Ray O Gillies

US Patent:

56742266, Oct 7, 1997

Filed:

May 10, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/438906

Inventors:

Rex E. Doherty - Orinda CA
E. Larry Hicks - Lilbum GA
Ray Gillies - Cumming GA

Assignee:

Sentinel Medical, Inc. - Orinda CA

International Classification:

A61B 1736

US Classification:

606107

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for the excision and removal of tissue, such as the lens of the eye includes a pencil-like handpiece having a cannula probe extending from the distal end thereof. The probe includes an inner jet tube to direct a high pressure jet of fluid toward a tissue target, and an outer concentric aspiration tube to aspirate and remove fluid and tissue. The jet tube is recessed proximally within the concentric aspiration tube, and the aspiration tube has an end area significantly larger than the end area of the jet tube. These factors cooperate so that the negative pressure exerted by the aspiration tube creates a suction force that offsets and exceeds the force of the fluid jet. The jet tube is connected to a fluid pressure system including a positive displacement pump, a pressure regulator, safety release, control valve, and a pulse former. The jet tube emits pulses of high pressure fluid that impinge reiteratively on the target, creating shock waves that fracture and emulsify the lens tissue, and the fluid also acts as a solvent to transport the emulsified tissue into the aspiration tube.

US Patent:

53225040, Jun 21, 1994

Filed:

May 7, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/879879

Inventors:

Rex E. Doherty - Orinda CA
E. Larry Hicks - Lilbum GA
Ray Gillies - Cumming GA

Assignee:

United States Surgical Corporation - Norwalk CT

International Classification:

A61B 1722

US Classification:

606167

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for the excision and removal of tissue, such as the lens of the eye includes a pencil-like handpiece having a cannula probe extending from the distal end thereof. The probe includes an inner jet tube to direct a high pressure jet of fluid toward a tissue target, and an outer concentric aspiration tube to aspirate and remove fluid and tissue. The jet tube is recessed proximally within the concentric aspiration tube, and the aspiration tube has an end area significantly larger than the end area of the jet tube. These factors cooperate so that the negative pressure exerted by the aspiration tube creates a suction force that offsets and exceeds the force of the fluid jet. The jet tube is connected to a fluid pressure system including a positive displacement pump, a pressure regulator, safety release, control valve, and a pulse former. The jet tube emits pulses of high pressure fluid that impinge reiteratively on the target, creating shock waves that fracture and emulsify the lens tissue, and the fluid also acts as a solvent to transport the emulsified tissue into the aspiration tube.