Treatment device comprising a tool holder and a tool having a non-contact rotational motion device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a treatment device, comprising: an ultrasonic generating unit (3), comprising an ultrasonic module (32), wherein the ultrasonic module (32) comprises at least one transducer (321), and a handpiece (2), comprising a holding body (21), and a head (23) mounted on the body, wherein the handpiece and the ultrasonic generating unit are designed to be connected together via a non-contact coupling device, so that when the handpiece and the ultrasonic generating unit are connected, the rotational movement of the upstream base between a first position and a second position causes the ultrasonic module to rotate between the first position and the second position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the general technical field of devices for non-invasively treating ocular pathologies by generating high-intensity or low-intensity focused or unfocused ultrasound waves.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a therapeutic device comprising:

[0003] - a handpiece intended to be operated by a practitioner, and

[0004] - A unit for generating ultrasound waves for use in the treatment of eye pathologies, such as the treatment of glaucoma. Background Art

[0005] Glaucoma is an optic neuropathy, i.e., degeneration of the optic nerve, which usually leads to increased intraocular pressure (PIO).

[0006] When the aqueous humor no longer drains fast enough, it accumulates causing elevated PIO. Elevated PIO can compress the axons in the optic nerve and also damage the vascularization of the optic nerve. Long-term high PIO can lead to complete loss of vision.

[0007] The only treatment currently available for glaucoma is to lower the intraocular pressure by:

[0008] - Improve the drainage of aqueous humor through the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal of the eye;

[0009] - or by reducing the production of aqueous humor by the eye's ciliary body.

[0010] From document WO 2009 / 103721 a device is known which reduces the production of aqueous humor based on the principle of cyclocoagulation using high intensity focused ultrasound, whereby parts of the ciliary body are destroyed in order to reduce the production of aqueous humor.

[0011] The device described in WO 2009 / 103721 allows one or more eye regions to be treated in one position. This device comprises a probe consisting of a ring and ultrasound generating means.

[0012] The ring has a proximal portion intended to come into contact with the patient's eye and a distal portion intended to house an ultrasound generating device.

[0013] The ultrasound generating device includes six transducers having a concave profile in the shape of a cylinder segment and positioned on a cylindrical ring. Each transducer is adapted to emit high-intensity ultrasound focused on the ciliary body of the eye. Such high-intensity focused ultrasound (i.e., HIFU) causes linear damage in the ciliary body.

[0014] Thus, the device is capable of creating six linear lesions in the ciliary body, each lesion being associated with a respective transducer. The six linear lesions are created without the need to reposition the device.

[0015] The probe described in WO 2009 / 103721 is a consumable that has to be renewed for each patient.

[0016] In order to reduce the costs of consumables for treating eye lesions while retaining the advantages associated with the solution described in WO 2009 / 103721, the present invention proposes to provide an ultrasonic generating device from two separate parts, only one of which is a consumable, and the manufacturing cost of this consumable is lower than the ultrasonic generating device described in the solution described in WO 2009 / 103721.

[0017] By separating the functionality and advantages of an ultrasound generating device according to WO 2009 / 103721 into two separate parts, only one of which is a consumable, the costs associated with patient treatment can be reduced.

[0018] With the described solution, it is necessary for the practitioner to join the two parts together for each new treatment of the patient. This joining must be as simple as possible.

[0019] It is therefore an object of the present invention to propose an alternative solution to the device according to WO 2009 / 103721, in which the ultrasound generating device is replaced by two separate parts which can be simply joined together. Summary of the invention

[0020] To this end, the present invention provides a device for treating eye diseases such as glaucoma, the device comprising:

[0021] -An ultrasonic generating unit comprising:

[0022] a support of axis A-A', said support comprising a downstream base,

[0023] an ultrasonic module comprising at least one transducer;

[0024] - A handpiece comprising:

[0025] Holding the subject, and

[0026] a head mounted on the body, the head comprising an upstream base,

[0027] It is intended that the handpiece and the ultrasonic generating unit are connected together so that the outer surfaces of the upstream base and the downstream base extend toward each other,

[0028] Features:

[0029] - The handpiece comprises:

[0030] a first non-contacting adapter located in the upstream base, and

[0031] A drive and locking device for the rotational movement of the first engagement member relative to the gripping body and characterized in that

[0032] -The ultrasonic wave generating unit comprises:

[0033] a second non-contacting adapter which is complementary to the first adapter and is located in a downstream seat of the support, the first adapter and the second adapter being intended to mate together,

[0034] Thus, when the handpiece and the ultrasound generating unit are connected, the rotational movement of the first coupling between the first position and the second position causes the ultrasound module to rotate between the first position and the second position.

