IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,617,106

Granted Patent B2

US 8,617,106 · App. 12/664,409 · Granted Dec 31, 2013

Post-occlusion chamber collapse canceling system for a surgical apparatus and method of use

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 8,617,106
App. No.: 12/664,409
Granted: Dec 31, 2013
Kind: B2

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Abstract

A post-occlusion chamber collapse canceling system for a surgical apparatus that detects the breaking of occlusions by tissue fragments in the distal end of the aspiration path and produces a response comprising a transitory blockage of the distal end the aspiration path to terminate the chamber collapse and a simultaneous transitory venting of the aspiration line to relieve the vacuum, in a way that post-occlusion chamber collapses are cancelled.

Claims (173)

1. A surgical system for preventing collapse of a body chamber being operated upon, due to a vacuum surge following a clearing of an occlusion in an aspiration path ( 23 ) of said surgical system, comprising:

an occlusion-break sensor ( 300 ) for sensing said clearing of said occlusion, wherein said occlusion-break sensor ( 300 ) is located proximate a distal end of said aspiration path ( 23 ), said aspiration path ( 23 ) further comprising a collapsible chamber ( 290 ) in fluidic connection therewith; wherein: following said clearing of said occlusion, said collapsible chamber ( 290 ) rapidly expands, thereby increasing the rate of pressure drop, and thereby increasing the sensitivity and response time of said occlusion-break detector sensor ( 300 ); and

a normally-closed venting valve ( 57 ) temporarily opening in response to said occlusion-break sensor ( 300 ) sensing said clearing of said occlusion, to reduce the vacuum thereby preventing said vacuum surge and consequent body chamber collapse.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an irrigation path ( 18 ) thereof.

3. The system of claim 2 , further comprising a bypass connection ( 960 ) between said irrigation path ( 18 ) and said aspiration path ( 23 ); said bypass connection ( 960 ) in turn comprising: said normally-closed venting valve ( 57 ), located proximate a distal end of said aspiration path ( 23 ); and a fluid reservoir ( 910 ) for accumulating fluid from said irrigation path ( 18 ) while said normally-closed venting valve ( 57 ) is closed; wherein: when said normally-closed venting valve ( 57 ) is temporarily opened, the accumulated fluid in said fluid reservoir ( 910 ) flows into said aspiration path ( 23 ), to reduce the vacuum thereby preventing said vacuum surge and consequent body chamber collapse.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein said body chamber is an eye.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a control system ( 50 ) returning said normally-closed venting valve ( 57 ) to a closed position in response to sensing that the danger of said vacuum surge has passed.

6. The system of claim 5 , further comprising:

a feedback vacuum sensor ( 56 , 300 ); wherein: said returning said normally-closed venting valve ( 57 ) to a closed position is responsive to a signal of said feedback vacuum sensor ( 56 , 300 ).

7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a control system ( 50 ) causing the temporary opening to last for a time that is computed using a formula.

8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a control system ( 50 ) causing the temporary opening to last for a time that is determined from a look up table.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the temporary opening is caused to last less than 3000 milliseconds.

10. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a control system ( 50 ) causing energy delivered to a tissue-disrupting probe ( 14 ) to be reduced or suspended during the temporary opening, to avoid risk of burn injury to body tissue being operated upon.

11. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

an aspiration pump ( 26 ) within said aspiration path ( 23 ), capable of operating at a variety of flow rates in both forward and reverse directions including no flow in either direction; wherein: responsive to said occlusion-break sensor ( 300 ), said aspiration pump ( 26 ) is operated at said variety of flow rates, thereby preventing said vacuum surge and consequent body chamber collapse.

12. The system of claim 1 , said occlusion-break sensor ( 300 ) comprising a sensor selected from the sensor group consisting of dP/dt sensors, vacuum sensors, pressure sensors, position sensors and flow sensors.

13. The system of claim 1 , said normally-closed venting valve ( 57 ) comprising a valve selected from the valve group consisting of: a pinch valve, a tissue-cutting chopper valve, and a butterfly valve.

