Device for microsurgery on the eye of a living creature.

The invention relates to a device for micro-surgical procedures on the eye of a living being, comprising a housing, one associated with a first hose line irrigation unit, one in communication with a second hose line aspiration unit, a pump unit and an exchangeable, and for holding the two hoses formed carrier unit, the carrier unit is in the assembled state in such a manner to the pump unit in connection, that an impeller rotatably driven about an axis by at least one roller rotatably mounted thereto with the second tubing cooperates peristaltically.

From EP-A 0362822 a device is known which comprises a to a pump unit cooperating, microsurgical irrigation and aspiration, in which system designed as a cassette hose carrier arranged on a front panel of a constructed as a housing support element is substantially and pivotally supported by a mounted on the front panel locking element is maintained. In one relevant embodiment (Fig.9), the tube support provided with a first and a second hose line has a substantially semicircular recess for receiving a pump unit, said pump unit comprising a rotation about an axis driven impeller and it rotatably mounted rollers, cooperating peristaltic installed length of the hose carrier with the tubing of the aspiration unit.

Other ophthalmic devices, which each have a pump unit and an in communication therewith and about cassettes shaped tube carrier, are known from the documents (US-A 4,493,695; US-A 4,735,610; US-A 4,900,302, EP-A 0,095,926) known.

The invention is based on the object for a device of the type mentioned on the one hand to provide a support unit for the hose lines and to provide a device with which the insertion of the support unit while an exact interaction between the corresponding hose line is achieved with the pump unit considerably easier and faster.

The invention achieves the object by an insertable in a chamber insert element as a support unit, wherein the male member has a first supporting part for the first hose line and a transverse to the insertion direction at a distance therefrom is arranged a second supporting part for the second hose line and at least one locking cam of the insertion insertion element cooperates in the chamber with a therein arranged draw-in and locking mechanism, that in the retracted end position of the insertion element, the first hose line can be brought into engagement with a breaker body and the second tubular line with the rollers of a drive unit driven impeller.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the drawings and the claims.

The invention is described below with reference to the drawing. It shows:<ul><li><b>Fig.1</b> a shown in a perspective view ophthalmic device with a pulled illustrated and designed as a tube support for aspiration and irrigation unit male member;</li><li><b>Fig.2</b> an image represented on a larger scale and in sectional view portion of a support member for the male member having disposed in a first function level functional elements;</li><li><b>Fig.3</b> the illustrated on a larger scale and in sectional view portion of the support member with a arranged in a second functional level take-up mechanism for the partially pulled illustrated male member;</li><li><b>Fig.4</b> the portion of the support element according to Figure 3 with the second functional level to the amounts collected by the take-up mechanism in the support element insertion element;</li><li><b>Fig.5</b> that shown in enlarged scale and in sectional view portion of the support member with a arranged in a third functional plane and schematically shown pump unit;</li><li><b>Fig.6</b> the male member shown in a larger scale and in accordance with the arrow VI in Figure 1 in side view with a first hose support plane for the irrigation unit; </li><li><b>Figure 7</b> the male member shown in a larger scale and in accordance with the direction of arrow VII in Figure 1 in side view with a second hose support plane for the aspiration unit;</li><li><b>Figure 8</b> the along the line VIII-VIII insertion element shown in Figure 7 in section; and</li><li><b>Fig.9</b> the support member shown in section and in plan view with the three mutually spaced function levels and each arranged in the planes of functional elements.</li></ul>

1 shows an ophthalmic device shown in perspective view and designated in its entirety with 100 for use in micro-surgical eye of a living creature. The device 100 comprises a plurality, disposed in a housing 1 and designed for the particular surgical procedure functional units 3, 4, 10, 12 and 14. The individual functional units 3, 4, 10, 12 and 14 are preferably shown as unspecified, replaceable inserts formed and inserted from the front into the housing first The first two functional units 3 and 4 are provided with means, not shown, by means of which can be illuminated during surgery the intraocular space. For this purpose, a non-illustrated, at the connected one end to a light source and at the other end provided with a connecting part optical fiber cable to the correspondingly formed sockets 3 '' and / or 4 '' of the functional units 3 and / or the fourth The time required for the surgery light intensity can be continuously adjusted and regulated via a control knob 3 'and / or 4'. There is further shown in Figure 1 is a multi-port provided on the front side of the housing 1 Plug connector 7, which is provided for connection of additional, non-illustrated surgical instruments or the like.

