Patent Application
20170273826
The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for performing ophthalmic surgical procedures, and more particularly, to methods and systems for providing pressurized fluid for infusion into a patient's eye.
Fluids are typically injected into a patient's eye during an ophthalmic surgery in order to maintain the intraocular pressure of the eye at an acceptable level. Some ophthalmic surgical systems provide such fluid from a bag placed under physical pressure by an actuator mechanism. The actuator mechanism squeezes the bag to push fluid out of the bag and into an infusion line. The infusion line provides fluid communication between the bag and the ophthalmic surgical tool that injects the fluid into the patient's eye. Some ophthalmic surgical systems provide such fluid through use of a bottle. Typically, the bottle has an infusion outflow port at the bottom of the bottle, which can be connected to the fluid infusion line. The bottle also has a pressure inlet at the top of the bottle. The pressure inlet is connected to a pressurized fluid source such as a pressurized gas. When the pressurized gas is injected into the bottle, it pushes fluid out of the infusion outflow port. In some examples, the fluid is pushed into a cassette chamber. In some examples, the fluid is pushed into the fluid infusion line.
The ophthalmic surgical systems that provide fluid infusion, among other functions, typically do so through use of a fluid delivery system integrated with a console. For example, the fluid delivery system for an ophthalmic surgical system may include a space for placing the bag or bottle while the bag or bottle is connected to the fluid delivery system. In some cases, the bags or bottles may come packaged with the infusion fluid therein. However, such fluid is not typically degassed. In other words, there may be gas bubbles within the infusion fluid or gas that is dissolved into the infusion fluid. An infusion fluid that is not degassed may introduce gas bubbles into the patient's eye during the infusion process. Such gas bubbles may obscure an operator's vision during the ophthalmic surgical operation being performed.
According to one example, a fluid delivery system includes a pressure source capable of producing both positive and negative fluid pressure, a fluid infusion line, and a first fluid storage container. The first fluid storage container includes a chamber, a fluid outflow port that is connectable to the fluid infusion line to provide fluid communication between the chamber and the fluid infusion line, a pressure inlet that is connectable to the pressure source, and a filter disposed between the pressure inlet and the chamber. The fluid delivery system further includes a control system configured to cause the fluid pressure source to apply both negative pressure and positive pressure.
A method includes connecting a pressure source of a fluid delivery system to a pressure inlet of a fluid storage container, the pressure inlet comprising a filter that allows gas to pass therethrough, connecting a fluid infusion line of the fluid delivery system to a fluid outflow port of the fluid storage container, and applying a negative pressure to the fluid storage container to degas a liquid within the fluid storage container.
A fluid delivery system includes a pressure source capable of producing both positive and negative fluid pressure, a fluid infusion line, a fluid source, and a first fluid storage container. The first fluid storage container includes a first fluid storage chamber, a first infusion outflow port that is connectable to the fluid infusion line, a first fluid inflow port that is connectable to the fluid source, and a first pressure inlet that is connectable to the fluid pressure source, the first pressure inlet comprising a first filter. The fluid delivery system further includes a control system configured to fill the fluid storage chamber with infusion fluid for a first period of time and cause the fluid pressure source to apply a negative pressure to the first fluid storage container for a second period of time following the first period of time.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory in nature and are intended to provide an understanding of the present disclosure without limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In that regard, additional aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the following detailed description.
The accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments of the devices and methods disclosed herein and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is intended. Any alterations and further modifications to the described devices, instruments, methods, and any further application of the principles of the present disclosure are fully contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates. In particular, it is fully contemplated that the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to one embodiment may be combined with the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to other embodiments of the present disclosure. For simplicity, in some instances the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
The present disclosure is directed to a fluid delivery system and a fluid storage container adapted to degas a fluid within a fluid storage container before that fluid is infused into the patient's eye. According to some examples, the fluid storage container includes an infusion outflow port and a pressure inlet. The pressure inlet includes a filter such as a semi-permeable membrane. Before the fluid is infused into the patient's eye, a vacuum is applied through the filter. The filter prevents the liquid infusion fluid from exiting the bag, while permitting passage of gas bubbles through the filter. In this manner, the infusion fluid can be degassed before it is infused into the patient's eye. The fluid delivery system and fluid storage container will be described in further detail below.
The display screen 104 may communicate information to the user, and in some implementations, may show data relating to system operation and performance during a surgical procedure. In some examples, the display screen 104 is a touchscreen that allows the operator to interact with the surgical console 102 through a graphical user interface.
