Delivery tool of a viscoelastic syringe assembly

A delivery tool connectable with a syringe can be used to deliver a viscoelastic solution. The tool includes a first segment, a second segment and an inner lumen defined by the first and second segments. A distal portion extends from the second segment in a curved manner.

BACKGROUND

Cataract surgeries generally involve one or more tools to provide an incision in the cornea and ultimately remove a cataract. After the incision, in current surgical techniques, a viscoelastic solution is delivered into an anterior chamber defined by the cornea such that the cornea is protected during removal of the cataract and, if utilized, placement of an intraocular lens implant. In one current surgical technique, called phacoemulsification, an ultrasonic probe is inserted through the incision. The probe then vibrates, causing emulsification of the cataract. The cataract is then aspirated from the eye along with the injected viscoelastic solution. Due to care and precision required to perform cataract surgeries, approaches to improving surgical techniques for removal of cataracts is desired.

SUMMARY

A delivery tool connectable to a syringe can be used to deliver a viscoelastic solution. The tool includes a first segment, a second segment and an inner lumen defined by the first and second segments. A distal portion extends from the second segment in a curved manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the disclosure refers to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited thereto. Modifications can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art with access to this disclosure will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope of this disclosure and additional fields in which the disclosed examples could be applied. Therefore, the following detailed description is not meant to be limiting. Further, it is understood that the systems and methods described below can be implemented in many different embodiments. The operation and behavior of the systems and methods presented are described with the understanding that modifications and variations of the embodiments are possible given the level of detail presented.

FIG. 1is a side view of an exemplary syringe assembly10that includes a syringe12and a delivery tool14fluidly coupled with the syringe12. Syringe12includes a cylindrical body16, a plunger18and a rod20coupled with the plunger18. During use, fluid (e.g., a viscoelastic solution) is positioned within the cylindrical body16. A user can operate the rod20to move the plunger18relative to the cylindrical body12along a longitudinal axis A. To provide fluid to the delivery tool14, the plunger18is actuated toward an orifice22that is fluidly coupled with the delivery tool14. From the orifice22, the fluid enters the delivery tool14.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, delivery tool14includes a hub30, a cannula32and a distal portion34extending from the cannula32. The hub30fluidly communicates with the orifice22of the syringe12to receive fluid therefrom. In one embodiment, the hub30includes a luer lock to establish a leak-free connection between the orifice22and the cannula32. Other types of connections can further be utilized. In one embodiment, the cannula32and distal portion34are integrally formed of a material useful in biomedical applications such as surgical stainless steel. The cannula32, in one embodiment, defines a diameter of approximately 27 gauge.

As will be discussed in more detail below, the cannula32defines an inner lumen36that extends from the hub30to a distal opening38. In particular, the lumen extends from the hub30, along a first, proximal segment40, a second, distal segment42connected with the first segment40and to the distal opening38. The first segment40is connected to the second segment42with a bend portion44such that second segment42is offset with respect to the first segment40. The second segment42extends from the bend portion44to a connection point46with the distal portion34.

The distal portion34extends from the connection point46with second segment42in a curved manner to a distal tip48. A beveled surface50extends along one side of the distal portion34. The distal portion34can be formed with a generally circular cross section or with other cross section shapes (e.g., rectangular, oval) as desired. In the illustrated embodiment, a width of the distal portion34tapers from a width of approximately 2.0 to 1.0 mm at connection point46to a width of approximately 1 to 0.25 mm at distal tip48. Distal tip48, in one embodiment, includes a blunt, bulbous tip having a diameter of approximately 0.25 to 2.0 mm. The beveled surface50can be formed of a flat (or substantially flat) surface. In an alternative embodiment, the beveled surface50can be formed of a curved surface.

Geometric relationship of the first segment40, second segment42and distal portion34is discussed below with respect toFIG. 3A. The first segment40extends longitudinally from the hub30along axis A to bend portion44. Axis A can be referred to as a central axis of first segment40. In one embodiment, the first segment40defines a length L1from hub30to bend portion44of approximately 1.0 centimeters to 3.0 cm. In one particular embodiment, the length L1of first segment40is approximately 2.0 cm.

The second segment42extends from the bend portion44along a longitudinal axis B to connection point46. Axis B can be referred to as a central axis of second segment42. Axis B is positioned at an angle α relative to axis A of first segment40. In one embodiment, the angle α is approximately in a range from 20 degrees to 90 degrees. In one particular embodiment, the angle α is approximately 45 degrees. The second segment42as measured from bend portion44to connection point46, in one embodiment, has a length L2of approximately 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm. In one particular embodiment, length L2of second segment38is approximately 1.0 cm.

The distal portion34extends from the connection point46to the distal tip48in a curved manner as defined by a curve52. Curve52can be defined as a central axis of the distal portion34. At least a part of the curve52deviates from the axis B and, in one embodiment, an entirety of the curve52deviates from axis B. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the distal portion34is positioned below the opening38such that distal portion34does not have any part that touches axis B. In a further embodiment, at least the distal tip48deviates from axis B.

Relative to curve52, beveled surface50is positioned to one side of the distal portion34. As illustrated inFIG. 3B, when distal portion34is viewed in cross section perpendicular to the curve52, an arc54defined by an outer surface of the distal tip34extending to either side of beveled surface50can be approximately 50 to 320 degrees.

