Abstract: A control method for an energy-based surgical instrument includes activating energy at a subtherapeutic level, measuring a system response at the subtherapeutic level, adjusting one or more parameters based on the system response, and then activating energy at a therapeutic level according to the determined parameters. Tissue pad wear of the surgical instrument may be determined based on ultrasound usage of the instrument, and radio frequency (RF) energy output parameters may be determined based on the tissue pad wear. Attributes of an RF sealing operation may be recorded, and one or more control parameters of an ultrasonic transection operation may be determined based on the attributes of the RF sealing operation. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A control method for an energy-based surgical instrument includes activating a combined radio frequency (RF) and ultrasound operation, which may be a sealing operation or a sealing and transection operation. The sealing operation includes activating a pulsed RF operation with an ultrasound sealing operation between pulses of the RF operation. A control method for the energy-based surgical instrument includes determining whether an ultrasonic blade of the surgical instrument contacts a tissue pad of the surgical instrument and, if so, allowing ultrasonic energy delivery at a reduced energy level or preventing ultrasonic energy delivery. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A control method for an energy-based surgical instrument includes activating a subtherapeutic radio frequency (RF) signal, activating a stage of an ultrasonic operation, measuring a tissue parameter with the subtherapeutic RF signal, determining whether the tissue parameter exceeds a predetermined threshold, and activating another stage of the ultrasonic operation in response to determining that the tissue parameter exceeds the predetermined threshold. A control method includes measuring a mechanical parameter of the surgical instrument and adjusting delivery of therapeutic energy based on the mechanical parameter and a tissue parameter. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for providing a surgical handpiece. The apparatus, system and method may include: an ultrasonic horn having an emulsifying needle at a distal end thereof; a plurality of piezoelements about a proximal end of the ultrasonic horn; a plurality of electrode segments comprising first sets of the electrode segments atop each of the piezoelements and second sets of the electrode segments below each of the piezoelements, and comprising at least pairs of the electrode segments in which each pair comprises an electrode segment atop a one of the piezoelements and a paired electrode segment below that one of the piezoelements; and a power source applied via a controlled double-pole, double-throw (DPDT) switch.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for a phacoemulsification handpiece. Included are: at least a first segment having a longitudinal axis, and a first end and a second end, wherein at least aspiration, irrigation and power inputs enter the first end; a second segment along the longitudinal axis and comprising, at a distalmost portion thereof from the first segment, a needle powered by the power input, an aspiration output, and an irrigation output; a rotating coupler capable of coupling the second end of the first segment and the second segment to enable independent axial rotation about the longitudinal axis of the first segment from the second segment; and a plurality of flexible tubing passing substantially along the longitudinal axis within both the first segment and the second segment. The plurality of flexible tubing flexes within the first and second segments and within the rotating coupler so as not to bind during the independent axial rotation.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for a phacoemulsification handpiece. Included are: at least a first segment having a longitudinal axis, and a first end and a second end, wherein at least aspiration, irrigation and power inputs enter the first end; a second segment along the longitudinal axis and comprising, at a distalmost portion thereof from the first segment, a needle powered by the power input, an aspiration output, and an irrigation output; a rotating coupler capable of coupling the second end of the first segment and the second segment to enable independent axial rotation about the longitudinal axis of the first segment from the second segment; and a plurality of flexible tubing passing substantially along the longitudinal axis within both the first segment and the second segment. The plurality of flexible tubing flexes within the first and second segments and within the rotating coupler so as not to bind during the independent axial rotation.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for a phacoemulsification handpiece. The phacoemulsification handpiece may include: a proximal portion having a longitudinal axis, and a first end and a second end, wherein at least aspiration, irrigation and power connectors couple with the first end; a distal portion along the longitudinal axis and comprising a coupling configured to couple a needle with the distal portion; and a lever connectively associated with the coupling extending outwardly from the coupling through the distal portion, wherein actuation of the outwardly extending aspect of the lever provides a rotation of the coupling independent of rotation of the distal portion.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for providing a surgical handpiece. The apparatus, system and method may include: an ultrasonic horn having an emulsifying needle at a distal end thereof; a plurality of piezoelements about a proximal end of the ultrasonic horn; a plurality of electrode segments comprising first sets of the electrode segments atop each of the piezoelements and second sets of the electrode segments below each of the piezoelements, and comprising at least pairs of the electrode segments in which each pair comprises an electrode segment atop a one of the piezoelements and a paired electrode segment below that one of the piezoelements; and a power source applied via a controlled double-pole, double-throw (DPDT) switch.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for providing a surgical handpiece. The apparatus, system and method may include: an ultrasonic horn having an emulsifying needle at a distal end thereof; a plurality of piezoelements about a proximal end of the ultrasonic horn; a plurality of flexible electrode segments comprising first sets of the electrode segments atop each of the piezoelements and second sets of the electrode segments below each of the piezoelements, and comprising at least pairs of the electrode segments in which each pair comprises an electrode segment atop a one of the piezoelements and a paired electrode segment below that one of the piezoelements; a plurality of flexible interconnections that electrically interconnect at least the first sets and second sets, and the pairs, flexibly about each of the plurality of piezoelements; and a power source applied via a controlled double-pole, double-throw (DPDT) switch.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for a phacoemulsification handpiece. Included are: at least a first segment having a longitudinal axis, and a first end and a second end, wherein at least aspiration, irrigation and power inputs enter the first end; a second segment along the longitudinal axis and comprising, at a distalmost portion thereof from the first segment, a needle powered by the power input, an aspiration output, and an irrigation output; a rotating coupler capable of coupling the second end of the first segment and the second segment to enable independent axial rotation about the longitudinal axis of the first segment from the second segment; and a plurality of flexible tubing passing substantially along the longitudinal axis within both the first segment and the second segment. The plurality of flexible tubing flexes within the first and second segments and within the rotating coupler so as not to bind during the independent axial rotation.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for a phacoemulsification handpiece. The phacoemulsification handpiece may include: a proximal portion having a longitudinal axis, and a first end and a second end, wherein at least aspiration, irrigation and power connectors couple with the first end; a distal portion along the longitudinal axis and comprising a coupling configured to couple a needle with the distal portion; and a lever connectively associated with the coupling extending outwardly from the coupling through the distal portion, wherein actuation of the outwardly extending aspect of the lever provides a rotation of the coupling independent of rotation of the distal portion.