Abstract: A work tip for a surgical hand piece has a solid blade connected to a source of ultrasonic energy in the hand piece. The knife has grooves in its surfaces. The work tip further including an irrigation and aspiration tubes extending along opposite surfaces of the blade and being at least partially within the grooves. The blade has a collar adjacent its distal end and at least the aspiration tube extends ends at a distance from the collar. The edges of the collar are made sharp enough to emulsify cataract tissue when vibrated at ultrasonic frequencies so that occlusion of the aspiration tube is prevented.

Abstract: A work tip for an ultrasonic surgical hand piece has a solid knife with a sharp distal edge. A first fluid tube located on one side of the knife and has open ends to receive or discharge fluid. A second fluid tube is located on the other side of the knife and is slidably connected with the knife. The second fluid tube has an opening at a distal end and a smaller side hole. During phacoemulsification the knife is vibrated independent of the fluid tubes. The second fluid tube has irrigation fluid passing from the opening and side hole, and the first fluid tube is positioned so as to receive fluid from the second tube. During I/A cleanup the second fluid tube receives aspiration fluid only through the side hole because the knife is positioned to block the aspiration fluid from entering through the opening.

Abstract: An adapter for a surgical hand piece with a single lumen work tip converts the handpiece to infusion/aspiration (I/A) cleanup of lens epithelial cells in the capsular bag of the eye a patient after phacoemulsification. The adapter is in the form of a sleeve whose proximal end is to be joined to the distal end of work tip. The sleeve also has at least one aspiration hole located toward the distal end of the sleeve.

Abstract: An adapter for a surgical hand piece with a single lumen work tip converts the handpiece to infusion/aspiration (I/A) cleanup of lens epithelial cells in the capsular bag of the eye a patient after phacoemulsification. The adapter is in the form of a sleeve whose proximal end is to be joined to the distal end of work tip. The sleeve also has at least one aspiration hole located toward the distal end of the sleeve.

Abstract: A disposable ultrasonic handpiece that contains a transducer and a connecting body that is attached to a tube with a cobra work tip at its distal end. The housing that surrounds the ultrasonic transducer does not require waterproofing for repeated autoclaving. Also, the electrical cord that provides power to the transducer is made of very inexpensive wire, along with a low-cost electrical connector. A power cord can be plugged into and unplugged from a socket at the proximal end of the housing and can be reused. Thus, only the housing and its contents need to be disposed of after a procedure, making the disposable part of the handpiece low cost. In addition, the cobra work tip can be provided with a cutting gap that increases its ability to cut.

Abstract: A surgical hand piece has a source of ultrasonic energy connected to a one-piece member that transmits the ultrasonic energy. The one-piece member is connected directly to the source of ultrasonic energy without intervening structure. A distal end of the member is a surgical work tip for performing surgery. The member transmits the ultrasonic energy to the work tip. The member is a one-piece structure, whereby the handpiece is less expensive to make than members with multiple piece structures.

Abstract: A work tip for a surgical hand piece has a solid knife connected to a source of ultrasonic energy in the hand piece and a sleeve having a generally uniform cylindrical shape that surrounds the distal end of the knife. The distal end of the knife has at least a portion of a conical tip, e.g., a Cobra tip. The sleeve provides irrigation and aspiration fluid channels. Also, a structure in the sleeve blocks the proximal opening in the upper part of the conical tip when the knife is withdrawn into the sleeve. A hole is provided in the sleeve adjacent to, but proximally of the structure so that when a portion of the opening is blocked, aspiration fluid flows through the hole to provide I/A clean up.

Abstract: A disposable ultrasonic handpiece that contains a transducer and a connecting body that tapers to a surgical blade in a single piece. The housing that surrounds the ultrasonic transducer does not require waterproofing for repeated autoclaving. Also, the electrical cord that provides power to the transducer is made of very inexpensive wire, along with a low-cost electrical connector. By making the blade, connecting body with a protective sheet and transducer as a unit with an electrical terminal at the proximal end, they can be plugged and unplugged from a socket and electrical cord in the housing of the handpiece. Thus, only the unit needs to be disposed of after a procedure, making the disposable part of the handpiece even less expensive. The low-cost, disposable handpiece can be packaged along with additional disposable items that are required for one of several types surgeries.

Abstract: A disposable ultrasonic handpiece that contains a transducer and a connecting body that is attached to a tube with a cobra work tip at its distal end. The housing that surrounds the ultrasonic transducer does not require waterproofing for repeated autoclaving. Also, the electrical cord that provides power to the transducer is made of very inexpensive wire, along with a low-cost electrical connector. A power cord can be plugged into and unplugged from a socket at the proximal end of the housing and can be reused. Thus, only the housing and its contents need to be disposed of after a procedure, making the disposable part of the handpiece low cost. In addition, the cobra work tip can be provided with a cutting gap that increases its ability to cut.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification system includes a console connected to a hand piece that has an ultrasonically vibrated cutting tip. The console generates an ultrasonic electrical signal for the cutting tip, provides irrigation fluid and is the source of aspiration force. The console also has a pressure sensor. The control system has automatic operation such that the aspiration force lowers when a first preset pressure limit is reached, and the aspiration force and ultrasonic vibration are turned off at a second preset pressure limit higher than the first. The control system also lowers the aspiration force initially when a change in pressure per unit of time exceeds a preset limit and then increases the aspiration flow if the pressure level drops below the limit.

