Patent ID: 8287560

Claim:
A trochar for use in an ophthalmic surgical procedure for inserting of a cannula carryable on said trochar into the sclera of a subject, in an action whereby said cannula is inserted into the sclera at an inclined angle, through an initial incision made the sclera by said trochar, without first withdrawing said trochar, comprising: (a) a shaft having a first boundary surface and a second diametrically opposed boundary surface defining a thickness of the shaft therebetween, the shaft having a solid cross-section extending across the thickness of the shaft, and a proximal end and a distal end configured to slidably receive said cannula thereon, such that the distal end of said shaft extends beyond said cannula when said cannula is fully received on said shaft for insertion; and (b) a tapered blade section at the distal end of said shaft, beginning at a first point situated distally beyond the distal end of said cannula when said cannula is fully received on said shaft for insertion, coming to a sharp tip further defining an acute angle at the most distal portion of said shaft of no greater than about 5 degrees, wherein said blade section, measured from said tip to said first point is about 3-4 mm in length; said trochar being usable to perform said insertion without substantial plastic deformation of sclera tissue.