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Publication Number
US-8496681-B2
Publication Date
2013-07-30
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system for conducting a vitrectomy includes: a gas source; a vitrector including a cutting mechanism that opens and closes according to a pressure at the vitrector; and a pulse-generating system receiving gas from the gas source and generating pulses at the vitrector. The pulses cause the pressure at the vitrector to vary according to a cycle, and the varying pressure at the vitrector causes the cutting mechanism of the vitrector to open and close. At a first time in the cycle, the pulse-generating system, raises the pressure at the vitrector to a maximum pressure. At a second time in the cycle, the pulse-generating system reduces the pressure at the vitrector to a minimum pressure that is greater than ambient, the pressure at the vitrector being maintained at least at the minimum pressure. The difference between the maximum pressure and minimum pressure is minimized to reduce gas consumption.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to portable vitrectomy systems and methods for conducting a vitrectomy using a gas-driven vitrector. The vitrector includes a cutting mechanism that opens and closes according to a pressure at the vitrector, and a pulse-generating system receives gas from a gas source and generates pulses at the vitrector so that the pressure at the vitrector varies according to a cycle.
In each cycle, the pulse-generating system raises the pressure at the vitrector to a maximum pressure at a first time and reduces the pressure at the vitrector to a minimum pressure at a second time. The minimum pressure is greater than ambient, and the pressure at the vitrector is maintained at least at the minimum pressure.
The pulse-generating system includes a three-way valve and a two-way valve, where the three-way valve couples the vitrector to the gas source and then couples the vitrector to the two-way valve, which is coupled to atmosphere. The valve operation is configured such that the maximum pressure is substantially equal to a first threshold pressure sufficient to close the cutting mechanism, and the minimum pressure is substantially equal to a second threshold pressure sufficient to allow the cutting mechanism to open.
Claims Coverage
The independent system and method claims cover two inventive features centered on cyclic pressure variation at a vitrector using a pulse-generating system with a minimum pressure greater than ambient and coupled valve control.
Cyclic pressure-varying gas-driven vitrector system with minimum pressure greater than ambient
A system for conducting a vitrectomy comprising a gas source; a vitrector including a cutting mechanism that opens and closes according to a pressure at the vitrector; and a pulse-generating system receiving gas from the gas source and generating pulses at the vitrector, the pulses causing the pressure at the vitrector to vary according to a cycle, the varying pressure at the vitrector causing the cutting mechanism of the vitrector to open and close, wherein, at a first time in the cycle, the pulse-generating system raises the pressure at the vitrector to a maximum pressure, and at a second time in the cycle, the pulse-generating system reduces the pressure at the vitrector to a minimum pressure that is greater than ambient, the pressure at the vitrector being maintained at least at the minimum pressure.
Three-way/two-way valve pulse generation with threshold pressures for opening and closing
The system includes a three-way valve and a two-way valve, the three-way valve being coupled to the gas source, the vitrector, and the two-way valve, and the two-way valve being coupled to the three-way valve and to atmosphere, wherein, at the first time in the cycle, the three-way valve opens for a first period of time sufficient to raise the pressure at the vitrector to the maximum pressure, the maximum pressure being substantially equal to a first threshold pressure sufficient to close the cutting mechanism of the vitrector; and at the second time in the cycle, the three-way valve closes to couple the vitrector to the two-way valve and the two-way valve opens for a second period of time sufficient to reduce the pressure at the vitrector to the minimum pressure, the minimum pressure being substantially equal to a second threshold pressure sufficient to allow the cutting mechanism to open.
Cyclic pressure-pulse vitrectomy method with minimum pressure greater than ambient
A method for vitrectomy comprising providing a pulse-generating system with gas from a gas source; and generating pulses from the pulse-generating system at a vitrector, the vitrector including a cutting mechanism, the pulses causing the pressure at the vitrector to vary according to a cycle, the varying pressure at the vitrector causing the cutting mechanism of the vitrector to open and close, the act of generating pulses including: raising, at a first time in the cycle, the pressure at the vitrector to a maximum pressure, and reducing, at a second time in the cycle, the pressure at the vitrector to a minimum pressure that is greater than ambient, the pressure at the vitrector being maintained at least at the minimum pressure.
Three-way/two-way valve pulse generation in a vitrectomy method with threshold pressures
The pulse-generating system includes a three-way valve and a two-way valve, the three-way valve being coupled to the gas source, the vitrector, and the two-way valve, and the two-way valve being coupled to the three-way valve and to atmosphere, wherein the act of generating pulses includes: at the first time in the cycle, opening the three-way valve for a first period of time sufficient to raise the pressure at the vitrector to the maximum pressure, the maximum pressure being substantially equal to a first threshold pressure sufficient to close the cutting mechanism of the vitrector; and at the second time in the cycle, closing the three-way valve to couple the vitrector to the two-way valve and opening the two-way valve for a second period of time sufficient to reduce the pressure at the vitrector to the minimum pressure, the minimum pressure being substantially equal to a second threshold pressure sufficient to allow the cutting mechanism to open.
Across the independent system and method claims, the inventive concept is cyclically varying the pressure at the vitrector with a minimum pressure greater than ambient using a pulse-generating system that employs a three-way valve and a two-way valve. The cyclic pressure variation is controlled using threshold pressures associated with closing and opening of the vitrector cutting mechanism.
Stated Advantages
Reduced noise.
Reduced tubing stiffness/vibration for improved handling.
Improved tactile control.
Improved operating time with small gas cylinders, by maintaining at least the minimum pressure to minimize gas consumption.
Documented Applications
Conducting a vitrectomy using a portable gas-driven vitrector with cyclic pressure pulses generated by a pulse-generating system.
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