High-speed vitreous cutting system

A cutting system for providing a pressure pulse train having a variable pulse width at a desired frequency, the system comprising:

• a cutter;
• a pressure source coupled to the cutter and having a substantially constant pressure;
• and
• a waveform control that controls the pulse width of the pressure pulse train as a function of the desired frequency.

An actuator for use in a vitreous cutting system having a source of pneumatic energy and a control producing an output signal representing the desired cut frequency, the actuator comprising:

• a port for receiving pneumatic energy from the source of pneumatic energy;
• an accumulator coupled to the port;
• a pressure transducer for sensing the pressure level inside the accumulator;
• a waveform shaping circuit coupled to the pressure transducer and the control and display unit, the waveform shaping circuit producing a command signal;
• and
• a valve coupled in fluid communication to the accumulator and controlled by the command signal.

An actuator for use in a vitreous cutting system having a control unit producing an output signal representing the desired cut frequency, the actuator comprising:

• a source of pneumatic energy having an outlet;
• an accumulator coupled to the outlet;
• a pressure transducer for sensing the pressure level inside the accumulator;
• a waveform shaping circuit coupled to the pressure transducer and the control unit, the waveform shaping circuit producing a command signal;
• and
• a valve coupled in fluid communication to the accumulator and controlled by the command signal.

A pneumatic surgical cutting system comprising:

• a control unit producing an output signal representing a desired cut frequency;
• an actuator coupled to the control unit, the actuator including
• a waveform control coupled to the control unit,
• a compressor having a pneumatic input and a pneumatic output,
• an accumulator coupled to the compressor to receive the pneumatic output,
• a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure in the accumulator, and
• a valve coupled to the accumulator and the waveform control;
• and
• a surgical cutter coupled to the valve by a tubing.

A pneumatic surgical cutting system comprising:

• a control unit producing an output signal representing a desired cut frequency;
• an actuator coupled to the control unit, the actuator including
• a waveform control coupled to the control unit,
• a compressor having a pneumatic input and a pneumatic output,
• a first accumulator coupled to the compressor to receive the pneumatic output,
• a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure in the first accumulator,
• a valve coupled to the accumulator and the waveform control,
• a second accumulator coupled to the pneumatic input of the compressor,
• a connection between the second accumulator and the valve, and
• a connection between the second accumulator and the atmosphere;
• and
• a surgical cutter coupled to the valve by a tubing.