Abstract:
A fluidic coupling for a surgical hand piece includes first and second sealing plates, a ring portion, and a receiving portion. The first sealing plate has a first channel for receiving a fluid. The second sealing plate has a second channel for receiving a fluid. The ring portion protrudes from the first sealing plate around a periphery of the first channel. The receiving portion extends from the second sealing plate around a periphery of the second channel. The receiving portion is movable in an axial direction along the second channel and is biased outward from a surface of the second sealing plate. When the ring portion is pressed against the receiving portion, the receiving portion provides a sealing force against the ring portion such that the first and second channels provide a continuous leak-resistant path for a fluid.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a fluidic coupling for a surgical hand piece and more particularly to coupling that fluidly connects a hand piece base to a hand piece tip for use in cataract surgery. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    The human eye functions to provide vision by transmitting light through a clear outer portion called the cornea, and focusing the image by way of a crystalline lens onto a retina. The quality of the focused image depends on many factors including the size and shape of the eye, and the transparency of the cornea and the lens. 
         [0003]    When age or disease causes the lens to become less transparent, vision deteriorates because of the diminished light which can be transmitted to the retina. This deficiency in the lens of the eye is medically known as a cataract. An accepted treatment for this condition is surgical removal of the lens and replacement of the lens function by an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). 
         [0004]    In the United States, the majority of cataractous lenses are removed by a surgical technique called phacoemulsification. During this procedure, an opening is made in the anterior capsule and a thin phacoemulsification cutting tip is inserted into the diseased lens and vibrated ultrasonically. The vibrating cutting tip liquefies or emulsifies the lens so that the lens may be aspirated out of the eye. The diseased lens, once removed, is replaced by an artificial lens. 
         [0005]    Alcon Laboratories of Fort Worth, Tex. has developed another technology for removing cataractous lenses. This technology, known as AquaLase™, uses pulses of heated liquid, along with irrigation and aspiration, to remove the lens. These pulses are directed through a cannula that is inserted into the eye. The hand piece base supplies the pulses of heated liquid to the hand piece tip. The use of pulses of heated liquid requires a good seal between the hand piece base and the hand piece tip. Therefore, a need exists for an improved fluidic coupling for such a hand piece 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]    In one embodiment consistent with the principles of the present invention, the present invention is a fluidic coupling for a surgical hand piece. The fluidic coupling includes first and second sealing plates, a ring portion, and a receiving portion. The first sealing plate has a first channel for receiving a fluid. The second sealing plate has a second channel for receiving a fluid. The ring portion protrudes from the first sealing plate around a periphery of the first channel. The receiving portion extends from the second sealing plate around a periphery of the second channel. The receiving portion is movable in an axial direction along the second channel and is biased outward from a surface of the second sealing plate. When the ring portion is pressed against the receiving portion, the receiving portion provides a sealing force against the ring portion such that the first and second channels provide a continuous leak-resistant path for a fluid. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment consistent with the principles of the present invention, the present invention is surgical device including a tip segment and a hand piece segment. The tip segment has a first sealing plate, a ring portion, and a cannula. The first sealing plate is located on a bottom surface of the tip segment. The first sealing plate has a first channel for receiving a fluid. The ring portion protrudes from the first sealing plate around a periphery of the first channel. The cannula is fluidly coupled to the first channel. The hand piece segment includes a second sealing plate with a receiving portion. The second sealing plate is located on a top surface of the hand piece segment. It has a second channel for receiving a fluid. The receiving portion extends from the second sealing plate around a periphery of the second channel. It is movable in an axial direction along the second channel and is biased outward from a surface of the second sealing plate. When the ring portion is pressed against the receiving portion, the receiving portion provides a sealing force against the ring portion such that the first and second channels provide a continuous leak-resistant path for a fluid. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment consistent with the principles of the present invention, the present invention is an ophthalmic surgical device for providing heated pulses of a fluid for the removal of a cataractous lens. The device includes a tip segment and a hand piece segment. The tip segment has a first sealing plate, a ring portion, and a cannula. The first sealing plate is located on a bottom surface of the tip segment. The first sealing plate has a first channel for receiving a fluid. The ring portion protrudes from the first sealing plate around a periphery of the first channel. The cannula is fluidly coupled to the first channel. The cannula is adapted to be inserted into the anterior chamber of an eye and to provide a heated fluid for removal of a cataractous lens. The hand piece segment includes a second sealing plate with a receiving portion. The second sealing plate is located on a top surface of the hand piece segment. It has a second channel for receiving a fluid. The receiving portion extends from the second sealing plate around a periphery of the second channel. It is movable in an axial direction along the second channel and is biased outward from a surface of the second sealing plate. When the ring portion is pressed against the receiving portion, the receiving portion provides a sealing force against the ring portion such that the first and second channels provide a continuous leak-resistant path for a fluid. 
