Handpiece system for multiple phacoemulsification techniques

1. A handpiece system for multiple phacoemulsification techniques, said handpiece system comprising:

a housing having a distal end adapted for scalably and releasably engaging a plurality of at least two different interchangeable nose cones;

a sonic generator disposed within said housing;

a horn having a body connected to said sonic generator and a needle for radiating sonic energy into an eye for fragmenting eye tissue, said horn including a lumen, passing through the needle and body, for aspiration of fluid and fragmented eye tissue;

a first interchangeable nose cone sealably and releasably engaging the housing distal end and configured to perform a bimanual phacoemulsification procedure in which irrigation fluid does not pass over the needle and into the eye; and

a second different interchangeable nose cone sealably and releasably engaging the housing distal end for establishing an annulus surrounding said needle, said second nose cone including an inlet for receiving irrigation fluid and enabling the irrigation fluid to pass over said needle and into the eye.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein said second nose cone comprises a sleeve for establishing the annulus and a forward portion substantially smaller in diameter than a diameter of a housing diameter.

3. The system according to claim 2 wherein the second nose inlet is positioned for introducing the irrigation fluid into the forward position.

4. The system according to claim 3 further comprising a tube, disposed exterior to said housing, for introducing irrigation fluid to said inlet.

5. The system according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of first nose cones and a plurality of second nose cones, all of the nose cones being disposable.

6. A handpiece system for multiple phacoemulsification techniques, said handpiece system comprising:

a housing having a distal cad;

a sonic generator disposed within said housing;

a horn having a body connected to said sonic generator and a needle for radiating sonic energy into an eye for fragmenting eye tissue, said horn including a lumen, passing through the needle and body, for aspiration of fluid and fragmented eye tissue;

a plurality of at least two different interchangeable nose cones for enabling the handpiece system to perform a plurality of phacoemulsification procedures, each of the nose cones being adapted for sealably and releasably engaging the housing distal end and including:

a first interchangeable nose cone configured to perform a bimanual phacoemulsification procedure in which irrigation fluid does not pass over the needle and into the eye: and

a second different interchangable nose cone configured to perform a phacoemulsification procedure in which irrigation fluid may pass over the needle and into the eye.

7. The system according to claim 6 wherein one of said plurality of nose cones includes a sleeve for establishing an annulus around said needle.

8. The system according to claim 7 wherein one of said plurality of nose cones includes an inlet for receiving irrigation fluid and enabling the irrigation fluid to pass through the annulus and into the eye.

9. The system according to claim 8 wherein one of said plurality of nose cones includes a forward portion substantially smaller in diameter than a diameter of a housing diameter.

10. The system according to chum 9 wherein the inlet is positioned for introducing the irrigation fluid into the forward position.

11. The system according to claim 10 further comprising a tube, disposed exterior to said housing, for introducing irrigation fluid to said inlet.

12. The system according to claim 6 wherein each of said plurality of nose cones are disposable.