Priming a Microsurgical System

Abstract

A microsurgical system capable of priming its aspiration circuit using a pressurized gas source, a pressurized infusion fluid source, an aspiration chamber fluidly coupled to the pressurized gas source and the pressurized infusion fluid source, and a computer.

1 . A method of priming an aspiration circuit in a microsurgical system, comprising the steps of:
 providing a microsurgical system comprising a pressurized gas source, a pressurized infusion fluid source, an aspiration chamber fluidly coupled to said pressurized gas source and said pressurized infusion fluid source, and a surgical device having an aspiration port fluidly coupled to said aspiration chamber via a fluid line;   filling said aspiration chamber with an amount of an infusion fluid from said pressurized infusion fluid source sufficient to substantially fill said fluid line and said surgical device; and   pressurizing said aspiration chamber with said pressurized gas source so that said infusion fluid substantially fills said fluid line and said surgical device.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said fluid line comprises plastic tubing.