, Inc. Polymeric sleeve for surgical instruments
US4978333A (en) * 1988-12-20 1990-12-18 Valleylab, Inc. Resonator for surgical handpiece
US4986808A (en) * 1988-12-20 1991-01-22 Valleylab, Inc. Magnetostrictive transducer
US5059204A (en) * 1989-10-26 1991-10-22 Site Microsurgical Systems, Inc. Ocular cutter with enhanced cutting action
US5038756A (en) * 1989-10-30 1991-08-13 Storz Instrument Company Needle interface boot for ultrasonic surgical instrument
US5084009A (en) * 1990-04-18 1992-01-28 Mackool Richard J Fluid infusion sleeve for use during eye surgery
US5162044A (en) * 1990-12-10 1992-11-10 Storz Instrument Company Phacoemulsification transducer with rotatable handle
US5151084A (en) * 1991-07-29 1992-09-29 Fibra-Sonics, Inc. Ultrasonic needle with sleeve that includes a baffle
US5151083A (en) * 1991-07-29 1992-09-29 Fibra-Sonics, Inc. Apparatus for eliminating air bubbles in an ultrasonic surgical device
CA2071760A1 (en) * 1991-09-23 1993-03-24 Alexander Ureche Infusion sleeve for surgical ultrasonic apparatus
US5242385A (en) * 1991-10-08 1993-09-07 Surgical Design Corporation Ultrasonic handpiece
US5188589A (en) * 1991-10-10 1993-02-23 Alcon Surgical, Inc. Textured irrigating sleeve
US5199943A (en) * 1991-12-12 1993-04-06 Alcon Surgical, Inc. Ultrasonic surgical handpiece
US5286256A (en) * 1992-12-30 1994-02-15 Mackool Richard J Fluid infusion sleeve
US5354265A (en) * 1992-12-30 1994-10-11 Mackool Richard J Fluid infusion sleeve
US5464389A (en) * 1993-08-10 1995-11-07 Stahl; Norman O. Working tip for fragmenting and aspirating ocular tissue
US5478338A (en) * 1993-09-24 1995-12-26 Reynard; Michael Fiber optic sleeve for surgical instruments
US5417654A (en) * 1994-02-02 1995-05-23 Alcon Laboratories, Inc. Elongated curved cavitation-generating tip for disintegrating tissue
US5496342A (en) * 1994-10-19 1996-03-05 Urich; Alex Ultrasonic device with temperature sensing sleeve
US5505693A (en) * 1994-12-30 1996-04-09 Mackool; Richard J. Method and apparatus for reducing friction and heat generation by an ultrasonic device during surgery
US5486162A (en) * 1995-01-11 1996-01-23 Fibrasonics, Inc. Bubble control device for an ultrasonic surgical probe

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5123903A (en) * 1989-08-10 1992-06-23 Medical Products Development, Inc. Disposable aspiration sleeve for ultrasonic lipectomy
US5346502A (en) * 1993-04-15 1994-09-13 Ultracision, Inc. Laparoscopic ultrasonic surgical instrument and methods for manufacturing the instruments

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU4244897A (en) 1998-03-26
US5941887A (en) 1999-08-24
EP1009287A4 (en) 2004-04-28
EP1009287A1 (en) 2000-06-21

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5941887A (en) Sleeve for a surgical instrument
WO1998009568A9 (en) Sleeve for a surgical instrument
US5282786A (en) Infusion sleeve for surgical ultrasonic apparatus
US5645530A (en) Phacoemulsification sleeve
US5984904A (en) Sleeve for a surgical instrument
US5807310A (en) Irrigation sleeve for an ultrasonic tip
JP4664325B2 (en) Cleaning / suction tip
US5653724A (en) Angled phacoemulsifier tip
CA2406975C (en) Infusion sleeve for ophthalmic surgery
US5112339A (en) Apparatus for extracting cataractous tissue
US6117151A (en) Eye incision temperature protecting sleeve
US5993408A (en) Thin tip phaco needle
EP0536965A1 (en) Textured irrigating sleeve
JPS62254752A (en) Needle probe for removing eye tissue
US5695461A (en) Ophthalmic instrument for fracturing and removing a cataract and a method for using the same
CA2515615A1 (en) Surgical apparatus
US7704244B2 (en) Surgical method
EP1388331B1 (en) Liquefaction handpiece tip
US20020007150A1 (en) Instrument sheath and blade guide
CA2539421C (en) Phacoemulsification needle
US20060217739A1 (en) Phacoemulsification tip
EP1767173A1 (en) Surgical apparatus
US20060206050A1 (en) Phacoemulsification tip
US20110046541A1 (en) Phacoemulsification Needle Tip with Interior Step
US8043300B2 (en) Handpiece tip assembly

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CU CZ DE DK EE ES FI GB GE GH HU IL IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MD MG MK MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT UA UG UZ VN YU ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH KE LS MW SD SZ UG ZW AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT

DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
COP Corrected version of pamphlet

Free format text: PAGES 1/4-4/4, DRAWINGS, REPLACED BY NEW PAGES 1/4-4/4; DUE TO LATE TRANSMITTAL BY THE RECEIVING OFFICE

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 1997940744

Country of ref document: EP

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP

Ref document number: 1998512794

Format of ref document f/p: F

REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: CA

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 1997940744

Country of ref document: EP

WWW Wipo information: withdrawn in national office

Ref document number: 1997940744

Country of ref document: EP