END CUTTING VITRECTOMY PROBE

摘要

An end-cutting vitrectomy probe (100) is provided that includes a hollow sleeve (102) having an opening (108) at the sleeve's distal end, and a tapered annular surface (112) disposed in the interior of the sleeve's distal end. The probe further includes a cutting member (120) disposed within the sleeve (102), and having a circumferential cutting edge (122) at its end. The cutting member (120) is moveable within the sleeve (102), such that the circumferential cutting edge (122) frictionally engages the tapered annular surface (112), to thereby cut any vitreous tissue disposed therebetween. The probe (100) may further include a drive mechanism 130 for slidably displacing the cutting member (120) within the hollow sleeve (102) in a reciprocating manner, to oscillate the cutting member (120) between engagement and disengagement with the tapered annular surface (112). The probe (100) may further include a pneumatic device (140) configured to apply a vacuum to the sleeve for aspirating vitreous through the opening (108) to be cut.