IP Library Granted Patent US 9,233,021
Granted Patent B2
US 9,233,021 · App. 14/062,254 · Granted Jan 12, 2016

Phacoemulsification hook tip

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,233,021
App. No.
14/062,254
Granted
Jan 12, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

In various embodiments, a phacoemulsification cutting tip with a straight shaft and an angled portion off of the straight shaft may include a hook on the angled portion to move an axis of rotation of the cutting tip closer to alignment with an extended centerline of the shaft. The cutting tip may be configured to torsionally rotate back and forth on an axis perpendicular to a centerline of the shaft (e.g., rotation around a y-axis). In some embodiments, lateral vibrations (e.g., side to side along an x-axis or z-axis perpendicular to the y-axis) that result from torsional rotation around the y-axis in a cutting tip without the hook may be reduced through use of the hook to balance the otherwise eccentrically weighted hook.

Claims (42)

1. A cutting tip and a phacoemulsification surgical handpiece, comprising:

a phacoemulsification surgical handpiece comprising a horn configured to torsionally vibrate a cutting tip at a rate of approximately 10 to 60 kHz; and

a cutting tip comprising:

a first portion comprising a straight shaft comprising a proximal portion of a cutting tip length secured in the horn of the surgical handpiece, wherein the straight shaft has a shaft centerline,

a distal portion, comprising:

a second portion forming an angle with the first portion;

a third portion forming a hook; and

a distal end with a beveled end; and

an aspiration lumen through at least the first portion, wherein the aspiration lumen has an inner diameter between 0.001 inches and 0.09 inches;

wherein the cutting tip has a diameter in a range of approximately 0.5 mm to 2 mm;

wherein the proximal portion of the cutting tip length is constrained by the horn of the surgical handpiece such that the shaft centerline of the proximal portion is aligned with an axis of rotation of the horn;

wherein the first portion, second portion, third portion and distal end are comprised in a single piece;

wherein the second portion, third portion, and distal end together have an axis of rotation relative to the shaft that is substantially aligned with an extended shaft centerline when the proximal portion of the cutting tip length is torsionally vibrated by the phacoemuslfication surgical handpiece at the rate of approximately 10 to 60 kHz, on an arc with an axis of rotation that is aligned with the shaft centerline at the proximal portion.

2. The cutting tip and phacoemulsification surgical handpiece as recited in claim 1 , wherein substantially aligned comprises the axis of rotation, at the distal end of the cutting tip, being offset from the extended shaft centerline by a distance less than 0.25 times a diameter of the shaft.

3. The cutting tip and phacoemulsification surgical handpiece as recited in claim 1 , wherein substantially aligned comprises the axis of rotation, at the distal end of the cutting tip, being offset from the extended shaft centerline by a distance less than 0.5 times a diameter of the shaft.

4. The cutting tip and phacoemulsification surgical handpiece as recited in claim 1 , wherein a first part of the second portion angle is aligned with the extended shaft centerline and wherein a second part of the second portion angle is directed away from the extended shaft centerline.

5. The cutting tip and phacoemulsification surgical handpiece of claim 1 , wherein the horn torsionally vibrates the proximal portion of the cutting tip back and forth through an arc of approximately plus 5 degrees to minus 5 degrees.

6. The cutting tip and phacoemulsification surgical handpiece of claim 1 ,

wherein the proximal portion of the cutting tip is torsionally rotated back and forth on an axis that is parallel with the shaft centerline; and

wherein the third portion balances the cutting tip to reduce lateral vibrations back and forth perpendicular to the axis.

7. The cutting tip and phacoemulsification surgical handpiece of claim 1 , wherein substantially aligned comprises a range of parallel with the extended shaft centerline to 5 degrees off parallel with the extended shaft centerline.

8. The cutting tip and phacoemulsification surgical handpiece of claim 1 , wherein substantially aligned with the extended shaft centerline comprises a range of parallel with the extended shaft centerline to 10 degrees off parallel with the extended shaft centerline.

9. The cutting tip and phacoemulsification surgical handpiece of claim 1 , wherein the second portion forms an angle of approximately 20 degrees relative to the first portion.

10. The cutting tip and phacoemulsification surgical handpiece of claim 1 , wherein the hook includes a curve that acts as a counterweight by placing tip material on one side of the extended shaft centerline with distal end tip material angled back toward the extended shaft centerline distal of the hook.

11. The cutting tip and phacoemulsification surgical handpiece of claim 1 , wherein the distal portion changes directions at least three times relative to the extended shaft centerline.

12. A cutting tip and a phacoemulsification surgical handpiece, comprising:

a phacoemulsification surgical handpiece comprising a horn configured to torsionally vibrate a cutting tip at a rate of approximately 10 to 60 kHz; and

a cutting tip comprising:

a first portion comprising a straight shaft comprising a proximal portion of a cutting tip length secured in the horn of the surgical handpiece, wherein the straight shaft has a shaft centerline;

a second portion forming an angle with the first portion;

a third portion forming a hook; and

a distal end with a beveled end;

wherein the cutting tip has a diameter in a range of approximately 0.5 mm to 2 mm;

wherein the proximal portion of the cutting tip length is constrained by the horn of the surgical handpiece such that the shaft centerline of the proximal portion is aligned with an axis of rotation of the horn;

wherein the hook includes a curve that acts as a counterweight;

wherein the first portion, second portion, third portion and distal end are comprised in a single piece; and

an aspiration lumen through at least the first portion, wherein the aspiration lumen has an inner diameter between 0.001 inches and 0.09 inches;

wherein the second portion, third portion, and distal end together have an axis of rotation relative to the shaft that is substantially aligned with the extended shaft centerline when the proximal portion of the cutting tip length is torsionally vibrated by the phacoemuslfication surgical handpiece at the rate of approximately 10 to 60 kHz, on an arc with an axis of rotation that is aligned with the shaft centerline at the proximal portion.

13. The cutting tip and phacoemulsification surgical handpiece of claim 12 , wherein the second portion forms an angle of approximately 20 degrees relative to the first portion.

14. The cutting tip and phacoemulsification surgical handpiece of claim 12 ,

wherein the proximal portion of the cutting tip is torsionally rotated back and forth on an axis that is parallel with the shaft centerline; and

wherein the third portion balances the cutting tip to reduce lateral vibrations back and forth perpendicular to the axis.

Assignments (3)
CONFIRMATORY DEED OF ASSIGNMENT EFFECTIVE APRIL 8, 2019 Recorded Jul 23, 2020
From: ALCON RESEARCH, LLC
To: ALCON INC.
Reel/Frame 053293/0484 →
MERGER Recorded Jul 21, 2020
From: ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.
To: ALCON RESEARCH, LLC
Reel/Frame 053273/0022 →
CONFIRMATORY DEED OF ASSIGNMENT EFFECTIVE APRIL 8, 2019 Recorded Dec 10, 2019
From: NOVARTIS AG
To: ALCON INC.
Reel/Frame 051454/0788 →