Patent ID: 7833206
Filing Date: 2010-11-16
Classification: A61F,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method for providing an aspirator cassette system including a reusable primary cassette adapted for operation with a disposable secondary cassette, comprising the steps of: modifying an existing surgical cassette to provide a reusable primary cassette, including the steps of: providing a disposable secondary cassette, including the steps of: installing a first tubing between said primary vacuum port of said primary cassette, and said secondary vacuum port of said secondary cassette; installing a second tubing between said primary aspirator port of said primary cassette, and said secondary aspirator port of said secondary cassette, with a portion of the second tubing being tautly retained between the keyhole and primary aspirator port in substantially the same position as the previously removed aspirator tube line of the existing surgical cassette; and operating said cassette system by connecting an aspirator tube of an ophthalmic surgical device to said primary aspirator port, and plugging said primary cassette into an associated vitrectomy unit for activating the latter, thereby causing a vacuum to be produced in the chamber of said primary cassette, in turn causing a vacuum to be produced in the receiving chamber of said secondary cassette, for during ophthalmic surgery drawing aspirated fluid from the ophthalmic surgical device through a fluid path formed by said primary aspirator port, second tubing, and secondary aspirator port, for deposit into the receiving chamber of said secondary cassette, leaving said primary cassette uncontaminated by and free of aspirated fluid.