Bausch & Lomb Surgical, Inc.

Storz Instrument Co.

American Cyanamid Company

Suros Surgical Systems, Inc.

John Joseph Weidenbenner

Dan C Ireland

Michael E Bisch

Dyson William Hickingbotham

Michael S Ameiss

Brian Douglas McCary

Eugene De Juan, Jr

Gerald S Gahn

James P Baum

Craig L Drager

A surgical cutting instrument includes a hollow hub that has a working portion which terminates at a working end and a connection portion which terminates at a connection end. The connection portion defines a cavity and a lock member which projects from an outer surface of the connection portion A surgical cutting element extends from the working end and is operationally connected to a source of motion. A hollow hub connector has a cylindrical wall with a hand-piece connection portion and a hub engagement portion The hub engagement portion defines a chamber for receiving the connection portion of the hub The chamber has a longitudinal axis A parallel to the length of the hub connector The hub engagement portion further defines a channel through the cylindrical wall for receiving the lock member The channel is in communication with the chamber and has a longitudinal section defined along the length L of the connector. The channel also has a second transverse section communicating with the longitudinal section at a first end and having a second opposite end Further, the channel has a locking recess defined in the wall perpendicularly to the transverse section and in communication with the opposite end of the transverse section The locking recess is sized to receive the lock member A spring element urges the lock member into the locking recess when the locking member is rotated into the opposite end of the transverse section of the channel

Disposable hub for a surgical cutting instrument

An apparatus and method for determining the motor type of an electric intraocular surgical handpiece. A circuit including a voltage divider, opto-isolators and amplifiers receives signals from the motor of the handpiece to determine its type. The circuit provides a signal, which can be visual or auditory, to the user concerning the motor type of the handpiece so that the user may choose the proper controls compatible with the motor type.

Detection of intraocular surgical scissors

A system for controlling a plurality of ophthalmic microsurgical instruments is disclosed. Particularly, the present invention includes a handpiece for activating a surgical instrument (i.e., such as scissors) connected to the handpiece. The handpiece includes a housing and a linear activator operatively retained within the housing. A nosepiece is mounted to one end of the housing and is adapted for correction of a linearly actuated surgical instrument. The nosepiece is fixed to the linear activator in a preselected calibrated position relative to the longitudinal axis of the linear actuator.

Surgical handpiece

A system for controlling a plurality of ophthalmic microsurgical instruments is disclosed. Particularly, the present invention includes an ophthalmic surgical handpiece, such as an intraocular surgical scissors or forceps which is powered by an electric stepper motor. The handpiece converts the rotational motion of the stepper motor into a linear motion to operate the surgical scissors- or forceps-type instruments.

A remote control unit for use with an ophthalmic surgical system having a main control console with video display screen and operator interface. The remote controller is connected by an electrical umbilical cord to the main console and provides a second operator display and membrane-switch interface for use by a surgeon or other member of the surgical team. This remote control unit has its own housing with a splash-resistant front face that is divided into primary and secondary operator interface panels. The primary panel includes a rectangular display field having a plurality of back-illumination lights for selectively illuminating legends found on a replaceable legend card that fits within a slot behind the face plates. Control functions corresponding to the illuminated legends may be selected or de-selected by pressing nearby switches arranged in locations adjacent to the display field. The secondary panel also contains membrane switches and legends illuminated by back-lighting. The remote console includes its own microcontroller which electronically receives information from and sends information to the main console via a serial communications interface. Through the use of replaceable legend cards, the remote console is capable of simulating surgical mode and procedure screens which are also displayed upon the CRT screen of the main console.

Remote control console for surgical control system

An improved vitrectomy probe for removing vitreous and other fibrous gel materials. A hollow cutting blade is reciprocated within a smooth bore hollow needle of the microsurgical vitrectomy probe across a cutting edge of the outer needle slicing the fibrous material of the vitreous. A pressurized fluid source, diaphragm and spring cooperate to provide for the reciprocation of the blade. A vacuum source removes vitreous material through the hollow needle. A reciprocating suction outlet tube attached to the hollow needle directs vitreous material into a vacuum fitting which is isolated from the motion of the reciprocating outlet tube. An adjustment screw limits the travel of the reciprocating blade as well as the size of the opening in the needle. A dissector head faciitates the separation of vitreous fibers and directs them into the needle opening.

Growing community of inventors

Ballwin, MO, United States of America

John Joseph Weidenbenner