Microsurgical probe

Abstract

Microsurgical probes having a distal tip with a flat outer surface and a flat inner surface, and methods of forming such probes, are disclosed.

1 . A microsurgical probe, comprising a tubular body having an inner bore, a port providing access to said inner bore, and a closed distal tip, wherein said distal tip has a flat inner surface. 
     
     
         2 . The probe of  claim 1  wherein said distal tip has a flat outer surface. 
     
     
         3 . The probe of  claim 1  wherein said distal tip has a flat outer surface having a periphery with a radius. 
     
     
         4 . The probe of  claim 1  wherein said distal tip has a flat outer surface having a periphery with a chamfer. 
     
     
         5 . The probe of  claim 1  wherein said flat inner surface allows a distal end of said port to be disposed a distance of about 0.006 inches to about 0.016 inches from said outer surface. 
     
     
         6 . The probe of  claim 5  wherein said distance is about 0.006 inches to about 0.011 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The probe of  claim 5  wherein said probe is an ophthalmic microsurgical probe. 
     
     
         8 . The probe of  claim 7  wherein said probe is a vitrectomy probe. 
     
     
         9 . The probe of  claim 8  wherein said distance allows a surgeon to dispose said port closer to a retina without contacting said retina. 
     
     
         10 . The probe of  claim 5  wherein said distance allows a surgeon to dispose said port closer to a target tissue without contacting said target tissue.