US 11,865,245 B2
Irrigation sleeve for ophthalmic procedures
James Y. Chon, Irvine, CA (US); and Andrea Kim, Irvine, CA (US)
Assigned to Alcon Inc., Fribourg (CH)
Filed by Alcon Inc., Fribourg (CH)
Filed on Oct. 29, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/083,642.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/930,252, filed on Nov. 4, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0128800 A1, May 6, 2021
Int. Cl. A61M 1/00 (2006.01); A61F 9/007 (2006.01)
CPC A61M 1/774 (2021.05) [A61F 9/00745 (2013.01); A61M 2205/0216 (2013.01); A61M 2210/0612 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An irrigation sleeve for an ophthalmic instrument, the irrigation sleeve comprising:
a proximal hub adapted to be coupled to a housing of the ophthalmic instrument; and
a distal tube adapted to fit around a working tip of the ophthalmic instrument, the distal tube having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, an end opening at the distal end of the distal tube adapted to fit around a distal end of the working tip projecting therethrough, and a side opening at the distal end of the distal tube proximate to the end opening adapted for irrigation fluid to flow therethrough;
wherein the side opening has an elongated shape, wherein the elongated shape is longer in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the distal tube of the irrigation sleeve than in a direction around a circumference of the distal tube of the irrigation sleeve; and
wherein the side opening is shaped as a teardrop comprising a point at a leading distal edge of the teardrop, two substantially straight sides extending from the leading distal edge to an area of largest width of the teardrop, and a curved trailing edge disposed opposite the leading distal edge.