US 12,274,642 B2
Air turbine driven rotary valve for vitrectomy probe
Steven T. Charles, Memphis, TN (US)
Assigned to Alcon Inc., Fribourg (CH)
Filed by Alcon Inc., Fribourg (CH)
Filed on Jul. 19, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/813,402.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/234,765, filed on Aug. 19, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0058540 A1, Feb. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. A61F 9/007 (2006.01); F16K 11/074 (2006.01); F16K 31/42 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 9/00763 (2013.01) [F16K 11/074 (2013.01); F16K 31/42 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vitrectomy probe, comprising:
a housing;
an actuator disposed inside the housing;
a cutter coupled to the actuator and extending from the housing;
an air turbine disposed inside the housing, the air turbine comprising:
a rotor; and
a plurality of turbine blades coupled to the rotor; and
a valve body interfacing with the rotor, wherein during rotation of the air turbine, air is selectively routed to and from the actuator according to a rotational position of the rotor in relation to the valve body, thereby reciprocating the cutter.