US 12,433,788 B2
Ophthalmic surgical tool
Steven T. Charles, Memphis, TN (US)
Assigned to Alcon Inc., Fribourg (CH)
Filed by Alcon Inc., Fribourg (CH)
Filed on Apr. 22, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/660,223.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/189,293, filed on May 17, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0362057 A1, Nov. 17, 2022
Int. Cl. A61F 9/007 (2006.01); A61L 31/08 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 9/00763 (2013.01) [A61L 31/088 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A cutting tool assembly, comprising:
a first blade in a fixed position, the first blade comprising:
a first longitudinal body portion; and
a first end portion extending laterally from a distal end of the first longitudinal body portion, the first end portion comprising a distal surface coated with a first polymer coating; and
a second blade configured to move relative to the first blade, the second blade comprising:
a second longitudinal body portion;
a second end portion extending laterally from a distal end of the second longitudinal body portion, the second end portion comprising a distal surface having a cutting edge and a proximal surface coated with a second polymer coating, wherein longitudinal movement of the second blade facilitates cutting of a membrane by the cutting edge;
wherein the distal surface of the first end portion has a bowed morphology having a radius of curvature that is based on a radius of curvature of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE);
wherein the distal surface of the second end portion has a bowed morphology;
wherein the first end portion further comprises a rounded tip between the distal surface and a proximal surface of the first end portion;
wherein the second end portion further comprises a rounded tip between the distal surface and the proximal surface; and
wherein the first blade comprises a neck portion between the first longitudinal body portion and the first end portion and wherein the neck portion comprises a lateral width that is smaller than a lateral width of the cutting edge;
wherein the distal surface of the first end portion that has the bowed morphology with the radius of curvature that is based on the radius of curvature of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), the rounded tip on the first end portion, and the distal surface coated with the first polymer coating are configured to allow the distal surface of the first end portion to be pressed against a retinal layer during the cutting of the membrane; and
wherein the second blade cuts the membrane in a scissor-like motion relative to the first blade.