Determining fluid flow rate in a phacoemulsification probe

An apparatus for determining a fluid flow rate in a channel of a phacoemulsification probe, comprising:

• a first pressure sensor, coupled with the channel at a first position so as to couple the first pressure sensor with a fluid in the channel;
• a second pressure sensor, coupled with the channel at a second position, at a preset distance measured along the channel from the first position, so as to couple the second pressure sensor with the fluid in the channel, and wherein the fluid flows from the first position to the second position;
• and
• a processor, configured to:
• acquire from the first pressure sensor first indications of a first pressure profile of a portion of the fluid passing the first pressure sensor,
• simultaneously with acquiring the first indications, acquire from the second pressure sensor second indications of a second pressure profile of the fluid passing the second pressure sensor,
• analyze the first indications to identify a frequency thereof having a maximum power, and identify a first phase of the frequency,
• analyze the second indications to identify the frequency and a second phase of the frequency, and
• calculate the fluid flow rate based on the preset distance and a phase shift between the first phase and the second phase.

A method for determining a fluid flow rate in a channel of a phacoemulsification probe, comprising:

• coupling a first pressure sensor, at a first position of the channel so as to couple with fluid in the channel;
• coupling a second pressure sensor, at a second position of the channel, at a preset distance measured along the channel from the first position, so as to couple with the fluid in the channel, and wherein the fluid flows from the first position to the second position;
• acquiring from the first pressure sensor first indications of a first pressure profile of a portion of the fluid passing the first sensor;
• subsequent to acquiring the first indications, acquiring from the second pressure sensor second indications of a second pressure profile of the fluid passing the second sensor;
• correlating the first indications with the second indications so as to identify a time when the second indications of the second pressure changes correspond to the first indications of the first pressure changes of the portion of the fluid;
• and
• calculating the fluid flow rate based on the time and the preset distance.

A method for determining a fluid flow rate in a channel of a phacoemulsification probe, comprising:

• coupling a first pressure sensor, at a first position of the channel so as to couple with fluid in the channel;
• coupling a second pressure sensor, at a second position of the channel, at a preset distance measured along the channel from the first position, so as to couple with the fluid in the channel, and wherein the fluid flows from the first position to the second position;
• acquiring from the first pressure sensor first indications of a first pressure profile of a portion of the fluid passing the first pressure sensor;
• simultaneously with acquiring the first indications, acquiring from the second pressure sensor second indications of a second pressure profile of the fluid passing the second pressure sensor;
• analyzing the first indications to identify a frequency thereof having a maximum power, and identifying a first phase of the frequency;
• analyzing the second indications to identify the frequency and a second phase of the frequency;
• and
• calculating the fluid flow rate based on the preset distance and a phase shift between the first phase and the second phase.