Rounded-end device, system, and method for preventing posterior capsular opacification

1. An apparatus to disrupt target cells from underlying tissue for treatment of an ocular condition, comprising:

an ultrasonic device comprising:

a horn; and

an aspiration tube extending through the horn; and

a first selectively attachable component configured to block the aspiration tube of the ultrasonic device when attached to the ultrasonic device, the first selectively attachable component comprising:

a shaft having a longitudinal axis and a first diameter;

a coupling portion at an end of the shaft including a connector portion and a hub configured to selectively couple to the ultrasonic device and impart ultrasonic vibration to the shaft; and

a cell disrupting end extending from a distal portion of the shaft and having a second diameter, wherein the cell disrupting end is solid along the longitudinal axis and has a smooth, continuous, curved shape.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first diameter and the second diameter are equal.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the cell disrupting end is shaped and configured as a rounded hemisphere.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the cell disrupting end is shaped and configured as a rounded, spherical knob extending from the distal portion of the shaft.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the connector portion and the hub are shaped and configured to couple the apparatus to an ultrasonic device by a coupling method selected from the group consisting of a threaded engagement, a snap-fit engagement, and a frictional engagement.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the distal portion of the shaft is angled such that a longitudinal axis of the distal portion is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a second selectively attachable component comprising a phacoemulsification needle configured to engage with the aspiration tube of the ultrasonic device when attached to the ultrasonic device.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the horn includes:

grooves for sealing O-ring gaskets; and

a plurality of helical slits, the helical slits being configured to produce torsional movement when excited at a resonant frequency;

wherein the ultrasonic device further comprises a plurality of ring-shaped piezoelectric elements held by a compression nut against the ultrasonic horn;

wherein the aspiration tube further extends through the piezoelectric elements, and the compression nut;

wherein the first selectively attachable component is configured to align with the aspiration tube; and

wherein the hub has a width greater than the shaft and tapers toward the shaft.

10. A system for disrupting target cells from underlying tissue, comprising:

an instrument tip, comprising:

a shaft having a longitudinal axis and a first diameter;

a proximal end including a connector portion and a hub; and

a distal end extending from a distal portion of the shaft and having a second diameter, wherein the distal end is solid along the longitudinal axis and has a smooth, continuous, curved shape; and

an ultrasonic device, comprising:

an ultrasonic horn configured to couple to the hub at the proximal end of the instrument tip, the horn comprising an aspiration tube extending therethrough; and

a plurality of piezoelectric elements coupled to the ultrasonic horn and configured to produce longitudinal motion of the instrument tip when excited at a resonant frequency;

wherein the instrument tip is configured to block the aspiration tube when connected to the ultrasonic horn.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the wherein the first diameter and the second diameter are equal.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the distal end of the instrument tip is shaped and configured as a rounded hemisphere.

13. The system of claim 10 , wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the distal end of the instrument tip is shaped and configured as a rounded, spherical knob extending from the distal portion of the shaft.

15. The system of claim 10 , wherein the connector portion and the hub are shaped and configured to couple the apparatus to the ultrasonic device by any coupling method selected from the group consisting of a threaded engagement, a snap-fit engagement, and a frictional engagement.

16. The system of claim 10 , wherein the distal portion of the shaft of the instrument tip is angled such that a longitudinal axis of the distal portion is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

17. An apparatus to disrupt target cells from underlying tissue for treatment of an ocular condition, comprising:

an ultrasonic device comprising an ultrasonic horn and an aspiration tube; and

a selectively attachable component comprising:

a shaft having a longitudinal axis and a first diameter;

a coupling portion at an end of the shaft including a connector portion and a hub configured to selectively couple to the ultrasonic device and impart ultrasonic vibration to the shaft; and

a cell disrupting end extending from a distal portion of the shaft and having a second diameter, wherein the cell disrupting end is lumen-less and has a smooth, continuous, curved shape;

wherein the selectively attachable component is configured to block the aspiration tube when connected to the ultrasonic device.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the first diameter and the second diameter are equal.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the cell disrupting end is shaped and configured as a rounded hemisphere.

20. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the first diameter is smaller than the second diameter.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the cell disrupting end is shaped and configured as a rounded, spherical knob extending from the distal portion of the shaft.