Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a surgical procedure is provided. The surgical procedure may be a phacoemulsification procedure but other procedures may employ the techniques disclosed. The design includes sensing, within the surgical site, for a material change in fluid flow relative to a predetermined threshold. Upon sensing the fluid flow materially differs from the predetermined threshold, the design temporarily increases aspiration vacuum pressure to the surgical site above a predetermined upper threshold toward a maximum vacuum level. The design applies electrically generated disruptive energy, including but not limited to laser and/or relatively low power ultrasonic energy, to the surgical site from a first point in time measured from when aspiration vacuum pressure is above the predetermined upper threshold to a second point in time where pressure falls below a predetermined lower threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a surgical procedure is provided. The surgical procedure may be a phacoemulsification procedure but other procedures may employ the techniques disclosed. The design includes sensing, within the surgical site, for a material change in fluid flow relative to a predetermined threshold. Upon sensing the fluid flow materially differs from the predetermined threshold, the design temporarily increases aspiration vacuum pressure to the surgical site above a predetermined upper threshold toward a maximum vacuum level. The design applies electrically generated disruptive energy, including but not limited to laser and/or relatively low power ultrasonic energy, to the surgical site from a first point in time measured from when aspiration vacuum pressure is above the predetermined upper threshold to a second point in time where pressure falls below a predetermined lower threshold.

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: 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, comprising applying energy during a series of short burst periods, the short burst periods interspersed by short rest periods. The method and apparatus further comprise delivering minimal energy during a long off period, the long off period comprising a relatively long period when minimal energy is applied, wherein one long off period follows each pulsed energy on period. The short burst periods and the short rest periods are relatively brief in duration as compared with the long off period.

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: 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: In one aspect of the invention, a multi-purpose phacoemulsification needle comprises a needle body disposed about a centerline and has a lumen disposed therein. The lumen has a first cross-sectional area that is normal to the centerline. The needle further comprises a distal tip comprising an arcuate surface and a face with a port therein. The port has a second cross-sectional area in a plane generally parallel to the face and is in fluid communication with an internal cavity that has a third cross-sectional area normal to the centerline, the internal cavity being in fluid communication with the lumen. The needle is configured such that the third cross-sectional area is greater than either the first cross-sectional area or the second cross-sectional area. In another aspect of the invention, the needle comprises a plurality of fins projecting inwardly from the lumen.

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: A method and apparatus for performing a surgical procedure is provided. The surgical procedure may be a phacoemulsification procedure but other procedures may employ the techniques disclosed. The design includes sensing, within the surgical site, for a material change in fluid flow relative to a predetermined threshold. Upon sensing the fluid flow materially differs from the predetermined threshold, the design temporarily increases aspiration vacuum pressure to the surgical site above a predetermined upper threshold toward a maximum vacuum level. The design applies electrically generated disruptive energy, including but not limited to laser and/or relatively low power ultrasonic energy, to the surgical site from a first point in time measured from when aspiration vacuum pressure is above the predetermined upper threshold to a second point in time where pressure falls below a predetermined lower threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a surgical procedure is provided. The surgical procedure may be a phacoemulsification procedure but other procedures may employ the techniques disclosed. The design includes sensing, within the surgical site, for a material change in fluid flow relative to a predetermined threshold. Upon sensing the fluid flow materially differs from the predetermined threshold, the design temporarily increases aspiration vacuum pressure to the surgical site above a predetermined upper threshold toward a maximum vacuum level. The design applies electrically generated disruptive energy, including but not limited to laser and/or relatively low power ultrasonic energy, to the surgical site from a first point in time measured from when aspiration vacuum pressure is above the predetermined upper threshold to a second point in time where pressure falls below a predetermined lower threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a surgical procedure is provided. The surgical procedure may be a phacoemulsification procedure but other procedures may employ the techniques disclosed. The design includes sensing, within the surgical site, for a material change in fluid flow relative to a predetermined threshold. Upon sensing the fluid flow materially differs from the predetermined threshold, the design temporarily increases aspiration vacuum pressure to the surgical site above a predetermined upper threshold toward a maximum vacuum level. The design applies electrically generated disruptive energy, including but not limited to laser and/or relatively low power ultrasonic energy, to the surgical site from a first point in time measured from when aspiration vacuum pressure is above the predetermined upper threshold to a second point in time where pressure falls below a predetermined lower threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling fluid flow to an ocular region is provided. The apparatus includes a control unit having a processor, a user interface configured to receive data from the processor and provide information to an operator, and a memory unit configured to provide information to the processor. The memory unit includes a lookup table configured with a plurality of fluid parameter related conditions potentially expected to be encountered during a phacoemulsification procedure and a plurality of warning entries, each warning entry associated with fluid parameter related conditions potentially expected to be encountered during the phacoemulsification procedure. Each warning entry corresponding to a level of performance outside a predetermined range is conveyed to the operator via the user interface and in certain instances functionality of the apparatus may be altered.

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, comprising applying energy during a series of short burst periods, the short burst periods interspersed by short rest periods. The method and apparatus further comprise delivering minimal energy during a long off period, the long off period comprising a relatively long period when minimal energy is applied, wherein one long off period follows each pulsed energy on period. The short burst periods and the short rest periods are relatively brief in duration as compared with the long off period.

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: A method and system for acquiring and transmitting video image data with parameter data superimposed thereon is provided. The design includes an input device configured to receive said video image data and separately receiving said parameter data, the input device configured to transmit the video image data and parameter data as separate data streams. The design further includes a computing device comprising a computer based utility configured to receive the separate data streams, store the separate data streams, edit at least one data stream, and generate combined video data. Combined video data represents combined video image data and parameter data. The design also includes a display device configured to present the combined video data.

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: 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: 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 apparatus and method for controlling fluid flow to an ocular region is provided. The apparatus includes a control unit having a processor, a user interface configured to receive data from the processor and provide information to an operator, and a memory unit configured to provide information to the processor. The memory unit includes a lookup table configured with a plurality of fluid parameter related conditions potentially expected to be encountered during a phacoemulsification procedure and a plurality of warning entries, each warning entry associated with fluid parameter related conditions potentially expected to be encountered during the phacoemulsification procedure. Each warning entry corresponding to a level of performance outside a predetermined range is conveyed to the operator via the user interface and in certain instances functionality of the apparatus may be altered.

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.