Abstract: A vitrectomy probe with combined vibration dampening and attenuating. The probe may include a variety of features to lessen the vibrations felt by a surgeon during a vitrectomy procedure. These may include minimizing the degree of flow restriction through a housing that facilitates cutter reciprocation by way of air pressure. Further, utilizing softer stops at a diaphragm that drives the cutter reciprocation may be of benefit as is strategically lessening compressive forces by seals at an extension tube coupled to the diaphragm where possible. The use of a softer gripping component that is actually held by the surgeon may be of benefit in terms of vibration attenuation.

Abstract: A vitrectomy probe includes a probe body and a needle portion projecting from the probe body. The needle portion includes a tube which extends at least partially in the needle portion and at least partially in the probe body. A cutter is positioned inside the tube in the needle portion. The cutter is at least partially composed of a permanently magnetic material. A field-creation unit is adapted to create an induced magnetic field, with the cutter being movable between a first position and a second position based in part on the induced magnetic field. The tube may be at least partially composed of a temporarily magnetic material. In one embodiment, the field-creation unit includes a driving magnet positioned in the probe body and adapted to selectively magnetize the tube.

Abstract: A diaphragm driven vitrectomy probe employing multiple diaphragms. The probe includes multiple diaphragms providing added areas to which hydraulic air may be delivered in reciprocating a cutter of the probe. Thus, the diaphragms and the probe housing may be reduced in size without sacrifice to force driving cutter reciprocation. Additionally, the amount of force attained and the rate of cutter reciprocation may be increased through the use of multiple diaphragms. Alternatively, the use of added diaphragms may allow for the rate of cutter reciprocation to be maintained even while the air pressure utilized may be reduced.

Abstract: A vitrectomy probe includes a probe body and a needle portion projecting from the probe body. The needle portion includes a tube which extends at least partially in the needle portion and at least partially in the probe body. A cutter is positioned inside the tube in the needle portion. The cutter is at least partially composed of a permanently magnetic material. A field-creation unit is adapted to create an induced magnetic field, with the cutter being movable between a first position and a second position based in part on the induced magnetic field. The tube may be at least partially composed of a temporarily magnetic material. In one embodiment, the field-creation unit includes a driving magnet positioned in the probe body and adapted to selectively magnetize the tube.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a fluid-driven vitrector for vitreo-retinal procedures. The vitrector includes a first fluid pathway containing a first fluid and a second fluid pathway containing a second fluid that are completely sealed from an external environment. Because the fluid pathways are completely sealed from an external environment, an alternative fluid that can transmit pressure waves faster than air may be utilized as the first and second fluids to drive the vitrector.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a high-frequency vitrector including a handpiece having an outer tube mounted thereto with an oscillating inner tube within the outer tube and coupled to a drive diaphragm. Extension and retraction pneumatically controlled valves receive pressure from extension and retraction channels and control flow of gas from a pressurized gas source to the extension and retraction sides, respectively, of a chamber containing the drive diaphragm. The handpiece may include an input diaphragm coupled to a valve stem to which the extension and retraction valves are connected. One side of a chamber containing the input diaphragm is coupled to the extension channel and the other to the retraction channel. An aspiration line passes through the input diaphragm and valve stem and has an end in fluid communication with the inner tube.

Abstract: A vitrectomy probe with combined vibration dampening and attenuating. The probe may include a variety of features to lessen the vibrations felt by a surgeon during a vitrectomy procedure. These may include minimizing the degree of flow restriction through a housing that facilitates cutter reciprocation by way of air pressure. Further, utilizing softer stops at a diaphragm that drives the cutter reciprocation may be of benefit as is strategically lessening compressive forces by seals at an extension tube coupled to the diaphragm where possible. The use of a softer gripping component that is actually held by the surgeon may be of benefit in terms of vibration attenuation.

Abstract: A vitrectomy probe with a light emitting, visibly discrete traceable probe cap. The light emitting, visibly discrete character of the probe cap may aid a surgeon in tracing the end of a needle of the vitrectomy during a vitrectomy procedure. The probe cap may be of a biocompatible polymer accommodating phosphorescent pigment or of another suitable light source.

Abstract: A unique vitrectomy probe with an interfacing component for attenuating vibrations during a vitrectomy procedure. The component may be of elastomeric construction tailored to attenuating the vibrations. Additionally, the component may strategically reside at an interface between the housing that accommodates moving parts of the probe and an ergonomic shell meant for resting at purlicue a surgeon's hand. In this way, vibrations are largely attenuated before reaching the shell and distracting the surgeon. Additionally, the shell, housing and interface are architecturally constructed for user-friendly shell removal for surgeons wishing to perform vitrectomy procedures in absence of the shell.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a fluid-driven vitrector for vitreo-retinal procedures. The vitrector includes a first fluid pathway containing a first fluid and a second fluid pathway containing a second fluid that are completely sealed from an external environment. Because the fluid pathways are completely sealed from an external environment, an alternative fluid that can transmit pressure waves faster than air may be utilized as the first and second fluids to drive the vitrector.

Abstract: A diaphragm driven vitrectomy probe employing multiple diaphragms. The probe includes multiple diaphragms providing added areas to which hydraulic air may be delivered in reciprocating a cutter of the probe. Thus, the diaphragms and the probe housing may be reduced in size without sacrifice to force driving cutter reciprocation. Additionally, the amount of force attained and the rate of cutter reciprocation may be increased through the use of multiple diaphragms. Alternatively, the use of added diaphragms may allow for the rate of cutter reciprocation to be maintained even while the air pressure utilized may be reduced.

Abstract: A vitrectomy probe with a light emitting, visibly discrete traceable probe cap. The light emitting, visibly discrete character of the probe cap may aid a surgeon in tracing the end of a needle of the vitrectomy during a vitrectomy procedure. The probe cap may be of a biocompatible polymer accommodating phosphorescent pigment or of another suitable light source.

Abstract: A vitrectomy probe with combined vibration dampening and attenuating. The probe may include a variety of features to lessen the vibrations felt by a surgeon during a vitrectomy procedure. These may include minimizing the degree of flow restriction through a housing that facilitates cutter reciprocation by way of air pressure. Further, utilizing softer stops at a diaphragm that drives the cutter reciprocation may be of benefit as is strategically lessening compressive forces by seals at an extension tube coupled to the diaphragm where possible. The use of a softer gripping component that is actually held by the surgeon may be of benefit in terms of vibration attenuation.

Abstract: A unique vitrectomy probe with an interfacing component for attenuating vibrations during a vitrectomy procedure. The component may be of elastomeric construction tailored to attenuating the vibrations. Additionally, the component may strategically reside at an interface between the housing that accommodates moving parts of the probe and an ergonomic shell meant for resting at purlicue a surgeon's hand. In this way, vibrations are largely attenuated before reaching the shell and distracting the surgeon. Additionally, the shell, housing and interface are architecturally constructed for user-friendly shell removal for surgeons wishing to perform vitrectomy procedures in absence of the shell.