14. A surgical system for preventing collapse of a body chamber being operated upon, due to a vacuum surge following a clearing of an occlusion in an aspiration path ( 23 ) of said surgical system, said aspiration path ( 23 ) comprising a collapsible chamber ( 290 ) in fluidic connection therewith, comprising:

an occlusion-break sensor ( 300 ) for sensing said clearing of said occlusion;

wherein following said clearing of said occlusion, said collapsible chamber ( 290 ) rapidly expands, thereby increasing the rate of pressure drop, and thereby increasing the sensitivity and response time of said occlusion-break detector sensor ( 300 ).

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein said occlusion-break sensor ( 300 ) is located proximate a distal end of said aspiration path ( 23 ).

16. The system of claim 14 , wherein said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) is located proximate a distal end of said aspiration path ( 23 ).

17. The system of claim 14 , further comprising an irrigation path ( 18 ) thereof.

18. The system of claim 14 , wherein said body chamber is an eye.

19. The system of claim 17 , further comprising a bypass connection ( 960 ) between said irrigation path ( 18 ) and said aspiration path ( 23 ); said bypass connection ( 960 ) in turn comprising: said normally-closed venting valve ( 57 ), located proximate a distal end of said aspiration path ( 23 ); and a fluid reservoir ( 910 ) for accumulating fluid from said irrigation path ( 18 ) while said normally-closed venting valve ( 57 ) is closed; wherein: when said normally-closed venting valve ( 57 ) is temporarily opened, the accumulated fluid in said fluid reservoir ( 910 ) flows into said aspiration path ( 23 ), to reduce the vacuum thereby preventing said vacuum surge and consequent body chamber collapse.

20. The system of claim 19 , further comprising a valve array ( 850 ), said valve array ( 850 ) comprising: said normally-closed venting valve ( 57 ) and said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ).

21. The system of claim 19 , further comprising:

a physical connection between said normally-closed venting valve ( 57 ) and said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ); wherein, as a consequence thereof: the opening of said normally-closed venting valve ( 57 ) and the closing of said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) occurs substantially simultaneously; and the closing of said normally-closed venting valve ( 57 ) and the opening of said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) occurs substantially simultaneously.

22. The system of claim 14 , further comprising a control system ( 50 ) returning said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) to an open position in response to sensing that the danger of said vacuum surge has passed.

23. The system of claim 22 , further comprising: a feedback vacuum sensor ( 56 , 300 ); wherein: said sensing that the danger of said vacuum surge has passed and returning said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) to an open position is responsive to a signal of said feedback vacuum sensor ( 56 , 300 ).

24. The system of claim 14 , further comprising a control system ( 50 ) causing the temporary closing to last for a time that is computed using a formula.

25. The system of claim 14 , further comprising a control system ( 50 ) causing the temporary closing to last for a time that is determined from a look up table.

26. The system of claim 14 , wherein the temporary closing is caused to last less than 3000 milliseconds.

27. The system of claim 14 , further comprising a control system ( 50 ) causing energy delivered to a tissue-disrupting probe ( 14 ) to be reduced or suspended during the temporary closing, to avoid risk of burn injury to body tissue being operated upon.

28. The system of claim 14 , further comprising:

29. The system of claim 14 , further comprising:

a second normally closed-venting valve ( 572 ) located proximate said distal end of said aspiration path ( 23 ), temporarily opening in response to said occlusion-break sensor ( 300 ) sensing said clearing of said occlusion, to reduce the vacuum thereby preventing said vacuum surge and consequent body chamber collapse.

30. The system of claim 29 , further comprising:

a physical connection between said second normally-closed venting valve ( 572 ) and said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ); wherein, as a consequence thereof: the opening of said second normally-closed venting valve ( 572 ) and the closing of said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) occurs substantially simultaneously; and the closing of said second normally-closed venting valve ( 572 ) and the opening of said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) occurs substantially simultaneously.

31. The system of claim 14 , said occlusion-break sensor ( 300 ) comprising a sensor selected from the sensor group consisting of dP/dt sensors, vacuum sensors, pressure sensors, position sensors and flow sensors.

32. The system of claim 14 , said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) comprising a valve selected from the valve group consisting of: a pinch valve, a tissue-cutting chopper valve, and a butterfly valve.

33. The system of claim 14 , said normally-closed venting valve ( 57 ) comprising a valve selected from the valve group consisting of: a pinch valve, a tissue-cutting chopper valve, and a butterfly valve.

