Abstract: A method of controlling a surgical cutting device, the device including a hollow needle with a port for tissue entry and a moveable cutting blade for severing tissue entering the needle through the port, the blade being movable between a first portion enabling tissue entry through the port and a second portion closing the port, the tissue entering the needle being severed as the blade moves between the first and second portions, the method includes the steps: a) providing vacuum to the hollow needle to cause tissue entry into the needle through the port; b) moving the blade from the first portion to the second position to sever the tissue entering the needle; c) evacuating severed tissue from the needle by vacuum; d) reducing vacuum to the needle before moving the blade from the second position to the first position; and repeating steps (a) through (d).

Abstract: A handpiece system for multiple phacoemulsification procedures is provided which includes a housing having a distal end adapted for sealably and releasably engaging a plurality of nose cones and a sonic generator disposed within the housing. A horn having a body connected to the sonic generator and a needle is provided for radiating sonic energy into an eye for fragmenting eye tissue. A plurality of nose cones are provided which are adapted for being sealably and releasably engaged with the housing and provide structure enabling varied phacoemulsification procedures.

Abstract: A multipurpose phacoemulsification needle includes a needle body having a lumen therethrough for aspiration of fluids and tissue. A needle body includes a proximal end adapted for attachment to a phacoemulsification handpiece and a tip portion disposed at a distal end of the needle body. The tip portion includes a truncated hemisphere having a flat surface thereon and a port disposed in the flat surface. The truncated hemisphere includes a rounded surface of sufficient area to enable capsule polishing and when driven in an ultrasonic mode, the needle is also suitable for irrigation and aspiration as well as phacoemulsification of lens tissue.

Abstract: Phacoemulsification apparatus includes a phacoemulsification handpiece having a needle and an electrical system for ultrasonically vibrating said needle along with a power source for providing pulsed electrical power to the handpiece electrical system. Irrigation fluid is provided to the handpiece needle and aspirating fluid is removed from the handpiece needle. A determination of a voltage current phase relationship of the provided electrical power is made and in response thereto a control system varies a power level duty cycle provided to the handpiece electrical system from the power source and/or modify the aspiration flow rate. In addition, a separate input enables manual control of pulse amplitude. The control system provides a pulsed electrical power of less than 20 millisecond pulse duration.

Abstract: A multipurpose phacoemulsification needle includes a needle body having a lumen therethrough for aspiration of fluids and tissue. A needle body includes a proximal end adapted for attachment to a phacoemulsification handpiece, a curved portion and a tip portion disposed at a distal end of the needle body. The tip portion includes a truncated hemisphere having a flat surface thereon and a port disposed in the flat surface. The truncated hemisphere includes a rounded surface of sufficient area to enable capsule polishing and when driven in an ultrasonic mode, the needle is also suitable for irrigation and aspiration as well as phacoemulsification of lens tissue.

Abstract: An instrument for providing illumination of intraocular tissue during surgery generally includes a hand held light source which includes a light emitting diode, a power source for driving the diode and a control switch for interconnecting the diode with the power source. At least one fiber optic having a proximal end in light communication with the LED and a distal end size for insertion into an eye for illumination of intraocular tissue is provided.

Abstract: Phacoemulsification apparatus includes a phacoemulsification handpiece having a needle and an electrical system for ultrasonically vibrating said needle along with a power source for providing pulsed electrical power to the handpiece electrical system. Irrigation fluid is provided to the handpiece needle and aspirating fluid is removed from the handpiece needle. A determination of a voltage current phase relationship of the provided electrical power is made and in response thereto a control system varies a power level duty cycle provided to the handpiece electrical system from the power source and/or modify the aspiration flow rate. In addition, a separate input enables manual control of pulse amplitude. The control system provides a pulsed electrical power of less than 20 millisecond pulse duration.

