| 摘要 |
A fluid jet cutter for removing tissues from a patient's body, and in particular for performing vitrectomy surgery within the patient's eye, is provided having an elongated casing tube connected to a handle at a proximal end, a water supply tube through the casing tube interior, and an opening through the side of the casing tube adjacent a distal end. The distal end of the tube is sealed closed with a hemispherical cap. A nozzle is attached to the distal end of the water supply tube and located adjacent the proximal side of the opening in the casing tube. A vacuum is provided inside the casing tube around the water supply tube. The other end of the water supply tube is connected to a pressurized water supply adjacent the handle. The nozzle forms the pressurized water into a jet which can cut tissues. The vacuum both draws tissues into the interior of the casing tube through the opening, into the path of the water jet for cutting and/or disintegration, and aspirates the cut tissues. All of the cutting action of this water jet cutter is within the confines of the casing tube; any water supplied through the water supply tube for the water jet either impinges on the hemispherical cap and is withdrawn by the vacuum, or cuts tissue within the casing tube and is withdrawn by the vacuum with the cut tissue. The vacuum can be regulated by the user to prevent excess suction from occurring at the opening which would cause additional stresses on the patient's healthy tissues. In a second embodiment, the water jet vitrectomy cutter has three distinct passages through the casing tube interior, rather than two, for adding a second vacuum. Other embodiments of the cutter and methods for the use of the cutters of the invention are also provided.
|
