Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-9381113-B2
Publication Date
2016-07-05
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 provides a system for conducting a vitrectomy that includes a gas source, a gas-driven vitrector with a cutting mechanism that opens and closes according to a pressure and a spring force at the vitrector, and a pulse-generating system. The pulse-generating system receives gas from the gas source and generates pulses at the vitrector so that the pressure at the vitrector varies according to a cycle, and the varying pressure and the spring force cause the cutting mechanism of the vitrector to open and close in response to the cycle.
In the cycle, at a first time the pulse-generating system generates a pulse and raises the pressure at the vitrector to a maximum pressure to close the cutting mechanism. At a second time, the pulse-generating system reduces the pressure at the vitrector to a minimum pressure greater than ambient, and the pressure at the vitrector is maintained at least at the minimum pressure so that the spring force causes the cutting mechanism to open.
The method counterpart provides gas to the pulse-generating system and generates pulses at a vitrector so that pressure at the vitrector varies according to a cycle. The system is further described as including cycles that include only a single pulse, where the single pulse raises pressure to a maximum and then reduces it to a minimum greater than ambient and maintained at least at that minimum.
Claims Coverage
The consolidated claim coverage identifies three independent claims. The main inventive features are pulse-generated pressure variation at the vitrector in cooperation with a spring force to control opening and closing, with a maximum pressure at a first time and a minimum pressure greater than ambient at a second time; one independent system further specifies a cycle including only a single pulse.
Pulse-generated pressure variation with maximum-to-close and minimum-above-ambient-to-open
A system for conducting a vitrectomy comprising a gas source, a vitrector including a cutting mechanism that opens and closes according to a pressure and a spring force 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 and a spring force 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 generates a pulse and raises the pressure at the vitrector to a maximum pressure to close the cutting mechanism, 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 and the spring force causing the cutting mechanism to open.
Raising to maximum pressure at a first time and reducing to a minimum pressure greater than ambient at a second time
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 pulses causing the pressure at the vitrector to vary according to a cycle, the varying pressure and a spring force 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 by the generation of a pulse by the pulse-generating system to close the cutting mechanism, 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 and the spring force causing the cutting mechanism to open.
Single-pulse cycle with maximum pressure then minimum pressure maintained above ambient
A system for conducting a vitrectomy comprising a gas source, a vitrector including a cutting mechanism that opens and close according to a pressure at the vitrector, and a pulse-generating system receiving gas from the gas source and generating at the vitrector, the pulses causing the pressure at the vitrector to vary according to a cycle, the cycle including only a single pulse, 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 generates the single pulse and 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.
Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage is the use of a pulse-generating system to vary the pressure at a gas-driven vitrector over a cycle so that, together with a spring force or pressure responsive opening and closing, the vitrector cutting mechanism closes at a first time when pressure is raised to a maximum and opens at a second time when pressure is reduced to a minimum that is greater than ambient and maintained at least at that minimum.
Stated Advantages
Reduced gas usage.
Enabling use in offices without special hospital power/gas.
Reduced noise.
Reduced tubing stiffness/vibration.
Documented Applications
Use in offices without special hospital power/gas.
Interested in licensing this patent?