System and method for enhancing oxygen content of infusion/irrigation fluid for ophthalmic surgery

Abstract

A system and method are provided for oxygenating infusion/irrigation fluid, and for providing the hyperoxic infusion/irrigation fluid so formed to an ophthalmic surgical site.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for oxygenating infusion/irrigation fluid during the course of ophthalmic surgical procedures comprising: 
 a source of oxygen gas;    a source of infusion/irrigation fluid;    delivery apparatus for delivery of infusion/irrigation fluid from the infusion/irrigation fluid source to an ophthalmic surgical site; and    gas permeable apparatus connected to said source of pressurized oxygen gas and to the delivery apparatus for oxygenating said infusion/irrigation fluid substantially immediately prior to the delivery of the infusion/irrigation fluid to the ophthalmic surgical site.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the delivery apparatus comprises a tube extending between said source of infusion/irrigation fluid and said ophthalmic surgical site.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the delivery apparatus operates by gravity feed.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the diffusion apparatus comprises a side portal in said tube substantially adjacent to said source of infusion/irrigation fluid connected to the source of oxygen gas, whereby oxygen gas is allowed to enter the tube and to bubble upwardly through the infusion irrigation fluid.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the oxygen gas source is pressurized.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4  wherein a stopcock controls the flow of the fluid through said tube.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the source of infusion/irrigation fluid is a container having a lower wall, and an administration spike extending through the bottom wall defines an outlet for the fluid to the tube and an inlet for the oxygen gas to the fluid source.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the gas permeable apparatus comprises an oxygenation chamber located in the tube between the source of infusion/irrigation fluid and the eye.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the oxygenation chamber comprises a hollow body defining a fluid outlet port; a fluid inlet port and a gas inlet port; and an element located in the chamber, the element being formed at least partially of an oxygen permeable material, being connected to the gas inlet port and defining an interior volume, whereby infusion/irrigation fluid flowing through the chamber from the fluid inlet port to the fluid outlet port is oxygenated by oxygen gas passing through the gas permeable material of the element.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the element comprises at least one substantially cylindrical portion, whereby substantially the entire exterior surface of each of the at least one element is exposed to fluid flowing through the chamber so as to maximize the quantity of oxygen gas diffused into said fluid as it passes from said inlet portal of said chamber to the outlet portal of the chamber.  
     
     
         11 . A system for oxygenating infusion or irrigation fluid during the course of an ophthalmic surgical procedure, the system comprising: 
 a source of infusion/irrigation fluid;    delivery apparatus for delivery of infusion/irrigation fluid from the infusion/irrigation fluid source to an ophthalmic surgical site; and    oxygen gas in fluid communication with the infusion/irrigation fluid for oxygenating the infusion/irrigation fluid prior to the delivery of the infusion/irrigation fluid to an ophthalmic surgical site.    
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the system comprises a gas permeable material for communicating the oxygen gas with the fluid.  
     
     
         13 . A method for oxygenating fluid for delivery to an opthalmic surgical site, comprising: 
 providing a system for oxygenating fluid during the course of ophthalmic surgical procedures;    oxygenating fluid for delivery to an ophathalmic surgical site prior to the delivery of the infusion/irrigation fluid to the ophthalmic surgical site.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the fluid is oxygenated by substantially immediately prior to the delivery of the fluid to the ophthalmic surgical site.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the fluid is oxygenated by gas diffusion.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the fluid is surgical site is infused or irrigated with the oxygenated fluid.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the fluid is oxygenated in a housing positioned in the flow path of the fluid from the fluid source to the surgical site.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the fluid is oxygenated in a housing.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the system comprises a cylindrical housing for oxygenating the fluid.  
     
     
         20 . A method for oxygenating fluid for delivery to a surgical site, comprising: 
 providing a system for oxygenating fluid during the course of a surgical procedure;    oxygenating fluid for delivery to the surgical site prior to the delivery of the fluid to the surgical site.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the fluid is oxygenated by substantially immediately prior to the delivery of the fluid to the ophthalmic surgical site.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the fluid is oxygenated by gas diffusion.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the fluid is surgical site is infused or irrigated with the oxygenated fluid.  
     
     
         24 . A method for oxygenating infusion/irrigation fluid for delivery to a surgical site, comprising: 
 (a) providing a system for oxygenating infusion/irrigation fluid during the course of ophthalmic surgical procedures comprising: 
 a source of oxygen gas;  
 a source of infusion/irrigation fluid;  
 delivery apparatus for the controlled delivery of infusion/irrigation fluid from said infusion/irrigation fluid source to an ophthalmic surgical site; and  
 gas permeable apparatus connected to the source of oxygen gas and to the delivery apparatus; and  
   (b) oxygenating said infusion/irrigation fluid immediately prior to the delivery of the infusion/irrigation fluid to the ophthalmic surgical site.    
     
     
         25 . A method of  claim 24  wherein the housing comprises an oxygen permeable material.