Aspiration system and method having multiple pumps and pressure sensors - Patents.com

Abstract

Systems and methods for monitoring aspiration line occlusions during ophthalmic surgical procedures are disclosed. The ophthalmic surgical system may include a first aspiration pump located within a handpiece, a second aspiration pump located remotely from the handpiece, such as in a console, and a pressure sensor located between the first and second aspiration pumps. The pressure sensor is adapted to monitor occlusions in the aspiration line upstream of the first aspiration pump. The second aspiration pump may be operated at the same flow rate as the first aspiration pump and / or may be operated to maintain a constant pressure between the second aspiration pump and the first aspiration pump. The disclosed systems and methods provide reliable occlusion detection using a pressure sensor located remotely from the handpiece while allowing the handpiece pump to be located near the working tip.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure is directed to aspiration systems and methods for use, for example, during ophthalmic surgery. [Background technology]

[0002] Ophthalmic surgical procedures often involve aspirating fluid from the eye during the procedure. For example, in cataract surgery, devices may be used to fragment or emulsify the lens and aspirate the broken down or emulsified lens from the eye. As another example, in vitreous retinal surgery, devices may be used to aspirate vitreous material from the eye.

[0003] Additionally, in some ophthalmic surgical procedures, it may be desirable to inject fluids into the eye. For example, in cataract surgery, vitreoretinal surgery, or other procedures, a balanced salt solution or other irrigation fluid may be introduced into the eye. The irrigation fluid may be aspirated from the eye during the procedure.

[0004] Some known systems for performing ophthalmic surgical procedures include a handpiece held by an operator performing the procedure, the handpiece being connected to a console by one or more flexible conduits. The operator holds the handpiece and introduces a working tip of the handpiece into the eye. To aspirate irrigation fluid and other material (e.g., broken or emulsified lens material or vitreous material) from the eye, the working tip of the handpiece has one or more openings that are connected through an aspiration channel to a flexible conduit connecting the handpiece to the console. The console houses a pump, such as a peristaltic pump, that generates a suction force through the flexible conduit. Fluids and other material may thereby be aspirated from the eye through the openings of the working tip of the handpiece, through the aspiration channel and flexible conduit of the handpiece, and into the console.

[0005] In some prior systems, the console includes a cassette that is mounted within the console housing. The cassette includes an elastomeric sheet attached to a rigid cassette body, with one or more fluid channels formed in the space between the elastomeric sheet and the cassette body. For the pump, the console houses rollers mounted on a rotating hub. During operation, the pump rollers press against the elastomeric sheet of the cassette to create the pumping action.

[0006] In ophthalmic surgical procedures involving aspiration, it may be desirable to monitor the pressure of the fluid being aspirated while it is being aspirated. This may help the operator and / or the system to regulate the procedure, monitor intraocular pressure, and / or determine if there is any partial or complete blockage in the aspiration line. In an example, a pressure sensor is located in the console just upstream of the pump along the aspiration line (i.e., in the console along the aspiration line toward the handpiece). The pressure sensor detects vacuum build-up in the aspiration line if an occlusion is occurring.

[0007] References relating to fluid aspiration and / or pressure measurement in ophthalmic procedures include U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,261,283, 6,293,926, 6,572,349, 6,632,214, 6,740,074, 6,902,542, 6,962,488, 7,393,189, 7,775,780, 8,011,905, 8,545,198, 8,790,096, 9,482,216, and 9,931,447, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. Pressure sensors are further disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 5,910,110 and 5,470,312, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0008] Some designs suggest locating the aspiration pump in the handpiece rather than the console. By locating the pump in the handpiece, and therefore closer to the working tip, risks associated with blockage and subsequent vacuum surges are minimized, and may help achieve a more stable pressure, which may improve chamber stability. US Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0271251 discloses various designs in which the pump is located in the handpiece. The disclosure of US Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0271251 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0009] When the pump is located in the handpiece close to the working tip, the distance between the pump and the working tip is relatively small. In addition, it is often desirable to make the handpiece as ergonomic as possible for ease of operation, which imposes size, weight, and balance constraints on the handpiece. These factors can present challenges in monitoring the pressure between the handpiece pump and the working tip to determine if an occlusion is occurring.

[0010] There is a continuing need for improved designs for aspiration systems and related methods. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present disclosure is directed to improved aspiration systems and related methods for ophthalmic surgical systems.

