Patent ID: 8439938
Filing Date: 2013-05-14
Classification: A61F,B06B

Abstract:
1. A phacoemulsification system for use in ophthalmic surgery, the phacoemulsification system comprising: a phacoemulsification handpiece having a horn coupled to a transducer that is configured to convert alternating current into mechanical oscillation of the horn, a phacoemulsification needle with an aspiration passage that is attached to the horn, whereby the phacoemulsification needle is made to vibrate by oscillation of the horn, to provide for mechanical cutting of tissue and inducing cavitation proximate a tip of the phacoemulsification needle, to thereby cause fragmentation of tissue at the surgical site; and a control system includes associated drive circuitry in connection with the transducer of the phacoemulsification handpiece device, the control system being configured to selectively adjust a non-resonant operating frequency of the transducer and vary the operating frequency of the phacoemulsification needle, to thereby increase or decrease a mechanical cutting performance and a cavitational-induced performance of the phacoemulsification needle wherein the phacoemulsification needle generates a level of mechanical disruption and a level of cavitation-induced emulsification that are both a function of the operating frequency, and the control system is configured to selectively adjust the operating frequency of the transducer to establish a desired ratio of the mechanical disruption level relative to the cavitation-induced emulsification level.