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Sommaire du brevet 2787024 

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Disponibilité de l'Abrégé et des Revendications

L'apparition de différences dans le texte et l'image des Revendications et de l'Abrégé dépend du moment auquel le document est publié. Les textes des Revendications et de l'Abrégé sont affichés :

  • lorsque la demande peut être examinée par le public;
  • lorsque le brevet est émis (délivrance).
(12) Demande de brevet: (11) CA 2787024
(54) Titre français: SONDE CHIRURGICALE FLEXIBLE MULTIFIBRES
(54) Titre anglais: MULTI-FIBER FLEXIBLE SURGICAL PROBE
Statut: Réputée abandonnée et au-delà du délai pour le rétablissement - en attente de la réponse à l’avis de communication rejetée
Données bibliographiques
(51) Classification internationale des brevets (CIB):
  • A61F 9/008 (2006.01)
  • A61B 17/00 (2006.01)
  • A61F 9/007 (2006.01)
(72) Inventeurs :
  • AULD, JACK R. (Etats-Unis d'Amérique)
  • FARLEY, MARK H. (Etats-Unis d'Amérique)
(73) Titulaires :
  • ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.
(71) Demandeurs :
  • ALCON RESEARCH, LTD. (Etats-Unis d'Amérique)
(74) Agent: KIRBY EADES GALE BAKER
(74) Co-agent:
(45) Délivré:
(86) Date de dépôt PCT: 2010-12-15
(87) Mise à la disponibilité du public: 2011-08-25
Licence disponible: S.O.
Cédé au domaine public: S.O.
(25) Langue des documents déposés: Anglais

Traité de coopération en matière de brevets (PCT): Oui
(86) Numéro de la demande PCT: PCT/US2010/060538
(87) Numéro de publication internationale PCT: WO 2011102870
(85) Entrée nationale: 2012-07-12

(30) Données de priorité de la demande:
Numéro de la demande Pays / territoire Date
12/894,721 (Etats-Unis d'Amérique) 2010-09-30
61/305,407 (Etats-Unis d'Amérique) 2010-02-17

Abrégés

Abrégé français

L'invention concerne une sonde comportant une fibre optique flexible de petit diamètre gainée par un tube flexible de petit diamètre comprenant l'extrémité distale de la sonde. Les petits diamètres de la fibre et du tube permettent de plier la fibre selon un faible rayon de courbure comprenant la partie principale de la longueur de la partie exposée de la fibre, avec de faibles forces de flexion du tube pendant l'insertion, ce qui permet d'obtenir une conception compacte qui réduit ou supprime le besoin d'une partie distale rectiligne de tube flexible s'étendant depuis la canule. Le tube de petit diamètre permet également d'utiliser une canule externe avec une plus grande épaisseur de paroi, augmentant ainsi la rigidité de l'instrument. Un mode de réalisation concerne un tube flexible plus grand avec un rayon de courbure correspondant plus important, pour intégrer une pluralité de fibres optiques fournissant des voies de délivrance séparées et optimisées pour le laser et l'éclairage. Un matériau de revêtement anti-frottement peut être utilisé pour réduire davantage les forces d'insertion.


Abrégé anglais

A probe having a flexible, small diameter fiber optic sheathed in a small diameter flexible tube comprising the distal tip of the probe. The small diameters of the fiber and tube allow the fiber to be bent in a tight radius comprising the major portion of the length of the exposed portion of the fiber, with low tube bending forces during insertion, providing a compact design which reduces or eliminates the need for a straight distal portion of flexible tube extending from the cannula. The small diameter tube also allows a greater wall thickness outer cannula to be used, thereby increasing instrument rigidity. One embodiment encompasses a larger flexible tube with corresponding larger bend radius, to encase a plurality of fiber optics, providing separately optimized laser and illumination delivery paths. Anti-friction coating material may be used to further reduce insertion forces.

Revendications

Note : Les revendications sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.