[0035] The above device is capable of treating ocular diseases with the same quality as the device described in WO 2009 / 103721 by utilizing a handpiece and an ultrasound generating unit that can be easily joined together by the practitioner.

[0036] This can be achieved by integrating:

[0037] -At the handpiece:

[0038] a first non-contact rotary joint, and

[0039] a drive and locking device (e.g., a motor) to enable rotational movement of the first adapter between a plurality of treatment positions;

[0040] -At the ultrasonic generating unit:

[0041] A single transducer, and

[0042] A second complementary non-contacting clutch is intended to mate with the first rotary clutch.

[0043] Therefore, the technical relationship between the handpiece and the ultrasound generating unit (including the corresponding technical elements (a first connector and a drive device on one side, and a transducer and a second connector on the other side)) makes it possible to solve the technical problem of the present invention, namely to provide a device for treating eye lesions, which utilizes two separate parts that can be simply connected so that ultrasound waves are applied to different areas distributed around the eye (without the need to reposition the treatment device).

[0044] Preferred but non-limiting aspects of the therapeutic device of the present invention are as follows:

[0045] - the first and second couplings may be magnetic couplings;

[0046] - the first engager may comprise at least one first magnetic element selected from a permanent magnet and an electromagnet, and the second engager may comprise at least one second magnetic element selected from a permanent magnet and an electromagnet, the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element being intended to be positioned facing each other and having opposite polarities;

[0047] - the first adapter may include a plurality of first magnetic elements arranged in the upstream base so that their centers of gravity extend along a first circle, the first magnetic elements having alternating polarities so that two adjacent first magnetic elements have opposite polarities, and the second adapter may include a plurality of second magnetic elements arranged in the downstream base so that their centers of gravity extend along a second circle coaxial with the first circle when the handpiece and the ultrasound generating unit are connected, the second magnetic elements having alternating polarities so that two adjacent second magnetic elements have opposite polarities;

[0048] - the handpiece may comprise at least one conductive track extending to the outer surface of the upstream base and intended to come into contact with at least one connection terminal of the ultrasound generating unit, said conductive track being circular and having an axis of rotation coaxial with the axis A-A' when the handpiece and the ultrasound generating unit are connected;

[0049] - the radial width of the conductive trace may be greater than or equal to 1 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 1.5 mm, more preferably greater than 2 mm;

[0050] The handpiece may comprise a conduit protruding outwardly from the outer surface of the upstream block, and the support may comprise a central passage of the axis of rotation AA', said central passage being dimensioned to receive the end of the conduit when the ultrasound generating unit and the handpiece are connected.

[0051] The present invention also relates to a handpiece of a device for treating ocular lesions, comprising:

[0052] -Handpiece, and

[0053] - an ultrasonic generating unit comprising a support support of axis A-A' and an ultrasonic module, said support support comprising a downstream base, said ultrasonic module comprising at least one transducer,

[0054] The handpiece comprises:

[0055] Holding the subject, and

[0056] a head mounted on the body, the head comprising an upstream base,

[0057] It is intended that the handpiece and the ultrasonic generating unit are connected together so that the outer surfaces of the upstream base and the downstream base extend toward each other,

[0058] It is characterized in that the handpiece comprises:

[0059] a first non-contacting adapter located in the upstream seat, the first adapter being intended to cooperate with a second adapter arranged in the downstream seat of the support, and

[0060] a drive and locking device for rotationally moving the first adapter relative to the grip body,

[0061] Thus, when the handpiece and the ultrasound generating unit are connected, the rotational movement of the first coupling between the first position and the second position causes the ultrasound module to rotate between the first position and the second position.