In one embodiment, curve52of the distal portion34can be defined relative to a Cartesian coordinate system wherein axis B serves as a first axis and an axis C serves as a second axis, perpendicular to axis B. In particular, the curve52is a plane curve that extends within a plane BC defined by axes B and C. An origin of the coordinate system is located at the connection point46. Relative to axis C, distal tip48extends from connection point46a distance X of approximately 0.3 to 3.5 mm. In one particular embodiment, distance X is approximately 1.5 mm. Additionally, relative to axis B, the distal tip48extends from connection point46a distance Y (e.g., away from first segment40) from axis B of approximately 0.5 to 1.5 mm. In one particular embodiment, the distance Y is approximately 1.0 mm from the axis. Moreover, since curve52lies in plane BC, a distance Z from plane BC to α distal tip48is zero.

A line D connecting the connection point46and distal tip48defines an angle β with respect to axis B that is approximately in a range from 20 to 40 degrees from the axis of the second segment42. In one particular embodiment, the angle β is approximately 30 degrees. A height H of the curve52(as defined from line D to a maximum distance from line D) is in a range of 0.1 to 4.5 mm and a width W of the curve52along line D is in a range of 0.5 to 2.0 mm. The curve52has a radius of curvature of approximately 4.0 to 10 mm.

InFIG. 3Adiscussed above, curve52is a plane curve defined in two dimensions that lies in a plane defined by axes A, B and C. As such, the embodiment ofFIG. 3Acan generally be referred to as a straight configuration, wherein the geometric arrangement among central axis of first segment40, second segment42and distal portion34can generally be described in two dimensions. In further embodiments, the distal portion34can extend from second segment42in a curved manner away from a plane defined by axes B and C. For example, the delivery tool14can further include a right-handed curvature or a left-handed curvature (as viewed by an operator holding the assembly10during use), illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5, respectively. In such embodiments, the curve of the distal portion34can be a space curve defined in three dimensions.

InFIG. 4illustrating the right-handed curvature, a distal portion34′ defines a curve52′ extending from connection point46to a distal tip48′ in a direction away from plane BC. The curve52′ can extend within plane BC in various ways, for example being coplanar with plane BC or extending in a similar manner to that discussed above with respect to curve52. While curve52′ will be discussed below relative to a plane including plane BC and extending along an axis E perpendicular to plane BC and including connection point46, it will be appreciated that curve52′ is not limited to only being positioned with respect to axes B and E, but also with respect to axis C. Stated another way, distal tip48′ can be positioned in a direction along axis C in any desired position (including along axis B).

With the above understanding in mind, curve52′ of the distal portion34can be defined relative to a Cartesian coordinate system wherein axis B serves as a first axis and axis E serves as a second axis, perpendicular to axis B. In particular, the curve52′ extends within a plane BE defined by axes B and E. An origin of the coordinate system is located at the connection point46. Relative to axis C along axis B, distal tip48′ extends from connection point46a distance X′ of approximately 0.1 to 2.0 mm. In one particular embodiment, distance X′ is approximately 1.0 mm. Relative to axis B along axis C, for example as discussed above with respect to curve50, the distal tip48′ extends from connection point46a distance Y′ from axis B of approximately 0.5 to 1.5 mm. In one particular embodiment, the distance Y′ is approximately 1.0 mm from the axis. Relative to axis E along axis B, the distal tip34extends a distance Z′ of approximately 0.1 to 2.5 mm. In one embodiment, distance Z′ is approximately 1.0 mm.

A line F connecting the connection point46and distal tip48′ defines an angle γ with respect to axis B that is approximately in a range from 20 to 40 degrees from the axis of the second segment42. In one particular embodiment, the angle γ is approximately 25 degrees. A height H′ of the curve52′ (as defined from line F to a maximum distance of curve52′ from line F) is in a range of 0.1 to 1.0 mm and a width W′ of the curve52′ along line F is in a range of 0.1 to 1.0 mm. The curve52′ has a radius of curvature of approximately 4.0 to 10.0 mm.

InFIG. 5illustrating the left-handed curvature, a distal portion34″ defines a curve52″ extending from connection point46to a distal tip48″ in a direction away from plane BC in an opposite direction from distal portion34′. The curve52″ can extend within plane BC in various ways, for example being coplanar with plane BC or extending in a similar manner to that discussed above with respect to curve52. While curve52″ will be discussed below relative to a plane including plane BC and extending along an axis E perpendicular to plane BC and including connection point46, it will be appreciated that curve52″ is not limited to only being positioned with respect to axes B and E, but also with respect to axis C. Stated another way, distal tip48″ can be positioned along axis C in any desired position (including along axis B).

With the above understanding in mind, curve52″ of the distal portion34″ can be defined relative to a Cartesian coordinate system wherein axis B serves as a first axis and axis E serves as a second axis, perpendicular to axis B. In particular, the curve52″ extends within a plane BE defined by axes B and E. An origin of the coordinate system is located at the connection point46. Relative to axis C along axis B, distal tip48″ extends from connection point46a distance X″ of approximately 0.1 to 2.5 mm. In one particular embodiment, distance X″ is approximately 1.0 mm. Additionally, relative to axis B along axis C, the distal tip48″ extends from connection point46a distance Y″ from axis B of approximately 0.5 to 1.5 mm. In one particular embodiment, the distance Y″ is approximately 1.0 mm from the axis. Relative to axis E along axis B, the distal tip34extends a distance Z″ of approximately 0.1 to 2.5 mm. In one embodiment, Z″ is approximately 1.0 mm.

A line G connecting the connection point46and distal tip48″ defines an angle δ with respect to axis B that is approximately in a range from 20 to 40 degrees from the axis of the second segment42. In one particular embodiment, the angle δ is approximately 25 degrees. A height H″ of the curve52″ (as defined from line G to a maximum distance of curve52″ from line G) is in a range of 0.1 to 1.5 mm and a width W″ of the curve52″ along line G is in a range of 0.1 to 1.5 mm. The curve52″ has a radius of curvature of approximately 4.0 to 10.5 mm.