34. The system of claim 14 , said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) comprising a valve bypass ( 299 ) to preserve some flow across said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) while said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) is in a closed state, to preserve tissue fragment grasping and cooling capability.

35. The system of claim 14 , further comprising:

a primary vacuum source ( 26 , 626 ) for providing a primary vacuum for said aspiration path ( 23 ); a secondary vacuum source ( 526 ) for providing a secondary vacuum for said aspiration path ( 23 ); wherein: said secondary vacuum source ( 526 ) provides a reduced level of vacuum to preserve some flow across said aspiration path ( 23 ) while said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) is in a closed state, to preserve tissue fragment grasping and cooling capability.

36. The system of claim 14 , further comprising:

a split of said aspiration path ( 23 ) into a primary aspiration path ( 762 ) and a secondary aspiration path ( 764 ); said primary aspiration path ( 762 ) comprising at least said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 , 772 , 774 ) and venting via said normally-closed venting valve ( 57 , 758 ) associated therewith; and said secondary aspiration path ( 764 ) comprising at least one secondary normally-closed valve ( 756 , 770 ) and connected to a secondary normally-open valve ( 759 ) associated therewith;

wherein: actuation of the valves of and associated with said primary aspiration path ( 762 ) is oppositely-synchronized in relation to actuation of the valves of and associated with said secondary aspiration path ( 764 ), thereby enabling said primary aspiration path ( 762 ) to aspirate while said secondary aspiration path ( 764 ) is vented and enabling said primary aspiration path ( 762 ) to vent while said secondary aspiration path ( 764 ) is aspirated.

37. A surgical system for preventing collapse of a body chamber being operated upon, due to a vacuum surge following a clearing of an occlusion in an aspiration path ( 23 ) of said surgical system, comprising:

a normally-closed occlusion valve ( 270 ), temporarily opening for a defined interval before returning to a closed stated, and repeating said temporarily opening and closing at a controlled repetition rate, in response to control by an operator of said system, said normally-closed occlusion valve ( 270 ) comprising a valve bypass ( 299 ) to preserve some flow across said normally-closed occlusion valve ( 270 ) while said normally-closed occlusion valve ( 270 ) is in a closed state, to preserve tissue fragment grasping and cooling capability;

wherein: by opening said aspiration path ( 23 ) in response to said control by the operator, flow through said aspiration path ( 23 ) is controlled by the operator thereby preventing said vacuum surge and consequent body chamber collapse.

38. The system of claim 37 , wherein said normally-closed occlusion valve ( 270 ) is located proximate said distal end of said aspiration path ( 23 ).

39. The system of claim 37 , further comprising an irrigation path ( 18 ) thereof.

40. The system of claim 37 , wherein said body chamber is an eye.

41. The system of claim 37 , wherein said defined interval is determined by the operator.

42. The system of claim 37 , wherein said defined interval is computed using a formula.

43. The system of claim 37 , wherein said defined interval is determined from a look up table.

44. The system of claim 37 , wherein said defined interval is less than 1000 milliseconds.

45. The system of claim 37 , wherein said repetition rate is determined by the operator.

46. The system of claim 37 , wherein said repetition rate is set to a predetermined value.

47. The system of claim 37 , further comprising a control system ( 50 ) causing energy delivered to a tissue-disrupting probe ( 14 ) to be synchronized in relation to said opening and closing of said normally-closed occlusion valve ( 270 ), to avoid risk of burn injury to body tissue being operated upon.

48. The system of claim 47 , wherein said energy delivered to said tissue-disrupting probe ( 14 ) is reduced or suspended whenever said normally-closed occlusion valve ( 270 ) is closed.

49. The system of claim 37 , said normally-closed occlusion valve ( 270 ) comprising a valve selected from the valve group consisting of: a pinch valve, a tissue-cutting chopper valve, and a butterfly valve.

50. The system of claim 37 , further comprising a particle retaining filter ( 44 ) to prevent said normally-closed occlusion valve ( 270 ) from clogging.