[0062] The present invention also relates to an ultrasonic wave generating unit of a device for treating eye diseases, comprising:

[0063] - an ultrasonic wave generating unit, and

[0064] - A handpiece comprising:

[0065] Holding the subject, and

[0066] A head mounted on the main body, the head comprising an upstream base, and the ultrasonic generating unit comprising:

[0067] a support bracket of axis A-A', said bracket comprising a downstream base,

[0068] an ultrasonic module comprising at least one transducer,

[0069] The ultrasound generating unit and the handpiece are intended to be connected together such that the outer surfaces of the upstream base and the downstream base extend towards each other.

[0070] It is characterized in that the ultrasonic generating unit includes a second non-contact coupler located in the downstream base of the bracket, and the second coupler is intended to cooperate with the first non-contact coupler in the upstream base. The handpiece includes a driving and locking device to move the first coupler relative to the holding body, so that when the handpiece and the ultrasonic generating unit are connected, the rotational movement of the first coupler between the first position and the second position causes the ultrasonic module to rotate between the first position and the second position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0071] Other advantages and features of the therapeutic device of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of several variants of embodiment given as non-limiting examples in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0072] - Figure 1 schematically shows an exploded perspective view of a device for treating an eye disease;

[0073] - Figure 2 schematically shows a perspective view of a handpiece and an ultrasound generating unit assembled together;

[0074] - Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a hand piece;

[0075] - Figures 4 to 7 Different perspective views of the ultrasound generating unit are schematically shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0076] Different examples of the therapeutic device of the present invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In these different drawings, equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0077] 1. Overview

[0078] Reference Figure 1 , the treatment device includes:

[0079] - Ring 1,

[0080] - Handpiece 2, and

[0081] - Ultrasonic wave generating unit 3.

[0082] The ring 1 , the handpiece 2 and the ultrasound generating unit 3 are intended to be assembled together and extend along the axis AA′ to form a treatment device.

[0083] The ring 1 and the ultrasound generating unit 3 are consumables of the treatment device, whereas the handpiece 2 is intended to be reused for treating multiple patients.

[0084] Thus, the most expensive components of the device can be integrated into the handpiece, thereby reducing the cost of consumables used to treat ocular pathologies.

[0085] 2. Treatment Devices

[0086] 2.1. ring

[0087] The ring 1 enables a suitable and constant positioning of the assembly consisting of the handpiece 2 and the ultrasound generating unit 3 , both with regard to centering and with regard to the distance between the sclera and the device of the ultrasound generating unit 3 .

[0088] The ring 1 comprises a conical truncated portion 11 of axis AA′ and a peripheral skirt 12 coaxial with the conical truncated portion 11 .

[0089] Both ends of the conical truncated head 11 are open. The small base of the conical truncated head 11 is intended to contact with the patient's eyes.

[0090] The skirt 12 comprises a cylindrical wall extending outwards from the large base of the conical truncated head 11. This skirt 12 forms a housing intended to house the ultrasound generating unit 3.

[0091] The ring 1 is adapted to be filled with a coupling fluid to enable the transmission of therapeutic sound waves to the patient's eye.

[0092] Such a ring is known to the person skilled in the art, in particular from document WO 2016 / 156381, and will not be described in more detail in the remainder of this text.

[0093] 2.2. Handpiece

[0094] like Figure 2 As shown, the handpiece 2 is intended to be used in conjunction with an ultrasound generating unit 3. As will be apparent from the following description, the handpiece 2 specifically enables a rotational movement of the ultrasound generating unit 3 in a plurality of treatment positions.

[0095] 2.2.1. Holding the main body

[0096] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the handpiece 2 includes a clamping body 21 that enables a practitioner to manipulate the device.

[0097] The grip body 21 extends longitudinally along the axis AA' and comprises a start button for starting the ultrasound generating unit 3 to generate therapeutic ultrasound.

[0098] 2.2.2. Connecting wires

[0099] The handpiece 2 further comprises an electrical conductor 22 connected to one of the ends of the grip body 21 .

