Surgical system for indication of media types

1. A surgical system comprising:

a surgical instrument that can be located in a media type, the surgical instrument having an aspiration portion;

an aspiration flow rate measurement device configured to measure a flow rate generated by the aspiration portion;

a vacuum force measurement device configured to measure a vacuum force generated by the aspiration portion; and

an indicator configured to provide an indication of the media type in which the surgical instrument is located;

wherein the system is configured to distinguish between at least three different media types based on the measured aspiration flow rate and the measured vacuum force.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a device for identifying a configuration and operation of the surgical instrument.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the surgical instrument is a vitrector.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the indicator is an intraocular light.

5. The system of claim 1 in which the indication of the media type is visually displayed.

6. The system of claim 1 in which the indication of the media type is audibly displayed.

7. The system of claim 1 in which the indication of the media type is user-assigned.

8. The system of claim 1 in which the indicator is capable of being selectively turned on or off.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least three different media types include vitreous, perfluorocarbon liquid, silicone oil, and sterile intraocular irrigating solution.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system is further configured to use an operation and configuration of the surgical instrument in distinguishing between the at least three different media types.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a device for tracking an amount of time the surgical instrument is located in the media type.

12. The system of claim 1 in which the surgical instrument further comprises an infusion portion and the system further comprises a device for measuring a flow rate generated by the infusion portion;

wherein the system is further configured to use the measured infusion portion flow rate in distinguishing between the at least three different media types.

13. A method for identifying a media type in which a surgical instrument is located comprising:

measuring vacuum force;

measuring aspiration flow rate;

using the measured vacuum force and the measured aspiration flow rate to distinguish between at least three different media types the instrument is located; and

providing an indication of the media type.

14. The method of claim 13 in which providing an indication of the media type comprises providing an intraocular light.

15. The method of claim 13 in which providing an indication of the media type comprises visually displaying the indication.

16. The method of claim 13 in which providing an indication of the media type comprises audibly displaying the indication.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein providing an indication of the media type further comprises:

receiving a user-assigned identification type.

18. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

tracking an amount of time the surgical instrument is located in the media type.

19. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

measuring infusion flow rate;

wherein the method further comprises using the measured infusion flow rate to distinguish between the at least three different media types.

20. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

receiving information about a configuration and operation of the surgical instrument.

21. The method of claim 13 , wherein the at least three different media types include vitreous, perfluorocarbon liquid, silicone oil, and sterile intraocular irrigating solution.