Illuminated directional laser probe
Inventors
Scheller, Gregg D. • Auld, Michael D. • Nadolski, Timothy J.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8075553-B2
Publication Date
2011-12-13
Expiration Date
Abstract
An ophthalmic surgery illuminated directional laser probe has a handle and a rigid tubular tip projecting from the handle, and has an illumination optic fiber and a laser optic fiber that extend through the handle and the tip. A mechanism on the handle is operable to extend distal ends of the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber from the distal end of the instrument tip, and to retract the distal ends of the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber back into the interior of the tip. At least one of the distal ends of the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber is held in a curved configuration. The distal ends of the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber are secured to each other, whereby both the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber curve into a bent configuration as the distal ends of the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber are extended from the distal end of the instrument tip.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a surgical instrument that provides both illumination light and laser light to a surgical site. The instrument includes a manually manipulatable handle and a rigid tubular tip on the handle that projects to a distal end of the tip. An illumination optic fiber and a laser optic fiber extend through the handle and the rigid tubular tip, with the distal ends of the fibers positioned adjacent the tip distal end.
The invention holds the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber in a bent configuration adjacent the distal ends of the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber. At least one connection connects the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber and prevents relative movement between the laser optic fiber and the illumination optic fiber. A mechanism on the handle is operable to cause relative movement between the tubular tip distal end and the distal ends of the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber between retracted and extended positions.
In the retracted positions, the bent configuration of the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber is contained in the tubular tip and straightened by the tubular tip. In the extended positions, the portions held in the bent configuration are positioned outside the tubular tip, and the distal ends are extended outside of the tubular tip and beyond the tubular tip distal end. In certain embodiments, the instrument uses first and second metal tubes with at least one weld connecting the metal tubes and preventing relative movement, or a single tube having a bent configuration that connects and prevents relative movement between the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes three independent claims (clm-00001, clm-00013, clm-00018, clm-00021). Each independent claim covers an illuminated directional laser probe/instrument that combines illumination light and laser light delivery, uses a rigid tubular tip and separate illumination and laser optic fibers, maintains a bent fiber configuration with a connection preventing relative movement, and uses a handle mechanism to move between retracted and extended positions where the rigid tubular tip straightens the bent configuration in retraction.
Illumination and laser light delivery using rigid tubular tip and separate optic fibers
A manually manipulatable handle; a rigid tubular tip on the handle projecting from the handle to a distal end; an illumination optic fiber extending through the handle and the tip to an illumination optic fiber distal end positioned adjacent the tip distal end; and a laser optic fiber extending through the handle and the tip to the laser optic fiber distal end positioned adjacent the tip distal end.
Connection preventing relative movement while holding fibers in bent configuration
At least one connection connecting the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber, preventing relative movement between the laser optic fiber and the illumination optic fiber; the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber held in a bent configuration adjacent the distal ends of the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber.
Handle mechanism moving between retracted and extended positions with straightening by rigid tubular tip
A mechanism on the handle operable to cause relative movement between the tubular tip distal end and the distal ends of the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber between retracted and extended positions relative to the tubular tip distal end, where in the retracted positions the bent configuration is contained in the tubular tip and straightened by the tubular tip and in the extended positions the portions held in the bent configuration are positioned outside the tubular tip.
Metal tubes and welds securing illumination and laser fibers against relative movement
A first metal tube containing the illumination optic fiber; a second metal tube containing the laser optic fiber; and at least one weld connecting the first metal tube to the second metal tube and connecting the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber preventing relative movement between the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber.
Single tube holding both fibers in bent configuration and preventing relative movement
A single tube containing the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber, connecting the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber and preventing relative movement between the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber, the single tube having a bent configuration and the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber held in a bent configuration adjacent the distal ends by the single tube.
Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on a surgical instrument delivering both illumination light and laser light with illumination and laser optic fibers routed through a rigid tubular tip, maintaining the distal portions of the fibers in a bent configuration via a connection that prevents relative movement, and using a handle mechanism to move between retracted and extended positions where the rigid tubular tip straightens the bent configuration in retraction and the bent portions are positioned outside the tubular tip in extension. Dependent-claim refinements in the partial content further specify securing structures using weld-connected metal tubes or a single bent tube.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
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