Pressure Control in Phacoemulsification System

• US 20140114237A1
• Filed: 10/22/2012
• Published: 04/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcon Research, LLC (Alcon Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Alcon Research Limited (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Gordon, Raphael
• Granted Patent: US 9,119,699 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/31
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00736 Instruments for removal of intra-ocular material or intra-ocular injection, e.g. cataract instruments A61F9/008 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0201 Cassettes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0202 with electronic control means or interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0216 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0258 by means of electric pumps

Abstract

A surgical system comprises a pressurized irrigation fluid source; an irrigation line fluidly coupled to the pressurized irrigation fluid source; a hand piece fluidly coupled to the irrigation line; an irrigation pressure sensor located at or along the pressurized irrigation fluid source or irrigation line; and a controller for controlling the pressurized irrigation fluid source. The controller controls the pressurized irrigation fluid source based on a reading from the irrigation pressure sensor and an estimated flow value modified by a compensation factor.

Claims

1. A surgical system comprising:

a pressurized irrigation fluid source;

an irrigation line fluidly coupled to the pressurized irrigation fluid source;

a hand piece fluidly coupled to the irrigation line;

an irrigation pressure sensor located at or along the pressurized irrigation fluid source or irrigation line; and

a controller for controlling the pressurized irrigation fluid source;

wherein the controller controls the pressurized irrigation fluid source based on a reading from the irrigation pressure sensor and an estimated flow value modified by a compensation factor.

2. The surgical system of claim 1 wherein the compensation factor is based on incision leakage.

3. The surgical system of claim 1 wherein the compensation factor is based on sleeve compression.

4. The surgical system of claim 1 further comprising:

a display; and

a controller input device.

5. The surgical system of claim 4 wherein the controller input device receives a desired intraocular pressure value and the controller controls the pressurized irrigation fluid source so as to maintain the desired intraocular pressure value.

6. The surgical system of claim 4 wherein the controller input device receives a desired intraocular pressure range and the controller controls the pressurized irrigation fluid source so as to maintain the desired intraocular pressure range.

7. The surgical system of claim 1 wherein the controller calculates intraocular pressure of an eye based on the reading from the irrigation pressure sensor.

8. The surgical system of claim 1 wherein the controller calculates intraocular pressure of an eye based on the estimated flow value modified by the compensation factor.

9. The surgical system of claim 1 further comprising:

an aspiration line fluidly coupled to the hand piece;

an aspiration pressure sensor located at or along the aspiration line; and

an aspiration pump configured to draw fluid through the aspiration line.

10. The surgical system of claim 9 wherein the controller calculates the estimated flow value based on a reading from the aspiration pressure sensor, a maximum pump vacuum achievable by the aspiration pump, and an impedance of the aspiration pump.

11. The surgical system of claim 1 further comprising a source pressure sensor for measuring a pressure of the pressurized irrigation fluid source.

12. The surgical system of claim 11 wherein the controller calculates the estimated flow value based on a reading from the irrigation pressure sensor, the source pressure sensor, and an impedance of the irrigation line.

13. The surgical system of claim 1 wherein the pressurized irrigation fluid source comprises:

a flexible bag holding a fluid; and

two opposing plates;

the flexible bag located between the two opposing plates.

14. The surgical system of claim 13 wherein the controller calculates the estimated flow value based on travel or motion of the two opposing plates.

15. The surgical system of claim 1 wherein the compensation factor is based on a needle and sleeve selected for a procedure.

16. The surgical system of claim 4 wherein the controller input device receives a compensation factor from a user.

17. The surgical system of claim 4 wherein the controller input device receives needle and sleeve information and the controller uses the needle and sleeve information to select or calculate the compensation factor.

18. The surgical system of claim 17 wherein the controller selects or calculates the compensation factor based on fluid flow characteristics of a needle and sleeve combination.

19. The surgical system of claim 11 wherein the controller calculates intraocular pressure of an eye based on a reading from the source pressure sensor.

20. The surgical system of claim 9 wherein the controller uses a reading from the aspiration pressure sensor to determine if an occlusion is present or if an occlusion break occurs.

21. The surgical system of claim 20 wherein the controller controls the pressurized irrigation fluid source to accommodate for changes in fluid flow that result from the occlusion or the occlusion break.

22. The surgical system of claim 1 wherein the controller uses a reading from the irrigation pressure sensor to determine if an occlusion is present or if an occlusion break occurs.

23. The surgical system of claim 22 wherein the controller controls the pressurized irrigation fluid source to accommodate for changes in fluid flow that result from the occlusion or the occlusion break.

24. A surgical system comprising:

a pressurized irrigation fluid source, the pressurized irrigation fluid source comprising a flexible bag located between two opposing plates, the flexible bag containing a fluid;

a position sensor located at or on one of the two opposing plates, the position sensor for determining a distance between the two opposing plates;

an actuator for moving at least one of the two opposing plates so as to squeeze the flexible bag; and

a controller for controlling the relative movement of the opposing plates;

wherein the controller receives reading from the position sensor, determines the distance between the plates, and provides an estimate of an amount of fluid in the flexible bag.

25. The surgical system of claim 24 further comprising a display.

26. The surgical system of claim 25 wherein an indication of the amount of fluid in the flexible bag is displayed on the display.

27. The surgical system of claim 25 wherein an indication of a low fluid level is displayed on the display.

28. The surgical system of claim 24 wherein the controller initiates a warning when the amount of fluid in the flexible bag is below a value.

29. A surgical system comprising:

a pressurized irrigation fluid source, the pressurized irrigation fluid source comprising a flexible bag located between two opposing plates, the flexible bag containing a fluid, a hinged plate located on a surface of one of the two opposing plates; and

a source pressure sensor located between a face of the hinged plate and a face of one of the two opposing plates, such that the face of the hinged plate presses the source pressure sensor against the face of one of the two opposing plates.

30. The surgical system of claim 29 further comprising:

a controller for receiving a reading from the source pressure sensor.