Abstract: A drive system for cleaning debris within a medical tube. The drive system includes a housing defining an interior and an elongated guide wire. A first guide-wire tube accommodates a portion of the guide wire therein and extends longitudinally along a first axis between first and second ends. A roller is disposed in the interior and is configured to rotate about a second axis to both advance and withdraw the guide wire. The drive system further includes a second guide-wire tube configured to receive and accumulate the guide wire as it is withdrawn by the roller.

Abstract: A drive system for cleaning debris within a medical tube. The drive system includes a housing defining an interior and an elongated guide wire residing at least partially within the interior. A roller is disposed in said interior in frictional engagement with the guide wire, said roller being configured to rotate about an axis. The drive system also includes a motor operable to drive the roller in order to both advance or withdraw said guide wire via said frictional engagement therewith through said inlet.

Abstract: A device for clearing obstructions from a medical tube includes a housing defining an interior, an exterior, and a port providing fluid communication therebetween. The device further includes an elongated guide wire residing at least partially within the housing, and first and second rollers defining a nip therebetween that are located within the housing. A guide wire extends through the nip and is drivable for advancement and retraction thereof through the port via rotation of the rollers.

Abstract: A drive system for cleaning debris within a medical tube. The drive system includes a housing defining an interior and an elongated guide wire residing at least partially within the interior. A roller is disposed in said interior in frictional engagement with the guide wire, said roller being configured to rotate about an axis. The drive system also includes a motor operable to drive the roller in order to both advance or withdraw said guide wire via said frictional engagement therewith through said inlet.

Abstract: A device for clearing obstructions from a medical tube includes a housing defining an interior, an exterior, and a port providing fluid communication therebetween. The device further includes an elongated guide wire residing at least partially within the housing, and first and second rollers defining a nip therebetween that are located within the housing. A guide wire extends through the nip and is drivable for advancement and retraction thereof through the port via rotation of the rollers.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for clearing obstructions from a medical tube are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a spool drive system is disclosed for actuating a guide wire within a medical tube. The spool drive system can be a hand held, disposable device having a spool housing with a spool therein for alternately advancing and withdrawing a guide wire through an inlet of the spool housing. A track can be spaced from and extend about a perimeter of the spool to direct the guide wire onto or off of the spool as the spool is rotated. Other embodiments and devices for actuating the guide wire, and methods therefor, also are disclosed.

Abstract: A device for clearing obstructions from a medical tube includes a housing defining an interior, an exterior, and a port providing fluid communication therebetween. The device further includes an elongated guide wire residing at least partially within the housing, and first and second rollers defining a nip therebetween that are located within the housing. A guide wire extends through the nip and is drivable for advancement and retraction thereof through the port via rotation of the rollers.

Abstract: A device for clearing obstructions from a medical tube includes a housing defining an interior, an exterior, and a port providing fluid communication therebetween. The device further includes an elongated guide wire residing at least partially within the housing, and first and second rollers defining a nip therebetween that are located within the housing. A guide wire extends through the nip and is drivable for advancement and retraction thereof through the port via rotation of the rollers.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for clearing obstructions from a medical tube are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a spool drive system is disclosed for actuating a guide wire within a medical tube. The spool drive system can be a hand held, disposable device having a spool housing with a spool therein for alternately advancing and withdrawing a guide wire through an inlet of the spool housing. A track can be spaced from and extend about a perimeter of the spool to direct the guide wire onto or off of the spool as the spool is rotated. Other embodiments and devices for actuating the guide wire, and methods therefor, also are disclosed.

Abstract: A device for clearing obstructions from a medical tube includes a housing defining an interior, an exterior, and a port providing fluid communication therebetween. The device further includes an elongated guide wire residing at least partially within the housing, and first and second rollers defining a nip therebetween that are located within the housing. A guide wire extends through the nip and is drivable for advancement and retraction thereof through the port via rotation of the rollers.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for clearing obstructions from a medical tube are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a spool drive system is disclosed for actuating a guide wire within a medical tube. The spool drive system can be a hand held, disposable device having a spool housing with a spool therein for alternately advancing and withdrawing a guide wire through an inlet of the spool housing. A track can be spaced from and extend about a perimeter of the spool to direct the guide wire onto or off of the spool as the spool is rotated. Other embodiments and devices for actuating the guide wire, and methods therefor, also are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for clearing obstructions from a medical tube are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a spool drive system is disclosed for actuating a guide wire within a medical tube. The spool drive system can be a hand held, disposable device having a spool housing with a spool therein for alternately advancing and withdrawing a guide wire through an inlet of the spool housing. A track can be spaced from and extend about a perimeter of the spool to direct the guide wire onto or off of the spool as the spool is rotated. Other embodiments and devices for actuating the guide wire, and methods therefor, also are disclosed.

