Phacoemulsification handpiece, sleeve, and tip

An ultrasonic surgical instrument for emulsifying tissue from an operating site and removing the tissue by an aspiration flow force from a source comprising:

• a needle for receiving the ultrasonic energy, said needle having an internal aspiration passage terminating in a cavity with an inlet port to said cavity at the needle distal end, aspiration flow force applied to said aspiration passage aspirating tissue into said cavity through said inlet port to be emulsified by the ultrasonic energy while in said cavity;
• and
• an ultrasonic energy directing structure on the interior of said aspiration flow passage, said structure positioned in said aspiration passage proximally of said inlet port to modify the aspiration flow force pattern in said aspiration passage and having a first portion at an angle of less than 90.degree. relative to the longitudinal axis of said aspiration passage and facing toward said cavity for directing ultrasonic energy both distally of and non-parallel to the longitudinal axis of said aspiration passage to an area in said cavity to emulsify the tissue aspirated into said cavity, and a second portion at an angle to said aspiration passage and facing toward the proximal end of said needle for directing ultrasonic energy away from said inlet port along said aspiration passage back toward the proximal end of said needle to increase the effect of the aspiration flow in said aspiration passage, wherein said cavity has a longitudinal axis and said needle has a transition portion along said aspiration passage to offset said cavity longitudinal axis spaced from and generally parallel to said needle longitudinal axis and said directing structure first portion comprises said transition portion.

An ultrasonic surgical instrument for emulsifying tissue from an operating site and removing the tissue by an aspiration flow force from a source comprising:

• a needle for receiving the ultrasonic energy, said needle having an internal aspiration flow passage terminating in a cavity with an inlet port at the needle distal end and said inlet port being positioned in the needle with an entrance to said cavity and at least a part of said cavity being at an angle to the longitudinal axis of said aspiration passage and the distal end of said aspiration passage longitudinal axis aligned directly into said cavity, aspiration flow force applied to said aspiration passage aspirating the tissue into said cavity through said inlet port to be emulsified by the ultrasonic energy in said cavity;
• and
• a directing structure in said cavity both proximally and distally of said inlet port, said directing structure having surfaces for directing the ultrasonic energy in said cavity toward the entrance of said cavity from said inlet port to emulsify the tissue aspirated into said cavity;
• and
• wherein the needle distal end is pointed with an apex aligned with the internal passageway proximal of said cavity.

An ultrasonic surgical instrument for emulsifying tissue from an operating site and removing the tissue by an aspiration flow force from a source comprising:

• a needle for receiving the ultrasonic energy, said needle having an internal aspiration flow passage terminating in a cavity with an inlet port at the needle distal end, aspiration flow force applied to said aspiration passage aspirating the tissue into said cavity through said inlet port to be emulsified by the ultrasonic energy in said cavity;
• and
• said distal end of said needle having an enlarged outer perimeter relative to the remainder of said needle and said inlet port and said cavity are both in said enlarged end and at an angle to the needle longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis of said aspiration passage and the distal end of said aspiration passage longitudinal axis aligned directly into said cavity, the internal wall of said enlarged end surrounding said inlet port and forming a first surface for focusing ultrasonic energy across said inlet port to emulsify tissue aspirated into said cavity;
• and
• wherein the needle distal end is pointed with an apex aligned with the internal passageway proximal of said cavity.

An ultrasonic surgical instrument for emulsifying tissue from an operating site and removing the tissue by an aspiration flow force from a source comprising:

• a needle for receiving the ultrasonic energy, said needle having an internal aspiration passage terminating in a cavity with an inlet port to said cavity at the needle distal end, aspiration flow force applied to said aspiration passage aspirating tissue into said cavity through said inlet port to be emulsified by the ultrasonic energy while in said cavity;
• and
• an ultrasonic energy directing structure on the interior of said aspiration flow passage, said structure comprising a baffle extending across said aspiration passage proximally of said inlet port to modify the aspiration flow force pattern in said aspiration passage and having a first portion at an angle of less than 90.degree. relative to the longitudinal axis of said aspiration passage and facing toward said cavity for directing ultrasonic energy both distally of and non-parallel to the longitudinal axis of said aspiration passage to an area in said cavity to emulsify the tissue aspirated into said cavity, and a second portion at an angle to said aspiration passage and facing toward the proximal end of said needle for directing ultrasonic energy away from said inlet port along said aspiration passage back toward the proximal end of said needle to increase the effect of the aspiration flow in said aspiration passage.