1. A method for providing access within an eye during an ocular surgical procedure, comprising the steps of:
providing an entry alignment device that is configured so as to provide an entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera of the eye and maintaining the entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera aligned during the surgical procedure;
wherein the entry alignment device being provided is sized such that when the entry alignment device is removed from the eye, the entry aperture formed in the conjunctiva and sclera are sealed without the use of sutures;
inserting the entry alignment device into the eye so as to form the entry apertures, where said inserting is accomplished without pulling back the conjunctiva;
providing a surgical instrument having an operable end for insertion through the entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera, a portion of the operable end having a cross-sectional diameter not greater than 25 gauge; and
inserting the surgical instrument through the entry apertures into the eye.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the entry alignment device being provided is sized such that when the entry alignment device is removed from the eye, the entry aperture is self sealing.
3. The method according to any of claims 1 or 2, further comprising the steps of:
providing a surgical instrument having an operable end for insertion through the entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera, a portion of the operable end having a cross-sectional diameter not greater than 25 gauge; and
inserting the surgical instrument through the entry apertures into the eye.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the surgical instrument is selected from the group consisting of a high-speed vitreous cutter, forceps, scissors, pick, light source, laser, fragmentation, diathermy, and aspirator.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the entry alignment device is in the form of one of a metal cannula, a polyimide cannula, a wire spreader and a shoe-horn type member.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of entry alignment devices being provided and wherein the step of inserting includes inserting each of the plurality of entry alignment devices so as to form a plurality of entry apertures in the conjunctiva and the sclera.
7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising the steps of:
providing a surgical instrument having an operable end for insertion through the entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera, a portion of the operable end having a cross-sectional diameter not greater than 25 gauge; and
inserting the operable end portion of at least one surgical instrument through one of the plurality of entry apertures.
8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
providing an infusion cannula having an operable end for insertion into the eye, the operable end having a cross-sectional diameter of not more than 25 gauge and being interconnected to an infusion source; and
inserting the cannula operable end through the conjunctiva and sclera.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said inserting the infusion cannula further includes inserting the infusion cannula operable end one of directly through the conjunctiva and sclera or through the entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera formed by the entry alignment device.
10. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of sealing the apertures in the conjunctiva and sclera formed by the inserted infusion cannula without the use of sutures.
11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of inserting includes inserting the entry alignment device into the eye so the entry apertures in the conjunctiva and sclera are at an angle with respect to a normal to the eye.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the angle is greater than 45 degrees from the normal.
13. A method for providing access within an eye during an ocular surgical procedure, comprising the steps of:
providing an entry alignment device that is configured so as to provide an entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera of the eye and maintaining the entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera aligned during the surgical procedure; and
inserting the entry alignment device into the eye so as to form the entry apertures, where said inserting is accomplished without pulling back the conjunctiva;
providing an infusion cannula having an operable end for insertion into the eye, the operable end having a cross-sectional diameter of not more than 25 gauge and being interconnected to an infusion source; and
inserting the cannula operable end through the conjunctiva and sclera.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the entry alignment device being provided is sized such that when the entry alignment device is removed from the eye, the entry aperture formed in the conjunctiva and sclera are sealed without the use of sutures.
15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the entry alignment device being provided is sized such that when the entry alignment device is removed from the eye, the entry aperture is self sealing.
16. The method according to any of claims 2 or 13\u201315, further comprising the steps of:
providing a surgical instrument having an operable end for insertion through the entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera, a portion of the operable end having a cross-sectional diameter not greater than 25 gauge; and
inserting the surgical instrument through the entry apertures into the eye.
17. The method according to any of claims 2 and 13\u201315, wherein the surgical instrument is selected from the group consisting of a high-speed vitreous cutter, forceps, scissors, pick, light source, laser, fragmentation, diathermy, and aspirator.
18. The method according to any of claims 2 or 13\u201315, wherein the entry alignment device is in the form of one of a metal cannula, a polyimide cannula, a wire spreader and a shoe-horn type member.
19. The method according to any of claims 2 or 13\u201315, wherein there are a plurality of entry alignment devices being provided and wherein the step of inserting includes inserting each of the plurality of entry alignment devices so as to form a plurality of entry apertures in the conjunctiva and the sclera.
20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the steps of:
providing a surgical instrument having an operable end for insertion through the entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera, a portion of the operable end having a cross-sectional diameter not greater than 25 gauge; and
inserting the operable end portion of at least one surgical instrument through one of the plurality of entry apertures.
21. The method according to any of claims 2 or 13\u201315, further comprising the step of sealing the apertures in the conjunctiva and sclera formed by the inserted infusion cannula without the use of sutures.
