Patent ID: 8235978
Filing Date: 2012-08-07
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A tool for performing a capsulotomy, comprising; (a) a main housing having a proximal end and a distal end; (b) an inner tube extending longitudinally through said main housing and extending from the distal end of said main housing; (c) an outer tube that extends longitudinally through said main housing and extends from said distal end of said main housing, wherein said inner tube is disposed inside of said outer tube, and wherein said inner tube is movable with respect to said outer tube (d) an extendable-retractable burning element, comprising first and second electrically conductive bands, said bands having opposite ends that are connected between the end of said inner tube and the tip of said outer tube, said burning element being adapted for switching between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration, by said movement of said inner tube with respect to said outer tube; (e) a groove present on each of said first and second bands, said grooves providing predefined points of weakness allowing for controlled breakage of said burning element at said grooves, during an event of excessive electrical current; (f) an airflow channel extending through said main housing and terminating proximal to said burning element; (g) airflow means coupled to the airflow channel for supplying pressurized airflow; and (h) capsulotomy and movement control means coupled to the main housing for providing electrical current to the burning element and movement control for controlling extending and retracting of the burning element, wherein said retractable burning element is insertable into the eye through a small corneal incision when said burning element is in a retracted configuration, and said burning element is adapted to perform of a capsulotomy of a predetermined size when it is in an extended configuration and an electrical current is applied to said burning element.