On the front side of the housing 1, a frame 2 is disposed above the individual functional units, which is divided, for example, in single display and control panels 2 'with LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The single display and control panel 2 'serves as a program-dependent controlled exchange of information for the user of the entire ophthalmic device 100. The individual display and control panels 2' are actuated by slight finger pressure for the respective program selection, the selected display or selected ads regarding the non-operated displays are then illuminated.

In the following description, the first function unit 10 as irrigation unit 10, the second function unit 12 referred to as aspiration unit 12th The third functional unit 14 is referred to as a printing unit fourteenth The two units 10 and 12 are connected via supply and discharge lines, not shown and form together a not-shown aspiration and irrigation.

The printing unit 14 has at least one connector 6 for connecting a line and a control knob 5 for regulating intraocular pressure (IOP) during surgery. The printing unit 14, a non-illustrated viscous injection device are assigned, comprising a connector 6 'for connecting a line, not shown, and an adjustment knob 5' to regulate.

The individual, not shown in detail in Fig.1 functional elements of the irrigation unit and the aspiration unit 10 12 in Figure 1 are available through a schematically represented and in the housing 1 of the device 100 hineinschiebbares insert element 30 into operative connection with each other. On the front side of the male member 30 to each other in the spaced connecting pieces are 8,8 'and 9,9' are provided, to which the individual supply and discharge lines of the aspiration and irrigation system, not shown, can be connected.

At this point it is noted, that can be arranged for receiving the individual functional elements, and for receiving the push-in element 30 in the housing 1 a correspondingly formed chamber 24th Preferably, however, an insertable into the housing 1 carrier element 20 is provided, comprising the chamber 24, in which the introduced insertion member 30 and can be pulled out again.

As shown schematically in Figure 1, designed as a hose carrier insert element 30 may according to arrow direction Y are arranged from a in the housing 1 is pulled out support member 20 not shown in detail here and are again pushed in the direction of arrow Y 'in the chamber 24 of the support member 20th In the insertion member 30 schematically illustrated in Figure 1 can be seen a handle 31, a thereto arranged at the end plate 18 with the thereto in spaced connecting pieces 8,8 'and 9,9' for the supply and disposal lines, not shown. The male member 30 has a first supporting part 35 and a second support part 45 and a latching cam 40 which is disposed on the first support member 35 side facing the second support portion 45th The two supporting parts 35 and 45 are formed for receiving the individual, not shown tubes (Fig.4,5) of the aspiration and irrigation system. The construction of the male member 30 will be described later in connection with Figures 6, 7 and 8 in detail.

In the carrier element 20 are a plurality, not shown in Figure 1, arranged functional elements with which the male member 30 is in the inserted state is in operative connection. The arranged in various functional levels in the support element 20 functional elements and a correspondingly designed intake and locking mechanism for the male member 30 are described below.

In Fig.2 an image displayed on a larger scale and in a sectional view portion of the support element 20 is shown. The substantially box-shaped support element 20 has an upper and a lower bottom plate 21 and 21 ', two side walls 23 and 23' (Fig.9), an end plate 22 and a rear wall not shown, which parts 21,21 'and 23, 23 'and 22 form the trained for receiving the individual functional elements of chamber 24 substantially. In the end plate 22 has an opening 22 '(Figure 9) is provided, through which, for example, cassette-shaped male member 30 is inserted into the chamber 24th Between the two bottom plates 21 and 21 ', as shown in Fig.2, a first intermediate wall 25 is arranged, which is fastened by means not shown in the support element 20th At the first intermediate wall 25 a with a gear 15 '', a drive shaft 16 (Figure 9) and with a drive motor 15 'provided drive unit 15 for a pump unit (Fig.5) is arranged. Furthermore, a solenoid valve 17, a vent valve 29 and a standing order via a line 27 in connection pressure gauge 26 is disposed at the first intermediate wall 25th On the line 27 further includes a connector housing 57 (Figure 3) is related line 28 connected.

The means not shown fastened to the first intermediate wall 25, illustrated schematically the functional elements 15, 17, 26 and 29 form a first functional plane together with the first intermediate wall 25 substantially. The pressure gauge 26 is attached with a bracket 26 'to the first intermediate wall 25 and at a distance therefrom disposed second intermediate wall 25' (Fig.9).