51. The system of claim 37 , further comprising: a primary vacuum source ( 26 , 626 ) for providing a primary vacuum for said aspiration path ( 23 ); a secondary vacuum source ( 526 ) for providing a secondary vacuum for said aspiration path ( 23 ); wherein: said secondary vacuum source ( 526 ) provides a reduced level of vacuum to preserve some flow across said aspiration path ( 23 ) while said normally-closed occlusion valve ( 270 ) is in a closed state, to preserve tissue fragment grasping and cooling capability.

52. A surgical system for preventing collapse of a body chamber being operated upon, due to a vacuum surge following a clearing of an occlusion in an aspiration path ( 23 ) of said surgical system, comprising:

an occlusion-break sensor ( 300 ) for sensing said clearing of said occlusion;

a normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ), temporarily closing in response to said occlusion-break sensor ( 300 ) sensing said clearing of said occlusion, thereby occluding fluid flow through said aspiration path ( 23 ) and controllably stabilizing said occlusion break, thereby preventing said vacuum surge and consequent body chamber collapse; said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) comprising a valve bypass ( 299 ) to preserve some flow across said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) while said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) is in a closed state, to preserve tissue fragment grasping and cooling capability; and

53. The system of claim 52 , wherein said occlusion-break sensor ( 300 ) is located proximate a distal end of said aspiration path ( 23 ).

54. The system of claim 52 , wherein said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) is located proximate a distal end of said aspiration path ( 23 ).

55. The system of claim 52 , further comprising an irrigation path ( 18 ) thereof.

56. The system of claim 52 , further comprising a control system ( 50 ) returning said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) to an open position in response to sensing that the danger of said vacuum surge has passed.

57. The system of claim 56 , further comprising: a feedback vacuum sensor ( 56 , 300 ); wherein: said sensing that the danger of said vacuum surge has passed and returning said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) to an open position is responsive to a signal of said feedback vacuum sensor ( 56 , 300 ).

58. The system of claim 52 , further comprising a control system ( 50 ) causing the temporary closing to last for a time that is computed using a formula.

59. The system of claim 52 , further comprising a control system ( 50 ) causing the temporary closing to last for a time that is determined from a look up table.

60. The system of claim 52 , wherein the temporary closing is caused to last less than 3000 milliseconds.

61. The system of claim 52 , further comprising a control system ( 50 ) causing energy delivered to a tissue-disrupting probe ( 14 ) to be reduced or suspended during the temporary closing, to avoid risk of burn injury to body tissue being operated upon.

62. The system of claim 52 , further comprising:

63. The system of claim 52 , further comprising:

64. The system of claim 63 , further comprising:

65. The system of claim 52 , said aspiration path ( 23 ) further comprising a collapsible chamber ( 290 ) in fluidic connection therewith; wherein: following said clearing of said occlusion, said collapsible chamber ( 290 ) rapidly expands, thereby increasing the rate of pressure drop, and thereby increasing the sensitivity and response time of said occlusion-break detector sensor ( 300 ).

66. The system of claim 55 , further comprising a bypass connection ( 960 ) between said irrigation path ( 18 ) and said aspiration path ( 23 ); said bypass connection ( 960 ) in turn comprising: said normally-closed venting valve ( 57 ), located proximate a distal end of said aspiration path ( 23 ); and a fluid reservoir ( 910 ) for accumulating fluid from said irrigation path ( 18 ) while said normally-closed venting valve ( 57 ) is closed; wherein: when said normally-closed venting valve ( 57 ) is temporarily opened, the accumulated fluid in said fluid reservoir ( 910 ) flows into said aspiration path ( 23 ), to reduce the vacuum thereby preventing said vacuum surge and consequent body chamber collapse.

67. The system of claim 66 , further comprising a valve array ( 850 ), said valve array ( 850 ) comprising: said normally-closed venting valve ( 57 ) and said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ).

68. The system of claim 66 , further comprising:

69. The system of claim 52 , further comprising:

70. The system of claim 52 , further comprising:

71. A surgical system for preventing collapse of a body chamber being operated upon, due to a vacuum surge following a clearing of an occlusion in an aspiration path ( 23 ) of said surgical system, comprising:

an occlusion-break sensor ( 300 ) for sensing said clearing of said occlusion;

wherein actuation of the valves of and associated with said primary aspiration path ( 762 ) is oppositely-synchronized in relation to actuation of the valves of and associated with said secondary aspiration path ( 764 ), thereby enabling said primary aspiration path ( 762 ) to aspirate while said secondary aspiration path ( 764 ) is vented and enabling said primary aspiration path ( 762 ) to vent while said secondary aspiration path ( 764 ) is aspirated.

