US Patent 7527624 Electrical probe for microsurgery

In order to develop an electric probe for microsurgery, which is provided in particular in ophthalmology for intraocular treatments of the eye, in such a way that the probe is constructed in a simple manner, can be produced inexpensively, is easy and safe to handle, and at the same time can be used for multiple functions as an illuminated intraocular probe, it is suggested that the electric probe comprises an outer electrode, an inner electrode and a light guide. The inner electrode has a contoured electrode end face and projects out over a front end of the light guide or is embedded in the light guide so as to terminate with it. When the electrodes and light guide are constructed cylindrically, the hollow space remaining between the electrodes and the light guide is provided as a suction channel for sucking out tissue particles, and in various embodiment forms, including an embodiment as an illuminating endoprobe, the electric probe is connected to an operating and controlling device by which pre.-defined, changeable parameter sets which are adapted depending on the probe characteristics can be adjusted and retrieved.