Duke University

Other

Brooks W McCuen

Cynthia A Toth

Ronald F Overaker

Brian C Dodge

Dyson William Hickingbotham

Eugene De Juan, Jr

Eric Postel

Sharon Fekrat

Eric A Postal

Glenn J Jaffe

Eric A Postel

Miniature surgical forceps are formed from a one-piece tubular member by opposed longitudinal channels machined in a distal end thereof so as to establish a radially opposed pair of unitary forceps jaws. Most preferably, the opposed channels are formed in the distal end of the rigid tubular member by means of electron discharge machining (EDM) techniques. The resulting opposed cross-sectionally arcuate jaw sections may be bent and/or further shaped to achieve the desired final jaw configuration. The inner surfaces of the forceps jaws thereby established may have a filler material deposited in such a manner so as to change the overall shape and/or geometric configuration of the jaws and thereby engineer them to a specific surgical purpose.

Method of making miniaturized surgical forceps

Surgical instruments, especially for opthalmological surgical procedures, have a smooth, bulbous arcuate tip that surrounds the distal end of a lumen. The tip may be translucent and flexible. Most preferably, the tip is formed of a compliant, yet self-supporting, material, such as medical grade transparent silicone elastomer. The bulbous arcuate tip may take various geometric forms, for example, generally spherical, ellipsoid or the like. The bulbous arcuate tip may be symmetrical about the elongate axis of the instrument or may be asymmetrical (i.e., angularly disposed) relative to such longitudinal axis. The surgical instruments of this invention are most preferably made by first adhering a length of compliant tubing (e.g., silicone) onto a distal end of a rigid tube (e.g., a section of a stainless steel needle). The proximal rigid tube section is preferably coaxially sleeved over, and affixed to, the distal compliant tube section. A forming wire may then be inserted into the aligned lumens of the proximal rigid tube and distal compliant tube sections so that a terminal end section of the forming wire extends beyond the distal end of the compliant tube section. A bolus of curable liquid elastomer is then applied onto the distal end of compliant tube section around the forming wire protruding therefrom. By rotating and otherwise manipulating the tube sections during curing of the liquid elastomer, a bulbous arcuate tip may be formed. Once the elastomer tip is cured (solidified), the forming wire may be withdrawn thereby forming a through lumen which terminates at the tip. The tip may alternatively be constructed using injection-molding techniques.

Miniaturized surgical instruments especially useful for the opthalmologic surgical procedures and methods of making the same

Hand-held instruments have an actuator assembly which may be employed to actuate a distally mounted tool by application of radial force about the entirety of the instrument circumference (i.e., is omni-actuatable). Most preferably, the actuator assembly includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart generally L-shaped actuator levers defining respective arcuate bearing surfaces along exterior edge regions thereof, and a retaining ring which circumferentially bounds the actuator levers around the exterior edge regions thereof. The retaining ring most preferably defines an interior stationary arcuate guide surface in conformable mated relationship to the bearing surfaces of said actuator levers. Radial force applied to the proximally extending arm sections of said levers thereby responsively causes the bearing surfaces thereof to be slideably moved along the guide surface of said retaining ring so as to translate such radial force into longitudinal movements of an elongate actuation pin between retracted and extended positions thereof. By providing a tool which operatively coacts with the actuation pin, a surgeon may actuate the tool as needed by applying radial force at any point about the circumference of the actuator assembly.

Hand-held surgical instruments with omni-circumferential actuation capabilities

This invention concerns the use of stainless steel, disposable tacks to be employed in the mechanical dilation of the iris during opthalmic surgery. Intended for temporary iris fixation, the tack is provided with a hook built onto its proximal end, and with a sharp anterior blade at its distal end. The anterior blade allows easy insertion of the tack through the peripheral cornea of the eye, at the limbal area, and an applicator is provided with a forked holder to firmly grasp the hook in securely placing and removing the tack in the surgical procedure.

Micro-iris retractor

Growing community of inventors

Durham, NC, United States of America

Brooks W McCuen