Recessed electrodes for sensing flow in ophthalmic surgical system

摘要

A flow measurement device (100) is provided that includes an electrode terminal chamber (102) with an inlet (104) in communication with a flow channel (108) for receiving fluid and viscoelastic material aspirated from a surgical site, and an outlet (106) that tapers into a flow channel (108). The outlet (108) has a taper angle that is sufficient to smooth flow and cause viscoelastic material entering the electrode terminal chamber (102) to flow substantially within a center portion of the chamber and through the outlet (106). The electrode terminal chamber (102) further includes first and second electrode terminals (130) and (140) disposed on generally opposite sides of the electrode terminal chamber (102) in a spaced-apart manner. The first and second electrode terminals (130) and (140) are positioned a distance from the center of the chamber (102) that is sufficient to substantially avoid contact between the terminals and viscoelastic materials flowing through the chamber (102).