Abstract: Apparatus for the removal of lens tissue includes a first handpiece having a laser emitting probe sized for insertion into a lens capsule and radiating a lens therein. The laser emitting probe includes a lumen for introducing irrigation fluid into the lens capsule. A second handpiece includes a pulsed controlled vibrated needle for insertion into the lens capsule and emulsifying laser eradiated lens tissue. The vibrated needle includes a lumen therethrough for aspiration of emulsified lens tissue and irrigation fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provided for controlling fluid control to and from an eye or a phacoemulsification handpiece. The handpiece includes an ultrasonically driven, hollow, sleeved needle and the method includes inserting the needle and sleeve into an eye for phacoemulsification of eye tissue and introducing fluid into the eye through an annulus established between the sleeve and the needle. Aspiration of fragmented tissue and fluid from the eye is conducted through the hollow needle. An initial irrigation fluid pressure is determined and the irrigation fluid flow and aspiration fluid flow are adjusted based upon the initial determination. Thereafter continued determination of irrigation fluid pressure is utilized to continuously adjust irrigation fluid flow and/or aspiration fluid flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provided for controlling fluid control to and from an eye or a phacoemulsification handpiece. The handpiece includes an ultrasonically driven, hollow, sleeved needle and the method includes inserting the needle and sleeve into an eye for phacoemulsification of eye tissue and introducing fluid into the eye through an annulus established between the sleeve and the needle. Aspiration of fragmented tissue and fluid from the eye is conducted through the hollow needle. An initial irrigation fluid pressure is determined and the irrigation fluid flow and aspiration fluid flow are adjusted based upon the initial determination. Thereafter continued determination of irrigation fluid pressure is utilized to continuously adjust irrigation fluid flow and/or aspiration fluid flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provided for controlling fluid control to and from an eye or a phacoemulsification handpiece. The handpiece includes an ultrasonically driven, hollow, sleeved needle and the method includes inserting the needle and sleeve into an eye for phacoemulsification of eye tissue and introducing fluid into the eye through an annulus established between the sleeve and the needle. Aspiration of fragmented tissue and fluid from the eye is conducted through the hollow needle. An initial irrigation fluid pressure is determined and the irrigation fluid flow and aspiration fluid flow are adjusted based upon the initial determination. Thereafter continued determination of irrigation fluid pressure is utilized to continuously adjust irrigation fluid flow and/or aspiration fluid flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering energy during a surgical procedure such as phacoemulsification is provided. The method and apparatus include applying energy during at least one pulsed energy on period, typically sufficient or intended to rapidly induce and beneficially employ transient cavitation. Applying energy during the pulsed energy on period comprises applying energy during a first high energy period, and applying energy during a second nonzero lower energy period.

Abstract: An instrument for providing illumination of intraocular tissue during surgery generally includes a hand held light source which includes a light emitting diode, a power source for driving the diode and a control switch for interconnecting the diode with the power source. At least one fiber optic having a proximal end in light communication with the LED and a distal end size for insertion into an eye for illumination of intraocular tissue is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering energy during a surgical procedure such as phacoemulsification is provided. The method and apparatus include delivering energy during a surgical procedure, including applying energy at a level and for a time period sufficient to induce transient cavitation, and reducing applied energy after applying energy during a second nonzero lower energy period.

Abstract: Test apparatus for bi-manual phaco needle apparatus are provided which includes a chamber for establishing a fluidic circuit between an irrigation needle and an aspiration needle. A first inlet into the chamber is provided for establishing a sealed communication with the irrigation needle and a second inlet is provided for establishing a sealed fluid communication with an aspiration needle. The apparatus enables a method for testing bi-manual phacoemulsification apparatus and priming thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for the removal of lens tissue includes a first handpiece having a laser emitting probe sized for insertion into a lens capsule and radiating a lens therein. The laser emitting probe includes a lumen for introducing irrigation fluid into the lens capsule. A second handpiece includes a vibrated needle for insertion into the lens capsule and emulsifying laser eradiated lens tissue. The vibrated needle includes a lumen therethrough for aspiration of emulsified lens tissue and irrigation fluid.

Abstract: Control apparatus for an ultrasonic phacoemulsification handpiece utilizes flow rates and temperature measurements as well as power provided to a handpiece for calculating a matrix of power level duty cycle combination that would not generate sufficient heat to create a burn in eye tissue and either prevent operation of handpiece in the matrix or alert a surgeon of such use.

Abstract: Phacoemulsification apparatus includes a phacoemulsification handpiece having a needle and an electrical circuitry for ultrasonic vibrating the needle. A power source provides pulsed electrical power to the handpiece electrical circuitry and an input is provided for enabling a surgeon to select an amplitude of dislighted pulses and a pulse width. A control system and pulse duty cycle is provided for controlling the off duty cycle to insure heat dissipation before a subsequent pulse is activated, including a foot pedal switch.

Abstract: Control apparatus for an ultrasonic phacoemulsification handpiece utilizes flow rates and temperature measurements as well as power provided to a handpiece for calculating a matrix of power level duty cycle combination that would not generate sufficient heat to create a burn in eye tissue and either prevent operation of handpiece in the matrix or alert a surgeon of such use.

Abstract: An instrument for providing illumination of intraocular tissue during surgery generally includes a hand held light source which includes a light emitting diode, a power source for driving the diode and a control switch for interconnecting the diode with the power source. At least one fiber optic having a proximal end in light communication with the LED and a distal end size for insertion into an eye for illumination of intraocular tissue is provided.