A microsurgery system comprising an instrument including a source of vacuum and control means, a remotely connected handpiece adapted to be disposed in the vicinity of the situs of the surgery and including an inlet and suction conduit means coupled to the inlet and to the vacuum source for carrying material away from the surgery s i tus. The system also includes a cassette assembly arranged for releasable securement to the instrument. The control means of the instrument includes an interrupter bar which cooperates with the cassette assembly for selectively isolating the vacuum source from the suction conduit means. The cassette assembly comprises a body portion, a collection vessel, a first port communicating with the suction conduit and a second port communicating with the vacuum source. Occludable conduit means are coupled between the first and second ports and are arranged to be engaged by the interrupter bar in response to a first signal to isolate the vacuum source from the suction means. The collection vessel is coupled to the suction conduit to collect the material extracted from the surgery situs. The cassette also includes similar means for enabling or disabling the flow of infusion liquid through an infusion line to the surgery situs. A hydrophobic filter and a check valve are also located within the cassette assembly.