SYSTEM FOR TRANSVERSE PHACOEMULSIFICATION

The invention is generally directed to a handpiece for phacoemulsification, comprising an ultrasonically vibrateable horn, a piezoelectric crystal stack coupled to a proximal end of the ultrasonically vibrateable horn, and a needle coupled to a distal end of the ultrasonically vibrateable horn, wherein the distal end of the needle is configured to vibrate in both an effective transverse direction and an effective longitudinal direction upon receipt of applied electric power to the handpiece; wherein simultaneous transverse and longitudinal vibration is achieved by the horn having a center of mass offset from a central longitudinal axis of the horn; or the horn and the stack defining a lumen, wherein said lumen is configured to function as an aspiration line, and wherein said lumen is offset from a central longitudinal axis of the horn; or the piezoelectric crystal stack having a center of mass offset from the longitudinal axis of the piezoelectric crystal stack; or the needle having a center of mass offset from the longitudinal axis of the needle.