Ophthalmic surgical fluid handling cassette
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9974686-B2
Publication Date
2018-05-22
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 provides an ophthalmic system including an ophthalmic apparatus and an ophthalmic cassette. The cassette includes a manifold defining an inlet port in fluid flow communication with a first fluid pathway and a second fluid pathway, and each pathway is in fluid flow communication with a respective first fluid inlet portion and second fluid inlet portion.
The first fluid pathway and the second fluid pathway are configured to permit alternate fluid flow communication between the inlet port and either the first fluid inlet portion or the second fluid inlet portion. The cassette further includes a first vacuum pathway and a second vacuum pathway in fluid flow communication with the first fluid inlet portion and the second fluid inlet portion, respectively.
An optical sensor system in the ophthalmic apparatus determines cassette and storage-chamber states using optical detection signals. The states include whether a cassette/storage chamber is detached versus attached and whether air versus liquid is present at a predetermined level. The cassette also includes mechanical engagement via a latching mechanism with a claw member and a tongue member and valve control to ensure alternate, mutually exclusive fluid flow between the two pathways.
Claims Coverage
The disclosed claim set is grounded by one independent claim directed to an ophthalmic cassette structure with a manifold, an inlet port, two alternative fluid pathways, and two vacuum pathways. Dependent claims further add storage chambers and mutual-exclusion fluid flow, valve member sequencing, and a sensor system with detection signals for fluid presence or absence and cassette attachment or detachment states.
Manifold with inlet port and two alternate fluid pathways
An ophthalmic cassette having a cassette body comprising a manifold defining an inlet port in fluid flow communication with a first fluid pathway and with a second fluid pathway, wherein the first fluid pathway is in fluid flow communication with a first fluid inlet portion and the second fluid pathway is in fluid flow communication with a second fluid inlet portion.
Alternate fluid-flow communication with vacuum pathways
First and second fluid pathways configured to permit alternate fluid flow communication between the inlet port and either the first fluid inlet portion or the second fluid inlet portion such that either the first fluid inlet portion or the second fluid inlet portion is in fluid flow communication with the inlet port, and further comprising a first vacuum pathway and a second vacuum pathway in fluid flow communication with the first fluid inlet portion and the second fluid inlet portion, respectively.
Mutually exclusive connection of one storage chamber to the inlet port
First and second storage chambers selectively connected such that one of the first fluid inlet portion or the second fluid inlet portion is in fluid flow communication with the inlet port at a time.
Valve members for alternating fluid communication
First and second valve members controlling fluid communication between first and second fluid pathways and corresponding first and second storage chambers.
Alternating sequence of valve members between closed and open positions
First and second valve members alternately switch between closed and open positions to permit fluid flow communication in alternating sequence relative to each other.
Sensor system with detection signals for fluid presence in storage chambers
A coupled apparatus sensor system that transmits a detection signal to detect whether fluid is present or absent in first and second storage chambers.
Overall, the claims center on an ophthalmic cassette manifold and inlet port that route fluid to one of two alternative fluid pathways with corresponding vacuum pathways, refined by mutually exclusive operation. The cassette adds valve members that alternately open and close in an alternating sequence, and it further includes sensor-based detection using transmitted detection signals to determine fluid presence or absence in the storage chambers.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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