72. The system of claim 71 , wherein said occlusion-break sensor ( 300 ) is located proximate a distal end of said aspiration path ( 23 ).

73. The system of claim 71 , wherein said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) is located proximate a distal end of said aspiration path ( 23 ).

74. The system of claim 71 , further comprising an irrigation path ( 18 ) thereof.

75. The system of claim 74 , further comprising a bypass connection ( 960 ) between said irrigation path ( 18 ) and said aspiration path ( 23 ); said bypass connection ( 960 ) in turn comprising: said normally-closed venting valve ( 57 ), located proximate a distal end of said aspiration path ( 23 ); and a fluid reservoir ( 910 ) for accumulating fluid from said irrigation path ( 18 ) while said normally-closed venting valve ( 57 ) is closed; wherein: when said normally-closed venting valve ( 57 ) is temporarily opened, the accumulated fluid in said fluid reservoir ( 910 ) flows into said aspiration path ( 23 ), to reduce the vacuum thereby preventing said vacuum surge and consequent body chamber collapse.

76. The system of claim 75 , further comprising a valve array ( 850 ), said valve array ( 850 ) comprising: said normally-closed venting valve ( 57 ) and said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ).

77. The system of claim 75 , further comprising:

78. The system of claim 71 , further comprising a control system ( 50 ) returning said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) to an open position in response to sensing that the danger of said vacuum surge has passed.

79. The system of claim 78 , further comprising: a feedback vacuum sensor ( 56 , 300 ); wherein: said sensing that the danger of said vacuum surge has passed and returning said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) to an open position is responsive to a signal of said feedback vacuum sensor ( 56 , 300 ).

80. The system of claim 71 , further comprising a control system ( 50 ) causing the temporary closing to last for a time that is computed using a formula.

81. The system of claim 71 , further comprising a control system ( 50 ) causing the temporary closing to last for a time that is determined from a look up table.

82. The system of claim 71 , wherein the temporary closing is caused to last less than 3000 milliseconds.

83. The system of claim 71 , further comprising a control system ( 50 ) causing energy delivered to a tissue-disrupting probe ( 14 ) to be reduced or suspended during the temporary closing, to avoid risk of burn injury to body tissue being operated upon.

84. The system of claim 71 , further comprising:

85. The system of claim 71 , further comprising:

86. The system of claim 85 , further comprising:

87. The system of claim 71 , said aspiration path ( 23 ) further comprising a collapsible chamber ( 290 ) in fluidic connection therewith; wherein: following said clearing of said occlusion, said collapsible chamber ( 290 ) rapidly expands, thereby increasing the rate of pressure drop, and thereby increasing the sensitivity and response time of said occlusion-break detector sensor ( 300 ).

88. The system of claim 71 , said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) comprising a valve bypass ( 299 ) to preserve some flow across said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) while said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) is in a closed state, to preserve tissue fragment grasping and cooling capability.

89. The system of claim 71 , further comprising:

90. A surgical system for preventing collapse of a body chamber being operated upon, due to a vacuum surge following a clearing of an occlusion in an aspiration path ( 23 ) of said surgical system, comprising:

an occlusion-break sensor ( 300 ) for sensing said clearing of said occlusion;

a physical connection between said second normally-closed venting valve ( 572 ) and said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ); wherein the opening of said second normally-closed venting valve ( 572 ) and the closing of said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) occurs substantially simultaneously; and the closing of said second normally-closed venting valve ( 572 ) and the opening of said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) occurs substantially simultaneously.

91. The system of claim 90 , wherein said occlusion-break sensor ( 300 ) is located proximate a distal end of said aspiration path ( 23 ).

92. The system of claim 90 , wherein said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) is located proximate a distal end of said aspiration path ( 23 ).

93. The system of claim 90 , further comprising a control system ( 50 ) returning said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) to an open position in response to sensing that the danger of said vacuum surge has passed.