22. The method according to any of claims 2 or 13\u201315, wherein the step of inserting includes inserting the entry alignment device into the eye so the entry apertures in the conjunctiva and sclera are at an angle with respect to a normal to the eye.
23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the angle is greater than 45 degrees from the normal.
24. The method according to any of claims 2 or 13\u201315, wherein said inserting the infusion cannula further includes inserting the infusion cannula operable end one of directly through the conjunctiva and sclera or through the entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera formed by the entry alignment device.
25. A method for treating a posterior segment of an eye comprising the steps of:
providing a plurality of entry alignment devices, each entry alignment device being configured so as to provide an entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera of the eye and maintaining the entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera aligned during the surgical procedure;
inserting each of the plurality of entry alignment devices into the eye, where said inserting is accomplished without pulling back the conjunctiva; and
implementing a corrective procedure for the retina.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein said step of implementing further includes
inserting a light source through the entry aperture formed by one of the plurality of entry alignment devices and inserting a high speed vitreous cuttingaspirating instrument in the entry aperture formed by another of the plurality of entry alignment devices; and
removing vitreous gel using the high speed vitreous cuttingaspirating instrument.
27. The method of any of claims 26 or 25, further comprising the steps of:
inserting an operable portion of an infusion cannula through the conjunctiva and the sclera; and
maintaining the intraocular volume by infusing a fluid through the infusion cannula;
infusing a first fluid through the infusion cannula while aspirating vitreous fluid; and
exchanging the infused first fluid with a second fluid following the step of implementing.
28. The method of claim 27, further comprising the steps of:
infusing a first fluid through the infusion cannula while aspirating vitreous fluid; and
exchanging the infused first fluid with a second fluid following the step of implementing.
29. The method according to claim 27, wherein said inserting the infusion cannula further includes inserting the infusion cannula operable end one of directly through the conjunctiva and sclera or through the entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera formed by the entry alignment device.
30. The method according to claim 26, wherein the entry alignment device being provided is sized such that when the entry alignment device is removed from the eye, the entry aperture formed in the conjunctiva and sclera are sealed without the use of sutures.
31. The method according to claim 30, wherein the entry alignment device being provided is sized such that when the entry alignment device is removed from the eye, the entry aperture is self sealing.
32. The method according to claim 30, wherein the entry alignment device is in the form of one of a metal cannula, a polyimide cannula, a wire spreader and a shoe-horn type member.
33. The method according to claim 26, further comprising the steps of:
providing an infusion cannula having an operable end for insertion into the eye, the operable end having a cross-sectional diameter of not more than 25 gauge and being interconnected to an infusion source; and
inserting the infusion cannula operable end through the conjunctiva and sclera.
34. The method according to claim 33, further comprising the step of sealing the apertures in the conjunctiva and sclera formed by the inserted infusion cannula without the use of sutures.
35. The method according to claim 33, wherein said inserting the infusion cannula further includes inserting the infusion cannula operable end one of directly through the conjunctiva and sclera or through the entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera formed by the entry alignment device.
36. The method according to claim 26, wherein the step of inserting includes inserting the entry alignment device into the eye so the entry apertures in the conjunctiva and sclera are at an angle with respect to a normal to the eye.
37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the angle is greater than 45 degrees from the normal.
38. A method for providing access within an eye during an ocular surgical procedure, comprising the steps of:
providing a plurality of entry alignment device, each entry alignment device being configured so as to provide an entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera of the eye and maintaining the entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera aligned during the surgical procedure; and
inserting each of the plurality of entry alignment device into the eye so as to form a plurality of the entry apertures in the conjunctiva and sclera where said inserting is accomplished without pulling back the conjunctiva.
39. The method according to claim 38, wherein each of the plurality of entry alignment device being provided is sized such that when the entry alignment device is removed from the eye, the entry aperture formed in the conjunctiva and sclera are sealed without the use of sutures.
40. The method according to claim 38, wherein each of the plurality of entry alignment devices being provided is sized such that when the entry alignment device is removed from the eye, the entry aperture is self sealing.
41. The method according to any of claims 38\u201340, further comprising the steps of:
providing a surgical instrument having an operable end for insertion through the entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera, a portion of the operable end having a cross-sectional diameter not greater than 25 gauge; and
inserting the operable end portion of at least one surgical instrument through one of the plurality of entry apertures.
42. The method according to claim 41, wherein the surgical instrument is selected from the group consisting of a high-speed vitreous cutter, forceps, scissors, pick, light source, laser, fragmentation, diathermy, and aspirator.
43. The method according to any of claims 38\u201340, wherein each of the plurality of entry alignment devices is in the form of one of a metal cannula, a polyimide cannula, a wire spreader and a shoe-horn type member.
