U.S. patent application number 10/162154 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-31 for probe.
Invention is credited to Hickingbotham, Dyson W..
Application Number | 20020161398 10/162154 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24570808 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020161398 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hickingbotham, Dyson W. |
October 31, 2002 |
Probe
Abstract
A probe having an actuation handle made from springy material
having a memory. Squeezing the handle causes the actuation device
to elongate, thereby causing movement in the probe tip. The probe
handle of the present invention may be held and actuated in any
position.
Inventors: |
Hickingbotham, Dyson W.;
(Stouchsburg, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.
R&D COUNSEL, Q-148
6201 SOUTH FREEWAY
FORT WORTH
TX
76134-2099
US
|
Family ID: |
24570808 |
Appl. No.: |
10/162154 |
Filed: |
June 4, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10162154 |
Jun 4, 2002 |
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09641066 |
Aug 17, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
606/206 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2017/2918 20130101;
A61B 17/2909 20130101; A61B 17/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
606/206 |
International
Class: |
A61B 017/28; A61B
017/42; A61B 017/44 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A probe, comprising: a) an actuation handle having a first
diameter and a first length in its relaxed stated and a second
diameter and a second length in its compressed state, the first
diameter being larger than the second diameter and the second
length being longer than the first length; b) an actuation sleeve
fixed to the distal end of the actuation handle; c) an end sleeve
fixed to the proximal end of the actuation sleeve; d) a nose cone
having an actuation tube received on the distal end of the
actuation sleeve; and e) a probe tip telescopically received
through the actuation tube and the actuation sleeve and fixed to
the end sleeve so that compression of the actuation handle causes
the actuation tube to reciprocate over the probe tip.
2. The probe of claim 1 further comprising and adjusting screw
received in the end sleeve and a return spring received on the
adjusting screw.
3. The probe of claim 1 wherein probe tip is a forceps.
4. The probe of claim 1 further comprising an actuation handle
extension capable of alternatively extending the length of the
actuation handle or covering the actuation tube and probe tip.
5. A probe, comprising: a) an actuation handle having a first
diameter and a first length in its relaxed stated and a second
diameter and a second length in its compressed state, the first
diameter being larger than the second diameter and the second
length being longer than the first length; b) an actuation sleeve
fixed to the distal end of the actuation handle; c) an end sleeve
fixed to the proximal end of the actuation sleeve; d) a nose cone
having an actuation tube received on the distal end of the
actuation sleeve; and e) a probe tip having a forceps
telescopically received through the actuation tube and the
actuation sleeve and fixed to the end sleeve so that compression of
the actuation handle causes compression of the forceps.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to the field of surgical
probes and, more particularly, to ophthalmic surgical probes.
[0002] During ophthalmic microsurgery, it is often necessary to
dissect, cut, delaminate or otherwise manipulate delicate tissues
within the eye. Microsurgical tools, such as microscissors, micro
forceps and other devices generally are used for such
manipulations. Many of these devices require some sort of actuation
(i.e., the blades of a scissors must be rotated across each other
in order to cut, the grasping tips of a forceps must be bought
together in order to grasp, etc.).
[0003] Many prior art devices use plunger-like devices actuated by
a finger operated levers (U.S. Pat. No. 4,258,716 (Sutherland)).
Other prior art devices use a handle that is squeezed to operate
the probe tip (U.S. Pat. No. 4,433,687 (Burke, et al.).
[0004] These prior art devices all require a relatively expensive
drive mechanism, making the cost of these devices prohibitive for a
single-use, disposable device.
[0005] Therefore, a need continues to exist for a simple,
inexpensive actuator handle for microsurgical probes.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention improves upon the prior art by
providing a probe having an actuation handle made from springy
material having a memory. Squeezing the handle causes the actuation
device to elongate, thereby causing movement in the probe tip. The
probe handle of the present invention may be held and actuated in
any position.
[0007] Accordingly, one objective of the present invention is to
provide a simple probe actuation handle.
[0008] Another objective of the present invention is to provide an
inexpensive probe actuation handle.
[0009] Still another objective of the present invention is to
provide a probe actuation handle that may be held and actuated in
any position.
[0010] These and other advantages and objectives of the present
invention will become apparent from the detailed description and
claims that follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of
the probe of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the probe
shown in FIG. 1 with the probe handle extension piece covering the
probe tip.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the probe
of the present invention similar to FIG. 2 except with the probe
handle extension piece is assembled on the probe handle and the
probe tip is uncovered.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the probe of
the present invention shown in its relaxed stated.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the probe of
the present invention shown in its compressed stated.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the
probe of the present invention shown in its compressed state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] As best seen in 1, probe 10 generally consists of handle
extension 12, probe tip 14, probe tip actuation tube 16 and probe
actuation handle 18. Handle extension 12 may be made of any
suitable material such as injection molded or machined
thermoplastic or metal and may be textured or knurled to improve
gripping of extension 12. Probe tip 14 may be any suitable type of
manipulation device, such as forceps or scissors and will generally
be made from stainless steel or titanium, but other materials may
also be used. Tube 16 may be any suitable medical grade tubing,
such as titanium, stainless steel or plastic and is sized so that
probe tip 14 reciprocates easily within tube 16. Actuation handle
18 may be made from any suitable springy material having a memory,
such as titanium, stainless steel or suitable thermoplastic.
[0018] As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 6, probe 10 is assembled by
placing adjustment screw 22 with return spring 23 attached first
through actuation sleeve 20 and then through handle 18 and screwing
screw 22 into end sleeve 24. Nose cone 26 on tube 16 is inserted
into and affixed to actuation sleeve 20. End cap 28 is pressed into
end sleeve 24. Probe tip 14 is then slid within the tube/sleeve
assembly and held in place by setscrews 25. Setscrews 25 allow for
precise alignment of tube 16 during assembly and return spring 23
returns tube 16 to its original position following actuation.
Handle extension 12 may be frictionally fit over front portion 32
on actuation handle 18, so as to protect tip 14 (as best seen in
FIG. 2), or over rear portion 34 on actuation handle 18, so as to
provide an extension to actuation handle 18 (as best seen in FIGS.
3-6).
[0019] As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, in use, when actuation handle
18 is in its relaxed stated, distal end 36 of tip 14 protrudes a
relatively large amount from tube 16. Squeezing of actuation handle
18 (as seen in FIG. 5) forces front portion 32 of actuation handle
18 forward, because rearward movement of rear portion 34 of
actuation handle 18 is prevented by end sleeve 24. The forward
movement of front portion 32 of actuation handle 18 is transferred
to tube 16 through rim 30 on nose cone 26, causing tube 16 to slide
forward over distal end 36 of probe tip 14, thereby compressing
together distal tip 36. The amount of movement of tube 16 over
distal tip 36 can be controlled easily by varying the outer
diameter of actuation handle 18 in its relaxed stated, with larger
diameters causing greater longitudinal movement.
[0020] This description is given for purposes of illustration and
explanation. It will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant
art that changes and modifications may be made to the invention
described above without departing from its scope or spirit.
* * * * *