An apparatus and method for performing ophthalmic procedures

摘要

This invention is a surgical cutting system. The cutting system includes a cutter (10) which has an inner sleeve (18) that moves adjacent to an aspiration port of an outer sleeve (12). The inner sleeve is coupled to a source of vacuum that pulls tissue into the outer port (14) when the inner sleeve is moved away from the port. The inner sleeve then moves across the outer port and severs the tissue in a guillotine fashion. The inner sleeve may have circumferential slits (112, 130) that allows the sleeve to bend into the aspiration port during the cutting stroke of the cutter. The cutter includes a motor (24) which creates an oscillating translational movement of the sleeve. The motor speed can be controlled by a foot pedal and a controller that automatically varies the electrical power provided to the motor to compensate for different loads on the cutter. The cutter may contain electrodes that are connected to an electrical generator. The generator provides electrical energy to the cutter and adjoining tissue. A surgeon can thus both cut and cauterize with the same device.