[0012] In some example embodiments, an ophthalmic surgical system includes a console, a handpiece including a working tip with an aspiration opening at the working tip, the handpiece being connected to the console, an aspiration line including an aspiration channel in the handpiece, an aspiration tubing between the handpiece and the console, and an aspiration channel in the console, a first aspiration pump located in the handpiece along the aspiration line, a second aspiration pump located away from the handpiece along the aspiration line, and a pressure sensor located along the aspiration line between the first and second aspiration pumps. The second aspiration pump may be located in the console. The pressure sensor may be located away from the handpiece, such as in the console. The use of the second aspiration pump and the pressure sensor between the first and second aspiration pumps allows the system to monitor and detect blockages upstream of the first aspiration pump in the handpiece, such as at the working tip.

[0013] In some example embodiments, the ophthalmic surgery system further includes a controller. The controller may be configured to operate the second suction pump at the same flow rate as the first suction pump and / or to maintain a constant pressure between the second suction pump and the first suction pump. The controller may be configured to maintain a low vacuum level between the second suction pump and the first suction pump. The ophthalmic surgery system may further include input controls for an operator to input a selected vacuum level and / or a selected flow rate. The second suction pump and the first suction pump may be operated at the same flow rate based on the vacuum level and / or flow rate from the input controls.

[0014] In some example embodiments, a method of aspiration during an ophthalmic surgical procedure includes operating a first aspiration pump located in a handpiece along the aspiration line, operating a second aspiration pump located away from the handpiece along the aspiration line, and monitoring pressure in the aspiration line with a pressure sensor located along the aspiration line between the first and second aspiration pumps. The second aspiration pump may be operated at the same flow rate as the first aspiration pump. The second aspiration pump and the first aspiration pump may be operated to maintain a constant pressure between the second aspiration pump and the first aspiration pump. The second aspiration pump and the first aspiration pump may be operated to maintain a low vacuum level between the second aspiration pump and the first aspiration pump. The method may further include selecting a vacuum level and / or flow rate, and the second aspiration pump and the first aspiration pump are operated at the same flow rate based on the selected vacuum level. The use of a second aspiration pump and a pressure sensor between the first and second aspiration pumps allows for monitoring and detection of blockages upstream of the first aspiration pump in the handpiece, such as at the working tip.

[0015] As used herein in relation to the aspiration line, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are used with reference to the direction of aspiration flow away from the eye. Thus, when a second component or object is located "upstream" of a first component or object, the second component is located closer to the opening of the working tip along the aspiration line than the first component. Thus, an occlusion located "upstream" of the aspiration pump in the handpiece is located closer to the opening of the working tip along the aspiration line than the aspiration pump in the handpiece (in fact, the occlusion may be located at the opening of the working tip).

[0016] These and other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art based on this disclosure.

[0017] The accompanying drawings illustrate examples of the systems and methods disclosed herein and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating components that may be used in systems and methods according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating steps in an example method according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] The accompanying drawings may be better understood by reference to the following detailed description.

[0020] For the purpose of explaining the principles of the present disclosure, reference will be made to the drawings and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation on the scope of the present disclosure is intended. Any changes and further modifications to the described systems, devices, apparatus, and methods, and any further applications of the principles of the present disclosure are fully contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. In particular, features, components, and / or steps described with respect to one example of the present disclosure may be combined with features, components, and / or steps described with respect to other examples of the present disclosure. For simplicity, the same reference numbers may be used throughout the drawings in some cases to refer to the same or similar parts.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating some of the components that may be used in an ophthalmic surgery system, showing components of an irrigation system and an aspiration system. An example ophthalmic surgery system includes an ophthalmic surgery console 100. The ophthalmic surgery console 100 may include a housing and a fluid cassette mounted within the housing. Except for the differences described herein, the ophthalmic surgery console may be similar to the ophthalmic surgery console (including the fluid cassette) shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,931,447 and / or may be similar to known and used ophthalmic surgery consoles, such as the CENTURION® Vision System (including the fluid cassette) available from Alcon Laboratories, Inc. (Fort Worth, Texas) or the CONSTELLATION® Vision System (including the fluid cassette) available from Alcon Laboratories, Inc. (Fort Worth, Texas), or any other ophthalmic surgery console suitable for use with the principles described herein.

