Crystalline lens nucleus softening apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for softening a crystalline lens nucleus (100) in a cataract phacoemulsification treatment comprising an electric current pulse generator (11) to supply a pulse current to a handpiece (12), wherein the pulse current generates a pulsatile magnetic field, and to hydrodissect the lens nucleus with iron oxide nanoparticle solution to loosen the lens nucleus as well as to infiltrate the lens nucleus (14) with the iron oxide nanoparticles (13), characterised in that the needle tip (24) of the handpiece (12) conducts the generated pulsatile magnetic field to the lens nucleus which causes vibration of iron oxide nanoparticles which emanates a mechanical force to break interdigitating bonds between lens fibers, leading to a controlled softening and fragmenting of the lens nucleus, wherein the electric current pulse generator (11) is configured to produce pulse currents with adjustable voltage and frequency parameters, and the iron oxide nanoparticle solution (13) further comprises a superparamagnetic property functionalised with a biocompatible coating.