Tissue-Sensing Vitrectomy Surgical Systems and Methods

A vitrectomy surgical system comprising:

• a vitrectomy probe including a cutter comprising an outer cutting tube, an outer port disposed on the outer cutting tube, and an inner cutting tube disposed within the outer cutting tube, the inner cutting tube being movable relative to the outer cutting tube to cut tissue during a vitrectomy procedure;
• an actuator configured to move the inner cutting tube relative to the outer cutting tube to open and close the outer port to cut tissue aspirated through the outer port into the outer cutting tube;
• at least one tissue sensor coupled to the vitrectomy probe adjacent the outer port, the tissue sensor configured to measure a characteristic of the tissue aspirated through the outer port;
• and
• a processor communicatively coupled to the at least one tissue sensor and operable to control the movement of the inner cutting tube based on the measured characteristic.

A method of treating an ophthalmic condition, the method comprising:

• inserting a probe through a sclera into a vitreous chamber of a patient, the probe including a cutter comprising an inner cutting tube slidably disposed within an outer cutting tube, an outer port in the outer cutting tube, and at least one tissue sensor positioned near the outer port;
• measuring a tissue characteristic of tissue aspirated into the cutter with the at least one tissue sensor;
• communicating the tissue characteristic to a processor operable to control the motion of the inner cutting tube relative to the outer cutting tube;
• evaluating the measured tissue characteristic with a logic algorithm of the processor;
• and
• suspending the motion of the inner cutting tube based upon the measured tissue characteristic.