Abstract: A device for ocular surgery includes a surgical handpiece including a power cord and an aspiration needle for removing ocular material from an eye, and co-extruded tubing. The tubing includes an aspiration tube for receiving the ocular material removed from the eye by the surgical handpiece, an irrigation tube integrally formed with the aspiration tube for supplying irrigation fluid to the surgical handpiece, and a ridge defined along at least a majority of a length of the co-extruded tubing, the ridge defining a groove for receiving the power cord of the surgical handpiece.

Abstract: A combination of an irrigation sleeve 20 and a phacoemulsification needle 22. The irrigation sleeve 20 has a proximal end 32 and a distal end 30, the proximal end for attachment to a surgical handpiece. The phacoemulsification needle 22 has a proximal end 26, a distal end 24, and a lumen 38 spanning a length of the needle 22 from the proximal end 26 to the distal end 24. The needle proximal end 26 is for connection to the surgical handpiece, and the needle 22 has structure 44 proximate the needle distal end 24 for retaining the sleeve distal end 30 near the needle distal end 24.

Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical cassette for collecting aspirant fluid and/or tissue during an ophthalmic surgical procedure. The ophthalmic surgical cassette includes a rigid walled container having an interior volume for collecting aspirant fluid and/or tissue and an aspiration manifold coupled to the rigid walled container. The aspiration manifold is connected to an aspiration tube in fluidic communication with the interior volume, a first aspiration line for coupling a first surgical handpiece, a second aspiration line for coupling a second surgical handpiece, and a reflux bulb in fluidic communication with the first and second aspiration lines.

Abstract: A combination of an irrigation sleeve 20 and a phacoemulsification needle 22. The irrigation sleeve 20 has a proximal end 32 and a distal end 30, the proximal end for attachment to a surgical handpiece. The phacoemulsification needle 22 has a proximal end 26, a distal end 24, and a lumen 38 spanning a length of the needle 22 from the proximal end 26 to the distal end 24. The needle proximal end 26 is for connection to the surgical handpiece, and the needle 22 has structure 44 proximate the needle distal end 24 for retaining the sleeve distal end 30 near the needle distal end 24.

Abstract: A system detects whether a pneumatic surgical instrument is attached to a surgical system. A drive valve has an input for connection to a source of pressurized air, an output for connection to the surgical instrument, and an exhaust for exhausting pressurized air during operation of the surgical instrument. A pressure transducer in communication with the exhaust senses a pressure profile of air flow from the exhaust. A first sensed pressure profile indicates that the surgical instrument is connected to the output and a second sensed pressure profile indicates that the surgical instrument is not connected to the output. A detection circuit connected to an output of the pressure transducer detects whether the surgical instrument is attached to the surgical system based on the sensed pressure profile.

Abstract: A surgical system 10 includes a cannula 12 having a hub 14 for insertion through an incision 18 at a surgical site 20. The cannula 12 has a lumen 22 extending from a distal end 24 through the hub 14. A surgical instrument 26 is for insertion into the cannula lumen 22. Vibration dampening material 30 is formed on at least one of the cannula 12 and the surgical instrument 26. The vibration dampening material 30 reduces transmission of vibrations from the surgical instrument 26 to the surgical site 20, thus reducing unwanted heating of the surgical site 20.

Abstract: A pneumatically driven vitrectomy probe system includes a movable member disposed within a cylinder to define an enclosed pressure chamber, which has an inlet and an outlet. A pressure transducer senses the pressure level within the enclosed pressure chamber, and a valve communicates pressurized air to the inlet of the enclosed pressure chamber based on the pressure level. A displacement device coupled to the movable member extends and retracts the movable member within the enclosed pressure chamber, to respectively increase and decrease the pressure level of pressurized air communicated via the chamber outlet. The pressurized air is communicated to enclosed volume within a pneumatically activated vitrectomy probe, which includes a hollow inner cutting member disposed within the hollow outer member.

Abstract: An ophthalmic phacoemulsification irrigation sleeve 26 includes an elongated resilient tubular body portion 28 having a distal end 30 and a proximal end 32 for surrounding a portion of a shaft of a phacoemulsification needle. An enlarged section 34 is formed on the proximal end 32 for surrounding a hub of a needle and for connection to a phacoemulsification handpiece. Adjacent to the tubular body portion distal end 30 at least one non-circular irrigation port is formed. The shape of the port includes a radiused leading edge closest to the distal end 30 and has tapering, trailing sides 40 resulting in a trailing end 42 having smaller radius than the leading edge radius.

Abstract: A system detects whether a pneumatic surgical instrument is attached to a surgical system. A drive valve has an input for connection to a source of pressurized air, an output for connection to the surgical instrument, and an exhaust for exhausting pressurized air during operation of the surgical instrument. A pressure transducer in communication with the exhaust senses a pressure profile of air flow from the exhaust. A first sensed pressure profile indicates that the surgical instrument is connected to the output and a second sensed pressure profile indicates that the surgical instrument is not connected to the output. A detection circuit connected to an output of the pressure transducer detects whether the surgical instrument is attached to the surgical system based on the sensed pressure profile.

Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical system utilizes a needle through which fluid is aspirated from a surgical site, and a sleeve coaxially received over the needle to define a flow passage between the sleeve and needle through which fluid is communicated to the surgical site. The system further includes a container that provides an adjustable infusion pressure for urging the flow of irrigation fluid to the surgical site. An aspiration pump urges aspiration of fluid from the surgical site, and a sensor detects the rate of aspiration flow. A controller is configured to calculate an intraocular eye pressure based on the infusion pressure and a pressure drop due to a resistance to the flow rate, which flow includes the sensed flow rate and a predicted leakage selected from a look-up table based on a size of the needle, a size of a sleeve, and a size of an incision through which the needle and the sleeve are placed.

Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical cassette for use with an ophthalmic surgical console. The ophthalmic surgical cassette includes a rigid-walled container having an interior volume for collecting aspirant fluid and/or tissue, and a manifold base, including an irrigation tube for coupling an irrigation source, an aspiration tube for coupling an ophthalmic surgical handpiece, and an identification feature for indicating a cassette type to an ophthalmic surgical console. The manifold base is removeably attached to the rigid-walled container.

Abstract: A pneumatically driven vitrectomy probe system includes a movable member disposed within a cylinder to define an enclosed pressure chamber, which has an inlet and an outlet. A pressure transducer senses the pressure level within the enclosed pressure chamber, and a valve communicates pressurized air to the inlet of the enclosed pressure chamber based on the pressure level. A displacement device coupled to the movable member extends and retracts the movable member within the enclosed pressure chamber, to respectively increase and decrease the pressure level of pressurized air communicated via the chamber outlet. The pressurized air is communicated to enclosed volume within a pneumatically activated vitrectomy probe, which includes a hollow inner cutting member disposed within the hollow outer member.

Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical system utilizes a needle through which fluid is aspirated from a surgical site, and a sleeve coaxially received over the needle to define a flow passage between the sleeve and needle through which fluid is communicated to the surgical site. The system further includes a container that provides an adjustable infusion pressure for urging the flow of irrigation fluid to the surgical site. An aspiration pump urges aspiration of fluid from the surgical site, and a sensor detects the rate of aspiration flow. A controller is configured to calculate an intraocular eye pressure based on the infusion pressure and a pressure drop due to a resistance to the flow rate, which flow includes the sensed flow rate and a predicted leakage selected from a look-up table based on a size of the needle, a size of a sleeve, and a size of an incision through which the needle and the sleeve are placed.

Abstract: A fluid level sensing assembly includes a clamp that securely clamps a fluid level detector in place on a rigid walled infusion container, to minimize movement during use of the infusion container and fluid level detector. The fluid level detector includes a light sensor array and a light source. The light sensor array is positioned vertically relative to a side wall and senses light at various points vertically along the light sensor array. The light source is positioned vertically relative to the side wall and projects light linearly through a vertical portion of the side wall. An incidence angle ? of the light source relative to the side wall is selected such that a light beam emitted by the light source is reflected when a transmission path of the light beam intersects either a side wall/fluid interface or a side wall/air interface.

Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical cassette for collecting aspirant fluid and/or tissue during an ophthalmic surgical procedure. The ophthalmic surgical cassette includes a rigid walled container having an interior volume for collecting aspirant fluid and/or tissue and an aspiration manifold coupled to the rigid walled container. The aspiration manifold is connected to an aspiration tube in fluidic communication with the interior volume, a first aspiration line for coupling a first surgical handpiece, a second aspiration line for coupling a second surgical handpiece, and a reflux bulb in fluidic communication with the first and second aspiration lines.

Abstract: A length of ophthalmic surgical irrigation tubing 14 includes an inner lumen 18 for transporting fluid from a source 24 to a surgical handpiece 26. The tubing 14 has an outer surface 20 including reinforcement structure 22 formed on the outer surface 20 along the length of the tubing 14. The reinforcement structure 22 provides support to the length of tubing 14 to resist kinking of the tubing 14 during surgery.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification needle sleeve 10 includes an elongated, resilient tubular body portion 18 having a distal end 20. An enlarged section 22 is formed on a proximal end of the body portion 18 for surrounding a hub of a needle 12. The distal end 20 is formed to abut a proximal end 24 of a flared end 14 of the needle 12. An outer diameter of the body portion 18 is essentially equal to an outer diameter of the flared end 14 so that the sleeve 10 is easily inserted through an incision 54 in a patient's eye.

Abstract: An aspiration flow resistor 10 includes an inlet 12 and an outlet 14. A housing 16 is connected to the inlet 12 and outlet 14. A series of spaced walls 18 are disposed between the inlet 12 and the outlet 14. The walls 18 and the inlet 12 and the outlet 14 together with the housing 16 define a plurality of aspiration flow chambers 22. As aspirant flows from the inlet 12 to the outlet 14, a pressure decrease in the aspirant flow occurs at each wall 18 to provide resistance to aspirant flow.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump 10 for use in ophthalmic surgery includes a housing 12, a pump head 14 having plurality of rollers 16, a backing plate 18 attached to the housing 12, and a length of surgical tubing 50. The rollers 16 and backing plate 18 cooperate to pinch the length of surgical tubing 50 to peristaltically pump fluids from a surgical site to a collection bag 64. At least one of the pump head 14 and the backing plate 18 is moveable, during operation of the pump 10, from a tubing pinched position to a tubing vent position. This movement allows the tubing 50 to be vented by removing the pinched closure of the tubing 50.

Abstract: A fluid flow resistor 10 for use in ophthalmic surgery includes a housing 12 having an inlet 14 and an outlet 16. An elongated turbine 22 is caused to spin within the housing 12 by a flow of fluid which extracts energy from the fluid flow and effectively increases a resistance to fluid flow from the inlet 14 to the outlet 16.