Abstract: A sleeve apparatus for a phacoemulsification/irrigation and aspiration handpiece having an ultrasonic drive assembly attached to a hollow needle includes a compressible sleeve for establishing an annual passage around the needle and enabling the 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 corneal/sclera wound and limit fluid egress from the wound. A hub is provided for attaching the compressible sleeve to the handpiece and enabling the needle to be angularly displaced within the compressible sleeve means during phacoemulsification.

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: A sleeve apparatus for a phacoemulsification/irrigation and aspiration handpiece having an ultrasonic drive assembly attached to a hollow needle includes a compressible sleeve for establishing an annular passage around the needle and enabling the 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 corneal/sclera wound and limit fluid egress from the wound. A hub is provided for attaching the compressible sleeve to the handpiece and enabling the needle to be angularly displaced within the compressible sleeve means during phacoemulsification.

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.