Patent ID: 8608753
Filing Date: 2013-12-17
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A probe for a vitrectomy tool comprising: a vitreous cutter tube having a blunt tip at a distal end and adapted to be coupled at a proximal end to a handpiece of a vitrectomy tool, wherein the vitreous cutter tube comprises an aperture extending into a central bore adapted to receive a flow of vitreous material; a reciprocal cutter fitted in the central bore of the vitreous cutter tube, the reciprocal cutter having a cutting edge adapted for travel across the aperture; a retractable outer trocar tube surrounding the vitreous cutter tube having an open distal end with a sharpened edge forming a bevel and a sharp tip; a retraction mechanism comprising a movable hub coupled to a proximal end of the outer trocar tube that imparts relative movement to the outer trocar tube for selectively extending and retracting the outer trocar tube between a first extended position wherein the sharp tip of the outer trocar is extended beyond the blunt tip of the vitreous cutter tube until the blunt tip remains partially protruding from a proximal end of the bevel to facilitate insertion into the eye without further cutting by the proximal end of the bevel and a second retracted position wherein the sharp tip of the outer trocar is retracted behind the blunt tip of the vitreous cutter tube to facilitate safe operation of the probe; wherein the retraction mechanism is configured to secure the outer trocar tube in the first extended position and in the second retracted position.