44. The method according to any of claims 38\u201340, further comprising the steps of:
providing an infusion cannula having an operable end for insertion into the eye, the operable end having a cross-sectional diameter of not more than 25 gauge and being interconnected to an infusion source; and
inserting the cannula operable end through the conjunctiva and sclera.
45. The method according to claim 44, further comprising the step of sealing the apertures in the conjunctiva and sclera formed by the inserted infusion cannula without the use of sutures.
46. The method according to claim 44, wherein said inserting the infusion cannula further includes inserting the infusion cannula operable end one of directly through the conjunctiva and sclera or through the entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera formed by one of the plurality of entry alignment devices.
47. The method according to any of claims 38\u201340, wherein the step of inserting includes inserting one or more of the plurality entry alignment devices into the eye so the entry apertures in the conjunctiva and sclera are at an angle with respect to a normal to the eye.
48. The method according to claim 47, wherein the angle is greater than 45 degrees from the normal.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A common mode detection circuit, the circuit comprising:
an amplifier having a first input terminal and a second input terminal;
a differential input stage, wherein the differential input stage includes a first differential input and a second differential input, wherein the differential input stage exhibits an input common mode and also an error component in said input common mode, and wherein the differential input stage is electrically coupled to said first input terminal of the amplifier;
a common mode replica stage to generate a replica signal inclusive of said input common mode and said error component, wherein the replica signal is electrically coupled to said second input terminal of the amplifier; and
whereby the amplifier drives a signal indicative of the input common mode with said error component being canceled at least substantially.
2. The circuit of claim 1, wherein the differential input stage includes a first transistor and a second transistor, wherein a gate of the first transistor is electrically coupled to the first differential input, wherein a gate of the second transistor is electrically coupled to the second differential input, wherein a source of the first transistor and a source of the second transistor are electrically coupled to an input of the amplifier.
3. The circuit of claim 2, wherein the input of the amplifier is a first input of the amplifier, wherein the common mode replica stage includes a third transistor, wherein the signal indicative of the input common mode is electrically coupled to a gate of the third transistor, and wherein a source of the third transistor is electrically coupled to a second input of the amplifier.
4. The circuit of claim 3, wherein the circuit further includes:
a current reference;
a current source circuit, wherein the current source circuit is electrically coupled to the current reference, wherein the current source circuit is electrically coupled to the source of the first transistor and the source of the second transistor, and wherein the current source circuit provides a current value as a function of the current reference.
5. The circuit of claim 4, wherein the current value is a first current value, wherein the current source circuit is a first current source circuit, and wherein the circuit further includes:
a second current source circuit, wherein the second current source circuit is electrically coupled to the source of the third transistor, and wherein the second current source circuit provides a second current value approximately equal to one half the first current value.
6. The circuit of claim 4, wherein a resistor is disposed between the
current source circuit and a junction of the source of the first transistor and the source of the second transistor, and wherein the resistor provides a voltage offset.
7. The circuit of claim 3, wherein the circuit further includes:
a current reference;
a first current source circuit, wherein the first current source circuit is electrically coupled to the current reference, wherein the first current source circuit is electrically coupled to the source of the first transistor, and wherein the first current source circuit provides a first current value as a function of the current reference;
a second current source circuit, wherein the second current source circuit is electrically coupled to the current reference, wherein the second current source circuit is electrically coupled to the source of the second transistor, and wherein the second current source circuit provides a second current value as a function of the current reference;
a first resistor disposed between the source of the first transistor and the input of the amplifier;
a second resistor disposed between the source of the second transistor and the input of the amplifier; and
wherein the first resistor and the second resistor are operable to increase linearity.
8. The circuit of claim 3, wherein the circuit further includes:
a current reference;
a first current source circuit, wherein the first current source circuit is electrically coupled to the current reference, wherein the first current source circuit is electrically coupled to the source of the first transistor, and wherein the first current source circuit provides a first current value as a function of the current reference;
a second current source circuit, wherein the second current source circuit is electrically coupled to the current reference, wherein the second current source circuit is electrically coupled to the source of the second transistor, and wherein the second current source circuit provides a second current value as a function of the current reference; and
a third current source circuit, wherein the third current source circuit is electrically coupled to the current reference, wherein the third current source circuit is electrically coupled to the source of the first transistor via a first resistor, wherein the third current source circuit is electrically coupled to the source of the second transistor via a second resistor, wherein the third current source circuit is electrically coupled to the input of the amplifier, and wherein the second current source circuit provides a second current value as a function of the current reference.
9. The circuit of claim 8, wherein the circuit further includes:
a third resistor is disposed between the third current source circuit and a junction of the first resistor and the second resistor.
10. The circuit of claim 1, wherein the circuit further includes a filter disposed between the differential input stage and the amplifier.
