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CA-3118645-C - A RETRACTABLE BACKFLUSH INSTRUMENT

CA3118645CCA 3118645 CCA3118645 CCA 3118645CCA-3118645-C

Abstract

Certain embodiments provide a surgical instrument comprising a hand-piece, an outer tube having a proximal end coupled to a distal end of the hand-piece, an inner tube housed within the outer tube and having a distal end coupled to a soft tip and a proximal end coupled to an actuator, and a valve housed inside the hand-piece and coupled to the proximal end of the actuator. Retraction of the actuator is configured to compress the valve and retract the soft tip into a distal end of the outer tube, such that the soft tip at least partially extends beyond the distal end of the outer tube when the valve is in an uncompressed state and at least partially retracts into the distal end of the outer tube when the valve is a compressed state.

Inventors

  • Philipp Schaller
  • Reto Grueebler
  • Thomas Linsi

Assignees

  • ALCON INC.

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20191211
Priority Date
20181212

Claims (8)

  1. WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A retractable surgical backflush instrument, comprising: a hand-piece; an outer tube having a proximal end coupled to a distal end of the hand-piece; an actuator; an inner tube housed within the outer tube and having a distal end coupled to a soft tip and a proximal end coupled to the actuator; and a valve housed inside the hand-piece and coupled to the proximal end of the actuator; wherein the valve comprises an exterior hole to support an active aspiration mode, in which a user covers the hole to prevent air from being aspirated through the hole, and a passive aspiration mode, in which the hole is left uncovered to allow fluid to exit; wherein retraction of the actuator is configured to compress the valve; and wherein the soft tip at least partially extends beyond a distal end of the outer tube when the valve is in an uncompressed state and at least partially retracts into the distal end of the outer tube when the valve is in a compressed state.
  2. 2. The retractable surgical backflush instrument of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises: a cylindrical insert configured to be inserted into a distal end of the valve; and a cylindrical element configured to house the proximal end of the inner tube.
  3. 3. The retractable surgical backflush instrument of claim 1, wherein the valve is accordion shaped.
  4. 4. The retractable surgical backflush instrument of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises plastic material.
  5. 5. The retractable surgical backflush instrument of claim 1, wherein the hand-piece comprises a cap for housing the actuator at the distal end of the hand-piece. 7 Date Re9ue/Date Received 2024-03-06
  6. 6. The retractable surgical backflush instrument of claim 5, wherein the cap comprises a hollow channel through which the actuator is able to retract.
  7. 7. The retractable surgical backflush instrument of claim 6, wherein the actuator partially extends outside of the hollow channel to allow hand manipulation for retracting and releasing the actuator.
  8. 8 Date Re9ue/Date Received 2024-03-06

Description

A RETRACTABLE BACKFLUSH INSTRUMENT TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a retractable backflush instrument. BACKGROUND [0002] A backflush instrument is generally used during surgery (e.g., ophthalmic surgery) for vacuuming or aspirating fluids ( e.g., balanced salt solution (BSS), silicone oil, perfluorcarbon (PFC)) out of a body part (e.g., a patient's eye). For example, during certain ophthalmic surgeries, a backflush instrument may be used for extracting fluids, internal drainage of subretinal fluid, retinal fold manipulation, simultaneous or sequential exchanges ( e.g., fluidair, air-gas, fluid-gas, fluid-PFC, PFC-gas, etc.). Certain backflush instruments comprise a soft, distal tip to ensure that the body part, or any tissue thereof, is not damaged when the backflush instrument makes contact with the body part or the tissue. In one example, as part of a surgery, the backflush instrument is inserted into a cannula, such as a valved cannula, in order to introduce the backflush instrument into the body part. Inserting a backflush instrument with a soft tip into a cannula, however, may be challenging and may cause damage to the backflush instrument. For example, when the backflush instrument is being inserted through the valve of a valved cannula, the soft tip may bend and get stuck in the trocar cannula. In certain cases, the soft tip may even shear off the backflush instrument if the soft tip bends excessively. [0003] [0004] BRIEF SUMMARY The present disclosure relates generally to a retractable backflush instrument. Certain embodiments described herein provide a surgical instrument comprising a hand-piece, an outer tube having a proximal end coupled to a distal end of the hand-piece, an inner tube housed within the outer tube and having a distal end coupled to a soft tip and a proximal end coupled to an actuator, and a valve housed inside the hand-piece and coupled to the proximal end of the actuator. Retraction of the actuator is configured to compress the valve and retract the soft tip into a distal end of the outer tube, such that the soft tip at least partially extends beyond the distal end of the outer tube when the valve is in an uncompressed state and 1 Date Re9ue/Date Received 2024-03-06 at least partially retracts into the distal end of the outer tube when the valve is a compressed state. [0005] The following description and the related drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative features of one or more embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] The appended figures depict certain aspects of the one or more embodiments and are therefore not to be considered limiting of the scope of this disclosure. [0007] [0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art example of a backflush instrument. FIG. 2 illustrates an example retractable backflush instrument, according to some embodiments. [0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the backflush instrument of FIG. 2, according to some embodiments. [0010] FI Gs. 4A and 4B illustrate more detailed and zoomed-in views of the different states associated with the retractable actuator of the backflush instrument shown in FI Gs. 2 and 3, according to some embodiments. [0011] FIG. 5 illustrates an example backflush instrument with an accordion-shaped valve, according to some embodiments. [0012] To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the drawings. It is contemplated that elements and features of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments without further recitation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0013] Aspects of the present disclosure provide a retractable backflush instrument. [0014] As described above, inserting a backflush instrument with a soft tip into a cannula, such as a valved cannula can be challenging and may cause damage to the soft tip of the backflush instrument. Particular embodiments described in the present disclosure attempt to overcome these deficiencies by providing an actuator for retracting the soft tip prior to the instrument's 2 Date Re9ue/Date Received 2024-03-06 insertion into a valved cannula, thereby preventing the soft tip from bending or being damaged during the insertion. [0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art example of a backflush instrument 100 comprising connector 101, hand-piece 102, outer tube 105, and an inner tube (e.g., inner tube 312 shown in FIG. 3) having attached a soft tip 106 that extends beyond the distal end of outer tube 105. The inner tube is a cylindrical, hollow tube that is surrounded by an outer tube 105, which is coupled to a cap 107 of hand-piece 102. The proximal end of the inner tube is coupled to valve 103, which is hose-shaped and directly or indirectly ( e.g., through some other elements within hand-piece 102) coupled to connector 101. As a result, valve 103 provides a fluidic connection between the inner tube and connector 101. Valve 103 also