We claim:
1. A probe, comprising:
a) a generally hollow body;
b) a cannula attached to the distal end of the body;
c) a plurality of fiber optic cables extending through the hollow
body, each of the plurality of fiber optic cables having a fiber optic and
extending through the cannula; and
d) an exposed portion of the fiber optics, the exposed portion of
the fiber optics extending beyond a distal end of the cannula, the
exposed portion of the fiber optics encased in a nitinol tube that is bent
along a radius of between approximately 4.5 millimeters and 15.0
millimeters.
2. The probe of claim 1 wherein the nitinol tube is bent at an angle
of approximately 30-45 degrees.
3. The probe of claim 1 wherein one or more of the plurality of fiber
optics has an outer diameter of between approximately 100µm and
250µm.
4. The probe of claim 1 wherein the exposed portion extends
beyond the distal end of the cannula a distance of approximately 3.0
millimeters to 8.0 millimeters.
5. The probe of claim 4 wherein the exposed portion extends
beyond the distal end of the cannula a distance of approximately 4.0
millimeters to 6.0 millimeters.
6. The probe of claim 1 wherein the exposed portion extends
beyond the distal end of the cannula a distance of approximately 8.0
millimeters to 14.0 millimeters.
11

7. The probe of claim 6 wherein the exposed portion extends
beyond the distal end of the cannula a distance of approximately 11.0
millimeters to 13.0 millimeters.
8. The probe of claim 1 wherein the outer diameter of the exposed
portion is coated with an anti-friction material.
12

Description

Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.


CA 02787024 2012-07-12
WO 2011/102870 PCT/US2010/060538
MULTI-FIBER FLEXIBLE SURGICAL PROBE
The present invention relates to ophthalmic surgical equipment and
more particularly to posterior segment ophthalmic surgical equipment. Even
more particularly, the present invention relates to multi-fiber ophthalmic
probes.
1

CA 02787024 2012-07-12
WO 2011/102870 PCT/US2010/060538
Background of the Invention
Microsurgical instruments typically are used by surgeons for removal of
tissue from delicate and restricted spaces in the human body, particularly in
surgery on the eye, and more particularly in procedures for removal of the
vitreous body, blood, scar tissue, or the crystalline lens. Such instruments
include a control console and a surgical handpiece with which the surgeon
dissects and removes the tissue. With respect to posterior segment surgery,
the handpiece may be a vitreous cutter probe, a laser probe, an illumination
probe, or an ultrasonic fragmenter for cutting or fragmenting the tissue and
is
connected to the control console by a long air- pressure (pneumatic) line
and/or power cable, optical cable, or flexible tubes for supplying an infusion
fluid to the surgical site and for withdrawing or aspirating fluid and
cut/fragmented tissue from the site. The cutting, infusion, and aspiration
1s functions of the handpiece are controlled by the remote control console
that
not only provides power for the surgical handpiece(s) (e.g., a reciprocating
or
rotating cutting blade or an ultrasonically vibrated needle), but also
controls
the flow of infusion fluid and provides a source of vacuum (relative to
atmosphere) for the aspiration of fluid and cut/fragmented tissue. The
functions of the console are controlled manually by the surgeon, usually by
means of a foot-operated switch or proportional control.
During posterior segment surgery, the surgeon typically uses several
handpieces or instruments during the procedure. This procedure requires
that these instruments be inserted into, and removed out of the incision. This
repeated removal and insertion can cause trauma to the eye at the incision
site. To address this concern, hubbed cannulae were developed at least by
the mid-1980s. These devices consist of a narrow tube with an attached hub.
The tube is inserted into an incision in the eye up to the hub, which acts as
a
stop, preventing the tube from entering the eye completely. Surgical
instruments can be inserted into the eye through the tube, and the tube
protects the incision sidewall from repeated contact by the instruments. In
addition, the surgeon can use the instrument, by manipulating the instrument
2

CA 02787024 2012-07-12
WO 2011/102870 PCT/US2010/060538
when the instrument is inserted into the eye through the tube, to help
position
the eye during surgery.
Many surgical procedures require access to the sides or forward
portion of the retina. In order to reach these areas, the surgical probes must
be pre-bent or must be bendable intra-operatively. Articulating
laser/illumination probes are known. See for example, USPN 5,281,214
(Wilkins, et al.). The articulation mechanism, however, adds extra complexity
and expense. One flexible laser probe needing no articulation mechanism is
commercially available, but this device uses a relatively large diameter
optical
fiber sheathed in a flexible tube comprising the distal tip, resulting in a
large
bend radius and large distal tip diameter with significant bend stiffness.
These characteristics require that the distal tip contain a non-bent straight
portion for ease of insertion of the bent portion, which must flexibly
straighten
as it passes through the hubbed cannula. The straight portion of the distal
tip
allows the bent portion to flexibly pass through the hubbed cannula before the
distal cannula of the handpiece enters the hubbed cannula, to allow
maximum bending clearance of the flexible portion, thereby minimizing the
bending strain and corresponding frictional insertion forces. Such a large
bend radius, large diameter flexible tube, and straight distal tip cause the
useable portion of the fiber to extend a relatively long distance from the
distal
tip of the probe and limits laser treatment access of the probe.
A further disadvantage in the known art is the flexibility of the distal
cannula, which is a function of the material properties and cross sectional
moment of inertia, as determined by the gauge size of the outside diameter of
the cannula to fit within the hubbed cannula, and the inside diameter of the
cannula to accept the flexible tube. For any given material, the outer and
inner diameters of the cannula determine the flexibility of the cannula. This
flexibility limits the surgeon's ability to use the instrument to manipulate
the
position of the eye during surgery.
3

