This disclosure relates to a tissue separation system to separate the posterior vitreous cortex from the inner limiting membrane in the eye, and to the separation of other body tissues. A system includes a flexible elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end. The flexible elongate member is coupled to a fluid reservoir and has a lumen configured to deliver fluid from the reservoir for use in a surgical procedure and further includes a pump system coupled to the proximal end of the flexible elongate member and to the fluid reservoir, configured to pressurize the fluid to a pressure suitable for separating tissues. The system also includes a control system arranged to control the pump system to provide a series of pulses of fluid through the flexible elongate member and out from the distal end thereof to suitably separate the tissues during the surgical procedure.