[0100] The electrical connection wire 22 specifically enables:

[0101] - transmission of data (control signals, optionally measurement signals, etc.) between a remote control unit (not shown) and the ultrasound generating unit 3; and

[0102] - The ultrasonic wave generating unit 3 is powered with electricity to generate therapeutic ultrasonic waves.

[0103] 2.2.3. head

[0104] The handpiece further comprises a head 23 holding the other end of the body 21. The ultrasound generating unit 3 is intended to be joined to the handpiece 2 at the head 23.

[0105] The head 23 is composed of a cylindrical shell 231 and an upstream base 232 , the outer surface of which is intended to face the downstream base of the ultrasonic generating unit 3 .

[0106] The head 23 comprises drive and locking means (for example a motor) to cause the rotational movement of the upstream base 232 relative to the gripping body 21. These drive and locking means are arranged in a cylindrical housing 231.

[0107] The head 23 also comprises one (or more) lugs 233 protruding outwards from the upstream seat 232. Each lug 233 is intended to cooperate with a respective stamping arranged in the downstream seat of the ultrasonic generating unit 3.

[0108] The head 23 may also include magnetic engagement means, such as one (or more) permanent magnets, arranged in the upstream base 232. These magnetic engagement means are intended to cooperate in the following manner:

[0109] - When the bracket of the ultrasonic generating unit 3 is made of magnetic material (such as magnetic stainless steel or magnetic plastic), it directly cooperates with the bracket;

[0110] - or cooperate with complementary engagement means, such as one (or more) permanent magnets, arranged in the downstream seat of the ultrasound generating unit 3 .

[0111] These magnetic engagement means allow the ultrasound generating unit 3 to be detachably attached to the handpiece 2. This provides convenience for practitioners to operate the device.

[0112] The head 23 may also include a camera mounted in a guide tube 234 protruding outwardly from the upstream base 232. The camera is capable of acquiring images of the eye to be treated, in particular verifying the proper centering of the treatment device on the patient's eye.

[0113] The head 23 also comprises one (or more) conductive traces 235 extending onto the outer surface of the upstream base 232. Each trace 235 is intended to be in contact with a connection terminal of the ultrasonic generating unit 3 so as to electrically connect the ultrasonic generating unit with the handpiece.

[0114] Advantageously, the dimensions of each trace may be adjusted to account for variations in the position of its associated connection terminals.

[0115] The position of each connection terminal can be effectively changed according to different ultrasound generating units, in particular according to the eye size of the patient to be treated. Therefore, at least one dimension of each conductive trace can be designed to be greater than or equal to 1 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 1.5 mm, and more preferably greater than 2 mm to take into account the change in the position of the connection terminal.

[0116] 2.3. Ultrasonic generating unit

[0117] The ultrasonic generating unit 3 is capable of generating ultrasonic energy and comprises a supporting bracket 31 , an ultrasonic module 32 including a transducer 321 , and a sealing member 33 .

[0118] Advantageously, the support 31 and the ultrasonic module 32 are manufactured separately and then assembled to form the ultrasonic generating unit 3. This enables the ultrasonic modules 32 to be manufactured in series, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the ultrasonic generating unit 3.

[0119] 2.3.1. Bracket

[0120] The support 31 is composed of an annular ring of axis A-A'. The support 31 comprises:

[0121] a downstream base 311 to the inner surface of which the ultrasonic module 32 is attached (eg using fixing screws);

[0122] - an outer side wall 317, and

[0123] An inner side wall defining a central passage 315 passing through the downstream base 311 .

[0124] The downstream base 311 may include magnetic engagement means on its outer surface to complement the engagement means provided in the head of the handpiece. Figure 6 In the embodiment shown, the engagement means comprise a plurality of permanent magnets A1, A2 arranged in the downstream base 311 so that their centre of gravity extends along a circle whose centre belongs to the axis A-A'. Advantageously, these permanent magnets can be arranged with alternating polarity so that two adjacent permanent magnets A1, A2 have opposite polarity. They are intended to cooperate with a plurality of permanent magnets arranged in the upstream base 232 of the handpiece 2, each permanent magnet of the upstream base 232 being intended to face the corresponding magnet of the downstream base 311.