11. The circuit of claim 10, wherein the filter is a low pass filter.
12. A differential receiver, the differential receiver comprising:
a differential input stage, wherein the differential input stage includes a first
differential input and a second differential input, wherein the differential input stage exhibits an input common mode; and wherein the differential input stage is electrically coupled to an amplifier;
a common mode replica stage, wherein the common mode replica stage is electrically coupled to the amplifier;
wherein the amplifier drives an amplifier output, and wherein the amplifier output is indicative of the input common mode; and
a comparator, wherein a first input of the comparator is electrically coupled to the amplifier output, wherein a second input of the comparator is electrically coupled to a reference voltage, and wherein the comparator is operable to drive a comparator output, and
wherein the comparator output is a non-differential representation of a received differential signal.
13. The circuit of claim 12, wherein:
the differential input stage includes a first transistor and a second transistor,
wherein a gate of the first transistor is electrically coupled to the first differential input,
wherein a gate of the second transistor is electrically coupled to the second differential input,
wherein a source of the first transistor and a source of the second transistor are electrically
coupled to a first input of the amplifier; and
the common mode replica stage includes a third transistor, wherein the signal indicative of the input common mode is electrically coupled to a gate of the third transistor,
and wherein a source of the third transistor is electrically coupled to a second input of the transistor.
14. The circuit of claim 13, wherein the circuit further includes:
a current reference;
a first current source circuit, wherein the first current source circuit is electrically coupled to the current reference, wherein the first current source circuit is electrically coupled to the source of the first transistor and to the source of the second transistor via a resistor, wherein the resistor provides a voltage offset, and wherein the first current source circuit provides a first current value as a function of the current reference; and
a second current source circuit, wherein the second current source circuit is electrically coupled to the source of the third transistor, and wherein the second current
source circuit provides a second current value approximately equal to one half the first current value.
15. The circuit of claim 13, wherein the circuit further includes:
a current reference;
a first resistor and a second resistor, wherein the a first end of the first resistor and a first end of the second resistor are connected, wherein a second end of the first resistor is electrically coupled to the source of the first transistor, and wherein a second end of the second resistor is electrically coupled to the source of the second transistor;
a first current source circuit, wherein the first current source circuit is electrically coupled to the current reference, wherein the first current source circuit is electrically coupled to the first end of the first resistor and to the first end of the second resistor, and wherein the first current source circuit provides a first current value as a function of the current reference;
a second current source circuit, wherein the second current source circuit is electrically coupled to the current reference, wherein the second current source circuit is electrically coupled to the source of the second transistor, and wherein the second current source circuit provides a second current value as a function of the current reference; and
wherein the first resistor and the second resistor are operable to increase linearity.
16. The circuit of claim 13, wherein the circuit further includes:
a current reference;
a first current source circuit, wherein the first current source circuit is electrically coupled to the current reference, wherein the first current source circuit is electrically coupled to the source of the first transistor, and wherein the first current source circuit provides a first current value as a function of the current reference;
a second current source circuit, wherein the second current source circuit is electrically coupled to the current reference, wherein the second current source circuit is
electrically coupled to the source of the second transistor, and wherein the second current source circuit provides a second current value as a function of the current reference; and
a third current source circuit, wherein the third current source circuit is electrically coupled to the current reference, wherein the third current source circuit is electrically coupled to the source of the first transistor via a first resistor, wherein the third current source circuit is electrically coupled to the source of the second transistor via a second resistor, wherein the third current source circuit is electrically coupled to the input of the amplifier, and wherein the second current source circuit provides a second current value as a function of the current reference.
17. The circuit of claim 13, wherein the circuit further includes:
a third resistor is disposed between the third current source circuit and a junction of the first resistor and the second resistor.
18. The circuit of claim 12, wherein the circuit further comprises:
a comparator, wherein a first input of the comparator is electrically coupled to the amplifier output, and wherein a second input of the comparator is electrically coupled to a reference voltage; and
wherein an output of the comparator is a data signal representing a modulated common mode signal.
19. A common mode detection circuit, the circuit comprising:
a common mode extractor circuit, wherein the common mode extractor circuit provides a signal offset from the common mode; and
a differential input circuit, wherein the differential input circuit includes a first transistor electrically coupled to a first differential input, a second transistor electrically coupled to a second differential input, and wherein a source of the first transistor and a source of the second transistor are each electrically coupled to the signal offset from the common mode,
wherein a signal indicative of the common mode is a first signal indicative of the common mode, wherein the common mode extractor circuit includes:
a differential input stage, wherein the differential input stage includes a first input that is electrically coupled to the first transistor, wherein the differential input includes a second input electrically coupled to the second differential input, wherein the differential input stage exhibits the common mode; and wherein the differential input stage is electrically coupled to an amplifier;
a common mode replica stage, wherein the common mode replica stage is electrically coupled to the amplifier; and
wherein the amplifier drives the signal indicative of the common mode.