Phacoemulsification flow rate detection system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A phacoemulsification flow rate detection system, comprising:
- a cassette, comprising;
at least one channel through which a fluid flows during phacoemulsification;
at least one flow meter in fluid communication with the at least one channel, wherein the flow meter includes a rotating element having a plurality of blades arranged to come into contact with the flowing fluid, wherein each blade of the plurality of blades has a linear design; and
a console, comprising;
an optical sensor comprising at least one light source and at least one optical reader, wherein the at least one light source is operative to produce at least one beam of light to be passed through the flow meter substantially parallel to an axle of the flow meter, and wherein the at least one optical reader is operative to measure a spin rate of the flow meter via at least a portion of the at least one beam of light reflected back from a reflective material through the flow meter to the at least one optical reader of the optical sensor, wherein the reflective material is located on a surface that opposes the optical sensor and is on the opposite side of the flow meter from the optical sensor; and
a processor in data communication with the optical sensor and operative to calculate the flow rate of the fluid flow based at least in part on the spin rate measured from the flow meter.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A phacoemulsification flow rate detection system and method for directly measuring the rate of fluid flowing into and out of the eye during a cataract operation.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A phacoemulsification flow rate detection system, comprising:
-
a cassette, comprising; at least one channel through which a fluid flows during phacoemulsification; at least one flow meter in fluid communication with the at least one channel, wherein the flow meter includes a rotating element having a plurality of blades arranged to come into contact with the flowing fluid, wherein each blade of the plurality of blades has a linear design; and a console, comprising; an optical sensor comprising at least one light source and at least one optical reader, wherein the at least one light source is operative to produce at least one beam of light to be passed through the flow meter substantially parallel to an axle of the flow meter, and wherein the at least one optical reader is operative to measure a spin rate of the flow meter via at least a portion of the at least one beam of light reflected back from a reflective material through the flow meter to the at least one optical reader of the optical sensor, wherein the reflective material is located on a surface that opposes the optical sensor and is on the opposite side of the flow meter from the optical sensor; and a processor in data communication with the optical sensor and operative to calculate the flow rate of the fluid flow based at least in part on the spin rate measured from the flow meter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 19)
-
-
12. A method of detecting a fluid flow rate during an eye operation, comprising:
-
aspirating a fluid from an eye through a fluid path in a cassette during the eye operation; measuring a spin rate of a flow meter arranged in the fluid path in the cassette with an optical sensor arranged in a console via at least one beam of light produced by at least one light source of the optical sensor, wherein the at least one beam of light is passed through the flow meter substantially parallel to an axle of the flow meter, and wherein at least a portion of the at least one beam of light is reflected back from a reflective material through the flow meter to at least one optical reader of the optical sensor, wherein the reflective material is located on a surface that opposes the optical sensor and is on the opposite side of the flow meter from the optical sensor and the flow meter includes a rotating element having a plurality of blades arranged to come into contact with the aspirated fluid, wherein each blade of the plurality of blades has a linear design; and calculating, with a processor in data communication with the optical sensor, the fluid flow rate based at least in part on the spin rate of the flow meter. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20)
-
Specification