[0125] The outer side wall 317 of the bracket 31 may further include a through hole 319 (eg, rectangular) to facilitate the discharge of air bubbles when the ring 1 is filled with coupling fluid.

[0126] The diameter of the central cylindrical channel 315 is greater than the diameter of the conduit 234. It is intended to accommodate the end of the conduit 234 when the ultrasound generating unit 3 and the handpiece 2 are joined together. Therefore, when the handpiece 2 and the ultrasound generating unit 3 are used together, the central channel 315 and the conduit 234 are coaxial. In addition to the function of the central channel 315 and the conduit 234 to accommodate the image capture camera, the central channel 315 and the conduit 234 form a guide device that facilitates the alignment of the handpiece 2 and the ultrasound generating unit 3.

[0127] The end of the central channel 315 opposite to the outer surface of the downstream base 311 comprises a plate 316 transparent to optical radiation. This transparent plate 316 can be, for example, a disk bulging outwards from the central channel 315, such as a converging lens. This allows any air bubbles (contained in the coupling fluid) to be excluded from the field of view of the camera contained in the handpiece 2.

[0128] The bracket 31 also includes one (or more) stampings 312 opened on the outer surface of the downstream base 311. As mentioned above, each stamping 312 is suitable for accommodating each lug 233. When the upstream base 232 of the handpiece 2 rotates, the cooperation between the lug 233 and the stamping 312 causes the ultrasonic generating unit 3 to be driven in rotation. Advantageously, each stamping is a non-through hole. In other words, each stamping includes a bottom 313. This prevents the coupling fluid contained in the ring from contacting the handpiece 2 by circulating through the stamping (or a plurality of stampings).

[0129] like Figure 5 As shown, the support 31 also includes one (or more) radial beams 314 extending radially on the inner surface of the downstream base 311. This (or these) beams enable the rigidity of the support to be increased. Thus, the thickness of the constituent walls of the support 31 can be reduced to limit the weight of the ultrasonic generating unit 3.

[0130] Advantageously, the downstream base 311 comprises a through radial slot 318 extending radially between the center and the edge of the downstream base 311. This radial slot 318 allows the passage of a connection terminal 323 of the ultrasonic module 32 attached to the inner surface of the support 31 so that this (or these) connection terminal 323 protrudes outwardly from the outer surface of the downstream base 311. Since the through opening arranged in the downstream base 311 consists of a radial slot, it is possible to change the position of the ultrasonic module 32 in the support 31 without modifying the support 31 to take into account the changes in the size of the eye to be treated. Therefore, from a support 31 and an ultrasonic module 32 of standard size, different (specifically three) modes of the ultrasonic generating unit 3 can be obtained, each mode being suitable for treating eyes of various sizes. This enables the manufacturing cost of the ultrasonic unit 3 to be reduced.

[0131] 2.3.2. Ultrasonic module

[0132] The ultrasound module 32 is capable of generating sound waves for treating eye lesions.

[0133] The ultrasonic module 32 includes a transducer 321 , a housing 322 , and one (or more) connection terminals 323 .

[0134] The transducer 321 generates therapeutic sound waves in a direction opposite to the downstream base 311. The transducer 321 includes a radiating element for generating sound waves. The profile of the radiating element can be adapted to enable the ultrasound waves to be directed and focused at a given point. As a variant, the transducer 321 can include one (or more) reflectors to reflect, direct and focus the sound waves generated by the radiating element at a given point.

[0135] The housing 322 forms a support for the transducer 321. It contains an electronic circuit board for driving the transducer 321. The electronic board may include a memory in which the energization parameters of the transducer 321 are stored. The housing is suitable for attachment to the downstream base 311. It also contains connection terminals 323.

[0136] The connection terminal 323 is intended to contact the conductive trace 235 to electrically connect the handpiece 2 to the ultrasound generating unit 3. Figure 4 In the embodiment shown, the ultrasonic module 32 includes two connection terminals 323, one dedicated to the passage of current for power supply and the other dedicated to the passage of control and measurement electrical signals. Each connection terminal may include a spring electrical connector. This allows for the different mechanical tolerances associated with assembling the ultrasonic module 32 to the bracket 31 to be taken into account.