3 shows the support member shown in a larger scale and in section 20 and the male member shown pulled out in the direction Y partially out of the chamber 24 30. Further recognize the second partition wall 25 ', which is also attached by means not shown in the support member 20 , At the second intermediate wall 25 'is a drawing-in and locking mechanism 60 is arranged, which is in the position shown in Figure 3 is substantially out of engagement of the male member 30 arranged on the locking cam 40th At the insert element 30, the first support portion 35 is arranged comprising a first channel 36 for a first hose line 11 of the irrigation unit 10th Furthermore one recognizes the approximately as a flat plate formed and provided with the latching cam 40 second supporting member 45 for the not shown hose assembly 13 of the aspiration unit 12, wherein the second support member 45 is described later in connection with Fig.5. At the second intermediate wall 25 'is 57 arranged and fixed by means not shown the connection housing. The terminal housing 57 is formed on the one hand via the line 28 and 27 with the pressure gauge 26 and at the other side for receiving a filter 56 disposed on a coupling piece 56 '. The pressure gauge 26 is 26 'on the first and on the second intermediate wall 25, 25' arranged and fixed with the bracket.

Which also at the second intermediate wall 25 'arranged draw-in and locking mechanism 60 essentially comprises, as shown in Figure 3, two corresponding to each other are arranged and respectively connected to one end of a pin 62 and 62' on the second partition wall 25 'mounted locking lever 61 and 61 '. The two locking levers 61 and 61 'are against the restoring force thus standing in operative connection tension members 69 and 69' pivotally mounted on the second intermediate wall 25 'mounted around the axes of the two pins 62 and 62nd At the other end of the single lock lever 61 and 61 'respectively by a recess 65 and 65' as well as two mutually spaced webs 63 and 64 and 63 'and 64' are formed for gripping around the arranged on the male member 30 the locking cam 40 of fork-shaped. The two tension members 69,69 'are connected to the one end in each case at one of the second intermediate wall 25' arranged and fixed pins 67 and 67 'are held and are available at the other end on each of the two locking levers 61, 61' arranged and attached pin 68 and 68 'is in operative connection. The two tension members 69 and 69 'are formed for example as coil springs and at both ends with integrally formed, the pins 67, 67' provided and 68.68 'encompassing parts of sheets (not labeled).

Upon insertion of the male member 30 in the carrier element 20 according to arrow direction Y ', as shown in Figure 4, the molded-on locking cams 40 on the second support member 45 against a fork parts 64, 64' pressed the two locking levers 61,61 '. Here, the lock lever 61,61 'around the two pins 62, 62' and at the same time the two helical springs 69, 69 pivoted 'about the pins 67, 67'. In this process, the two coil springs 69, 69 'clamped. Upon reaching and exceeding a dead-center position of the locking lever 61, 61, not shown, the male member 30 'is determined by the restoring force of the tensioned in this position coil springs 69, 69' by snapping drawn into the chamber 24 of the carrier element 20th In this movement, the second support member 45 with attached thereto the second hose line 13 is brought (Fig.5) with a in the whole by 70 designated pump unit and the coupling piece 56 ', as shown in Figure 4, with the connector housing 57 in engagement.

When pulling out the male member 30 in the direction Y (Figure 3) of the locking cam 40 presses against the other fork parts 63,63 'of the two locking levers 61,61', so that they are pivoted to the two coil springs 69,69 '. The pivoting movement of the two locking lever 61,61 'is formed by two assigned in accordance with and to the second intermediate wall 25' fixed pins 66 and 66 'is limited. In the end position (Figure 3) of the two locking lever 61,61 ', the locking cam 40 of the male member 30 out of engagement of the two locking levers 61 and 61' so that the male member 30 according to arrow direction Y a from the chamber 24 of the support member 20 or from chamber of the housing 1 shown can not be pulled out.