         [0009]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. The following description, as well as the practice of the invention, set forth and suggest additional advantages and purposes of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0010]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a cross section view of a tip segment and a hand piece segment according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a view of a sealing plate located on a tip segment according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a side cross section view of a sealing plate located on a tip segment according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side cross section view of a sealing plate located on a tip segment and a sealing plate located on a hand piece segment according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a partial side cross section view of a sealing plate located on a tip segment and a sealing plate located on a hand piece segment according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0016]    Reference is now made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a cross section view of a tip segment and a hand piece segment according to an embodiment of the present invention. Tip segment  105  includes a tip sealing plate  110 , a tip threaded portion  115 , and a cannula  120 . Hand piece segment  150  includes a body  155 , a hand piece sealing plate  160 , a hand piece threaded portion  165 , and tubing  170 . 
         [0018]    In tip segment  105 , tip sealing plate  110  is located on a bottom surface of tip segment  105 . Tip segment sealing plate  110  is located adjacent to tip threaded portion  115 . Cannula  120  is located on and extends from a top surface of tip segment  105 . 
         [0019]    In hand piece segment  150 , hand piece sealing plate  160  is located near a top surface of body  155 . Hand piece threaded portion  165  extends upward from body  155  to form a recess into which tip threaded portion  115  may be received. Tubing  170  extends from an end of hand piece segment  150 . 
         [0020]    In the configuration of  FIG. 1 , tip threaded portion  115  is designed to be engageable with and disengageable from hand piece threaded portion  165 . In this manner, tip segment  105  can be connected to and disconnected from hand piece segment  150 . Tip piece  105  is screwed into and unscrewed from hand piece segment  150 . 
         [0021]    When tip segment  105  is connected to hand piece  150 , a continuous path for a fluid is formed from tubing  170 , through body  155 , through hand piece sealing plate  160 , through tip sealing plate  110 , through tip threaded portion  115 , and through cannula  120 . In this manner, fluid can be ejected from cannula  120 . 
         [0022]    Typically, cannula  120  is designed to be inserted into the anterior chamber of an eye in a procedure to remove a cataractous lens. Pulses of heated fluid are ejected from cannula  120  to erode the lens. In addition, cannula  120  is designed to provide irrigation and aspiration functions to assist in the removal of the lens. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a view of a sealing plate located on a tip segment according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  depicts the tip sealing plate  110  as viewed from the bottom of the tip segment. In  FIG. 2 , tip sealing plate  110  includes pulse channel  205 , irrigation channel  210 , aspiration channel  215 , gasket  220 , and tab  225 . 
         [0024]    Tab  225  extends outward along a periphery of tip sealing plate  110 . Typically, tab  225  assists in aligning tip segment  110  and hand piece  150  when they are being connected together. Pulse channel  205  extends from the bottom surface into the interior of tip sealing plate  110 . Like wise, irrigation channel  210  and aspiration channel  215  also extend from the bottom surface into the interior of tip sealing plate  110 . Gasket  220  is located on the bottom surface of tip sealing plate  110 . Gasket  220  is in the shape of a circle with a pie shaped wedge removed from it. In this manner, gasket  220  lies over the region of the bottom surface of tip sealing plate  110  that is bounded by the dashed lines and the circular perimeter and includes irrigation channel  210  and aspiration channel  215 . Gasket  220  does not cover the region of the bottom surface of tip sealing plate  110  that includes pulse channel  205 . 
         [0025]    Pulse channel  205  is designed to deliver pulses of heated fluid to the cannula (not shown). Irrigation channel  210  is designed to provide irrigation through the cannula. Aspiration channel  215  is designed to provide aspiration through the cannula. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  is a side cross section view of a sealing plate located on a tip segment according to an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 3 , tip sealing plate  110  includes pulse channel  205 , ring portion  305 , irrigation channel  210 , aspiration channel  215 , and gasket  220 . 
