Iolab Corporation

Chiron Vision Corporation

David C Downey

James C Barnitz

Joseph M Curley

Perry Sepielli

An infusion/aspiration apparatus including a base member and first and second cassettes including a base member and first and second cassettes releasably connected to a base member. The first cassette forms an aspiration passageway and a collection area, and the second cassette includes a body and an infusion tube. Preferably, the base member and the second cassette form a vacuum passageway in fluid communication with the aspiration passageway. In operation, an aspiration tube is connected to an inlet of the aspiration passageway, and an outlet of the vacuum passageway is connected to a source of vacuum pressure. An infusion fluid is conducted through the infusion tube and to a surgical site, and that site is aspirated via the aspiration tube. The aspirated materials are drawn into the aspiration passageway and thence into the collection area.

Infusion/aspiration apparatus with removable cassette

A vacuum system and a method of operating a vacuum system. The system comprises a vacuum line, a pump, a pump motor, a pressure adjusting assembly, a pressure sensor and a control means. The pump is connected to the vacuum line for drawing fluids therefrom, and the motor is connected to the pump to drive the pump. The pressure adjusting assembly is connected to the vacuum line for conducting fluid into that line at an adjustable rate. The pressure sensor is connected to the vacuum line to generate a pressure signal representing the pressure in the vacuum line. The control means receives the pressure signal and generates a system control signal that is used to adjust the pressure in the vacuum line. The specific manner in which the pressure in the vacuum line is adjusted depends on the value of that pressure, and in particular, whether that pressure is in a first range or a second range. If the pressure in the vacuum line is in the first range, the pressure in the vacuum line is adjusted by varying the amount of fluid conducted into that line through the pressure adjusting assembly. If the pressure in the vacuum line is within the second pressure range, the pressure in the fluid line is adjusted by varying the speed of the pump. The vacuum system is well suited for use during ophthalmic surgery to aspirate the surgical site.

Vacuum system and a method of operating a vacuum system

A vacuum system and a method of operating a vacuum system. The system comprises a vacuum line, a pump, a pump motor, a pressure adjusting assembly, a pressure sensor and a control device. The pump is connected to the vacuum line for drawing fluids therefrom, and the motor is connected to the pump to drive the pump. The pressure adjusting assembly is connected to the vacuum line for conducting fluid into that line at an adjustable rate. The pressure sensor is connected to the vacuum line to generate a pressure signal representing the pressure in the vacuum line. The control device receives the pressure signal and generates a system control signal that is used to adjust the pressure in the vacuum line. The specific manner in which the pressure in the vacuum line is adjusted depends on the value of that pressure, and in particular, whether that pressure is in a first range or a second range. If the pressure in the vacuum line is in the first range, the pressure in the vacuum line is adjusted by varying the amount of fluid conducted into that line through the pressure adjusting assembly. If the pressure in the vacuum line is within the second pressure range, the pressure in the fluid line is adjusted by varying the speed of the pump. The vacuum system is well suited for use during ophthalmic surgery to aspirate the surgical site.

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Holland, PA, United States of America

David C Downey