PHACOEMULSIFICATION IRRIGATION SLEEVE WITH AN ALIGNMENT MARK
A phacoemulsification irrigation sleeve 10 is formed of compliant material. The sleeve 10 is for surrounding at least a portion of a phacoemulsification needle 12 and for transporting irrigation fluid between the needle 12 and the sleeve 10. The sleeve 10 includes at least one irrigation port 16 formed in a shaft 18 of the sleeve 10 near a distal end 20 of the shaft 18. An alignment mark 22 of contrasting color relative to a color of the sleeve 10 is placed on the sleeve 10 in a predetermined orientation with respect to the irrigation port 16.
1 . A phacoemulsification irrigation sleeve comprising:
a sleeve formed of compliant material for surrounding at least a portion of a phacoemulsification needle and for transporting irrigation fluid between the needle and the sleeve;
the sleeve including at least one irrigation port formed in a shaft of the sleeve and near a distal end of the shaft; and
an alignment mark of contrasting color relative to a color of the sleeve placed on the sleeve in a predetermined orientation with respect to the irrigation port.
2 . The sleeve of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is generally translucent.
3 . The sleeve of claim 1 wherein the alignment mark is color-coded so that a particular color is easily mated with a particular phacoemulsification needle.
4 . The sleeve of claim 1 wherein the alignment mark is a stripe positioned along an axis of the shaft and extending from the distal end of the shaft towards a proximal end of the sleeve such that the stripe intersects the irrigation port.
5 . The sleeve of claim 1 further including a stripe of contrasting color relative to the sleeve color and placed circumferentially adjacent the distal end of the shaft.