A phacoemulsification device has a cutting tip for insertion into an eye and contact with a cataract. The device includes a shaft having a phacoemulsification movement generator connector end, an applicator tip supporting end, and a shaft section extending between the respective ends of the shaft. The shaft section has a convoluted exposed surface comprising longitudinally extending projections and longitudinally extending valleys arranged in sequence about the circumference of the shaft section. The projections are free of any edges as in, for example, an embodiment that includes projections and valleys that have smooth sloped curving walls in cross section and include a plurality of mirror image S-shaped regions extending from a maximum radial extension of a first projection, down to a maximum depth of a first valley and up to a maximum radial extension of a second projection, with the valley positioned between the first and second projections.
