Ophthalmic surgical fluid handling cassette
Inventors
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-10765555-B2
Publication Date
2020-09-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
An ophthalmic system (100) having an ophthalmic cassette (104) for operative engagement with an ophthalmic apparatus (102) is disclosed. The ophthalmic cassette (104) includes a cassette body (108) having a manifold (124) defining an inlet port (180) in fluid flow communication with first and second fluid pathways (120/122) which are in selective fluid flow communication with respective first and second storage chambers (116/118) such that fluid enters either the first storage chamber (116) or the second storage chamber (118). The ophthalmic apparatus (102) is operable to permit alternate fluid flow communication between the inlet port (108) and either the first storage chamber (116) or the second storage chamber (118) during operation of the ophthalmic system (100).
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an ophthalmic apparatus in which a housing defines a cassette receptacle and receives an ophthalmic cassette that operatively engages the cassette receptacle. A sensor arrangement is in operative communication with the cassette receptacle and is operatively associated with the cassette engaged to the cassette receptacle for transmitting a detection signal. The cassette comprises a cassette body that engages the cassette receptacle and defines a storage receptacle and a manifold defining an inlet port in fluid flow communication with a fluid pathway.
The cassette further comprises a storage chamber in selective fluid flow communication with the fluid pathway when the storage chamber is engaged to the storage receptacle of the cassette body. The sensor arrangement transmits a detection signal to detect a first state wherein the storage chamber is detached from the storage receptacle, a second state wherein the storage chamber is attached to the storage receptacle and the sensor arrangement detects only air in the storage chamber, and a third state wherein a liquid fills the storage chamber attached to the storage receptacle above a predetermined level.
In the described ophthalmic apparatus, the optical detection is implemented as an optical sensor system using an optical transmitter/receiver beam refraction path for detecting the presence of only air versus liquid above a predetermined level. The cassette architecture includes receptacles, inlet portions, vacuum/aspiration ports, sealing flanges, and manifold chamber structure configured to support fluid and debris handling and selective fluid communication to the inlet port. Cassette structure and engagement are also described as including detachable or integral storage chamber configurations and mechanical engagement/guide structures such that the cassette engages the cassette receptacle for establishing operative communication between the cassette and the sensor arrangement.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim set centers on an ophthalmic apparatus that uses a sensor arrangement operatively associated with an engaged cassette to transmit a detection signal identifying three storage chamber states. The independent claim includes three main inventive aspects: cassette engagement to the cassette receptacle within a housing, selective fluid flow communication between a manifold inlet port and a storage chamber, and sensor-based detection signaling for detached, air-only, and liquid-above-predetermined-level states.
Cassette receptacle and operative sensor arrangement with engaged cassette
An ophthalmic apparatus comprising a housing defining a cassette receptacle, a sensor arrangement in operative communication with the cassette receptacle, and a cassette configured to operatively engage the cassette receptacle for establishing operative communication between the cassette and the sensor arrangement.
Manifold inlet port and selective fluid communication with storage chamber
The cassette comprising a cassette body configured to engage the cassette receptacle, wherein the cassette body defines a storage receptacle, a manifold defining an inlet port in fluid flow communication with a fluid pathway, and a storage chamber in selective fluid flow communication with the fluid pathway when the storage chamber is engaged to the storage receptacle of the cassette body.
Sensor-detected storage chamber states including predetermined liquid level
The sensor arrangement is operatively associated with the cassette engaged to the cassette receptacle for transmitting a detection signal to detect a first state wherein the storage chamber is detached from the storage receptacle, a second state wherein the storage chamber is attached to the storage receptacle and the sensor arrangement detects only air in the storage chamber, and a third state wherein a liquid fills the storage chamber attached to the storage receptacle above a predetermined level.
Across the independent claim coverage, the inventive combination is an ophthalmic apparatus with a housing that receives and operatively engages a cassette with a sensor arrangement for state-dependent detection signaling. The cassette includes a manifold inlet port with a fluid pathway and a storage chamber providing selective fluid flow communication when engaged, while the sensor arrangement detects detached, air-only, and liquid-above-a-predetermined-level states via transmitted detection signals.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
Interested in licensing this patent?