A system, method and apparatus for notifying a surgeon of an occlusion in an ocular surgical apparatus are disclosed herein. Through operation of a handpiece of the surgical apparatus, the handpiece may become blocked or occluded. An occlusion detector is configured to sense the occlusion in the handpiece, and an occlusion signal is generated. A control module is provided to send an occlusion warning signal to a foot pedal of the surgical apparatus, where a tactile notification is provided to a user of the apparatus that an occlusion has occurred.

Described herein are devices, systems, and methods for generating a variable liquid vacuum with an accompanying stable gas flow rate. In particular, when a suction device suctions a liquid and gas mixture it is advantageous to provide a variable vacuum or vacuum to apply to the liquid component while the flow rate of the gas stays constant or essentially constant.

A venturi pump can provide suction through a catheter during an intravascular treatment. The venturi pump can have a supply port, exhaust port, and vacuum inlet such that a fluidic flow from the supply port to the exhaust port produces suction at the vacuum inlet due to the Venturi effect. A device or assembly can include the venturi pump, a flow regulator, and a sealable entrance sized to receive the catheter. The flow regulator can be manipulated to adjust suction through the vacuum inlet of the venturi pump. The device or assembly can have an exit and a passageway between the entrance and the exit to allow a pull wire, Intermediate Catheter, or other clot retrieval system elongated member to pass therethrough and be manipulated during the intravascular treatment.

Control methods for generating a venturi vacuum in a substantially oscillation-free manner for a surgical system. The control methods generally include utilizing real-time readings from a venturi vacuum generator inlet pressure transducer and a vacuum pressure transducer on the vacuum side of the venturi vacuum generator. These values may be employed in real-time to ascertain the emergence of an oscillation region on the vacuum side which may then be addressed by way of a bleed control proportional valve. When employed in combination with a throttle control proportional valve at the inlet side of the venturi vacuum generator, pressures may be manipulated in light of one another and/or individually as directed through a central controller. Thus, the presentation of oscillations on the vacuum side may be avoided to provide for a more stable vacuum supported surgical procedure.

A method and apparatus for performing a surgical procedure is provided. The surgical procedure may be a phacoemulsification procedure but other procedures may employ the techniques disclosed. The design includes sensing, within the surgical site, for a material change in fluid flow relative to a predetermined threshold. Upon sensing the fluid flow materially differs from the predetermined threshold, the design temporarily increases aspiration vacuum pressure to the surgical site above a predetermined upper threshold toward a maximum vacuum level. The design applies electrically generated disruptive energy, including but not limited to laser and/or relatively low power ultrasonic energy, to the surgical site from a first point in time measured from when aspiration vacuum pressure is above the predetermined upper threshold to a second point in time where pressure falls below a predetermined lower threshold.

A method and apparatus for performing a surgical procedure is provided. The surgical procedure may be a phacoemulsification procedure but other procedures may employ the techniques disclosed. The design includes sensing, within the surgical site, for a material change in fluid flow relative to a predetermined threshold. Upon sensing the fluid flow materially differs from the predetermined threshold, the design temporarily increases aspiration vacuum pressure to the surgical site above a predetermined upper threshold toward a maximum vacuum level. The design applies electrically generated disruptive energy, including but not limited to laser and/or relatively low power ultrasonic energy, to the surgical site from a first point in time measured from when aspiration vacuum pressure is above the predetermined upper threshold to a second point in time where pressure falls below a predetermined lower threshold.

The present device includes a tube-free, cordless, battery-powered suction device. Activation of the device can be intermittent via depression of a trigger that allows for instantaneous awareness of fluid volume loss. In an example, the present device is a lightweight, suction hand unit including an indwelling impeller motor, removable and rechargeable lithium ion battery pack that is hermetically sealed, removable fluid reservoirs, a variety of replaceable nozzle tips, and an ULPA filter.

A surgical suction device that uses positive pressure gas is shown and described. The surgical suction device includes an air amplifier. The air amplifier includes a structure defining a generally cylindrical cavity having a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end. The cylindrical cavity is defined by an inner wall of the cavity. The air amplifier includes an annular opening in the inner wall near the first end. The annular opening defines a jet opening adapted to allow a pressurized gas to flow out of the annular opening such that a low pressure region is produced at the first end and an amplified flow is produced at the second end. The annular opening is further configured such that the pressurized gas enters the cavity at an angle with respect to the inner wall of the cavity that is towards the second end.

A surgical suction device that uses positive pressure gas is shown and described. The surgical suction device includes an air amplifier. The air amplifier includes a structure defining a generally cylindrical cavity having a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end. The cylindrical cavity is defined by an inner wall of the cavity. The air amplifier includes an annular opening in the inner wall near the first end. The annular opening defines a jet opening adapted to allow a pressurized gas to flow out of the annular opening such that a low pressure region is produced at the first end and an amplified flow is produced at the second end. The annular opening is further configured such that the pressurized gas enters the cavity at an angle with respect to the inner wall of the cavity that is towards the second end.

A surgical suction device that uses positive pressure gas is shown and described. The surgical suction device includes an air amplifier. The air amplifier includes a structure defining a generally cylindrical cavity having a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end. The cylindrical cavity is defined by an inner wall of the cavity. The air amplifier includes an annular opening in the inner wall near the first end. The annular opening defines a jet opening adapted to allow a pressurized gas to flow out of the annular opening such that a low pressure region is produced at the first end and an amplified flow is produced at the second end. The annular opening is further configured such that the pressurized gas enters the cavity at an angle with respect to the inner wall of the cavity that is towards the second end.