Abstract: A surgical hand piece has a solid knife connected to and supported at its proximal end by a source of ultrasonic energy. A plastic sleeve has the knife located in it. A support is provided between the sleeve and the knife to support the sleeve while minimizing the effect of the vibration of the knife on the sleeve. The space between the knife and the sleeve form a first fluid channel. A plastic fluid tube can be located along the sleeve and can provide a second fluid channel. In order to use the handpiece for cleanup the sleeve can be moved forward to cover the knife and a small aspiration tube can be provided within the sleeve.

Abstract: A surgical hand piece has a solid surgical knife connected to a source of ultrasonic energy. Two or more rigid plastic irrigation and aspiration tubes are provided alongside the knife and they may be supported with respect to the knife by tube holders fastened to the hand piece housing for the source of ultrasonic energy. The rigid plastic tubes may be connected toward their distal ends by a support in the form of bands about the tubes and knife, a sleeve about the tubes and knife or a sleeve about the knife with the tubes supported on the external surface thereof.

Abstract: A work tip for an ultrasonic surgical hand piece has a solid knife with a sharp distal edge. A first fluid tube located on one side of the knife and has open ends to receive or discharge fluid. A second fluid tube is located on the other side of the knife and is slidably connected with the knife. The second fluid tube has an opening at a distal end and a smaller side hole. During phacoemulsification the knife is vibrated independent of the fluid tubes. The second fluid tube has irrigation fluid passing from the opening and side hole, and the first fluid tube is positioned so as to receive fluid from the second tube. During I/A cleanup the second fluid tube receives aspiration fluid only through the side hole because the knife is positioned to block the aspiration fluid from entering through the opening.

Abstract: A surgical hand piece has a source of ultrasonic energy provided to a connecting body having a first passage with one end to receive fluid from a first source and the other end at the connecting body distal end. A work tip has first and second tubes each having at least one opening at its distal end and the proximal end of one or both of the tubes connected to the connecting body distal end to receive the ultrasonic energy and to selectively receive or discharge fluid from either the first or second source as controlled by a valve. A cannula is provided which is adapted to be placed in an opening in the cornea through which the work tip extends during the removal of cataracts from the eye by phacoemulsification. The cannula may be equipped with channels that permit additional infusion of fluid into the eye during the procedure, which infusion also cools the surrounding corneal tissue to protect against heat generated by the ultrasonic vibration of the work tip.

Abstract: A disposable ultrasonic handpiece that contains a transducer and a connecting body that is attached to a tube with a cobra work tip at its distal end. The housing that surrounds the ultrasonic transducer does not require waterproofing for repeated autoclaving. Also, the electrical cord that provides power to the transducer is made of very inexpensive wire, along with a low-cost electrical connector. A power cord can be plugged into and unplugged from a socket at the proximal end of the housing and can be reused. Thus, only the housing and its contents need to be disposed of after a procedure, making the disposable part of the handpiece low cost. In addition, the cobra work tip can be provided with a cutting gap that increases its ability to cut.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for chemically treating a cataract in the eye of a patient comprising the steps of (a) inserting a dual lumen work tip into the eye and placing it adjacent the cataract tissue; (b) causing the work tip to vibrate so that pieces of the cataract separate or emulsify; (c) moving the work tip into the cataract tissue so as to form a tunnel therein; and (d) injecting into the tunnel a pharmaceutical compound capable of treating cataract tissue.

Abstract: A work tip for a surgical hand piece has a solid blade connected to a source of ultrasonic energy in the hand piece. The knife has grooves in its surfaces. The work tip further including an irrigation and aspiration tubes extending along opposite surfaces of the blade and being at least partially within the grooves. The blade has a collar adjacent its distal end and at least the aspiration tube extends ends at a distance from the collar. The edges of the collar are made sharp enough to emulsify cataract tissue when vibrated at ultrasonic frequencies so that occlusion of the aspiration tube is prevented.

Abstract: A disposable ultrasonic handpiece that contains a transducer and a connecting body that tapers to a surgical blade in a single piece. The housing that surrounds the ultrasonic transducer does not require waterproofing for repeated autoclaving. Also, the electrical cord that provides power to the transducer is made of very inexpensive wire, along with a low-cost electrical connector. By making the blade, connecting body with a protective sheet and transducer as a unit with an electrical terminal at the proximal end, they can be plugged and unplugged from a socket and electrical cord in the housing of the handpiece. Thus, only the unit needs to be disposed of after a procedure, making the disposable part of the handpiece even less expensive. The low-cost, disposable handpiece can be packaged along with additional disposable items that are required for one of several types surgeries.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification system includes a console connected to a hand piece that has an ultrasonically vibrated cutting tip. The console generates an ultrasonic electrical signal for the cutting tip, provides irrigation fluid and is the source of aspiration force. The console also has a pressure sensor. The control system has automatic operation such that the aspiration force lowers when a first preset pressure limit is reached, and the aspiration force and ultrasonic vibration are turned off at a second preset pressure limit higher than the first. The control system also lowers the aspiration force initially when a change in pressure per unit of time exceeds a preset limit and then increases the aspiration flow if the pressure level drops below the limit.

Abstract: A surgical hand piece has a solid surgical knife connected to a source of ultrasonic energy. Two or more rigid plastic irrigation and aspiration tubes are provided alongside the knife and they may be supported with respect to the knife by tube holders fastened to the hand piece housing for the source of ultrasonic energy. The rigid plastic tubes may be connected toward their distal ends by a support in the form of bands about the tubes and knife, a sleeve about the tubes and knife or a sleeve about the knife with the tubes supported on the external surface thereof.