A surgical system having a cassette with an aspirant collection chamber and an
aspiration exhaust line that drains into the aspirant collection chamber. A fluid
line containing a valve allowing fluid from the irrigation fluid container to be
vented into the aspirant collection chamber. A source of pressurized air is connected
to the irrigation fluid container and is used to pressurize the fluid container.
When the pressure within the fluid container needs to be increased, pressurized
air from the pressurized air source is allowed to enter the fluid container. When
the pressure within the fluid container needs to be decreased, irrigation fluid
is allowed to be bled out of the fluid container and inter the collection chamber.
In this manner, a direct fluidic connection with the gas contained within the fluid
container does not need to be maintained.