Upon insertion of the male member 30 in the carrier element 20 according to arrow direction Y ', as shown in Fig.4, the male member 30 with the locking cam 40 is preferably in a second in the intermediate wall 25' arranged oriented in the direction of insertion slot 125 on the one hand with respect to the feeder - and locking mechanism 60 and on the other hand performed with respect to the pump unit 70th The male member 30 is in this case, as shown with the second tube provided with the conduit 13 the second supporting part 45 in Figure 5 is contacted with the at a third intermediate wall 25 '' arranged pump unit 70 exactly in engagement. At the third intermediate wall 25 '' may for guiding the male member 30 continue to each other in spaced rollers 71,71 'as well as stops 72 are provided by which tilting of the male member 30 is prevented in the carrier element 20th At the third intermediate wall 25 '' is further provided with a means not shown with a sensor member 54 'attached PROVIDED switch 54th Of the with a feeler 54 'is provided a switch 54 signal is passed to the pump unit 70 for the functional readiness in the end position. By the signal, the pump unit 70 is operated.

The via a drive shaft 83 (Fig.9) and a clutch 19 to the drive shaft 16 of the drive unit 15 (Fig.2) which is operatively connected pump unit 70 includes, as shown in Fig.5, in a driven direction of the arrow R impeller 80. At the impeller 80 are mounted in circumferentially spaced apart rollers 75th In the illustrated embodiment five 80 distributed around the circumference are arranged rollers 75 are provided on the impeller. This achieves that are in any position of the impeller 80 at least two rollers 75 with the arranged on the second support member 45 second hose line 13 (Figure 5) in engagement. The rollers 75 are each driven about an axis 76 counter to the rotational direction of the impeller 80 in the direction of arrow R '. The opposite direction of arrow R of the impeller 80 in the direction of arrow R 'driven rollers 75 cause an optimal functioning of the respective peristaltic working impeller 80 without causing the hose line 13, which abuts the arcuate cam 50, a hose line 13 stretching traction is transmitted. The disposed on the third intermediate wall 25 '' pump unit 70 will be described later in connection with Figure 9 in greater detail.

In Figure 6, the insert element 30 is shown in accordance with the illustrated in Figure 1 the arrow VI in side view. The male member 30 comprises essentially the two support parts 35 and 45 as well as by a vertical web 34 limited thereto disposed handle 31 has in the embodiment shown, the handle 31 for stabilizing two mutually in parallel spaced strips 32,32 ', an interposed first filling plate 31 'and a between the vertical web 34 and a bar 32' disposed second filling plate 31 ''. On the front side of the grip 31 a recess 33 is further provided, which for receiving the with the connecting piece 8.8 'and 9.9' are provided plate 18 (Fig.1) is formed.

The integrally formed on the vertical web 34 first supporting part 35 has, for example, a by a bottom plate 35 'delimited cavity 35', a the outer contour of the bottom plate 35 'defining first base panel 38 and a parallel spacing to arranged and the inner contour limiting second base panel 37. the two 'spreading formed with respect to the bottom plate 35 web strips 37 and 38 form a first channel 36 for the shown in figures 3 and 4 first hose line 11 of the irrigation unit 10. on the cam track 50 side facing to the base plate 45 'of the second supporting part 45, designed as a catch locking cam 40 and a subsequent to it and reaching up to the first support member 35 guide rib 41 is located. In the two web strips 37 and 38 is on the cam track 50 the side facing the with the first tubing 11 (Fig.3,4) engageable squeeze element 17 'each have a recess 37', 38 'and in the bottom plate 35' a opening 39 is provided. Further, the vertical web 34 ', 36' 'provided in the region of the channel 36 with recesses 36 through which the hose 11 (Fig.3,4) can be passed. The side of the bottom plate 45 'of the second support part 45, a space 42 is provided, which for receiving the with the coupling piece 56' is formed in communication and the filter 56 (Fig.5) of the second line piece tubing thirteenth

In Figure 7, the male member 30 is shown in accordance with the illustrated in Figure 1 the arrow VII in side view and you can see the second support member 45 and the 'limited by a vertical web 34 to arranged and described above in connection with Figure 6 handle 31st the on the vertical web 34 'integrally formed second support member 45 comprises the base plate 45', a the outer contour delimiting first web strip 47,47 'and a parallel spacing to arranged and the inner contour of a second channel 46 limiting second web strip 52,52' , At the two outer web strips 47,47 'is a respective elbow 48.48' 51.51 per one elbow 'and formed on the two inner web strips 52.52. The second channel 46 is on the arc-shaped curved path 50 side facing recesses 49,49 'and on the web 34' facing side with recesses 46 ', 46' 'is provided. By on the bottom plate 45 'formed and correspondingly arranged mutually elbows 48,51 and 48', 51 'the inserted second hose line 13 is supplied with no kinks of the arcuate cam track 50th

