Patent ID: 6773445
Filing Date: 2004-08-10
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
A method of operating a vitrectomy probe, said probe comprising a port for receiving tissue and an inner cutting member, comprising the steps of:providing a foot pedal having a generally vertical range of motion; providing a vacuum source; fluidly coupling said vacuum source to said probe; inducing a flow of said tissue into said port with said vacuum source; and actuating, in response to a movement of said foot pedal, said inner cutting member in a cyclic manner to open and close said port over a plurality of cut rates, wherein said cut rate is at a highest value and an open size of said port is at a smallest value when said foot pedal is proximate a fully undepressed position, said cut rate is at a lowest value and said open size of said port is at a largest value when said foot pedal is proximate a fully depressed position, moving said foot pedal in a downward direction decreases said cut rate and increases said open size of said port, and moving said foot pedal in an upward direction increases said cut rate and decreases said open size of said port.