         [0027]    Ring portion  305  protrudes from the surface of sealing plate  110  and around the periphery of pulse channel  205 . Pulse channel  205  typically has a circular cross section. In such a case, ring portion  305  is also circular in shape. In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , ring portion  305  has a sloped portion and a flat portion. Ring portion  305  is configured to facilitate a seal for the pulse channel  205 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  is a side cross section view of a sealing plate located on a tip segment and a sealing plate located on a hand piece segment according to an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 4 , tip sealing plate  110  includes pulse channel  205 , ring portion  305 , irrigation channel  210 , aspiration channel  215 , and gasket  220 . Hand piece sealing plate  160  includes hand piece threaded portion  165 , bottom surface  405 , pulse connector  410 , receiving portion  415 , spring  420 , hand piece irrigation channel  425 , and hand piece aspiration channel  430 . 
         [0029]    Tip sealing plate  110  is designed to fit on the bottom surface  405  of hand piece sealing plate  160  such that irrigation channel  210  and aspiration channel  215  align with hand piece irrigation channel  425  and hand piece aspiration channel  430 . When tip segment  105  is connected to hand piece  150 , tip sealing plate  110  is located adjacent to bottom surface  405 . Gasket  220  facilitates a seal between irrigation channel  210  and hand piece irrigation channel  425  and between aspiration channel  215  and hand piece aspiration channel  430 . Ring portion  305  contacts receiving portion  415  of pulse connector  410  and pushes it upward. Spring  420  biases pulse connector  410  toward ring portion  305  and provides a sealing force that holds receiving portion  415  of pulse connector  410  against ring portion  305  and the top surface of tip sealing plate  110  surrounding ring portion  305 . While spring  420  is shown, any other type of mechanism may be used to provide the force that biases pulse connector  410  toward ring portion  305  and provides the sealing force. For example, a spring washer may be used. 
         [0030]    Pulse connector  410  is located adjacent to spring  420 . Spring  420  is arranged such that it applies a spring force that pushes pulse connector  410  downward from bottom surface  405  of hand piece sealing plate  160 . In this manner, pulse connector  410  protrudes from bottom surface  405  of hand piece sealing plate  160 . Pulse connector  410  is designed to move axially (up and down with respect to bottom surface  405  in  FIG. 4 ) along pulse channel  205 . As noted, receiving portion  415  is designed to engage ring portion  305  and provide a seal between pulse connector  410  and ring portion  305 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 5  is a partial side cross section view of a sealing plate located on a tip segment and a sealing plate located on a hand piece segment according to an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 5 , pulse channel  205  is shown on a portion of tip sealing plate  110 . Also depicted are a portion of pulse connector  505 , spring  510 , spring washer  515 , a portion of hand piece sealing plate  520 , and o-ring  525 .  FIG. 5  depicts only the portion of the apparatus that is associated with sealing pulse channel  205 . 
         [0032]    As shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , tip sealing plate  110  is in a sealed position. The portion of pulse connector  505  is pushed upward by and is exerting a downward force on tip sealing plate  110 . Spring washer  515  and spring  510  each provide a force that biases the pulse connector toward the tip sealing plate. If tip sealing plate  110  were removed, then the pulse connector would protrude downward. While both spring  510  and spring washer  515  are shown in this embodiment, in other embodiments only one of them may be present. O-ring  525  provides a seal between the portion of pulse connector  510  and the portion of the hand piece sealing plate shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0033]    In operation, when tip sealing plate  110  is sealed against the pulse connector, pulses of heated fluid pass through pulse channel  205 . The pulses of heated fluid pass through the hand piece segment  150  along a path adjacent to the portion of the pulse connector  505  shown in  FIG. 5 . The sealing force provided by the spring  510  and the spring washer  515  serve to create a fluid resistant seal that allows pulses of heated fluid to pass through the hand piece, through the tip segment, and out of the cannula. 
         [0034]    From the above, it may be appreciated that the present invention provides an improved system for fluidly coupling a hand piece base to a hand piece tip. The present invention provides a sealing mechanism that prevents leakage during the cataract removal process. The present invention is illustrated herein by example, and various modifications may be made by a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0035]    Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.