[0137] 2.3.3. Seals

[0138] The seal 33 prevents the coupling fluid contained in the ring 1 from coming into contact with the connection terminals 323 and the conductive tracks. To this end, the seal is intended to extend around the connection terminals 323.

[0139] exist Figure 7 In the embodiment shown, the seal is disc-shaped and extends over the entire outer surface of the downstream seat 311. This (in addition to ensuring the sealing of the device at the connection terminal 323) prevents the coupling fluid from coming into contact with the handpiece 2. This makes it possible to improve the stability of the device along the axis A-A'.

[0140] 3. How it works

[0141] A description will now be given of an example of a procedure for treating the eye of a patient lying on an operating table using the apparatus described above.

[0142] In one step, the practitioner engages the handpiece 2 to the ultrasound generating unit 3. The practitioner brings the upstream base 232 close to the downstream base 311 and allows the conduit 234 to enter the central channel 315, and the magnetic engagement means tend to promote centering (of the handpiece 2 relative to the ultrasound generating unit 3) by the magnetic field they generate. The connection terminals 323 are in contact with the conductive traces 235, and the engagement means ensure that the ultrasound generating unit 3 is detachably attached to the handpiece 2.

[0143] The practitioner then inserts the assembly consisting of the handpiece 2 and the ultrasound generating unit 3 into the ring 1. Once the device is assembled, the practitioner places the device on the patient's eye and fills the ring 1 with the coupling fluid.

[0144] When the device is in place and the transducer 321 is immersed in the coupling fluid, the practitioner begins treatment of the patient by pressing the activation button of the handpiece 2 .

[0145] The ultrasonic generating unit 3 generates therapeutic sound waves to the first area of ​​the patient's eye within a predefined treatment time period. Once this predefined time period has passed, the drive and locking devices are activated. They drive the upstream base 232 to rotate. The force exerted by the lug 233 on the downstream base 311 at the imprint 312 causes the rotational movement of the ultrasonic generating unit 3.

[0146] Once the transducer 321 is positioned in the second treatment position, the drive and locking means are deactivated: the ultrasound generating unit 3 is fixed and activated to generate therapeutic sound waves to the second area of ​​the eye for a predefined period of time.

[0147] The treatment and exercise steps are repeated to treat different areas around the entire circumference of the patient's eye.

[0148] The above device can therefore be manufactured at a lower cost than the device described in WO 2009 / 103721, thereby treating several areas distributed over the entire circumference of the eye without requiring action by the practitioner to reposition the treatment device at each ultrasound emission.

[0149] 4. Implementation variants

[0150] A variant of the embodiment developed by the applicant is now described. The reader will understand that in the remainder of this document only the elements that differ between the above-described device and the variant of the embodiment below will be described.

[0151] In order to facilitate the assembly of the device, in particular the connection of the handpiece 2 with the ultrasonic generating unit 3 , the inventors propose not to use the lugs 233 and the stampings 312 provided in the upstream and downstream bases 232 , 311 .

[0152] More specifically, in a second variant of an embodiment of the present invention:

[0153] - the handpiece 2 comprises a first contactless adapter located in the upstream seat 232; and

[0154] The ultrasonic generating unit 3 comprises a second contactless adapter located in the downstream seat 311 of the support 31 , the second adapter being complementary to the first adapter.

[0155] Thus, the first and second adapters are intended to mate together and function as the lugs and indentations 233, 312 such that rotational movement of the upstream base 232 between two treatment positions causes rotational movement of the ultrasound module 32 between the first and second positions.

[0156] The first non-contact engager and the second non-contact engager may each be composed of one (or more) permanent magnets or electromagnets of opposite polarity (North / South).

[0157] The use of a non-contact coupling instead of lugs and stamping overcomes the limitation on the angular orientation of the handpiece 2 relative to the ultrasound generating unit 3 when they are coupled together. Then, the only limitation to be met in order to couple the handpiece 2 and the ultrasound generating unit 3 involves the alignment along the axis A-A' between the central channel 315 and the catheter 234 (to be assembled into the central channel). This facilitates the practitioner to connect the handpiece 2 to the ultrasound generating unit 3.

