Sentinel Medical, Inc.

Surgijet, Inc.

Georgia Tech Research Corporation

Scott Bair

A phacoemulsification and aspiration device comprising: (a) a substantially hollow housing comprising a first end and a second end; (b) an electrical resistance heating element disposed at the first end of the housing and configured to thermally irradiate a space proximal to the first end and exterior to the housing; (c) a source of electricity in electrical contact with the heating element; and (d) a vacuum source disposed at and integrally connected to the second end of the housing; and a method for treating cataracts in vivo by liquefying a cataractous lens nucleus and aspirating the same from within a surrounding lens capsule comprising the steps of: (a) thermally irradiating and liquefying a lens; and (b) aspirating the lens.

Instrument and method for phacoemulsification by direct thermal irradiation

A method and instrument for thermal phacoemulsification includes, in one aspect, a process for introducing high temperature water into the lens capsule of the eye for emulsification purposes. The invention provides a mechanism for heating water to the desired temperature at the point of delivery, whereby the cannula that enters the eye is maintained at a temperature sufficiently low to avoid thermal damage to surrounding eye tissue. The invention provides an isenthalpic device for delivering heated water to the lens capsule for phacoemulsification. The device includes a intraocular cannula for delivering high pressure water, and a throttling mechanism at the point of delivery for converting the energy in the water stream from pressure to heat. The throttling mechanism may comprise a capillary passage, or a porous plug, or a micro-orifice which directs the fluid stream to strike a target in the cannula bore, after which the fluid is discharged from the cannula. In a further aspect, the invention comprises a fluid pressure intensifier generating high pressure fluid pulses that are delivered through the cannula to the throttling mechanism. The use of a fluid pressure intensifier minimizes the length of tubing that must carry high pressure fluid, and the use of a throttling mechanism to heat the fluid stream assures that the tubular cannula remains within a tolerable temperature range. Moreover, the risk of a catastrophic malfunction is held to an absolute minimum.

Method and apparatus for thermal phacoemulsification by fluid throttling

An instrument for providing high pressure fluid pulses for cutting tissue including an internal pressure intensifying mechanism, and the provision of a suction force at the distal end of the instrument including an internal vacuum generating device to increase the suction force provided by a conventional suction source. A piston mechanism is provided for converting a low pressure fluid input to a high pressure fluid output, and a second piston mechanism is provided to intensify the suction force created by a conventional suction source at the surgical site.

Fluid jet surgical cutting tool and aspiration device

A pulsed fluid jet surgical instrument includes a cannula extending from a handpiece, the cannula emitting a pulsed fluid jet for cutting and emulsification purposes, and also providing suction for aspiration and evacuation of the fluid and tissue. A pressure intensifier piston arrangement receives fluid at relatively low pressure, and operates reciprocally and reiteratively to pump the fluid through the jet needle in a series of high pressure pulses, each having a nearly rectangular pressure waveform. The pressure intensifier piston is T-shaped, including a broad end which divides a drive bore into a driving chamber and a retracting chamber. A bistable valve is connected to admit high pressure gas into the actuating chamber, driving the piston to translate. The narrow end of the piston is disposed in a fluid pumping chamber connected to a supply of fluid. The translating piston drives the fluid from the pumping chamber through a first check valve into a fluid jet needle, which directs the high pressure fluid pulse to a tissue target. The bistable valve switches to admit pressurized gas to the retracting chamber, driving the piston retrograde and allowing the pumping chamber to refill with fluid through a second check valve. There is no high pressure fluid supplied to the handpiece, and only the pressure intensifying pumping action of the piston creates a high pressure fluid pulse. The gas supply to drive the piston is at a relatively low pressure, so that gas pressure cannot comprise a safety risk to the patient. Thus failure of the piston mechanism cannot result in the emission of a stream of high pressure fluid, and the instrument is inherently safer than prior art instruments that are connected to a high pressure fluid source.

Method of using fluid jet surgical cutting tool

Apparatus for supporting and guiding the movement of a high speed liquid jet for ophthalmic incisions includes a fixture for removably securing the device with respect to the apex of the cornea. The corneal apex extends through an opening in the fixture, and a concentric suction ring secures the fixture to the eyeball. A proximal portion of the fixture is provided with an internal cutout to permit resilient horizontal flexure of the proximal portion. A first linear actuator is arranged to drive the first flexible bracket to translate horizontally in precisely controlled motion. Joined orthogonally to the fixture is a second flexible bracket, having an internal cutout that permits resilient vertical flexure. One end of the second flexible bracket is secured rigidly to the fixture, and a micrometer actuator is joined to the movable end of the second flexible bracket to position it vertically in precisely controlled spacing. A high pressure liquid jet nozzle extends from the movable end of the second flexible bracket and is directed generally horizontally toward the corneal apex in the opening of the first bracket. A target receptacle is disposed in coaxial alignment with the liquid jet, and connected to a vacuum line to remove the liquid released in the liquid jet. An applanation member extends from a rigid portion of the first flexible bracket to impinge on the corneal apex. The vacuum line is secured to the movable end of the second flexible bracket to move in concert with the cutting jet.

Hydrojet apparatus for refractive surgery

A pulsed fluid jet surgical instrument includes a cannula extending from a handpiece, the cannula emitting a pulsed fluid jet for cutting and emulsification purposes, and also providing suction for aspiration and evacuation of the fluid and tissue. A pressure intensifier piston arrangement receives fluid at relatively low pressure, and operates reciprocally and reiteratively to pump the fluid through the jet needle in a series of high pressure pulses, each having a nearly rectangular pressure waveform. The pressure intensifier piston is T-shaped, including a broad end which divides a drive bore into a driving chamber and a retracting chamber. A bistable valve is connected to admit pressure gas into the actuating chamber, driving the piston to translate. The narrow end of the piston is disposed in a fluid pumping chamber connected to a supply of fluid. The translating piston drives the fluid from the pumping chamber through a first check valve into a fluid jet needle, which directs the high pressure fluid pulse to a tissue target. The bistable valve switches to admit pressurized gas to the retracting chamber, driving the piston retrograde and allowing the pumping chamber to refill with fluid through a second check valve. There is no high pressure fluid supplied to the handpiece, and only the pressure intensifying pumping action of the piston creates a high pressure fluid pulse. The gas supply to drive the piston is at a relatively low pressure, so that gas pressure cannot comprise a safety risk to the patient. Thus failure of the piston mechanism cannot result in the emission of a stream of high pressure fluid, and the instrument is inherently safer than prior art instruments that are connected to a high pressure fluid source.

Growing community of inventors

Atlanta, GA, United States of America

Scott Bair