SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TIGHTENING OPHTHALMIC SURGICAL NEEDLES

1 . An ophthalmic surgery system comprising:

a pump for generating fluid flow during ophthalmic surgery;

a handpiece interface for providing control of a surgical handpiece;

a power wrench assembly for coupling to an ophthalmic surgical needle; and

wherein the power wrench assembly is configured to rotate the ophthalmic surgical needle relative to the surgical handpiece until torque applied to the ophthalmic surgical needle is within a desired torque range.

2 . The ophthalmic surgery system of claim 1 , wherein the power wrench assembly is configured to automatically rotate the ophthalmic surgical needle when a user biases at least one of the ophthalmic surgical needle and the surgical handpiece against the power wrench assembly.

3 . The ophthalmic surgery system of claim 1 , further comprising an indicator for providing a visual and/or audible indication to a user when the torque applied to the ophthalmic surgical needle is within the desired torque range.

4 . The ophthalmic surgery system of claim 1 , wherein the power wrench assembly includes a removable wrench insert for contacting an ophthalmic surgical needle.

5 . The ophthalmic surgery system of claim 4 , wherein the removable wrench insert is autoclavable.

6 . The ophthalmic surgery system of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor for monitoring a removable wrench insert, wherein based on an output from the sensor, the ophthalmic surgery system is configured to indicate to a user when replacement of the removable wrench insert is necessary.

7 . The ophthalmic surgery system of claim 1 , further comprising an indicator for indicating to a user when replacement of the removable wrench insert is necessary.

8 . A method for tightening an ophthalmic surgical needle onto a surgical handpiece via an ophthalmic surgery system, the ophthalmic surgery system including a power wrench assembly, the method comprising:

detecting at least one of the ophthalmic surgical needle and the surgical handpiece; and

automatically rotating the ophthalmic surgical needle relative to the surgical handpiece until torque applied to the ophthalmic surgical needle is within a desired torque range.

9 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising notifying a user when the torque applied to the ophthalmic surgical needle is within the desired torque range via a visual and/or audible indicator included in the ophthalmic surgery system.

10 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising notifying a user when replacement of the removable wrench insert is necessary.