PHACO-EMULSIFICATION APPARATUS AND METHOD

摘要

An apparatus for phaco-emulsification and extraction of cataractous lens (L) tissue includes a hollow probe (18) having at its proximal end a connection to a laser source (16), the radiation passing through focussing (22) and collimating (24) lenses and passing non-axially into the probe (18). Inlets and outlets at the proximal end of the probe (18) are connected to separate metering infusion (30) and extraction (50) pumping systems. Laser radiation is applied to the tissue through a bubble or sphere (S) of saline solution formed at the distal end of the probe (18). A method in which a measured amount of saline solution is caused to form a small sphere (S) within tissue, ablative laser energy is applied to the adjacent tissue through the sphere (S) to effect phaco-emulsification, the emulsified tissue and solution being then extracted.