The fluid delivery system 110 may include a cassette 106 that is removably insertable into the fluid delivery system 100. In some examples, the cassette 106 may include components of the fluid delivery system 110 that may come into contact with patient fluids and tissue. Specifically, the cassette 106 may include a fluid storage container and the fluid infusion line 114. In some examples, the cassette 106 may include components of other systems such as an aspiration system (not shown).
As described above, the fluid delivery system 200 may utilize a cassette (e.g. 106,
The pressure source 212 may be a compressor or pump that is integrated into the surgical console (e.g., 102,
The pressure source 212 is configured to apply both positive and negative pressure relative to atmospheric pressure to the fluid storage container 202 through the pressure inlet 208. Specifically, the pressure source 212 is adapted to apply a negative pressure (i.e., a vacuum) to the fluid storage container 202 to degas the infusion fluid 206 stored therein. The pressure source 212 is also adapted to apply positive pressure to push the infusion fluid 206 out of the fluid storage container 202, through the fluid infusion line 224 and into a patient's eye.
In some examples, including the exemplary implementation in
While the exemplary implementation in
The fluid source 214 provides an infusion fluid to the fluid storage container 202. The infusion fluid may be, for example, a balanced salt solution (BSS). The infusion fluid may be provided to the fluid storage container 202 in any of a variety of manners. In one example, the fluid source 214 may include a fluid tank that is sized to hold a substantially larger quantity of fluid than the fluid storage container 202. Such a fluid tank may then be used to fill the fluid storage container 202 with the infusion fluid as needed. In some examples, the fluid source 214 may be a fluid tank that is external to the surgical console 102. In either case, the fluid storage container 202 is connectable to the fluid source 214 through a fluid line 218. The fluid line 218 thus provides fluid communication between the fluid source 214 and the fluid inflow interface 210 of the fluid storage container 202.
Still referring to
The pressure inlet 208 may include a pressure interface 207 that allows the pressure inlet 208 to connect with the pressure line 216 such that a fluid-tight seal is formed. The pressure interface 207 may be a selectively attachable interface, such as a quick disconnect fitting or other interface. In some embodiments, the pressure interface 207 is a Luer fitting. The pressure inlet 208 allows fluid communication between the chamber 204 and the pressure source 212. According to the present example, the pressure inlet 208 includes the filter 220. The filter 220 is structurally configured to allow gaseous fluid to pass therethrough and prevent liquid fluid from passing therethrough. Thus, when a vacuum, such as negative pressure, is applied to the pressure inlet 208, the gas within the chamber 204 and gas bubbles within the infusion fluid 206 can be pulled through the filter 220. But, the infusion fluid 206 (i.e., BSS) is maintained within the fluid storage container and not pulled through the filter 220.
The fluid inflow port 210 includes an interface 209 that allows the fluid inflow port 210 to connect to the fluid line 218 such that a fluid-tight seal is formed. The interface 209 may be a selectively attachable interface, such as a quick disconnect fitting or other interface. In some embodiments, the interface 209 is a Luer fitting. The fluid line 218 provides fluid communication between the fluid source 214 and the fluid inflow port 210. The fluid inflow port 210 allows fluid communication between the chamber 204 and the fluid line 218. In some examples, the fluid inflow port 210 may include a one-way valve that allows fluid to flow into the chamber 204 but prevents fluid from flowing out of the chamber 204.
The fluid outflow port 222 includes an interface 211 that allows the fluid outflow port 222 to connect to the fluid infusion line 224 such that a fluid-tight seal is formed. The fluid outflow port 222 thus provides fluid communication between the chamber 204 and the fluid infusion line 224. The fluid infusion line 224 provides fluid communication between the fluid outflow port 222 and the ophthalmic surgical tool 112 that injects the infusion fluid into the patient's eye. In some examples, the fluid outflow port 222 may include a one-way valve that allows fluid to flow out of the chamber 204 but prevents fluid from flowing into the chamber 204. The fluid outflow port 222 may also include a stop valve 223 or check valve to selectively prevent or allow fluid from flowing through the fluid outflow port 222.
During operation of the fluid delivery system, the control system (e.g. 108,
After the chamber 204 has been appropriately filled with infusion fluid 206, the control system 108 may apply a negative pressure to the pressure inlet 208 through use of the pressure source 212 and the pump 226. The negative pressure, or vacuum, that is applied can degas the infusion fluid 206 stored within the chamber 204. In other words, gas bubbles within the infusion fluid solution may be removed from the infusion fluid solution.
