| abstract |
A method for manufacturing an irrigation/aspiration (I/A) handpiece for use during cataract eye surgery and the I/A handpiece so manufactured are provided. The I/A handpiece comprises an aspiration cannula which extends through a hollow, inseparable housing assembly to an aspiration port, and an irrigation cannula concentrically surrounding a portion of the aspiration cannula outside the housing assembly. The irrigation cannula is in fluid communication with a hollow interior region of the housing assembly, including an irrigation port. The I/A handpiece is manufactured by insert molding the irrigation cannula within a front housing. The aspiration cannula is inserted through the irrigation cannula and the front housing and within a rear housing which contains the aspiration and irrigation ports. An interconnecting member is molded to fill the gap between the front housing and the rear housing, thereby providing an integral, inseparable housing assembly. The I/A handpiece is readily cleanable without requiring disassembly. |