Abstract: An irrigation/aspiration apparatus is provided for use with surgical instrumentation requiring irrigation and aspiration of fluids and a peristaltic pump. The apparatus includes a housing and a manifold for connecting a transfer tube with aspiration and irrigation lines from the surgical instrumentation and with waste and supply lines. An opening the housing enables access to the transfer tube in order to control fluid flow therein. A diaphragm mounted to the housing and in fluid communication with the aspiration tube enables both pressure measurement and pressure control in the tubing when the housing is inserted into a drawer in the console and in operative engagement with a peristaltic pump head disposed therein.

Abstract: An irrigation/aspiration apparatus is provided for use with surgical instrumentation requiring irrigation and aspiration of fluids and a peristaltic pump. The apparatus includes a housing and a manifold for connecting a transfer tube with aspiration and irrigation lines from the surgical instrumentation and with waste and supply lines. An opening the housing enables access to the transfer tube in order to control fluid flow therein. A diaphragm mounted to the housing and in fluid communication with the aspiration tube enables both pressure measurement and pressure control in the tubing when the housing is inserted into a drawer in the console and in operative engagement with a peristaltic pump head disposed therein.

Abstract: A pressure measurement system includes a diaphragm and a chamber for exposing one side of the diaphragm to a fluid. A force transducer is provided for measuring force exerted by the fluid on the one side of the diaphragm independent of diaphragm position. A ferromagnetic plate is attached to the diaphragm to enable removable coupling of the diaphragm with a magnet permanently attached to the force transducer.

Abstract: A method useful in a process for cataractous lens removal for operating phacoemulsifier apparatus having a vacuum pump and a fluid irrigation pump in order to simultaneously control vacuum, for aspiration, and fluid flow, for irrigation, to a phacoemulsifier handpiece. The method includes selecting a vacuum limit for aspiration; selecting a fluid flow limit for irrigation; assigning a linear relationship between a remotely disposed control lever and vacuum provided to the handpiece by the vacuum pump between zero and the vacuum limit; supplying vacuum to the handpiece by actuating the control lever; and controlling the fluid flow to the handpiece in response to the level of vacuum provided to the handpiece so that as more vacuum is provided, less fluid flow than the fluid flow limit is provided to the handpiece.

Abstract: A drawer loading cassette system for a surgical instrument includes a control cabinet and an assembly head disposed therein which includes a plurality of rollers mounted in circular pattern with each roller having a rotation axis generally parallel to an assembly heads central axis. The assembly head is mounted in the cabinet for rotation about the assembly head central axis and a drawer, configured for engagement with a tubing management cassette, is movably attached to the cabinet in order to provide an open position for loading the the cassette and a closed position for engaging a section of tubing supported by the cassette with the rollers.

Abstract: A method is provided for the operation of phacoemulsifier apparatus in the performance of a phacoemulsification in which three modes of operation are required. The method for the establishment of an angular range of foot pedal operation to each of the modes of the operation and assigning a linear relationship between the angular position of the foot pedal within the range and an output signal from the foot pedal within each range. The foot pedal control sensitivity is obtained by adjusting the range of position of the foot pedal within each of the selected modes.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump includes a plurality of rollers for compressing and sealing a collapsible and resilient tube. A housing and a pump arm with a specific arcuate surface and position with respect to the housing enable the succesive contact and gradual compression of the rollers with the tube in a manner for moving a fluid through the tube in one direction without creating substantial fluid back pressure in an opposite direction.