PHACO THERMAL CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHOD

• US 20110166505A1
• Filed: 03/18/2011
• Published: 07/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Abbott Medical Optics Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Kadziauskas, Kenneth E, Rockley, Paul W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,308,676 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/22
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00119 alarm; indicating an abnormal situation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00745 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic

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.

Claims

1-10. -10. (canceled)

11. A phacoemulsification system for regulating fluid flow and energy into an eye during ocular surgery, comprising:

a handpiece;

a control console configured to provide irrigation fluid to an eye, and an aspiration source for removing fluid from the eye, and phaco power to the handpiece, the phaco power supplied according to existing power settings; and

a microprocessor configured to utilize a mathematical algorithm for determining an energy balance within the eye;

the microprocessor configured to determine whether to continue with existing power settings or switch to modified power settings.

12. The phacoemulsification system of claim 11, wherein the console is configured to detect an energy imbalance in order to prevent thermal damage to eye tissue.

13. A method for regulating fluid flow and energy in a control console during ocular surgery, comprising:

providing a handpiece and a control console;

monitoring power provided to the handpiece;

determining a fluid flow by monitoring fluid removed from the eye by the aspiration;

providing an algorithm to determine an energy balance within the eye; and

using the algorithm to determine whether to continue with existing power settings or switch to modified power settings.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising using the algorithm to determine whether to continue with existing fluid settings or switch to modified fluid settings