Determining tip size in a phacoemulsification probe

Abstract

Apparatus for determining a needle size including a phacoemulsification probe having a distal tip. The probe has an aspiration channel that transfers aspiration fluid from the distal tip and that has a first pressure sensor coupled with the channel, and an irrigation channel that transfers irrigation fluid to the distal tip and that has a second pressure sensor coupled with the channel. A needle-sleeve combination, consisting of a sleeve coaxially surrounding the needle, is coupled with the probe distal tip. A processor acquires from the first pressure sensor a first pressure profile of the aspiration fluid passing the first pressure sensor and acquires from the second pressure sensor a second pressure profile of the irrigation fluid passing the second pressure sensor. The processor formulates a difference between the two profiles, and determines the size of the needle of the needle-sleeve combination in response to the difference.

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