[0022] The console 100 includes one or more systems that may be used in performing an ophthalmic surgical procedure. For example, the console 100 includes fluid system components including an irrigation system 200 for delivering fluids to the eye and an aspiration system 300 for aspirating fluids and / or other substances from the eye. The console 100 may also include an ultrasound generator system for driving an ultrasonic vibration handpiece, such as for phacoemulsification during cataract surgery, and / or a pneumatic vitrectomy cutter system for driving a vitrectomy handpiece. The systems may overlap and coordinate to perform various aspects of the procedure.

[0023] In a typical setup, the ophthalmic surgery console 100 includes a housing within which a computer system is located and an associated display screen for showing data related to system operation and performance during an ophthalmic surgical procedure. As described above, the console may include a fluid cassette, which may be mounted within the housing. In addition to the console 100, the ophthalmic surgery system may include one or more external devices for user operation, such as foot pedals that an operator may use to control one or more functions. The foot pedals or other external operating devices may communicate with the console's computer system via a wired connection or wirelessly.

[0024] The example ophthalmic surgery system also includes a handpiece 110. The handpiece may be any suitable handpiece with aspiration capabilities, such as, for example, a phacoemulsification handpiece or a vitrectomy handpiece suitable for cataract surgery. The illustrated example handpiece 110 is a phacoemulsification handpiece having a working tip 304 for phacoemulsification and aspiration. In other embodiments, the working tip 304 may be a needle, such as a vitrectomy needle. The working tip 304 has an opening 302 distal to it for aspirating fluids and other substances from the eye 10. The handpiece 110 also includes an irrigation tube 204 having an opening 202 distal to it for delivering irrigation fluid to the eye 10. The irrigation tube 204 may be a flexible sleeve disposed around the working tip 304 of the handpiece 110.

[0025] The handpiece 110 is connected to the console 100 by one or more flexible conduits that include or house irrigation tubing 208 for delivering irrigation fluid from the console 100 to the handpiece 110, aspiration tubing 308 for delivering aspirated fluids and other substances from the handpiece 110 to the console 100, and / or electrical wiring 406 for electrical communication between the console 100 and the handpiece 110.

[0026] The example ophthalmic surgical system further includes an irrigation source 214, which may be included in the console 100 or may be a separate component connected to the console 100 by tubing 212. The irrigation source 214 may be a sterile fluid reservoir, such as for holding a balanced salt solution for delivery to the eye 10. Other fluids may be used.

[0027] The example irrigation system 200 extends between the irrigation source 214 and the handpiece 110 and delivers irrigation fluid through an irrigation channel to the surgical site (eye 10) during a surgical procedure. The irrigation source 214 may be a mechanically pressurized fluid source, such as an irrigation bag compressed by a clamp pressure system. In other embodiments, the irrigation source 214 may be a source suspended by a pole (e.g., an irrigation bag suspended by an IV pole) that may or may not be adjustable. Other fluid sources may be used as the irrigation source 214.

[0028] The irrigation system 200 may further include an irrigation valve 218 that regulates flow from an irrigation source 214 to the surgical site, an irrigation channel 210 within the console 100 (within the housing and / or cassette), irrigation tubing 208 between the console 100 and the handpiece 110, an irrigation channel 206 within the handpiece 110, and an irrigation tube or sleeve 204 (which may be considered a component of the handpiece 110).

[0029] In some embodiments, the irrigation tubing 208 is formed from multiple segments, some of which are rigid and others of which are flexible, and in some embodiments, at least a portion of the irrigation system 200 is formed into a cassette that is mounted within a console housing to provide fluid communication between the irrigation source 214 and the patient's eye 10. The pressure of the fluid in the irrigation flow path may be monitored via a pressure sensor 216 in the console (housing and / or cassette).

[0030] The irrigation valve 218 can selectively allow or block flow from the irrigation source 214 to the hand piece 110 and into the eye 10. In some embodiments, the irrigation valve 218 can also allow flow into the shunt pathway 220 and into the drain 320. In some embodiments, the irrigation valve 218 is adjustable to control the rate of flow from the irrigation source 214 to the hand piece 110 and into the eye 10.

