INSTRUMENT AND METHOD FOR PHACOEMULSIFICATION BY DIRECT THERMAL IRRADIATION

摘要

A phacoemulsification and aspiration device comprising: (a) a substantially hollow housing (12) comprising a first end and a second end; (b) an electrical resistance heating element (26) disposed at the first end of the housing and configured to thermally irradiate a space proximal to the first end and exterior to the housing; (c) a source of electricity (22) in electrical contact with the heating element; and (d) a vacuum source (40) disposed at and integrally connected to the second end of the housing; and a method for treating cataracts in vivo by liquefying a cataractous lens nucleus and aspirating the same from within a surrounding lens capsule comprising the steps of: (a) thermally irradiating and liquefying a lens; and (b) aspirating the lens.