CA 02787024 2012-07-12
WO 2011/102870 PCT/US2010/060538
A further disadvantage in the known art is that it does not offer a non-
articulating flexible-tip probe providing both laser and illumination delivery
through separate paths optimized for each delivery function. Current surgical
procedures require unique delivery patterns for laser and illumination: a
narrow beam pattern for laser delivery, and a wide angle pattern for
illumination. The optical parameters needed to deliver these two unique
patterns differ to the extent that a single delivery path requires either
separate
instruments or compromised performance of the laser delivery pattern and/or
the illumination pattern.
Accordingly, a need continues to exist for a non-articulating flexible-tip
probe that does not require a straight portion of flexible tube at the distal
tip,
and which thus provides a more compact useable tip length, thereby allowing
greater laser treatment access to internal posterior structures of the eye
is without compromising insertion forces. The need also continues to exist for
a
flexible-tip probe which provides increased rigidity of the distal cannula to
facilitate manipulation of the eye position during surgery. In addition, the
need exists for a flexible-tip probe which provides both laser and
illumination
delivery through separate paths optimized for each delivery function.
4

CA 02787024 2012-07-12
WO 2011/102870 PCT/US2010/060538
Brief Summary of the Invention
The present invention improves upon prior art by providing a probe
having a flexible, small diameter fiber within a flexible tube, comprising the
s non-articulating distal tip of the probe. The small diameter fiber and tube
combination allow the fiber to be bent in a tight radius comprising the major
portion of the length of the exposed portion of the fiber, minimizing the need
for a straight portion to reduce insertion forces. Such a tight radius and
compact length allow the fiber greater access to the internal posterior
structures of the eye; thus increasing the laser treatment area of the probe,
without compromising insertion forces.
Accordingly, an objective of the present invention is to provide a laser
probe having a flexible, small diameter non-articulating fiber/tube comprising
the distal tip of the probe.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a laser probe
having a flexible, small diameter fiber/tube comprising the distal tip of the
probe that is bent in a tight radius comprising the major portion of the
length
of the exposed portion of the fiber.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a laser probe
that allows greater access to the internal posterior structures of the eye.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide increased
rigidity of the distal cannula to facilitate manipulation of the eye position
during surgery.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a flexible-tip
laser probe able to deliver both laser and illumination through separate,
optimized fiber optic paths.
5

CA 02787024 2012-07-12
WO 2011/102870 PCT/US2010/060538
Other objectives, features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent with reference to the drawings, and the following
description of the drawings and claims.
6

CA 02787024 2012-07-12
WO 2011/102870 PCT/US2010/060538
Brief Description of the Drawings
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the probe of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the probe of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the probe of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the
io present invention, having separate laser and illumination fiber optic
delivery paths.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional magnified view of distal end of an
embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4.
7