[0031] An example aspiration system 300 includes an opening 302 in a working tip 304, an aspiration channel 306 through the handpiece 110 (including through the working tip 304), aspiration tubing 308 between the handpiece 110 and the console 100, an aspiration channel 310 in the console 100 (housing and / or cassette), a vent line 322 with a vent valve 324, a vent reservoir 312, a drain 320, such as a drain bag, and tubing 316, 318 to the drain 320. The drain 320 may be a bag or any suitable container, and in some embodiments it may be a drain to a pipe or tubing instead of a self-contained reservoir.

[0032] As shown, the aspiration system 300 includes an aspiration fluid path that extends from the surgical site (eye 10) to a drain 320. The aspiration system 300 is used to aspirate fluids, as well as any other material being aspirated from the eye during a surgical procedure, through the aspiration flow path from the eye 10, such as emulsified particles or vitreous fibers.

[0033] In some embodiments, the aspiration tubing 308 is formed from multiple segments, some of which are rigid and others of which are flexible, and in some embodiments, at least a portion of the aspiration system 300 is formed within a cassette that is part of the console 100.

[0034] 1, the aspiration system 300 includes a handpiece pump 330. The handpiece pump 330 may be, for example, a peristaltic pump acting on a flexible portion of the aspiration channel 306 in the handpiece 110. The pumping action of the handpiece pump 330 may be provided, for example, by one or more helical ridges mounted on a rotor or by one or more rollers. The handpiece pump 330 provides sufficient vacuum pressure to aspirate any fluid or tissue desired to be aspirated from the eye (e.g., emulsified lens tissue, vitreous fibers).

[0035] The operation of the handpiece pump 330 is controlled by a controller 400 that communicates with the handpiece pump 330 by electrical wiring 406 connecting the handpiece pump 330 to the controller 400. Alternatively, the controller 400 may communicate wirelessly with the handpiece pump 330. An input control 402 allows an operator to select a desired vacuum pressure and / or a desired flow rate for aspiration. The input control 402 may include any suitable input mechanism, such as a dial, push button, touch screen, etc. The input control 402 may communicate with the controller 400 by electrical wiring 408 connecting the input control 402 to the controller 400. Alternatively, the controller 400 may communicate wirelessly with the input control 402. Based on the input from the input control 402, the controller 400 controls the operation of the handpiece pump 330.

[0036] To monitor pressure in the aspiration line, including pressure upstream of the handpiece pump 330 (i.e., between the handpiece pump 330 and the opening 302 of the working tip 304), the aspiration system 300 of FIG. 1 includes a second pump 332 located in the console 100 and in series with the handpiece pump 330 along the aspiration line, with a pressure sensor 326 located between the two pumps 332, 330 along the aspiration line. The second pump 332 may be, for example, a peristaltic pump acting on a flexible portion of the aspiration channel 310 (in the housing and / or cassette) in the console 100. The pumping action of the second pump 332 may be provided, for example, by one or more rollers mounted on a rotating hub or by one or more helical ridges mounted on a rotor. For example, the set of rollers may be mounted radially from the axis of rotation of a peristaltic pump motor (e.g., a stepper motor or direct current (DC) servo motor, or other motor, such as an alternating current (AC) motor) and configured to compress a flexible portion of the suction channel 310 (such as a pump segment of an elastomeric sheet attached to the cassette body). The operation of the second pump 332, e.g., the operation of the motor of the second pump 332, is controlled by the controller 400. The controller 400 communicates with the second pump 332 by electrical wiring 404 connecting the second pump 332 to the controller 400. Alternatively, the controller 400 may communicate wirelessly with the second pump 332.

[0037] The pressure sensor 326 is located along the aspiration flow path between the second pump 332 and the handpiece pump 330. Considering the direction of aspiration flow from the eye 10 to the drain 320, the pressure sensor is located upstream of the second pump 332 and downstream of the handpiece pump 330. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the pressure sensor 326 is located within the console 100 (housing and / or cassette). Alternatively, the pressure sensor may be located outside the console 100 at another location along the aspiration flow path between the second pump 332 and the handpiece pump 330.

[0038] The pressure sensor 326 may be any suitable sensor capable of sensing pressure in the suction flow path between the second pumps 332, 330. Example pressure sensors include pressure sensors that use load cells to measure the deflection of a diaphragm in contact with the fluid and pressure sensors that use optical measurement of the deflection of a diaphragm in contact with the fluid, among others.

