Abstract: A guillotine surgical cutter. The cutter includes an inner sleeve that moves within the inner channel of an outer sleeve. The distal end of the outer sleeve may have a plurality of outer ports. The inner sleeve may also have an inner channel and one or more openings that are in fluid communication with the outer ports of the outer sleeve. The inner sleeve can be connected to a diaphragm and a disk spring. The diaphragm may be adjacent to a drive chamber that is coupled to a source of pressurized air by a control valve. Actuation of the control valve pressurizes the drive chamber and moves the inner sleeve relative to the outer sleeve. The cutter may include a snap spring that is attached to the disk spring and which provides an additional acceleration of the inner sleeve. The springs return the inner sleeve back to the original position when the control valve is switched to reduce the pressure of the drive chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus that senses the pressure within a fluid line which has an external surface. The apparatus includes a sensor which has a probe that is in contact with the external surface of the fluid line. Any change in pressure deflects the fluid line and displaces the probe. The sensor provides an output signal that is representative of the probe displacement.

Abstract: An irrigation sleeve for a surgical instrument which has an outer band that is attached to the sleeve. The irrigation sleeve has an inner bore that extends from a proximal end to a distal end of the sleeve. Located at the distal end of the sleeve is a tip which has an outlet port. The outer band is attached to the distal end of the sleeve at a location that is adjacent to the tip. The sleeve is typically constructed from a silicone rubber material that is flexible enough so that the tip can be repeatedly inserted through an incision in a cornea without damaging the eye. The band is preferably constructed from a rigid material such as TEFLON which will not collapse when inserted through the cornea incision. The band has a low coefficient of thermal conductivity so that heat is not transferred to the cornea tissue. The band also has a low coefficient of friction so that the Decemets membrane does not roll up on the sleeve when inserted into and out of the incision.