A phacoemulsification needle has a polygonally-shaped tip with an axis that is offset from the axis of the needle body. The material forming the tip is non-uniformly distributed, adding to the motion of the tip when it is vibrated torsionally. In one embodiment, the tip has tip wall segments of varying thicknesses. In another embodiment, the tip has a series of external ribs formed on the tip wall segments, on the wall segment, at the apex where adjacent wall segments meet, or both.
