Abstract: A surgical instrument is intended for use in cataract operations, and includes an ultrasonic probe in the form of a hollow needle which is connected with a suction conduit, through which lens debris is removed by suction together with a rinsing liquid. The rinsing liquid is supplied to the site of surgery via a flow path extending between the hollow needle and a sleeve surrounding this needle with a spacing from the needle. This sleeve extends approximately along the entire length of the hollow needle and has at its distal end at least one outlet aperture for the rinsing liquid. The sleeve has two layers, in which an outer jacket layer is made of tissue compatible plastic such as silicone. A small inner tube layer is positioned and fitted within the outer jacket. This inner tube is made of a material having greater stiffness than the material of the outer jacket, and radially supports the outer jacket.

Abstract: An apparatus used during eye surgery for aspirating lens debris from a surgical site at an anterior chamber of the eye during a cataract operation. The apparatus includes a container of flushing liquid connected to a hose. A handpiece is provided which includes a double lumen cannula having a first lumen and a second lumen connected to the hose for delivering flushing liquid to the surgical site. An aspiration conduit is connected to the first lumen. A peristaltic pump is connected to the aspiration conduit for aspirating flushing liquid containing lens debris from the surgical site. The motor drives the peristaltic and a computer controls the rotational speed of the motor based on the preset vacuum rise rate. A ventilation valve is connected to the aspiration conduit between the double cannula and the peristaltic pump. The valve is selectively opened to admit air into the aspiration conduit.

Abstract: A cannula for an eye-surgery instrument, employed to shatter the lens of the eye by high-frequency oscillation and to suction out the fragments. It accommodates a suction channel with a section that is wider toward the tip of the cannula. The wider section (20) comprises at least two straight bores (8, 9, & 10), one wider than another, extending coaxial with the suction channel (7) into the cannula (1) from its tip (5). Fragments of the shattered lens accumulate in the bores in accordance with size, where they can be further fragmented by ultrasound.