[0039] The controller 400 may include a processor and memory that may contain executable programs for performing various functions, such as detecting information received from the input control 402, operating the handpiece pump 330, operating the second pump 332, detecting information received from the pressure sensor 326, and operating the vent valve 324.

[0040] In one embodiment, the controller 400 is a PID controller configured to control the handpiece pump 330, the second pump 332, and / or the vent valve 324 to mitigate pressure deviations, such as when an occlusion occurs or when a surge occurs after removal of an occlusion. The controller 400 may include one or more pre-established pressure thresholds that establish desired pressure limits. The pre-established pressure thresholds may be different for different pressure selections made by an operator through the input control 402. These thresholds may be input by the operator or may be pre-set and stored during manufacture. When the pressure measured or detected from the pressure sensor 326 exceeds these pre-established thresholds, the controller 400 controls the handpiece pump 330, the second pump 332, and / or the vent valve 324 to restore the pressure to the desired level.

[0041] In accordance with the disclosure herein, the second pump 332 is operated to produce the same flow rate through the aspiration line as the handpiece pump 330. That is, the handpiece pump 330 pumps fluid towards the second pump 332 at the same rate that the second pump 332 pumps fluid. In this manner, the vacuum pressure level between the two pumps is kept constant or relatively constant. Once the operator selects a desired pressure level and / or flow rate through the input control 402, the controller 400 operates the handpiece pump 330 to achieve the selected pressure level and / or flow rate, and the controller operates the second pump 332 to have the same flow rate as the handpiece pump 330.

[0042] If the aspiration path becomes blocked, such as when lens debris enters and clogs a portion of the aspiration path during surgery, the surgical system may detect a vacuum or pressure differential via pressure sensor 326. A common location for a blockage to occur is at or near the opening 302 of the working tip 304. Such a blockage causes a vacuum build-up in the area between the handpiece pump 330 and the opening 302 of the working tip 304. As a result, due to the continued operation of the second pump 332, a vacuum build-up also occurs between the handpiece pump 330 and the second pump 332, which is detected by pressure sensor 326.

[0043] Accordingly, in systems as disclosed herein, including in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the system may monitor for an occlusion in the working tip 304 or anywhere upstream of the handpiece pump 330 by a pressure sensor 326 located downstream from the handpiece pump 330, between the handpiece pump 330 and the second pump 332. That is, when an occlusion event occurs upstream of the handpiece pump 330, a reduction in flow in the aspiration line between the two pumps 330, 332 results in a sudden drop in pressure. This is detected by the pressure sensor 326, providing an indirect measurement of the pressure upstream of the handpiece pump 330. In systems as disclosed herein, including in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the system may monitor and detect an occlusion without requiring a pressure sensor located upstream of the handpiece pump 330, between the handpiece pump 330 and the opening 302 of the working tip 304.

[0044] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating steps in an example method according to the present disclosure. In a first step 502, a first aspiration pump located in a handpiece along the aspiration line is operated to aspirate fluid and / or other material (e.g., tissue such as emulsified lens material) from the eye. The first aspiration pump may be a handpiece pump, such as the handpiece pump 330 shown in FIG. 1. In a second step 504, which may be performed simultaneously with the first step 502, a second aspiration pump located away from the handpiece along the aspiration line is operated to further pump the fluid and / or other material pumped by the first aspiration pump. The second aspiration pump may be a pump, such as the second pump 330 shown in FIG. 1. The second aspiration pump is disposed in series with the first aspiration pump along the aspiration line, the second aspiration pump being disposed downstream from the first aspiration pump. In a third step 506, which is performed while the first and second aspiration pumps are operating, the pressure in the aspiration line is measured using a pressure sensor located along the aspiration line between the first and second aspiration pumps. The pressure sensor may be a pressure sensor such as pressure sensor 326 of FIG. 1. The use of the second aspiration pump and a pressure sensor between the first and second aspiration pumps allows for monitoring and detection of occlusions upstream of the first aspiration pump in the handpiece, such as in the working tip.

[0045] The second suction pump may be operated at the same flow rate as the first suction pump. The second suction pump and the first suction pump may be operated to maintain a constant pressure between the second suction pump and the first suction pump. The second suction pump and the first suction pump may be operated to maintain a low vacuum level between the second suction pump and the first suction pump. In an alternative embodiment, the second suction pump and the first suction pump may be operated to maintain a pressure between the second suction pump and the first suction pump at an atmospheric pressure level. The method may further include selecting a vacuum level and / or flow rate, and the second suction pump and the first suction pump are operated at the same flow rate based on the selected vacuum level and / or flow rate. For example, an operator may select a vacuum level and / or flow rate using an input control, such as input control 402, and the second suction pump and the first suction pump may be operated at the same flow rate based on the selected vacuum level.

