Alcon Research, Ltd.

Alcon, Inc.

Novartis Ag

John R Underwood

Jack Robert Auld

John Christopher Huculak

Matthew Braden Flowers

Brian William McDonell

Timothy C Ryan

Jose Luis Lopez

Salomon Valencia

Nathaniel Reyes

Glenn R Sussman

James Yong Chon

Matthew D McCawley

Sean Christopher Madden

Bill Chen

Ziad R Ghannoum

Matthew Douglas Mccawley

Nathaniel Reyes, Ii

Ravi Durvasula

Brian William Mcdonell

Vitrectomy probe

In some embodiments, a vitrectomy probe may include an inner cutting tube reciprocating in an outer tube. The outer tube includes a side port and the inner tube includes a distal cutting port, and, in some embodiments, an additional side port. In some embodiments, the inner tube may also include a flat upper edge that cuts across the outer tube side port. In some embodiments, a diaphragm drives the inner tube and may have an open-stroke side with a lower hardness material than a closed-stroke side. In some embodiments, an aspiration tube coupled to the vitrectomy probe may include a first aspiration tubing and a second aspiration tubing with a lower hardness than the first aspiration tubing. In some embodiments, the vitrectomy probe may be coupled to pneumatic tubing that is stepped or tapered.

The present disclosure generally relates to microsurgical instruments having variable stiffness such as microsurgical instruments having variable stiffness for ophthalmic surgical procedures. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument includes a probe and a stiffener assembly. The stiffener assembly further includes a stiffener formed of a hollow tubular member substantially surrounding at least a portion of a length of the probe. Actuation of the stiffener along the length of the probe adjusts the stiffness of the probe, thus providing a user better control of the surgical instrument.

Adjustable stiffener for surgical instruments

A vitrectomy probe with combined vibration dampening and attenuating. The probe may include a variety of features to lessen the vibrations felt by a surgeon during a vitrectomy procedure. These may include minimizing the degree of flow restriction through a housing that facilitates cutter reciprocation by way of air pressure. Further, utilizing softer stops at a diaphragm that drives the cutter reciprocation may be of benefit as is strategically lessening compressive forces by seals at an extension tube coupled to the diaphragm where possible. The use of a softer gripping component that is actually held by the surgeon may be of benefit in terms of vibration attenuation.

Reduced vibration vitrectomy probe

A vitrectomy probe with a light emitting, visibly discrete traceable probe cap. The light emitting, visibly discrete character of the probe cap may aid a surgeon in tracing the end of a needle of the vitrectomy during a vitrectomy procedure. The probe cap may be of a biocompatible polymer accommodating phosphorescent pigment or of another suitable light source.

Visually traceable vitrectomy probe cap

A unique vitrectomy probe with an interfacing component for attenuating vibrations during a vitrectomy procedure. The component may be of elastomeric construction tailored to attenuating the vibrations. Additionally, the component may strategically reside at an interface between the housing that accommodates moving parts of the probe and an ergonomic shell meant for resting at purlicue a surgeon's hand. In this way, vibrations are largely attenuated before reaching the shell and distracting the surgeon. Additionally, the shell, housing and interface are architecturally constructed for user-friendly shell removal for surgeons wishing to perform vitrectomy procedures in absence of the shell.

Vitrectomy probe interfacing component

Vitrectomy probes and system related thereto are disclosed herein. The disclosure describes various example vitrectomy probes having an adjustable cutting port size. Various example features are described for adjusting the size of the cutting port. Further, the disclosure provides examples for adjusting the size of the cutter port while the vitrectomy probe is in operation.

Vitrectomy probe with adjustable cutter port size

Vitrectomy probes and system related thereto are disclosed herein. The disclosure describes vitrectomy probes having an adjustable cutting port size. The cutting port size may be adjusted by altering a position of a stroke limiter via a stepper motor. Various example features are described for adjusting the size of the cutting port.

Vitrectomy probes and system related thereto are disclosed herein. The disclosure describes various example vitrectomy probes having an adjustable cutting port size. For example, one example vitrectomy probe includes a piezoelectric element adapted to adjust the size of the cutting port. Further, the disclosure provides examples for adjusting the size of the cutter port while the vitrectomy probe is in operation.

Growing community of inventors

Laguna Niguel, CA, United States of America

John R Underwood