Infusion pressure monitoring system

1. A method of operating a phacoemulsification machine, the method comprising:

receiving measured pressure data at a controller indicative of a measured infusion pressure;

receiving from an input device a variable fluid pressure or flow command;

determining a variable expected fluid pressure value corresponding to the variable fluid pressure or flow command;

determining whether the measured infusion pressure data is within an acceptable pressure range for the expected fluid pressure value, the acceptable pressure range being defined by a dynamically variable threshold value;

triggering a fault condition when the measured infusion pressure data is not within the acceptable pressure range; and

changing an operating parameter of the phacoemulsification machine in response to the fault condition;

wherein determining a variable expected fluid pressure value corresponding to the variable flow command comprises taking into account data indicative of equipment variables.

2. The method of claim 1 , comprising determining the dynamically variable threshold value based on the variable expected fluid pressure value.

3. The method of claim 1 , comprising determining the acceptable pressure range based upon a percentage of the expected fluid pressure value for the variable flow command.

4. The method of claim 1 , comprising determining the acceptable pressure range based upon a fixed deviation from the expected fluid pressure value for the variable flow command.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein changing an operating parameter of the phacoemulsification machine includes interrupting operation of one of an ultrasound hand piece and an aspiration pump operation.

6. A method of operating a phacoemulsification machine, the method comprising:

providing an irrigation path configured to carry an irrigation solution to a surgical site;

providing a fluid sensor configured to detect a fluid parameter in the irrigation path;

providing an input device configured to receive a command from a health care provider commanding an irrigation fluid pressure or flow through the irrigation path at a pressure or flow rate corresponding to the command;

receiving equipment data indicative of a tip and infusion sleeve; and

determining an expected fluid pressure value and a dynamically variable threshold pressure value based upon the command and the equipment data.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

comparing the detected fluid parameter to the determined dynamically variable threshold pressure value and triggering a fault condition when the detected fluid parameter is less than the determined dynamically variable threshold pressure value.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

generating a command selected from the list of commands consisting of: display a message, decrease power delivery, and alert the user using at least one of tactile, audible, and visual signals.

9. The method of claim 6 , wherein providing an input device further comprises providing a foot pedal operable by the health care provider to generate the variable fluid flow command.

10. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

providing a second input device configured to receive threshold pressure value calculation data; and

determining the dynamically variable threshold pressure value based upon the expected pressure value.

11. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

providing a second input device; and

receiving data indicative of a selectable operating mode from the second input device.

12. A method of monitoring infusion pressure in a surgical machine, the method comprising:

providing a hand piece having a tip and an infusion sleeve, the hand piece configured to perform a surgical procedure on a patient at a surgical site;

providing an irrigation path associated with the hand piece and configured to carry an irrigation solution to the surgical site;

providing a fluid sensor configured to detect a fluid pressure in the irrigation path;

providing a foot pedal configured to receive a variable fluid command from the health care provider commanding an irrigation fluid characteristic through the irrigation path corresponding to the command;

receiving equipment data indicative of the tip and infusion sleeve;

determining an expected fluid pressure value based upon the variable fluid command and the equipment data; and

determining a dynamically variable threshold pressure value based upon the expected fluid pressure value.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

comparing the detected fluid parameter to the determined dynamically variable threshold pressure value and triggering a fault condition when the detected fluid parameter is less than the determined dynamically variable threshold pressure value.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

generating a command selected from the list of commands consisting of: display a message, decrease power delivery, and alert the user using at least one of tactile, audible, and visual signals.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

receiving data indicative of an operating mode from the input device.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

receiving pressure threshold modification data from the input device.