Cataract extraction apparatus and method with rapid pulse phaco power

1. Apparatus for the removal of lens tissue, said apparatus comprising:

a first handpiece including a laser emitting probe sized for insertion into a lens capsule and radiating a lens therein;

a second handpiece including a vibrated needle for insertion into said lens capsule and emulsifying lens tissue, said vibrated needle including a lumen therethrough for aspiration of emulsified lens tissue and irrigation fluid;

a power source configured to provide pulsed electrical power to the second handpiece;

an input configured to enable a surgeon to select an amplitude of the vibration of the needle; and

a control console, in communication with the first handpiece and second handpiece and configured to control operation of the first handpiece and second handpiece and in response to the selected vibration amplitude for controlling a pulse duty cycle of power supplied to the second handpiece.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said control console provides a pulse repetition rate of between 25 pulses per second and 2000 pulses per second to said second handpiece.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said input enables a linear selection of pulse amplitude.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said second handpiece includes a transducer for driving said vibrated needle at ultrasonic frequencies.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said laser emitting probe comprises fiber optics.

6. A method for removing lens tissue from a lens capsule, said method comprising:

inserting a laser emitting probe into said lens capsule;

inserting a vibratable needle into said lens capsule;

introducing irrigation fluid into said lens capsule;

softening said lens tissue by exposure to laser energy from said laser emitting probe;

vibrating the needle to emulsify softened lens tissue, wherein power provided to the needle for vibration is pulsed power having an amplitude and a pulse duty cycle;

enabling a user to select the amplitude and pulse duty cycle of the pulsed power;

controlling operation of the laser emitting probe and vibratable needle in order to effect emulsification of the lens tissue, wherein controlling the operation of the vibratable needle includes controlling the amplitude and the pulse duty cycle in response to the user's selection of amplitude and pulse duty cycle; and

aspirating emulsified lens tissue and irrigation fluid from said lens capsule.

7. The method according to claim 6 wherein the needle is vibrated ultrasonically.

8. A method for removing lens tissue from a lens capsule, said method comprising:

inserting a laser emitting probe into said lens capsule;

inserting a vibratable needle into said lens capsule;

introduction irrigation fluid into said lens capsule;

fracturing said lens tissue by exposure to laser energy from said laser emitting probe;

vibrating the needle to emulsify fractured lens tissue, wherein power provided to the needle for vibration is pulsed power having an amplitude and a pulse duty cycle;

enabling a user to select the amplitude and pulse duty cycle of the pulsed power;

controlling the fracturing of said lens tissue and emulsification of fractured lens tissue in order to effect emulsification of the lens tissue, wherein controlling the emulsification of the fractured lens includes controlling the amplitude and the pulse duty cycle in response to the user's selection of amplitude and pulse duty cycle; and

aspirating emulsified lens tissue and irrigation fluid from said lens capsule.

9. The method according to claim 8 wherein the needle is vibrated ultrasonically.

10. The method according to claim 8 further comprising: controlling an off duty cycle to insure heat dissipation before a subsequent pulse is activated.