Abstract: A method is disclosed in which the suctioning of materials from a surgical zone, such as the human eye, is automatically controlled linearly by means of a pressure transducer continuously sensing the vacuum level of a debris receptacle (for collecting suctioned materials from the surgical zone) when material is being suctioned from the zone. The vacuum level in the debris receptacle is linearly varied when the vacuum level in the receptacle is either raised or lowered depending on the suctioning requirements from the surgical zone and whether or not the vacuum level in the receptacle is greater or lower than a previously determined and desirable vacuum level. The vacuum level of the receptacle may, in part, be controlled and varied, by means of a foot pedal operated by the surgeon.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which automatically controls the suctioning of materials from a surgical zone, such as the human eye, which may function as a counterpart to an apparatus for automatically regulating the pressure of fluid in the same surgical zone. The apparatus incorporates a pressure transducer which continuously senses the vacuum level of a debris receptacle when the suctioning of material from the surgical zone into the receptacle is desired. The receptacle may be maintained at a certain predetermined maximum vacuum level by a vacuum source, and the vacuum may vary depending on the application. To control the vacuum of the debris bottle, the pressure transducer communicates with the control electronics which can vary the vacuum level in the receptacle by either increasing the vacuum level by opening a valve, located between the vacuum source and the debris receptacle, where the vacuum level in the receptacle is insufficient to properly suction materials from the surgical zone.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing a male by coagulating an anatomical element using an instrument having a body with two members adapted for closing towards each other and holding therebetween an anatomical element, and a waveguide constructed to emit electromagentic radiation at a predetermined microwave frequency suitable for coagulation of an anatomical element, the waveguide disposed on at least one of the body members, comprising the steps of holding an anatomical element between the body members closed towards each other at a predetermined pressure causing emission of electromagnetic radiation from the waveguide in one of the body members towards the remaining body member, the radiation being emitted at a frequency to selectively permanently cauterize only muscle tissue portions of the anatomical element held between the body members without significant damage to fatty tissue portions of the anatomical element held between the body members; and subjecting the held anatomical element to the emitted waveguide radi