Systems and methods for for driving the cutter of a vitrectomy handpiece using a substantially hermetically sealed system having a pneumatic pump for alternatively creating both positive pressure for pushing a first side of a diaphragm in the vitreous cutter and pulling negative pressure to pull the other side of the diagram, and vice versa.

A surgical system comprises a hand piece, an irrigation conduit in fluid communication with the hand piece to carry fluid toward a surgical site, an aspiration conduit in fluid communication with the hand piece to carry fluid away from the surgical site, a pump interfacing with the aspiration conduit, the pump to create a vacuum pressure in the aspiration conduit to draw fluid through the aspiration conduit, a vacuum relief valve in fluid communication with the aspiration conduit to relieve the vacuum pressure in the aspiration conduit, a pressure sensor to detect a pressure associated with the surgical site, a controller in communication with the vacuum relief valve and the pressure sensor to control the vacuum relief valve to decrease the vacuum pressure in the aspiration conduit when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor is less than a first pressure threshold.

A vitrectomy apparatus is provided, including a pressure source, a cut valve connected to the pressure source, the cut valve configured to be turned on and off to provide pressure to selectively extend and retract a vitrectomy cutting device, a sensor configured to sense pressure provided from the cut valve, and a controller configured to control operation of the cut valve based on pressure sensed by the sensor. The controller is configured to monitor pressures encountered and alter cut valve timing based on pressure conditions previously encountered.

Methods and systems provide a disposable cutting section which is removably attachable from a multiple use motor section, to form a handpiece for use in ophthalmic procedures, such as vitrectomies. The motor section includes a motor for driving a needle of the cutting section.

A method for assembling a vitrector, including: providing a distal housing portion for the vitrector, a transmission unit driving a needle into oscillation, an assembly pin to be inserted into the transmission unit to fix the needle in position, and a needle casing, having a lumen, the casing enclosing the needle within the lumen. The transmission unit is fixed to the distal housing portion, and the assembly pin is inserted into the transmission unit to fix a distal tip of the needle at a most distal position of the oscillation. The transmission unit is inserted, with the assembly pin inserted, to a predetermined position in the distal housing portion. The casing is inserted into the distal housing portion so that the distal tip butts a termination of the casing. The casing is fixed to the distal housing portion, and the assembly pin is removed from the transmission unit.

Surgical apparatus, including a needle configured to be inserted into an organ of a human subject, a counterweight, and a needle driver. The needle driver includes a cylindrical cam configured to rotate about a cam axis and having a curved circumferential groove extending around a radial surface of the cam. There is a motor coupled to rotate the cylindrical cam about the cam axis. A first follower is mounted to travel in the groove at a first azimuthal location and is coupled to the needle so as to cause the needle to oscillate at a predefined frequency parallel to the cam axis as the cam rotates. A second follower is coupled to the counterweight and is mounted to travel in the groove at a second azimuthal location selected so as to cause the counterweight to oscillate parallel to the cam axis in antiphase to the needle.

A small gauge surgical instrument is shown with advantages such as diminished play at the tip. A surgical instrument assembly is also shown with support along a length of the instrument that can be selected by the surgeon. Devices and method described provide adjustability of the instrument without protruding into a gripping surface of the instrument.

Devices, systems, and methods for performing an ophthalmic procedure in an eye are disclosed. The devices include a hand-held portion and a distal, elongate member coupled to the hand-held portion having a lumen operatively coupled to a vacuum source. A drive mechanism operatively coupled to the elongate member is configured to oscillate the elongate member. When in use, the device is configured to aspirate ocular material from the eye through the lumen. The drive mechanism retracts the elongate member with a retraction speed profile and advances the elongate member with an extension speed profile. The retraction speed profile is different from the extension speed profile.

An ophthalmic surgical instrument includes a housing and a snare operably coupled to the housing. The snare is configured to transition between an insertion configuration and a deployed configuration, in which the snare is sized to encircle lenticular tissue. The ophthalmic surgical instrument is designed to prevent elevation and/or tilting of the lenticular tissue as the snare transitions toward the insertion configuration to divide the lenticular tissue.

Devices, systems, and methods for performing an ophthalmic procedure in an eye are disclosed. The devices include a hand-held portion and a distal, elongate member coupled to the hand-held portion having a lumen operatively coupled to a vacuum source. A drive mechanism operatively coupled to the elongate member is configured to oscillate the elongate member. When in use, the device is configured to aspirate ocular material from the eye through the lumen. The drive mechanism retracts the elongate member with a retraction speed profile and advances the elongate member with an extension speed profile. The retraction speed profile is different from the extension speed profile.