[0158] The reader will appreciate that the first and second engagers may be magnetic devices in addition to the previously described engaging devices, or they may be engaging devices.

[0159] Advantageously, the shape of the conductive traces may be adapted to ensure contact between the connection terminals and the traces, regardless of the angular orientation of the handpiece 2 relative to the ultrasound generating unit 3. In particular, each conductive trace may be provided in a circular shape and positioned on the upstream base such that the axis of rotation of the trace is coaxial with the axis A-A' when the handpiece 2 is connected to the ultrasound generating unit 3.

[0160] The technical elements of this variant of the embodiment thus facilitate the practitioner to join the handpiece 2 and the ultrasound generating unit 3 to obtain a treatment device suitable for applying ultrasound to different areas distributed over the entire circumference of the eye (without having to reposition the treatment device).

[0161] The reader will appreciate that many modifications may be made to the previously described invention without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages described herein.

Claims

1. A device for treating eye diseases, comprising: - an ultrasonic generating unit (3), comprising: a support (31) of axis A-A', said support comprising a downstream base (311), An ultrasonic module (32) comprising at least one transducer (321), - A handpiece (2) comprising: holding the main body (21), and a head (23) mounted on the body, the head comprising an upstream base (232) intended to connect the handpiece and the ultrasound generating unit together so that the outer surfaces of the upstream base and the downstream base extend facing each other, Features: - The handpiece comprises: a first non-contact engager located in the upstream base, wherein the first non-contact engager comprises a plurality of first magnetic elements arranged in the upstream base so that their centers of gravity extend along a first circle, the first magnetic elements having alternating polarities such that two adjacent first magnetic elements have opposite polarities, and A drive and locking device for the rotational movement of the first non-contact engager relative to the grip body and characterized in that - The ultrasonic generating unit comprises: a second non-contact engager, which is complementary to the first non-contact engager and is located in the downstream seat of the support, the first non-contact engager and the second non-contact engager are intended to mate together, wherein the second non-contact engager comprises a plurality of second magnetic elements arranged in the downstream seat so that their center of gravity extends along a second circle coaxial with the first circle when the handpiece and the ultrasound generating unit are connected, the second magnetic elements having alternating polarities so that two adjacent second magnetic elements have opposite polarities, Thus, when the handpiece and the ultrasound generating unit are connected, the rotational movement of the first non-contact coupling between the first position and the second position causes the ultrasound module to rotate between the first position and the second position.

2. The device for treating eye diseases according to claim 1, wherein: The first non-contact clutch and the second non-contact clutch are magnetic clutches.

3. The device for treating eye diseases according to claim 1, wherein: - the first non-contact engager comprises at least one first magnetic element selected from a permanent magnet and an electromagnet, and - the second non-contact engager comprises at least one second magnetic element selected from a permanent magnet and an electromagnet, The first and second magnetic elements are intended to be positioned facing each other and having opposite polarities.

4. The device for treating eye diseases according to claim 1, wherein: The handpiece comprises at least one conductive trace (235), which extends to the outer surface of the upstream base and is intended to contact at least one connection terminal (323) of the ultrasonic generating unit, and the conductive trace is circular, and when the handpiece and the ultrasonic generating unit are connected, the rotation axis of the conductive trace is coaxial with the axis A-A'.

5. The device for treating eye diseases according to claim 4, wherein: The radial width of the conductive trace is greater than or equal to 1 mm.

6. The device for treating eye diseases according to claim 1, wherein: - the handpiece comprises a conduit projecting outwardly from an outer surface of the upstream block, and wherein: - the support of the ultrasonic unit comprises a central channel extending along the axis A-A', The central passage is sized to receive the end of the catheter when the ultrasound generating unit and the handpiece are connected.

7. The device for treating eye diseases according to claim 5, wherein: The radial width of the conductive trace is greater than or equal to 1.5 mm.

8. The device for treating eye diseases according to claim 5, wherein: The radial width of the conductive trace is greater than 2 mm.

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