Abstract: A medical device fluid sensing system in provided. The system includes a transmitter array positioned in association with a fluid maintaining device, such as a reservoir in a cassette. Electrical circuitry is connected to the transmitter array and configured to cause the transmitter array to transmit light energy at a predetermined wavelength and producing a desired absorption coefficient based on expected conditions within the fluid maintaining device. The system also includes a receiver array configured to receive light energy transmitted through the fluid maintaining device and originating from the transmitter array, and a controller configured to determine fluid level in the fluid maintaining device based on conditions sensed by the receiver array. In one embodiment, three transmitters and three matching sensors are provided in a surgical cassette, and when optical energy having predetermined characteristics is provided to the transmitter array, the presence or absence of fluid is determined.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for controlling vacuum within phacoemulsification systems. The phacoemulsification system may include a handpiece having a needle coupled to a power Source configured to cause the needle to be ultrasonically vibrated during operation, and an aspiration Source. The system includes a footpedal that defines a first position and a second position, and also includes a computer program product operatively coupled to the handpiece and the foot pedal, having a computer usable medium with a sequence of instructions which causes the processor to control power from the power source and vacuum from the aspiration source applied to the handpiece. The process provides a vacuum at a first level to the handpiece when the footpedal is at the first position; provides power to the handpiece when the footpedal is at the second position; and reduces the vacuum to a second level when the footpedal position transitions.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for controlling vacuum within phacoemulsification systems. The phacoemulsification system may include a handpiece having a needle. The needle is coupled to a power source configured to cause the needle to be ultrasonically vibrated during operation and an aspiration source. The system further includes a footpedal that defines a first position and a second position. The system also includes a computer program product operatively coupled to the handpiece and the footpedal, the computer program product having a computer-usable medium having a sequence of instructions which, when executed by a processor, causes said processor to execute a process that controls power from the power source and vacuum from the aspiration source applied to the handpiece.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling vacuum within phacoemulsification systems are described. The phacoemulsification system may include a handpiece having a needle coupled to a power source configured to cause the needle to be ultrasonically vibrated, and an aspiration source. The system further includes a footpedal that defines a first position and a second position and a computer program product, operatively coupled to the handpiece and the footpedal, having a non-transitory computer-usable medium having a sequence of instructions which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to execute a process that controls power from the power source and vacuum from the aspiration source applied to the handpiece.

Abstract: A method for determining the voltage current phase relationship of a piezoelectric phacoemulsification handpiece generally includes the steps of obtaining an analog AC voltage signal corresponding to the operating AC voltage of a piezoelectric handpiece along with an analog AC current signal corresponding to the operating AC current of the piezoelectric handpiece. Using reference detection circuits, a digital voltage signal and a digital current signal is produced. A synchronous sample clock is taken that has a frequency that is 2N times faster than the frequency of the operating ultrasonic handpiece (i.e., driving frequency), where N is the number of digital bits allocated to the sample clock. This clock measures the time between onsets of a voltage and current cycle. This time value equates to the phase time delta between the two signals. Dividing the synchronous sample clock to obtain the driving frequency ensures the signals are synchronous.

Abstract: A medical device fluid sensing system in provided. The system includes a transmitter array positioned in association with a fluid maintaining device, such as a reservoir in a cassette. Electrical circuitry is connected to the transmitter array and configured to cause the transmitter array to transmit light energy at a predetermined wavelength and producing a desired absorption coefficient based on expected conditions within the fluid maintaining device. The system also includes a receiver array configured to receive light energy transmitted through the fluid maintaining device and originating from the transmitter array, and a controller configured to determine fluid level in the fluid maintaining device based on conditions sensed by the receiver array. In one embodiment, three transmitters and three matching sensors are provided in a surgical cassette, and when optical energy having predetermined characteristics is provided to the transmitter array, the presence or absence of fluid is determined.

Abstract: A medical device fluid sensing system is provided. The system includes a transmitter array positioned in association with a fluid maintaining device, such as a reservoir in a cassette. Electrical circuitry is connected to the transmitter array and configured to cause the transmitter array to transmit light energy at a predetermined wavelength and producing a desired absorption coefficient based on expected conditions within the fluid maintaining device. The system also includes a receiver array configured to receive light energy transmitted through the fluid maintaining device and originating from the transmitter array, and a controller configured to determine fluid level in the fluid maintaining device based on conditions sensed by the receiver array. In one embodiment, three transmitters and three matching sensors are provided in a surgical cassette, and when optical energy having predetermined characteristics is provided to the transmitter array, the presence or absence of fluid is determined.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for controlling vacuum within phacoemulsification systems. The phacoemulsification system may include a handpiece having a needle. The needle is coupled to a power source configured to cause the needle to be ultrasonically vibrated during operation and an aspiration source. The system further includes a footpedal that defines a first position and a second position. The system also includes a computer program product operatively coupled to the handpiece and the footpedal, the computer program product having a computer-usable medium having a sequence of instructions which, when executed by a processor, causes said processor to execute a process that controls power from the power source and vacuum from the aspiration source applied to the handpiece.