The two with respect to the bottom plate 45 'projecting web parts 47,47' and the sheet pieces 48,48 'as well as the web portions 52,52', and the sheet pieces 51,51 'and the sheet strip 50' of the cam track 50 together form the second channel 46 for the illustrated in figure 5 second hose assembly 13 of the aspiration unit 12. Further, one can see the side of the bottom plate 45 'arranged in the second support portion 45 space 42. on the web 34' opposite side is adjacent to the chamber 42 a by two spaced side walls 53 , 53 'formed receiving chamber 55 arranged. In the web 34 'is a recess 44 and in the side walls 53,53' 'is arranged in each case a further recess 44' and 44 '. The two recesses 44 'and 44' 'serve to support the filter 56 (Fig.5), and the recess 44 for performing an in communication with the filter 56 portion of the conduit thirteenth

8 shows the according to the line VIII-VIII shown in Figure 6 in the push-in element section 30, and to recognize the two parallel and transverse to the insertion direction Y '(Figure 1) to one another in parallel spaced-apart support members 35 and 45. At the bottom plate 35 'are mutually spaced webs 37 and 38, which form the circumferential first channel 36th The first support member 35 forms a second support member 45 is open towards the cavity 35 '. To the bottom plate 45 'of the second supporting part 45 can be seen the second duct 46 forming webs 47,52 and 47', 52 '. In the lower part of the wall 42 'limited space 42 with the in the web 34' is shown disposed recess 44th

The above-described in connection with Figures 6 to 8 and formed to accommodate the two lines 11 and 13, male member 30 is preferably constructed of suitable plastic. The male member 30 is designed as a fast pull-out from the chamber 24 and again hineinschiebbare unit.

In Figure 9, the box-shaped support element 20 is shown with three mutually parallel spacing arranged functional levels in section and in plan view and can be seen the two side walls 23,23 ', with the opening 22' faceplate provided 22 and in the chamber 24 arranged and secured by means not shown intermediate walls 25,25 'and 25' '.

At the first intermediate wall 25 are attached by means not shown that with the drive motor 15 'and gear 15' 'provided drive unit 15, the ventilation valve 29, the pressure gauge 26 as well as the solenoid valve 17th The solenoid valve 17 is 17 'provided with the squeeze schematically illustrated by means of which the elastic hose 11 in the inserted state of the male member 30 (Figure 4) can be disconnected depending on the control of the solenoid valve 17 and reopened. The tubing 11 is forced to disconnect by the crimping member 17 'against a not illustrated and designed as abutment pin of the crimping member 17'. Thus, the squeeze element 17 'with the second tubing 13 can be brought into engagement, the recesses are in the two webs 37 and 38 of the first carrier tube 35, as shown in Fig.6, 37', 38 'are provided. The pressure gauge 26 is attached to the holder 26 'at the first intermediate wall 25 and the second intermediate wall 25'.

At the second intermediate wall 25 'is arranged in 3 and 4 illustrated and already described above intake and Arretierungsmechanik 60 on the first intermediate wall 25 facing side.

At the second intermediate wall 25 'facing side, as shown in Fig.9, at the third partition 25' 'disposed in the whole by 70 designated pump unit and it can be seen, the impeller 80, which via a drive shaft 83 and via the coupling 19 with the drive shaft 16 of the drive assembly 15 is operatively connected. At the third intermediate wall 25 '' is fastened by means not shown provided with an internal teeth ring gear 79 78th With the internal teeth 79 of the ring gear 78 a plurality of spaced distributed at the inner periphery and with an outer toothing 77 'provided pinion 77 are engaged with each pinion 77 is engaged with the pump 80 in operative connection via a spindle 76th

The impeller 80 has two through a cylindrical intermediate piece 82 to one another in parallel spaced discs 81 and 81 '. Between the two disks 81 and 81 ', the rollers 75 and 75' arranged and operatively connected to the axis 76th The individual parts 75 to 80 of the pump unit 70 are so operatively connected together that in the case of an oriented about the axis Z of rotation movement of the impeller 80 in the direction of arrow R, the related to the impeller 80 about the respective axes 76 with the pinion 77 and ring gear 78 rolls 75.75 'rotate' about the axis Z 'in the opposite direction of rotation in the direction of arrow R.