Disposable vitrectomy handpiece

Abstract

Electric vitrectomy handpieces are provided. The handpiece includes a motor, a clutch mechanism, an oscillating drive mechanism, a cutting tip and a handle. The motor is attached to the clutch, and the clutch is attached to the oscillating drive mechanism. When the motor is operational, the clutch expands to engage the oscillating drive mechanism and the oscillating drive mechanism converts the rotational motion of the clutch to the reciprocating motion of the cutting tip. When the motor is at rest, the clutch retracts to allow aspiration.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A vitreous cutter comprising:
 a motor configured to provide rotary motion;   a handle;   a cutter tip;   an aspiration line; and   a clutch mechanism coupled to the motor and the cutter tip, the clutch mechanism configured to expand to engage the cutter tip when the motor is activated, and retract to provide aspiration through the aspiration line when the motor is at rest, the clutch mechanism comprising a first component and a second component rotatable relative to each other.   
     
     
         20 . The vitreous cutter of  claim 19 , wherein
 the clutch mechanism further comprises a ball configured to ride in a groove in the first component; and   the second component configured to maintain the ball in the groove of the first component.   
     
     
         21 . The vitreous cutter of  claim 20 , wherein the groove has a sinusoidal profile. 
     
     
         22 . The vitreous cutter of  claim 20 , wherein the ball is configured to move along the groove such that the first component and the second component expand and contract relative to each other. 
     
     
         23 . The vitreous cutter of  claim 19 , wherein the clutch mechanism further comprises an oscillating drive mechanism configured to convert the rotational motion of the first component and the second component into reciprocating linear motion. 
     
     
         24 . The vitreous cutter of  claim 19 , wherein the clutch mechanism is configured to extend and retract the cutter tip. 
     
     
         25 . The vitreous cutter of  claim 19 , wherein the motor is configured to operate in reverse when the motor is at rest to retract the cutter tip. 
     
     
         26 . A method of operating a vitreous cutter comprising:
 activating a motor;   transmitting rotary motion from the motor to a first component of a clutch mechanism;   rotating the first component relative to a second component of the clutch mechanism; and   engaging a cutter tip.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein rotating the first component relative to the second component further comprises moving a ball along a groove in the first component. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein rotating the first component relative to the second component further comprises maintaining the ball in the groove using the second component. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the groove has a sinusoidal profile. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein moving the ball along the groove further comprises expanding and contracting the first component and the second component relative to each other. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein engaging the cutter tip further comprises converting the rotational motion of the first component and the second component into reciprocating linear motion. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 deactivating the motor; and   retracting the cutter tip.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising opening an aspiration port. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 activating the motor in reverse; and   retracting the cutter tip.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising opening an aspiration port. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising sensing a speed of the cutter tip. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 monitoring the motor for a high current draw; and   detecting a failure of the motor.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising dampening vibration caused by the motor.