Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the motor type of an electric intraocular surgical handpiece. A circuit including a voltage divider, opto-isolators and amplifiers receives signals from the motor of the handpiece to determine its type. The circuit provides a signal, which can be visual or auditory, to the user concerning the motor type of the handpiece so that the user may choose the proper controls compatible with the motor type.

Abstract: A system for controlling a plurality of ophthalmic microsurgical instruments is disclosed. Particularly, the present invention includes a handpiece for activating a surgical instrument (i.e., such as scissors) connected to the handpiece. The handpiece includes a housing and a linear activator operatively retained within the housing. A nosepiece is mounted to one end of the housing and is adapted for correction of a linearly actuated surgical instrument. The nosepiece is fixed to the linear activator in a preselected calibrated position relative to the longitudinal axis of the linear actuator.

Abstract: A system for controlling a plurality of ophthalmic microsurgical instruments is disclosed. Particularly, the present invention includes an ophthalmic surgical handpiece, such as an intraocular surgical scissors or forceps which is powered by an electric stepper motor. The handpiece converts the rotational motion of the stepper motor into a linear motion to operate the surgical scissors- or forceps-type instruments.