APPARATUS FOR REMOVING CATARACTOUS-LENS TISSUE

摘要

2113461 9301757 PCTABS00019 An instrument for ophthalmic surgery (10) to remove cataractous-lens tissue has an elongate stem (32) which enables external manipulation at its proximal end and which at its distal end (35) presents a cutter (13) adjacent a transiently open cavity (40) into which cut or chopped tissue (70) can be manipulated. The instrument provides for selectively operated closure by sleeve (14) having additional cutter (26), of the thus loaded cavity, an event which must occur before laser radiation can issue within the cavity, in fragmenting or emulsifying reduction of cut or chopped tissue (70) within the cavity (40). Thus, reduced, the fragmented material is extracted by an aspirating flow of liquid through channel (39). This process is repeated until the capsulary bag has been cleared of cataractous material, be it nuclear or cortical.