Phacoemulsification method and apparatus

• US 5,591,127 A
• Filed: 01/28/1994
• Issued: 01/07/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Abbott Medical Optics Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Optical Micro Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Barwick, Billie J. Jr., Little, James H.
• Primary Examiner(s): MENDEZ, MANUEL A
• Application Number:
  US08/188,188
• Time in Patent Office: 1,075 Days
• Field of Search: 128/DIG. 13, 604/22, 604/26-28, 604/30, 604/31, 604/35, 604/65, 604/67, 604/73, 604/120, 604/121, 604/66, 607/97, 601/2
• US Class Current: 604/66
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00146 with multiple frequencies
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00745 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/77 Suction-irrigation systems aspiration tips supplying fluids A61M1/85; specific for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92; combined with tracheal tubes A61M16/0463
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes

Abstract

A method and apparatus for phacoemulsification in which handpiece occlusion is sensed by a vacuum rise beyond a programmable level. The speed of a variable speed peristaltic pump is varied in response to the sensed handpiece occlusion condition. Ultrasonic phaco power can be adjusted in response to the sensed handpiece occlusion condition. The adjustment of the ultrasonic phaco power can be performed separately or in addition to the variation of peristaltic pump speed. In addition, the ultrasonic pulse duty cycles can be varied in response to preset ultrasonic power levels.

Claims

1. A method of operating a phacoemulsification apparatus having a source of pulsed ultrasonic power, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) running the source of pulsed ultrasonic power at a first pulse duty cycle until a first predetermined power level is exceeded;

(b) then running the source of pulsed ultrasonic power at a second and greater pulse duty cycle until a second and greater predetermined power level is exceeded;

(c) then running the source of pulsed ultrasonic power at a third and still greater pulse duty cycle until a third and still greater predetermined power level is exceeded; and

,

(d) thereafter running the source of pulsed ultrasonic power at a pulse duty cycle greater than said third pulse duty cycle.