System and method for modulated surgical procedure irrigation and aspiration

Abstract

A method and apparatus for performing modulated fluid delivery and aspiration during a surgical procedure such as phacoemulsification is provided. The method and apparatus include delivering fluid and/or aspirating fluid in a modulated or pulsed manner during a surgical procedure, including applying fluid and/or aspirating fluid in connection with ultrasonic energy at a level and for a time period sufficient to induce transient cavitation. Fluid may be applied and/or aspirated at a timing sequence and duty cycle similar to or different from application of ultrasonic energy delivery.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a handpiece having a needle and electrical means for ultrasonically vibrating said needle;   a power source configured to provide pulsed electrical power to the handpiece;   a controller configured to enable an operator to select and control an amplitude of electrical pulses provided by the power source; and   an irrigation control device configured to aspirate fluid during a surgical procedure conducted in a surgical environment, said irrigation control device configured to receive fluid during at least one modulated fluid burst period, said modulated fluid burst period comprising a negative pressure differential pulse delivered to the surgical environment, followed by a de minimis pressure differential pulse transmission.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said irrigation control device comprising a fluid control device providing an ability to modulate pressure differential pulses having duration less than 100 milliseconds. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said controller operates in conjunction with the irrigation control device to enhance effects of a surgical procedure. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein enhancing effects of the surgical procedure comprises improving acquisition and removal of tissue during the surgical procedure. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein enhancing effects of the surgical procedure comprises enhancing effects from cavitation forces encountered during the surgical procedure. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said irrigation control further provides a subsequent nonzero pressure differential pulse. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein amplitude of said subsequent nonzero pressure differential pulse materially differs from amplitude of said pressure differential pulse. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein amplitude of said subsequent nonzero pressure differential pulse is substantially identical to amplitude of said pressure differential pulse. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of claim  35 , wherein the pulse produced by the irrigation control device has a duration of at most approximately 25 milliseconds. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of claim  35 , wherein the pulse produced by the irrigation control device has a duration of at most approximately 8 milliseconds.