Cataract phacoemulsification tip

Abstract

A phacoemulsification or aspiration tip is designed for use in cataract surgeries. The phacoemulsification tip (also referred to as a phaco tip) can reduce the duration and energy of cataract surgeries because the phaco tip is designed to reduce the likelihood that cataract fragments will become clogged inside the phaco tip. For example, the phaco tip has a lumen with variable sized diameters, which helps filter out larger cataract fragments that are more likely to clog the phaco tip. Further, the phaco tip can have a larger diameter at a bend to prevent blockages. The opening of the phaco tip can have a sharp edge to shear cataract fragments into smaller pieces that are less likely to clog the phaco tip. By preventing blockages using the phaco tip and reducing the duration of cataract surgeries, patients may recover faster from the cataract surgeries.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A phacoemulsification tip comprising:
 an exterior wall and an interior wall forming a tubular structure;   a lumen formed by the interior wall, comprising:
 a first section with a first diameter; 
 a second section adjacent to the first section with a second diameter smaller than the first diameter; and 
 a third section adjacent to the second section with a third diameter smaller than the second diameter; 
   an opening into the lumen, adjacent to the third section, configured such that anatomical tissues from an eye of a patient may enter the lumen through the opening; and   a sharp edge positioned in the vicinity of the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The phacoemulsification tip of  claim 1 , wherein the first section, the second section, and the third section are concentric. 
     
     
         3 . The phacoemulsification tip of  claim 1 , wherein the sharp edge is positioned on a protrusion coupled to the phacoemulsification tip. 
     
     
         4 . The phacoemulsification tip of  claim 1 , wherein the sharp edge is positioned along a perimeter of the opening. 
     
     
         5 . The phacoemulsification tip of  claim 1 , wherein a plane of the opening is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the lumen. 
     
     
         6 . The phacoemulsification tip of  claim 1 , wherein the phacoemulsification tip has a constant outer diameter along the tubular structure. 
     
     
         7 . The phacoemulsification tip of  claim 6 , wherein the constant outer diameter is in between 0.4 and 2 millimeters. 
     
     
         8 . The phacoemulsification tip of  claim 1 , wherein the phacoemulsification tip has a tapered outer diameter along the tubular structure. 
     
     
         9 . The phacoemulsification tip of  claim 1 , wherein the first diameter is in between 0.7 and 1.1 millimeters. 
     
     
         10 . The phacoemulsification tip of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first section; and   a second section angled up to 30 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the first section.   
     
     
         11 . The phacoemulsification tip of  claim 1 , wherein the phacoemulsification tip has a beveled edge around the opening. 
     
     
         12 . The phacoemulsification tip of  claim 1 , wherein the lumen further comprises:
 a first sharp edge adjacent to the first section and the second section; and   a second sharp edge adjacent to the second section and the third section.   
     
     
         13 . A phacoemulsification tip comprising:
 a lumen, comprising:
 a first section with a first diameter; 
 a second section adjacent to the first section with a second diameter larger than the first diameter; and 
 a third section adjacent to the second section with a third diameter smaller than the second diameter; and 
   an opening into the lumen, adjacent to the third section, configured such that anatomical tissues from an eye of a patient may enter the lumen through the opening.   
     
     
         14 . The phacoemulsification tip of  claim 13 , wherein the first diameter is equal to the third diameter. 
     
     
         15 . The phacoemulsification tip of  claim 13 , wherein the first section is not concentric to the second section. 
     
     
         16 . The phacoemulsification tip of  claim 13 , wherein the first section is not concentric to the third section. 
     
     
         17 . The phacoemulsification tip of  claim 13 , wherein a plane of the opening is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the lumen. 
     
     
         18 . The phacoemulsification tip of  claim 13 , wherein the first diameter is in between 0.7 and 1.1 millimeters. 
     
     
         19 . The phacoemulsification tip of  claim 13 , wherein the phacoemulsification tip has a beveled edge around the opening. 
     
     
         20 . A phacoemulsification tip comprising:
 a lumen, comprising:
 a first section with a first diameter; 
 a second section adjacent to the first section with a second diameter smaller than the first diameter; and 
 a third section adjacent to the second section with a third diameter larger than the second diameter; and 
   an opening into the lumen, adjacent to the third section, configured such that anatomical tissues from an eye of a patient may enter the lumen through the opening.