NEEDLE FOR ATTACHMENT TO OPHTHALMIC SURGICAL HANDPIECES
An ultrasonic needle for attachment to an ophthalmic surgical handpiece includes a cannula having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the cannula is configured for attachment to an ophthalmic surgical handpiece. The distal end of the cannula includes a tip with at least one port in communication with a lumen extending through the cannula. A flexible member (e.g., a flexible loop, a flexible button, etc.) is coupled to the distal end of the cannula for tissue manipulation.
1 . An ultrasonic needle for attachment to an ophthalmic surgical handpiece, the ultrasonic needle comprising:
a cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end configured for attachment to an ophthalmic surgical handpiece, the distal end including a tip with at least one port in communication with a lumen extending through the cannula; and
a flexible member coupled to the distal end of the cannula for tissue manipulation.
2 . The ultrasonic needle of claim 1 , wherein the flexible member is a loop of flexible material.
3 . The ultrasonic needle of claim 2 , wherein the loop comprises a strand having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end and the second end are coupled to the distal end of the cannula.
4 . The ultrasonic needle of claim 2 , wherein the loop is parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the cannula.
5 . The ultrasonic needle of claim 2 , wherein the loop is teardrop shaped.
6 . The ultrasonic needle of claim 1 , wherein the flexible member is a button of flexible material.
7 . The ultrasonic needle of claim 6 , wherein the button includes a distal surface, a tapered surface, and a lip between the distal surface and the tapered surface.
8 . The ultrasonic needle of claim 7 , wherein the distal surface is perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the cannula.
9 . The ultrasonic needle of claim 1 , wherein the flexible member is polyamide.
10 . The ultrasonic needle of claim 1 , wherein the flexible member is silicone.
11 . An ophthalmic surgical device comprising:
a housing having a distal end;
a cannula attached to the distal end of the surgical device and having a distal tip with at least one aspiration port;
a vibration source disposed within the housing for vibrating the distal tip of the cannula; and
a flexible member coupled to the distal tip of the cannula for tissue manipulation.
12 . The ultrasonic needle of claim 11 , wherein the flexible member is a loop of flexible material.
13 . The ultrasonic needle of claim 12 , wherein the loop comprises a strand having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end and the second end are coupled to the distal end of the cannula.
14 . The ultrasonic needle of claim 12 , wherein the loop is parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the cannula.
15 . The ultrasonic needle of claim 12 , wherein the loop is teardrop shaped.
16 . The ultrasonic needle of claim 11 , wherein the flexible member is a button of flexible material.
17 . The ultrasonic needle of claim 16 , wherein the button includes a distal surface, a tapered surface, and a lip between the distal surface and the tapered surface.
18 . The ultrasonic needle of claim 17 , wherein the distal surface is perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the cannula.
19 . The ultrasonic needle of claim 11 , wherein the flexible member is polyamide and/or silicone.
20 . The ophthalmic surgical device of claim 11 , wherein the housing and the vibration source are a part of a phacoemulsification surgical handpiece.