Abstract: An ultrasonic handpiece includes a piezoelectric element assembly. Control signals drive the piezoelectric element assembly simultaneously in a first mode of oscillation and a second mode of oscillation. Feedback of a resulting oscillation of the piezoelectric element assembly in the first mode and the second mode is generated. Based on the feedback, the frequency of each of the first mode and second mode is independently adjusted, as needed, so that the resulting oscillation of each of the first mode and the second mode is each approximately at its respective resonant frequency.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for measuring pulsed laser output. An example system comprises a laser configured to emit output in pulses; at least one sensor positioned to sense laser output and configured to convert that output into electrical signals; an edge detector configured to detect at least leading edges of a plurality of laser pulses; an analog to digital converter configured to convert electrical signals from a sensor into digital signals indicative of laser power output; and a controller; wherein, based on the detection of at least the leading edges of the laser pulses, the controller is configured to obtain samples of laser power output during the laser pulses. The system may refrain from sampling laser power output between laser pulses or may sample laser power output between laser pulses at a reduced sample rate. The system may use the samples of laser power output in a feedback loop to automatically adjust laser power.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical console may include a pneumatic valve to drive a pneumatic tool coupled to the surgical console. The console may further include a controller operable to control and adjust the valve open/close cycle times according to a valve duty cycle. The valve may switch between ports (valve open time for a first port and valve close time for a second port) such that a total valve time may approximately equal the valve open time plus the valve close time. The valve duty cycle may indicate a percentage of the total valve time for the controller to signal the valve to open and may include an adjustment that corresponds to a signal timing of the open and/or closed valve positions that will result in open and closed operating pressures above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical console may include a pneumatic valve to drive a pneumatic tool coupled to the surgical console. The console may further include a controller operable to control and adjust the valve open/close cycle times according to a valve duty cycle. The valve may switch between ports (valve open time for a first port and valve close time for a second port) such that a total valve time may approximately equal the valve open time plus the valve close time. The valve duty cycle may indicate a percentage of the total valve time for the controller to signal the valve to open and may include an adjustment that corresponds to a signal timing of the open and/or closed valve positions that will result in open and closed operating pressures above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical console may include a pneumatic valve to drive a pneumatic tool coupled to the surgical console. The console may further include a controller operable to control and adjust the valve open/close cycle times according to a valve duty cycle. The valve may switch between ports (valve open time for a first port and valve close time for a second port) such that a total valve time may approximately equal the valve open time plus the valve close time. The valve duty cycle may indicate a percentage of the total valve time for the controller to signal the valve to open and may include an adjustment that corresponds to a signal timing of the open and/or closed valve positions that will result in open and closed operating pressures above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method of operating an ophthalmic surgical hand piece, providing a series of power pulses to the hand piece, each of the series of power pulses having a first portion that produces torsional movement of a cutting tip and a second portion that produces longitudinal movement of the cutting tip; measuring vacuum pressure; altering the duration of the first portion as vacuum pressure increases; and altering the duration of the second portion as vacuum pressure increases.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method of operating an ophthalmic surgical hand piece, providing a series of power pulses to the hand piece, each of the series of power pulses having a first portion that produces torsional movement of a cutting tip and a second portion that produces longitudinal movement of the cutting tip; measuring vacuum pressure; altering the duration of the first portion as vacuum pressure increases; and altering the duration of the second portion as vacuum pressure increases.

Abstract: Phacoemulsification systems and associated user interfaces and methods for use in ophthalmic surgery are disclosed. In some embodiments, a touch screen display of an ophthalmic surgical console provides a graphical user interface that allows a user to both visualize and control various operating parameters of the surgical console and associated subsystems. The controllable operating parameters include, without limitation, aspiration flow rates, IV pole height, vacuum limit pressures, minimum ultrasound power, maximum ultrasound power, on-time, off-time, and/or other values associated with the operating parameters of the ophthalmic surgical console.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification fluidics system for irrigating and aspirating a surgical site includes a sterile solution reservoir, an irrigation path configured to extend from the sterile solution reservoir to the surgical site, and an aspiration path configured to extend from the surgical site. The system also includes a single flow control pump head associated with both the irrigation path and the aspiration path. The flow control pump head is arranged within the system to simultaneously pressurize the irrigation path in a manner that drives the irrigation fluid to the surgical site and pressurize the aspiration path in a manner that vacuums waste fluid from the surgical site.

Abstract: A control system for managing power supplied to a phacoemulsification hand piece includes a power source that provides power to the hand piece and a controller that controls the power source. The controller calculates a thermal value based on irrigation fluid flow and a power level and decreases the power level in proportion to the calculated thermal value when the calculated thermal value exceeds a threshold thermal value. Irrigation fluid flow can be calculated from irrigation fluid pressure.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for an interface for providing a user with feedback are presented. Specifically, embodiments of such an interface may include a head-up display unit which is mounted on a microscope utilized by a user when performing a surgical procedure. The heads-up display unit may include an eye-piece ring which is fitted onto or in one of the eye pieces of the microscope. The heads-up unit receives data regarding one or more parameters from a surgical console or other source and produces audio or visual feedback corresponding to a desired parameter. Any visual feedback produced may then be propagated to the eye piece ring allowing a user of the microscope to obtain the feedback when performing a surgical procedure utilizing the microscope and obviating the need to look at a screen of the surgical console to obtain such feedback. Thus, feedback is provided to a user in a non-intrusive manner such that the user can obtain this feedback without distracting from a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A control system for managing power supplied to a phacoemulsification hand piece includes a power source that provides power to the hand piece and a controller that controls the power source. The controller calculates a thermal value based on irrigation fluid flow and a power level and decreases the power level in proportion to the calculated thermal value when the calculated thermal value exceeds a threshold thermal value. Irrigation fluid flow can be calculated from irrigation fluid pressure.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical console may include a pneumatic valve to drive a pneumatic tool coupled to the surgical console. The console may further include a controller operable to control and adjust the valve open/close cycle times according to a valve duty cycle. The valve may switch between ports (valve open time for a first port and valve close time for a second port) such that a total valve time may approximately equal the valve open time plus the valve close time. The valve duty cycle may indicate a percentage of the total valve time for the controller to signal the valve to open and may include an adjustment that corresponds to a signal timing of the open and/or closed valve positions that will result in open and closed operating pressures above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A surgical console is disclosed, comprising a processing module operable to direct operations of and receive inputs from devices operably coupled to the processing module, at least one memory device operably coupled to the processing module, wherein the at least one memory device is operable to store multimedia content, and a user interface, wherein the user interface is operable to display representations of surgical console functions and to display selected portions of the multimedia content during a non-surgery mode.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for an interface for providing a user with feedback are presented. Specifically, embodiments of such an interface may include a head-up display unit which is mounted on a microscope utilized by a user when performing a surgical procedure. The heads-up display unit may include an eye-piece ring which is fitted onto or in one of the eye pieces of the microscope. The heads-up unit receives data regarding one or more parameters from a surgical console or other source and produces audio or visual feedback corresponding to a desired parameter. Any visual feedback produced may then be propagated to the eye piece ring allowing a user of the microscope to obtain the feedback when performing a surgical procedure utilizing the microscope and obviating the need to look at a screen of the surgical console to obtain such feedback. Thus, feedback is provided to a user in a non-intrusive manner such that the user can obtain this feedback without distracting from a surgical procedure.