Surgical System with Sensor Diagnostic Arrangement

A phacoemulsification system comprising:

• (a) a handpiece comprising a piezoelectric element and a distal end comprising a needle and a sleeve, wherein the distal end is configured to be inserted into an eye and to be vibrated by the piezoelectric element to emulsify a lens of the eye;
• (b) an irrigation module configured to supply a flow of irrigation fluid into the eye, the irrigation module being configured to be coupled with an irrigation channel of the handpiece via an irrigation line so as to enable flow of irrigation fluid therethrough;
• (c) an aspiration module configured for aspirating eye fluid;
• the aspiration module is configured to be coupled with an aspiration channel of the handpiece via an aspiration line so as to enable flow of the eye fluid therethrough;
• (d) a pressure sensor assembly coupled with at least one of the irrigation channel, the irrigation line, the aspiration channel, and the aspiration line, and configured to monitor at least one of an irrigation pressure in the irrigation channel, an irrigation pressure in the irrigation line, an aspiration pressure in the aspiration channel, and an aspiration pressure in the aspiration line;
• and
• (e) a controller comprising one or more processors and configured for operating the irrigation module and aspiration module;
• wherein the pressure sensor assembly comprises at least three sensors positioned at two or more locations along a path of fluid flow between the pumping module and the distal end;
• and
• wherein the pressure sensor assembly comprises at least three sensors positioned at two or more locations along a path of fluid flow between the pumping module and the distal end;
• and
• wherein the controller is further configured for performing a sensor diagnostic routine comprising obtaining pressure data from the at least three sensors of the pressure sensor assembly, processing the pressure data from the at least three sensors in accordance with a rotation rate of the irrigation module or the aspiration module, and determine malfunction status of one or more of the at least three sensors.

A method for use in operating a surgical system, the method comprising:

• (a) providing a surgical system comprising a handpiece, a pressure sensor assembly, and at least one pumping module, wherein the pressure sensor assembly comprises at least three sensors positioned at two or more locations along a path of fluid flow between the at least one pumping module and a distal end of the handpiece, and wherein the at least one pumping module is configured for transmitting and/or evacuating fluid via the handpiece;
• (b) obtaining pressure reading data from the at least three sensors;
• and
• (c) performing a sensor diagnostic routine, wherein the sensor diagnostic routine comprises processing the pressure data from the at least three sensors in accordance with data on rotation rate of one or more pumps of the at least one pumping module, determining correlation between pressure reading data from the at least three sensors and rotation rate of the one or more pumps, and generating an output signal indicative of operation status of the at least three sensors.