Abstract: A phacoemulsification handpiece that includes a vibrated needle for emulsification of tissue and a hub interconnecting the needle with a sonic power source. Apparatus, including a cover, is provided and sized for enveloping the hub and a proximal end of the needle for preventing wicked by the needle to the hub, from being outwardly sprayed by the hub during surgical operation.

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: Phacoemulsification apparatus includes a phacoemulsification handpiece having a needle and an electrical system for ultrasonically vibrating the 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 and the control system in response to a selected amplitude determines a duty cycle of the provided pulsed electrical power.

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 said port, the blade being movable between a first portion enabling tissue entry through said port and a second portion closing said 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 said hollow needle to cause tissue entry into the needle through said 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 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 phacoemulsification needle includes a body having an aspiration lumen therethrough along with a hub disposed at a proximal end of the needle body for engaging an ultrasonic handpiece in order to couple ultrasonic energy into a needle body. A tip is provided at a distal end of the needle body for penetrating tissue to be emulsified and a conical ultrasonic surface disposed at the tip is provided for focusing ultrasound in tissue beyond an end of the tip in order to promote cavitation in tissue beyond the tip end. The conical ultrasonic radiation surface extends from the lumen to the end of the tip.

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: 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: Apparatus for the phacoemulsification of lens tissue includes a first needle for introducing irrigation fluid into a lens capsule and a second ultrasonically vibrated needle for inserting into the lens needle and emulsifying the lens tissue therein. The second needle includes a lumen therethrough for aspiration of emulsified lens tissue and irrigation fluid from the lens capsule through a primary aspiration port defined by an end of the lumen. At least one secondary aspiration port is disposed in the second needle is a spaced apart relationship with the primary aspiration port for introducing emulsified lens and irrigation fluid into the lumen.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification needle includes a body having an aspiration lumen therethrough along with a hub disposed at a proximal end of the needle body for engaging an ultrasonic handpiece in order to couple ultrasonic energy into a needle body. A tip is provided at a distal end of the needle body for penetrating tissue to be emulsified and a conical ultrasonic surface disposed at the tip is provided for focusing ultrasound in tissue beyond an end of the tip in order to promote cavitation in tissue beyond the tip end. The conical ultrasonic radiation surface extends from the lumen to the end of the tip.

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: Phaco tip apparatus for a phacoemulsification/irrigation and aspiration handpiece having an ultrasonic drive assembly includes a needle having a tip for emulsifying a cataractic lens and a lumen for aspirating emulsified lens. A compressible sleeve establishes an annular passage around the needle and enables irrigation fluid to pass into an eye through a cornea/sclera wound while cooling the needle. The compressible sleeve includes a wall configuration for controlling compression of the sleeve in order to cause the compressible sleeve to shape and conform to the cornea/sclera wound and limit fluid egress from the wound. A bypass port, disposed in said needle and under said compressible sleeve, establishes fluid communication between the lumen and the annular passage in order to enable irrigation fluid to pass into said lumen upon clogging of the tip, thus providing fluid surge protection.

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 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.

Abstract: Control apparatus for an ultrasonic phacoemulsification handpiece utilizes flow rates and temperature measurements as well as power provided to a handpiece for calculating an energy balance over a time interval and in response thereto, regulating power and/or fluid flow to and from the handpiece.

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 and the control system in response to a selected amplitude determines a duty cycle of the provided pulsed electrical power.

Abstract: Control apparatus for an ultrasonic phacoemulsification handpiece utilizes flow rates and temperature measurements as well as power provided to a handpiece for calculating an energy balance over a time interval and in response thereto, regulating power and/or fluid flow to and from the handpiece.

Abstract: An automated phaco pack identification system in accordance with the present invention generally includes a cartridge or cassette assembly for handling irrigation and aspiration fluids to and from a surgical handpiece, a control console having a drawer or other means for receiving and engaging the cartridge assembly, a computer, and control apparatus, in communication with the computer, for regulating irrigation and aspiration fluid flow. Importantly, the present invention also includes, for example, a bar code element disposed on the cartridge and a bar code reader disposed in the control console for providing an active interface between the cartridge and the computer. The communication feature functions to automatically provide cartridge characteristics, such as serial number and history of the cartridge, through the computer and to a visual display monitor for retrieval by a user of the present invention.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing a natural lens from an eye provides for inserting an infusion cannula into an anterior chamber of an eye and establishing fluid communication into a lens capsule from the anterior chamber. A phacoemulsification needle is inserted into the lens capsule for emulsification of a natural lens while introducing irrigation fluid into the anterior chamber and lens capsule through the infusion cannula. Emulsified lens is aspirated through a lumen in the phacoemulsification needle and a sleeve, surrounding the phacoemulsification needle, enables outflow of irrigation fluid in order to maintain intraocular pressure and cool the phacoemulsification needle.

Abstract: An automated, syringe filling apparatus is disclosed for the on-site filling of syringes with a viscoelastic fluid material from a supply reservoir. A housing has a port for receiving the outlet end region of the viscoelastic supply reservoir and a retainer is provided for releasably retaining a conventional syringe to be filled from the viscoelastic supply reservoir. A flexible plastic tube, preferably formed as part of the viscoelastic supply reservoir, is used to interconnect the supply reservoir with a filling end of a syringe retained in the syringe retainer. A peristaltic pump mounted in the housing has a rotating head with a plurality of rollers which force the viscoelastic material through the tube from the supply reservoir into a retained syringe when the tube is locked between the pump head and a back-up member. Electric pump controls include a timer calibrated for causing the automatic filling of the syringe with predetermined amounts of viscoelastic material from the supply reservoir.

Abstract: A syringe comprising a barrel having a longitudinal passage extending through the barrel and a plunger slidable in the passage of the barrel. The barrel has connector adjacent one end of the barrel for attaching a cannula to the barrel and a flange adjacent the other end of the barrel. An adapter having a passage extending through it is mounted on the barrel with the adapter engaging the flange of the barrel. The adapter extends radially beyond the flange to form finger pads.