Scott R Rowe

US Patent:

52249425, Jul 6, 1993

Filed:

Jan 27, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/827024

Inventors:

Charles E. Beuchat - Irvine CA
Scott Rowe - Mission Viejo CA
Edward G. Malk - Lake Forest CA
Woodrow W. Watson - Mission Viejo CA

Assignee:

Alcon Surgical, Inc. - Fort Worth TX

International Classification:

A61B 1722

US Classification:

606 15

Abstract:

An improved surgical method and apparatus using laser energy for destroying body tissue which includes a surgical handpiece including a surgical tip assembly which is driven by means of laser to achieve optical breakdown, plasma formation and shockwave generation to emulsify or destroy body tissue. The surgical tip assembly includes a laser fiber, a focusing means to enhance optical breakdown of tissue or fluid caused by laser energy transmitted through the laser fiber and an emulsification tip that is resonate tuned to vibrate in response to shockwaves produced by the optical breakdown caused by the laser energy. The emulsification tip and focusing means are configured in a spaced relationship to form an acoustic resonating chamber which further emulsifies body tissue and facilitates mixing of tissue with irrigation fluid.