[0046] The systems and methods disclosed herein have one or more advantages over prior systems and methods. For example, embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein allow for monitoring and detecting occlusions upstream of the handpiece pump (such as at the working tip) without the need for a pressure sensor in the handpiece, resulting in a simpler design and lower cost. Embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein may also allow for improved ergonomics of the handpiece compared to designs that require a pressure sensor in the handpiece. Embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein may avoid handpiece size, weight, and balance issues that may arise in designs that require a pressure sensor in the handpiece.

[0047] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments encompassed by the present disclosure are not limited to the specific exemplary embodiments described above. In this regard, while exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure. It is to be understood that such variations may be made to the foregoing without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It is therefore appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and consistent with the disclosure. According to aspect (1), there is provided an ophthalmic surgery system, comprising: Console and a handpiece including a working tip having a suction opening at the working tip, the handpiece being connected to the console; an aspiration line including an aspiration channel in the handpiece, an aspiration tubing between the handpiece and the console, and an aspiration channel in the console; a first aspiration pump located within the handpiece along the aspiration line; a second aspiration pump located along the aspiration line away from the handpiece; a pressure sensor located along the aspiration line between the first aspiration pump and the second aspiration pump, the pressure sensor adapted to monitor an occlusion of the aspiration line upstream of the first aspiration pump; The present invention relates to an ophthalmic surgery system comprising: According to aspect (2), the second suction pump is located within the console. According to aspect (3), the pressure sensor is located away from the handpiece. According to aspect (4), the pressure sensor is located within the console. According to aspect (5), the ophthalmic surgery system further includes a controller, the controller configured to operate the second suction pump at the same flow rate as the first suction pump. According to aspect (6), the ophthalmic surgery system further includes a controller, the controller configured to operate the second suction pump and the first suction pump to maintain a constant pressure between the second suction pump and the first suction pump. According to aspect (7), the ophthalmic surgery system further includes a controller, the controller configured to operate the second suction pump and the first suction pump to maintain a preset vacuum level between the second suction pump and the first suction pump. According to aspect (8), the ophthalmic surgical system further includes an input control for an operator to input a selected vacuum level or flow rate, and the second suction pump and the first suction pump are operated at the same flow rate based on the vacuum level or flow rate from the input control. According to an aspect (9), there is provided an ophthalmic surgery system, comprising: Console and a handpiece including a working tip having a suction opening at the working tip, the handpiece being connected to the console; an aspiration line including an aspiration channel in the handpiece, an aspiration tubing between the handpiece and the console, and an aspiration channel in the console; a first aspiration pump located within the handpiece along the aspiration line; a second aspiration pump located along the aspiration line away from the handpiece; a pressure sensor located along the suction line between the first suction pump and the second suction pump; an input control for an operator to input a selected vacuum level or flow rate; a controller configured to operate the second suction pump and the first suction pump at the same flow rate based on the vacuum level or flow rate from the input control; Equipped with The ophthalmic surgical system, wherein the pressure sensor is adapted to monitor for blockage of the aspiration line upstream of the first aspiration pump. According to aspect (10), the second suction pump is located within the console. According to aspect (11), the pressure sensor is located away from the handpiece. According to aspect (12), the pressure sensor is located within the console. According to aspect (13), there is provided a method for monitoring an aspiration line for blockage during an ophthalmic surgical procedure, comprising: operating a first aspiration pump located within a handpiece along the aspiration line; operating a second aspiration pump located along the aspiration line and away from the handpiece; monitoring pressure in the aspiration line with a pressure sensor located along the aspiration line between the first aspiration pump and the second aspiration pump, thereby monitoring for blockage of the aspiration line upstream of the first aspiration pump; A method for monitoring for occlusion of an aspiration line during an ophthalmic surgical procedure, comprising: According to aspect (14), the second suction pump is located within the console. According to aspect (15), the pressure sensor is located away from the handpiece. According to aspect (16), the pressure sensor is located within the console. According to aspect (17), the second suction pump operates at the same flow rate as the first suction pump. According to aspect (18), the second suction pump and the first suction pump operate to maintain a constant pressure between the second suction pump and the first suction pump. According to aspect (19), the second suction pump and the first suction pump operate to maintain a preset vacuum level between the second suction pump and the first suction pump. According to aspect (20), the method further includes selecting a vacuum level or flow rate, wherein the second suction pump and the first suction pump operate at the same flow rate based on the selected vacuum level or flow rate.