CA 02787024 2012-07-12
WO 2011/102870 PCT/US2010/060538
Detailed Description of the Invention
Embodiments of the probe of the present invention provide for a
flexible illuminated laser probe with separate, optimized fibers for laser and
illumination in a single instrument designed for minimally invasive Trocar-
entry surgical systems, unlike the prior art which does not provide for
separate fibers to deliver laser and illumination light and that can be used
in
minimally invasive Trocar-entry surgical systems. The embodiments of this
invention thus can provide a probe having optimal illumination intensity, ease
to of insertion to a surgical site, and a compact tip for broad treatment
access.
Some of the advantages that can be provided by the embodiments of this
invention are: minimally invasive retinal photo-coagulation with directed,
optimized illumination of a treatment area; laser and illumination in a single
instrument, allowing a surgeon to perform self-scleral depression; compact
curved tip and short active length provide broad access to peripheral retina;
reduces or eliminates the possibility of elliptical burn associated with
straight
tipped laser probes; help to avoid lens contact when treating a surgical site
opposite to entry port; and facilitate treatment posterior to the sclera
buckle.
As best seen in the FIGS. 1-5, probe 10 of the present invention generally
consists of handle or body 12, containing or encasing a laser fiber optic 16
and/or an illumination fiber optic 22, flexible tube 21, distal cannula 18,
and
fiber optic sheath 14. Body 12 is generally hollow and can be made from any
suitable material such as stainless steel, titanium or thermoplastic. Cannula
18 may be made from any suitable material such as titanium or stainless steel
and held within body 12 by any conventional method, such as adhesive or
crimping. Fiber optic sheath 14 may be any suitable tubing such as
thermoplastic or silicone. In some embodiments, the probe can comprise a
plurality of fiber optic cables, each having one or more optical fibers (e.g.,
fiber optics such as laser fiber optic 16 and illumination fiber optic 22).
The
plurality of fiber optic cables and fiber optics can have the same or similar
optical properties or can each have unique optical properties suitable for
their
purpose (e.g., illumination or laser light).
8

CA 02787024 2012-07-12
WO 2011/102870 PCT/US2010/060538
Laser fiber optic 16 and illumination fiber optic 22 can be connected on
a proximal end (not shown) to any suitable laser or illumination source
through a connector of a type well-known in the art and are surrounded by
flexible tube 21 with exposed portion 19. Flexible tube 21 is made from a
shape memory alloy such as Nitinol, and is held within cannula 18 by any
conventional method, such as adhesive or crimping, and encases laser fiber
optic 16 and/or illumination fiber optic 22, which are held to inner diameter
of
flexible tube 21 by any conventional method such as adhesive or crimping.
Laser fiber optic 16, illumination fiber optic 22, and exposed portion 19 of
to flexible tube 21 extend beyond distal end 20 of cannula 18 a distance of
approximately 3 millimeters to 14 millimeters, with approximately 4
millimeters
to 6 millimeters or 11 millimeters to 13 millimeters being most preferred,
respectively for a single fiber optic or a plurality of fiber optics encased
in the
flexible tube 21.
Laser fiber optic 16 and illumination fiber optic 22 may be made of any
fiber optic material suitable for conducting laser or illumination light,
respectively. Preferable for a single laser delivery fiber optic is silica (or
glass) with an outer diameter of between 100pm and 125pm with at least
exposed portion 19 of flexible tube 21 being a 33 gauge (approximately 0.008
inches OD) flexible nitinol tube bent at an angle of approximately 30-45 on a
radius of approximately between 4.5 millimeters and 6 millimeters along
exposed section 19. Importantly, the section of laser fiber optic 16 within
exposed section 19 can be curved or bent beginning at or near distal end 20
of cannula 18, with minimal or no straight section near distal end 20 of
cannula 18. Such a construction improves peripheral laser treatment access
near the point of entry of cannula 18. By virtue of the smaller diameter
flexible tube with significantly reduced cross sectional moment of inertia,
the
simultaneous insertion force of the exposed section 19 with the cannula 18
into a hubbed surgical cannula remains within an optimal range to facilitate
manual insertion and extraction.
9

CA 02787024 2012-07-12
WO 2011/102870 PCT/US2010/060538
Preferable material for a laser fiber optic with additional illumination
fiber optic, or for a plurality of fiber optics, is silica or plastic or a
combination
thereof, with outer diameter between 100pm and 250pm with at least
exposed portion 19 of flexible tube 21 being a 31 to 28 gauge (approximately
0.010 to 0.015 inches OD) flexible nitinol tube bent at an angle of
approximately 30-45 on a radius of approximately between 7 millimeters and
millimeters along exposed portion 19. Importantly, the section of laser fiber
optic 16 and/or illumination fiber optic 22 within exposed section 19 can be
curved or bent beginning at or near distal end 20 of cannula 18, with minimal
10 or no straight section near distal end 20 of cannula 18. Such a
construction
provides both the laser and illumination functions, as well as improved
peripheral laser treatment access near the point of entry of cannula 18. By
using a minimized flexible tube diameter, bend radius, and straight section,
the insertion force of the exposed section 19 into a hubbed surgical cannula
15 remains within an optimal range to facilitate manual insertion and
extraction,
while providing the additional illumination function. A further reduction of
insertion force may be realized by the use of anti-friction coating 23 on the
exposed section 19 of flexible tube 21.
In use, exposed section 19 encasing laser fiber optic 16 and/or
illumination fiber optic 22 can be straightened so that exposed section 19 can
be inserted into an eye through a 23 gauge or a 25 gauge hubbed cannula.
Once in the eye, the shape memory characteristics of the nitinol tube cause
exposed section 19 to resume its curved configuration.
While certain embodiments of the present invention have been
described above, these descriptions are given for purposes of illustration and
explanation. Variations, changes, modifications and departures from the
systems and methods disclosed above may be adopted without departure
from the scope or spirit of the present invention.

