Method and a system for performing cataract surgery

(54) METHOD AND A SYSTEM FOR

PERFORMING CATARACT SURGERY

(75) Inventor: Yehoshua Ben Nun, Doar Vitkin (IL)

(73) Assignee: ITOS Innovative Technology In

Ocular Surgery, Ltd., Ra'Anana (IL)

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term ol this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

(21) Appl. No.: 09/156,982

(22) Filed: Sep. 18, 1998

Related U.S. Application Data

(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 08/851,505, filed on May 8, 1997, now Pat. No. 6,217,584.

(30) Foreign Application Priority Data

May 9, 1996 (IL) 118208

Dec. 1, 1996 (IL) 119734

(51) Int. C I. A61F 9/00

(52) U.S. CI 606/107; 606/180; 606/167;

604/22

(58) Field of Search 606/107, 180,

606/167, 159; 604/19, 22

(56) References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

3,732,858 * 5/1973 Banko 606/107

3,937,222 * 2/1976 Banko 606/107

3,976,077 * 8/1976 Kerfoot 606/107

4,061,146 * 12/1977 Baehr et al 606/107

4,167,944 * 9/1979 Banko 606/107

4,168,707 * 9/1979 Douvas et al 606/107

5,437,678 * 8/1995 Sorensen 606/107

A cataract removing device (CRD) in a system for surgically removing a cataract from an eye includes a cryomanipulator having a body and a manipulator head with a cryogenic tip for selectively freeze-gripping a region ol contact ol the cataract and lor manipulating it within the eye. The cryomanipulator may also include a surgical tip and a heating device. The cryomanipulator may lurther include a sleeve having an aperture associated with a supply ol liquid for providing irrigation ol the eye. The sleeve may be also associated with a vacuum suction device for producing suction at the aperture. The CRD is designed for breaking up the cataract while it is at least partially frozen by the cryomanipulator. The CRD includes a drilling unit for breaking the cataract and a handle for manipulating the drilling unit within the eye. The drilling unit includes a housing having a hollow member having an aperture therein for aspiring irrigation fluid from the eye and a drill bit rotatably disposed within the hollow member. The drill bit includes a drill shaft and a drill blade for breaking the cataract. The drill bit is rotatably couplable to a motor. The housing may also include a second hollow member surrounding the first hollow member for providing irrigation fluid to the eye and for aspiring excess irrigation fluid and fragments of the broken cataract. The housing may also include a guard lip. The drilling unit may be disposable.

28 Claims, 18 Drawing Sheets