Claims

1. 1. An ophthalmic surgery system, comprising: Console and a handpiece including a working tip having a suction opening at the working tip, the handpiece being connected to the console; an aspiration line including an aspiration channel in the handpiece, an aspiration tubing between the handpiece and the console, and an aspiration channel in the console; a first aspiration pump located within the handpiece along the aspiration line; a second aspiration pump located along the aspiration line away from the handpiece; a pressure sensor located along the aspiration line between the first aspiration pump and the second aspiration pump, the pressure sensor adapted to monitor for blockages in the aspiration line upstream of the first aspiration pump and for blockages of a flow path between the first aspiration pump and the second aspiration pump; An ophthalmic surgery system comprising:

2. The ophthalmic surgery system of claim 1 , wherein the second suction pump is located within the console.

3. The ophthalmic surgical system of claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensor is located remotely from the handpiece.

4. The ophthalmic surgical system of claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensor is located within the console.

5. The ophthalmic surgical system of claim 1 , further comprising a controller, the controller configured to operate the second suction pump at the same flow rate as the first suction pump.

6. 2. The ophthalmic surgical system of claim 1, further comprising a controller, the controller configured to operate the second suction pump and the first suction pump to maintain a constant pressure between the second suction pump and the first suction pump.

7. 2. The ophthalmic surgery system of claim 1, further comprising a controller, the controller configured to operate the second suction pump and the first suction pump to maintain a preset vacuum level between the second suction pump and the first suction pump.

8. 10. The ophthalmic surgical system of claim 1, further comprising an input control for an operator to input a selected vacuum level or flow rate, and wherein the second suction pump and the first suction pump are operated at the same flow rate based on the vacuum level or flow rate from the input control.

9. 1. An ophthalmic surgery system, comprising: Console and a handpiece including a working tip having a suction opening at the working tip, the handpiece being connected to the console; an aspiration line including an aspiration channel in the handpiece, an aspiration tubing between the handpiece and the console, and an aspiration channel in the console; a first aspiration pump located within the handpiece along the aspiration line; a second aspiration pump located along the aspiration line away from the handpiece; a pressure sensor located along the suction line between the first suction pump and the second suction pump; an input control for an operator to input a selected vacuum level or flow rate; a controller configured to operate the second suction pump and the first suction pump at the same flow rate based on the vacuum level or flow rate from the input control; Equipped with An ophthalmic surgical system, wherein the pressure sensor is adapted to monitor for occlusions in the aspiration line upstream of the first aspiration pump and for occlusions in the flow path between the first aspiration pump and the second aspiration pump.

10. The ophthalmic surgery system of claim 9 , wherein the second suction pump is located within the console.

11. The ophthalmic surgical system of claim 9 , wherein the pressure sensor is located remotely from the handpiece.

12. The ophthalmic surgical system of claim 9 , wherein the pressure sensor is located within the console.

13. A method for monitoring an ophthalmic surgical procedure for blockage of the aspiration line using the ophthalmic surgical system of claim 1 or claim 9, comprising: a controller of the ophthalmic surgical system operating the first aspiration pump located within the handpiece along the aspiration line; the controller of the ophthalmic surgical system operating the second aspiration pump located along the aspiration line and away from the handpiece; monitoring pressure in the aspiration line using the pressure sensor located along the aspiration line between the first aspiration pump and the second aspiration pump, thereby monitoring for blockages in the aspiration line upstream of the first aspiration pump; A method comprising:

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the second suction pump is located within the console.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the pressure sensor is located remotely from the handpiece.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the pressure sensor is located in the console.

17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the second suction pump operates at the same flow rate as the first suction pump.

18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the second suction pump and the first suction pump operate to maintain a constant pressure between the second suction pump and the first suction pump.

19. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the second suction pump and the first suction pump operate to maintain a preset vacuum level between the second suction pump and the first suction pump.

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