Dessin représentatif
Une figure unique qui représente un dessin illustrant l'invention.
États administratifs

2024-08-01 : Dans le cadre de la transition vers les Brevets de nouvelle génération (BNG), la base de données sur les brevets canadiens (BDBC) contient désormais un Historique d'événement plus détaillé, qui reproduit le Journal des événements de notre nouvelle solution interne.

Veuillez noter que les événements débutant par « Inactive : » se réfèrent à des événements qui ne sont plus utilisés dans notre nouvelle solution interne.

Pour une meilleure compréhension de l'état de la demande ou brevet qui figure sur cette page, la rubrique Mise en garde , et les descriptions de Brevet , Historique d'événement , Taxes périodiques et Historique des paiements devraient être consultées.

Historique d'événement

Description Date
Demande non rétablie avant l'échéance 2015-12-15
Le délai pour l'annulation est expiré 2015-12-15
Réputée abandonnée - omission de répondre à un avis sur les taxes pour le maintien en état 2014-12-15
Inactive : CIB attribuée 2013-06-21
Inactive : CIB en 1re position 2013-06-17
Inactive : CIB attribuée 2013-06-17
Inactive : CIB enlevée 2013-06-17
Inactive : CIB attribuée 2013-06-17
Inactive : CIB en 1re position 2013-06-17
Inactive : CIB enlevée 2013-06-17
Inactive : CIB attribuée 2013-06-14
Inactive : Page couverture publiée 2012-10-05
Demande reçue - PCT 2012-09-05
Inactive : Notice - Entrée phase nat. - Pas de RE 2012-09-05
Inactive : CIB attribuée 2012-09-05
Inactive : CIB en 1re position 2012-09-05
Exigences pour l'entrée dans la phase nationale - jugée conforme 2012-07-12
Demande publiée (accessible au public) 2011-08-25

Historique d'abandonnement

Date d'abandonnement Raison Date de rétablissement
2014-12-15

Taxes périodiques

Le dernier paiement a été reçu le 2013-11-26

Avis : Si le paiement en totalité n'a pas été reçu au plus tard à la date indiquée, une taxe supplémentaire peut être imposée, soit une des taxes suivantes :

  • taxe de rétablissement ;
  • taxe pour paiement en souffrance ; ou
  • taxe additionnelle pour le renversement d'une péremption réputée.

Veuillez vous référer à la page web des taxes sur les brevets de l'OPIC pour voir tous les montants actuels des taxes.

Historique des taxes

Type de taxes Anniversaire Échéance Date payée
Taxe nationale de base - générale 2012-07-12
TM (demande, 2e anniv.) - générale 02 2012-12-17 2012-11-27
TM (demande, 3e anniv.) - générale 03 2013-12-16 2013-11-26
Titulaires au dossier

Les titulaires actuels et antérieures au dossier sont affichés en ordre alphabétique.

Titulaires actuels au dossier
ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.
Titulaires antérieures au dossier
JACK R. AULD
MARK H. FARLEY
Les propriétaires antérieurs qui ne figurent pas dans la liste des « Propriétaires au dossier » apparaîtront dans d'autres documents au dossier.
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Description du
Document 
Date
(aaaa-mm-jj) 
Nombre de pages   Taille de l'image (Ko) 
Description 2012-07-12 10 404
Dessin représentatif 2012-07-12 1 3
Dessins 2012-07-12 2 34
Abrégé 2012-07-12 1 64
Revendications 2012-07-12 2 45
Page couverture 2012-10-05 1 40
Rappel de taxe de maintien due 2012-09-05 1 113
Avis d'entree dans la phase nationale 2012-09-05 1 194
Courtoisie - Lettre d'abandon (taxe de maintien en état) 2015-02-09 1 174
Rappel - requête d'examen 2015-08-18 1 116
PCT 2012-07-12 9 354