METHOD FOR USING MICROELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS TO GENERATE MOVEMENT IN A PHACOEMULSIFICATION HANDPIECE
The present invention relates to a phacoemulsification handpiece, comprising a needle and a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device, wherein the needle is coupled with the MEMS device. The phacoemulsification handpiece may further comprise a horn, wherein the horn is coupled with the needle and the MEMS device. The MEMS device is capable of generating movement of the needle in at least one direction, wherein at least one direction is selected from the group consisting of transversal, torsional, and longitudinal. The present invention also relates to a method of generating movement, comprising providing a phacoemulsification handpiece, wherein the handpiece comprises a needle and one or more MEMS devices; applying a voltage or current to the one or more MEMS devices, wherein the MEMS devices are coupled with the needle; and moving the needle in at least one direction. The present invention also relates to a vitrectomy cutter comprising one or more MEMS devices.
1 . A phacoemulsification handpiece, comprising:
a needle; and
multiple microelectromechanical system devices, wherein the needle is coupled with the microelectromechanical system devices.
2 . The phacoemulsification handpiece of claim 1 , further comprising a horn, wherein in the horn is coupled with the needle and the microelectromechanical system devices.
3 . The phacoemulsification handpiece of claim 1 , wherein the microelectromechanical system devices are capable of generating movement of the needle in at least one direction.
4 . The phacoemulsification handpiece of claim 3 , wherein at least one direction is selected from the group consisting of transversal, torsional, and longitudinal along a longitudinal axis of the needle.
5 . The phacoemulsification handpiece of claim 1 , further comprising a pad and a linkage, wherein the pad is coupled with the microelectromechanical system devices via the linkage and the pad is coupled with the needle.
6 . The phacoemulsification handpiece of claim 5 , wherein the pad is coupled with the needle via a linkage.
7 . The phacoemulsification handpiece of claim 1 , wherein the microelectromechanical system devices are coupled with an outer surface of the needle.
8 . A method of generating movement, comprising:
providing a phacoemulsification handpiece, wherein the handpiece comprises a needle and one or more microelectromechanical system devices;
applying a voltage or current to the one or more microelectromechanical system devices, wherein the microelectromechanical system devices are coupled with the needle; and
moving the needle in at least one direction.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the at least one direction is selected from the group consisting of transversal, torsional, and longitudinal along a longitudinal axis of the needle.
10 . A vitrectomy cutter, comprising:
a needle body having one or more ports;
a blade, wherein the blade is located within the needle body and capable of passing over the one or more ports; and
a microelectromechanical system device, wherein the microelectromechanical device is coupled with the blade;
wherein the microelectromechanical system device is capable of oscillating the blade.
11 . The vitrectomy cutter of claim 10 , wherein the microelectromechanical system is coupled with the blade via a linkage.