After the infusion fluid 206 has been degassed, the solution may be ready for infusion into the patient's eye. The control system 108 may thus apply positive pressure to the pressure inlet 208. During this time, the stop valve 223 of the fluid outflow port 222 may be open so as to allow fluid flow therethrough. The positive pressure at the pressure inlet 208 causes the infusion fluid to be pushed out of the chamber 204, into the fluid infusion line 224, through the ophthalmic surgical tool 112, and into the patient's eye. The magnitude of the positive pressure may be controlled so as to provide the desired flow rate of infusion fluid 206 to the patient's eye.
The control system 108 may include a processor and a memory. The memory may store machine readable instructions that when executed by the processor, cause the control system 108 to perform various tasks. For example, the control system 108 may send control signals to the pressure source 212 and the fluid source 214. Such control signals may activate either the pressure source 212 or the fluid source 214 to behave as desired at designated points in time. For example, the control system 108 may cause the fluid source 214 to fill the fluid storage container 202 with fluid 206. Then, the control system 108 may cause the pressure source 212 to apply a negative pressure to degas the fluid 206 within the fluid storage container 202. The control system 108 may then cause the pressure source 212 to apply positive pressure to the fluid storage container 202 to push the fluid 206 out of the fluid storage container 202.
According to the present example, the pressure lines 301, 303 connect the pressure source to the pressure inlets 208, 308 of the fluid storage containers 202, 302 through a switch valve 316. The first pressure line 301 may be used for applying positive pressure and the second pressure line 303 may be used for applying negative pressure. Thus, positive pressure may be applied to one fluid storage container while negative pressure is applied to the other and vice versa.
Between points in time identified by the reference numerals 406 and 408, at step 412, infusion fluid is pushed out of the first fluid storage container 202 by applying positive pressure to the pressure inlet 208 of the first fluid storage container 202. Meanwhile, steps 414 and 416 are performed on the second fluid storage container 302. At step 414, the second fluid storage container 302 is filled with infusion fluid. After the second fluid storage container 302 is appropriately filled, at step 416, the infusion fluid solution within the second fluid storage container 302 is degassed by applying a negative pressure to the pressure inlet 308 of the second fluid storage container 302.
At the point in time 408, after the fluid in the first fluid storage container 202 falls below a minimum fluid level, the process 400 switches. Specifically, between time points 408 and 410, at step 422, infusion fluid is pushed out of the second fluid storage container 302 by applying positive pressure to the pressure inlet 308. Meanwhile, steps 418 and 420 are performed on the first fluid storage container 202. At step 418, the first fluid storage container 202 is filled with infusion fluid. After the first fluid storage container 202 is appropriately filled, at step 420, the infusion fluid solution within the first fluid storage container 202 is degassed by applying a negative pressure to the pressure inlet 208 of the first fluid storage container 202.
At time point 410, the first fluid storage container 202 is filled with degassed fluid and the second fluid storage container 302 is empty. The process 400 may continue by switching between the fluid storage containers 202, 302 as described above. Specifically, while infusion fluid is being pressurized out of one fluid storage container, the other fluid storage container is being filled and degassed. Thus, a steady flow of degassed infusion fluid can be provided to the patient's eye.
The snorkel 516 may be any suitable length. For example, the snorkel 516 may be relatively short and extend only a small distance from the bottom 503 of the bag 520. In some examples, the snorkel 516 may be relatively long and extend to a point near the top 501 of the bag 520. In some examples, both degassing interface 504 as illustrated in
At a step 604, the pressure inlet of the fluid storage container is connected to a pressure source. The pressure source is capable of applying both positive and negative pressure to the fluid storage container. Additionally, the pressure inlet includes a filter, such as a semipermeable membrane, that allows gas to pass therethrough but prevents liquid from flowing therethrough.
At a step 606, the pressure source applies negative pressure to the pressure inlet. By applying negative pressure to the pressure inlet, gas within the chamber of the fluid storage container will exit the chamber through the membrane. Additionally, gas bubbles within the infusion fluid solution will exit the chamber. In other words, the infusion fluid solution is degassed. Through use of principles described herein, infusion fluid to be degassed before this injected into the patient's eye. This can help improve the visibility for the operator during a surgical procedure.
Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the embodiments encompassed by the present disclosure are not limited to the particular exemplary embodiments described above. In that regard, although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change, and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure. It is understood that such variations may be made to the foregoing without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the present disclosure.