94. The system of claim 90 , further comprising a control system ( 50 ) causing energy delivered to a tissue-disrupting probe ( 14 ) to be reduced or suspended during the temporary closing, to avoid risk of burn injury to body tissue being operated upon.

95. The system of claim 90 , further comprising:

96. The system of claim 90 , said aspiration path ( 23 ) further comprising a collapsible chamber ( 290 ) in fluidic connection therewith; wherein: following said clearing of said occlusion, said collapsible chamber ( 290 ) rapidly expands, thereby increasing the rate of pressure drop, and thereby increasing the sensitivity and response time of said occlusion-break detector sensor ( 300 ).

97. The system of claim 90 , said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) comprising a valve bypass ( 299 ) to preserve some flow across said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) while said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) is in a closed state, to preserve tissue fragment grasping and cooling capability.

98. The system of claim 90 , further comprising:

99. The system of claim 90 , further comprising:

100. A surgical system for preventing collapse of a body chamber being operated upon, due to a vacuum surge following a clearing of an occlusion in an aspiration path ( 23 ) of said surgical system, comprising:

an occlusion-break sensor ( 300 ) for sensing said clearing of said occlusion;

an irrigation path ( 18 );

a bypass connection ( 960 ) between said irrigation path ( 18 ) and said aspiration path ( 23 ); said bypass connection ( 960 ) in turn comprising: said normally-closed venting valve ( 57 ), located proximate a distal end of said aspiration path ( 23 ); and a fluid reservoir ( 910 ) for accumulating fluid from said irrigation path ( 18 ) while said normally-closed venting valve ( 57 ) is closed; wherein: when said normally-closed venting valve ( 57 ) is temporarily opened, the accumulated fluid in said fluid reservoir ( 910 ) flows into said aspiration path ( 23 ), to reduce the vacuum thereby preventing said vacuum surge and consequent body chamber collapse; and

101. The system of claim 100 , wherein said occlusion-break sensor ( 300 ) is located proximate a distal end of said aspiration path ( 23 ).

102. The system of claim 100 , wherein said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) is located proximate said distal end of said aspiration path ( 23 ).

103. The system of claim 100 , further comprising a control system ( 50 ) returning said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) to an open position in response to sensing that the danger of said vacuum surge has passed.

104. The system of claim 103 , further comprising: a feedback vacuum sensor ( 56 , 300 ); wherein said sensing that the danger of said vacuum surge has passed and returning said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) to an open position is responsive to a signal of said feedback vacuum sensor ( 56 , 300 ).

105. The system of claim 100 , further comprising a control system ( 50 ) causing the temporary closing to last for a time that is computed using a formula.

106. The system of claim 100 , further comprising a control system ( 50 ) causing the temporary closing to last for a time that is determined from a look up table.

107. The system of claim 100 , wherein the temporary closing is caused to last less than 3000 milliseconds.

108. The system of claim 100 , further comprising a control system ( 50 ) causing energy delivered to a tissue-disrupting probe ( 14 ) to be reduced or suspended during the temporary closing, to avoid risk of burn injury to body tissue being operated upon.

109. The system of claim 100 , further comprising:

110. The system of claim 100 , further comprising:

111. The system of claim 110 , further comprising:

112. The system of claim 100 , said aspiration path ( 23 ) further comprising a collapsible chamber ( 290 ) in fluidic connection therewith; wherein: following said clearing of said occlusion, said collapsible chamber ( 290 ) rapidly expands, thereby increasing the rate of pressure drop, and thereby increasing the sensitivity and response time of said occlusion-break detector sensor ( 300 ).

113. The system of claim 100 , said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) comprising a valve bypass ( 299 ) to preserve some flow across said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) while said normally-open occlusion valve ( 270 ) is in a closed state, to preserve tissue fragment grasping and cooling capability.

114. The system of claim 100 , further comprising:

115. The system of claim 100 , further comprising:

Assignments (2)

CONFIRMATORY DEED OF ASSIGNMENT EFFECTIVE APRIL 8, 2019 Recorded Dec 14, 2019

From: ALCON RESEARCH, LLC

To: ALCON INC.

Reel/Frame 051293/0444 →

MERGER Recorded Dec 11, 2019

From: ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.

To: ALCON RESEARCH, LLC

Reel/Frame 051257/0562 →