Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
An instrument for thermal phacoemulsification, including: a cannula adapted to be introduced into an anterior portion of an eye, said cannula including an output end adapted to be introduced into a lens capsule of the eye; means for supplying a fluid under high pressure to said cannula to cause a fluid stream to be emitted from said output end of said cannula; and, means adjacent to said output end of said cannula for raising the temperature of said fluid, wherein said mean for raising the temperature includes throttling means for causing a pressure drop in said cannula and isenthalpic heating of said fluid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
An instrument for thermal phacoemulsification, including: a cannula adapted to be introduced into an anterior portion of an eye, said cannula including an output end adapted to be introduced into a lens capsule of the eye; means for supplying a fluid under high pressure to said cannula to cause a fluid stream to be emitted from said output end of said cannula; and, means adjacent to said output end of said cannula for raising the temperature of said fluid, wherein said mean for raising the temperature includes throttling means for causing a pressure drop in said cannula and isenthalpic heating of said fluid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The instrument of claim 1, wherein said throttling means includes a capillary passage formed in said cannula, said capillary passage forming a constricted flow path through said cannula.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The instrument of claim 1, wherein said throttling means includes a porous plug secured in said cannula, said fluid passing through said porous plug.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The instrument of claim 1, wherein said throttling means includes a an orifice disposed in said cannula and adapted to emit an orifice jet, and a target member secured in said cannula and disposed to intercept said orifice jet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The instrument of claim 1, wherein said means for supplying a fluid comprises a fluid pressure intensifier connected to an input end of said cannula.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The instrument of claim 5, wherein said fluid pressure intensifier is secured within a handpiece.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The instrument of claim 5, wherein said fluid pressure intensifier is adapted to generate pulses of high pressure fluid.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for generating an elevated temperature fluid discharge for medical purposes, comprising the steps of: providing a cannula adapted to operate at a cool temperature; supplying a high pressure, cool fluid to an input end of the cannula; throttling the fluid flow at an output end of the cannula to convert fluid pressure into a temperature increase in the fluid, whereby the cannula emits a fluid stream from the output end that is substantially higher than the temperature of the fluid at the input end.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for generating an elevated temperature fluid discharge for medical purposes, comprising the steps of: providing a cannula adapted to operate at a cool temperature; supplying a high pressure, cool fluid to an input end of the cannula; throttling the fluid flow at an output end of the cannula to convert fluid pressure into a temperature increase in the fluid, whereby the cannula emits a fluid stream from the output end that is substantially higher than the temperature of the fluid at the input end.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said cannula emits a fluid stream from the output end that is substantially higher that the operating temperature of the cannula.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said throttling step includes providing a microporous throttling plug at the output end of the cannula.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said throttling step includes providing a plug at the output end of the cannula, the plug having an orifice formed therein, and a target member downstream from the orifice to intercept a fluid jet emanating from the orifice.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said throttling step includes providing a plug at the output end of the cannula, the plug having a capillary passage extending therethrough to serve as a fluid conduit and isenthalpic pressure drop.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the step of supplying a high pressure, cool fluid includes coupling the output of a fluid pressure intensifier to the input end of the cannula.