SUBRETINAL FLUID DRAINAGE INSTRUMENTS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS

1 . A surgical instrument for removal of subretinal fluid, the surgical instrument comprising:

a handle coupleable to an aspiration pressure source, the handle having a rotational structure that is rotatable around an axis of a handle body when manipulated by a user;

a first elongate tubular member having a first proximal end and a first distal end, the first proximal end being coupled to the rotational structure such that the first elongate tubular member is rotatable around the axis;

a second elongate tubular member having a second proximal end and a second distal end, the second proximal end of the second elongate tubular member being coupled to the first distal end of the first elongate tubular member, and wherein the second elongate tubular member is curved when exposed to body temperature; and

a port formed through a wall of the second elongate tubular member for aspirating material from a body cavity through the first and second elongate tubular members.

2 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the second elongate tubular member is formed from a shape memory alloy.

3 . The surgical instrument of claim 2 , wherein the shape memory alloy is nitinol.

4 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the first elongate tubular member is straight.

5 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the port is an oblong shaped port that includes a smoothed edge.

6 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the second distal end of the second elongate tubular member is a closed and rounded distal tip.

7 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the second elongate tubular member is substantially straight when exposed to a temperature below body temperature.

8 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein a curve of the second elongate tubular member corresponds to curvature of a human eye.

9 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the first elongate tubular member is formed from a first material and the second elongate tubular member is formed from a second material, wherein the first material is more rigid than the second material.

10 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the second elongate tubular member has an outer diameter ranging from about 0.3 mm to about 0.7 mm.

11 . A surgical instrument comprising:

a handle coupleable to a conduit, the handle having a rotational structure rotatable around an axis of a handle body;

a first elongate tubular member comprising:

a first proximal end;

a first distal end; and

a first lumen extending through the first elongate tubular member, the first proximal end being coupled to the rotational structure such that the first elongate tubular member is rotatable around the axis;

a second elongate tubular member comprising:

a second proximal end;

a second distal end; and

a second lumen extending through the second elongate tubular member, the second proximal end of the second elongate tubular member being coupled to the first distal end of the first elongate tubular member the second distal end being a rounded, closed distal tip, and the first lumen in fluid communication with the second lumen; and

a port formed on one side of the second elongate tubular member and through a wall of the second elongate tubular member, the port configured to aspirate material from a body cavity through the first lumen and the second lumen.

12 . The surgical instrument of claim 11 , wherein the second elongate tubular member is formed from a shape memory alloy and has a curved shape.

13 . The surgical instrument of claim 11 , wherein the first elongate tubular member is formed from stainless steel and wherein the second elongate tubular member is less rigid than the first elongate tubular member.

14 . The surgical instrument of claim 11 , wherein the port has an elliptical shape.

15 . The surgical instrument of claim 11 , wherein the port is the only port formed in the second elongate tubular member.

16 . The surgical instrument of claim 11 , wherein the port occupies less than 90 degrees of the circumference of the second elongate tubular member.

17 . An ophthalmic surgical system comprising:

an aspiration pressure source coupled to a conduit; and

a surgical handpiece coupled to the aspiration pressure source by the conduit, the surgical handpiece including:

a handle body coupled to the conduit, the handle body having a rotational structure rotatable around an axis of the handle body;

a first elongate tubular member comprising:

a first proximal end;

a first distal end; and

a first lumen extending through the first elongate tubular member, the first proximal end being coupled to the rotational structure such that the first elongate tubular member is rotatable around the axis;

a second elongate tubular member comprising:

a second proximal end;

a second distal end forming a closed distal tip; and

a second lumen extending through the second elongate tubular member and in fluid communication with the first lumen, the second proximal end of the second elongate tubular member being coupled to the first distal end of the first elongate tubular member and the second elongate tubular member being more flexible than the first elongate tubular member; and

a port formed through a wall of the second elongate tubular member for aspirating material from a body cavity through the first lumen and the second lumen.

18 . The ophthalmic surgical system of claim 17 , wherein the second elongate tubular member is curved.

19 . The ophthalmic surgical system of claim 17 , wherein the port is elliptical.

20 . The ophthalmic surgical system of claim 17 , wherein the second elongate tubular member is formed from a shape memory alloy.