Low frequency cataract fragmenting device
A control circuit that provides a driving signal to a transducer coupled to a mechanical cutting element. The transducer is capable of operating in a resonant mode. The driving signal contains a plurality of pulses provided in a time interval that does not cause the transducer to operate in the resonant mode.
1 - 12 . (canceled)
13 . A method for driving transducer that moves a cutting element, wherein the transducer has a natural frequency and can operate in a resonant mode, comprising:
transmitting a driving signal to the transducer, said driving signal including a plurality of pulses provided in a time duration that does not induce said transducer to operate in the resonant mode.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the pulses are provided in a plurality of packets each separated by a pause.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the pulses are at a frequency at approximately the natural frequency of the transducer.
16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein each pause is of a duration to prevent a significant generation of heat by the cutting element.
17 . A method for performing a medical procedure, comprising:
inserting a tip through tissue at an incision point; and,
moving the tip to emulsify tissue at an operating temperature below a temperature that will denature tissue at the incision point.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the tip is moved with packets of pulses.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the tip is moved with a transducer and the pulses are provided so that the transducer does not resonate.
20 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the tip oscillates at a frequency essentially equal to a repetition frequency of the packets.
21 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the pulses have a pulse frequency that is approximately equal to a natural frequency of the transducer.
22 . A method for performing an ophthalmic procedure, comprising:
inserting a tip into a cornea through an incision point; and,
transmitting a plurality of packets of pulses to a transducer that oscillates the tip, the pulses being provided so that the tip operates at a temperature below a temperature that will denature the cornea.
23 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the pulses have a pulse frequency that is approximately equal to a natural frequency of the transducer.
24 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the transducer does not resonate.
25 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the tip oscillates at a frequency essentially equal to a repetition frequency of the packets.
26 . A method for operating a medical handpiece that includes a tip that is oscillated by a transducer, comprising:
transmitting a plurality of packets of pulses to the transducer to oscillate the tip, the packets having a duration that prevents resonance of the transducer, the pulses having a pulse frequency that is approximately equal to a natural frequency of the transducer.
27 . The method of claim 26 , wherein the packets are separated by pauses that have a duration that prevents a generation of a significant amount of heat by the tip.
28 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the tip oscillates at a frequency essentially equal to a repetition frequency of the packets.
29 . A method for performing an ophthalmic procedure, comprising:
inserting a tip into a cornea;
moving the tip with a plurality of pulse packets, each pulse packet being separated by a pause period so that the tip does not generate heat which denatures the cornea.
30 . The method of claim 29 , wherein each pulse packet has a time duration between 0.5-5.0 milliseconds.
31 . The method of claim 30 , wherein the pause period has a time duration between 3.5-50 milliseconds.
32 . The method of claim 29 , wherein the temperature does not exceed 45 degrees centigrade.
33 . A method for performing an ophthalmic procedure, comprising:
placing a cutting element into contact with a tissue of a patient;
moving the cutting element with a plurality of pulse packets, each pulse packet being separated by a pause period so that the cutting element does not generate heat which denatures the tissue.
34 . The method of claim 33 , wherein each pulse packet has a time duration between 0.5-5.0 milliseconds.
35 . The method of claim 34 , wherein the pause period has a time duration between 3.5-50 milliseconds.
36 . The method of claim 33 , wherein the temperature does not exceed 45 degrees centigrade.