Patent ID: 6013046
Filing Date: 2000-01-11
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
A shielding sleeve for use with a surgical aspirating needle having a small diameter insertion end to maintain an irrigation flow about the needle in a counter current relation to a central aspiration flow entering through the distal tip of the needle as the needle is used while inserted into eye tissue through an incision, comprising:a sleeve of flexible material adapted to be coupled to and adapted to encompass a principal portion of the length of the needle exclusive of the distal tip, the sleeve including a distal portion adapted to encompass the insertion end and the interior surface thereof having a nominal spacing from the exterior of the needle that forms a flow gap for irrigation fluid,a distal portion including at least one transverse flow aperture adjacent the distal end thereof; andan internal radially rigidifying element within the proximal length of the distal portion of the sleeve, the exterior of the rigidifying element being frictionally engaged against the interior surface of the sleeve and having an outer diameter relatively greater than the inner diameter of the distal portion of the sleeve and terminating short of the end of the distal portion while the interior surface of the rigidifying element is sized relative to the exterior of the needle to provide a predetermined flow gap therebetween despite inward pressure on the sleeve from the walls of the insertion receiving the needle and sleeve, and wherein the radially rigidifying element is 25% to 90% of the length of the distal portion and terminates short of the at least one flow aperture.