Illumination chopper

Abstract

The present invention provides an illumination chopper which allows a user to operate on the nucleus of a crystalline lens with a small piece while securing visibility through a chopper which is mounted at one end of an illuminator to form a predetermined angle with the illuminator.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of chopping a nucleus of crystalline lens of an eyeball into small pieces during eye surgery, the method comprising:
 inserting a device into an eyeball, wherein the device includes: an illuminator that is provided with a body and is configured to emit light from an interior part of an anterior segment of an eyeball; and a chopper that is fixedly mounted to a top side of the body of the illuminator at a predetermined angle, extends away from the top side of the body, and extends downward substantially below a bottom side of the body, thereby forming a chopping tip; and   chopping a nucleus of crystalline lens of the eyeball into small pieces by using the chopping tip.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the illuminator and the chopper are integrally formed. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the illumination chopper further comprises a grip part that surrounds at least a portion of the illuminator. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the illuminator, the chopper, and the grip part are integrally formed. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chopper tip is rounded and blunt. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the light is emitted via an optical fiber provided in the body of the illuminator. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined angle is an obtuse angle. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined angle is a substantially right angle. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chopper has an oval cross-section.