Abstract: A lens implant for insertion in a human eye after an extra-capsular extraction includes a lens body of polymethyl methacrylate to which are attached first and second curved holding loops formed integrally with and projecting from the periphery of the lens. The loops are diametrically attached to the lens and the loops project from the lens along a curved path so that the pair of loops define generally an ellipse that symmetrically surrounds the lens body. Each loop terminates at a free end in a positiion near the point of attachment of the other loop. The free end of one loop and the point of attachment of the second loop are in a common quadrant of the ellipse, with the respective ellipse quadrant having a loop-free end and a point of attachment being also diagonally opposed. The free end of one loop and the point of attachment of the second loop are radially spaced by a measure of less than ninety degrees (90.degree.).

Abstract: A surgical scalpel having an extendable blade, said blade being extended by rotating a movable portion of a barrel with respect to a fixed barrel portion, the initial extension being done at a fast rate and the final extension or depth adjustment being done at a slow rate. Additionally, the invention includes a gauge in combination with the scalpel for calibrating blade depth, the gauge consisting of a base, a slidable block with a tapered ridge and width markings and a slidable support for the scalpel, so that the scalpel can be abutted with the block for measurement and backed off for block adjustment.

Abstract: A surgical scalpel having an extendable blade, said blade being extended by rotating a movable portion of a barrel with respect to a fixed barrel portion, the initial extension being done at a fast rate and the final extension or depth adjustment being done at a slow rate. Additionally, the invention includes a gauge in combination with the scalpel for calibrating blade depth, the gauge consisting of a base, a slidable block with a tapered ridge and width markings and a slidable support for the scalpel, so that the scalpel can be abutted with the block for measurement and backed off for block adjustment.

Abstract: A process of making soft lenses from an esterifiable, partially cross-linked carboxyl-containing polymer, and a method of attaching a haptic to a swellable intraocular lens. The soft contact lenses are made by first forming a lens button from a hard polymer containing .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid such as acrylic or methacrylic acid and 0.1-10 mols per 100 mols of monomer of a divinyl cross-linking agent such as 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate. The hard lens button is then esterified by contact with an alcohol having up to 15 carbon atoms such as n-butanol under esterifying conditions in the substantial absence of water while simultaneously removing water of reaction. Unreacted alcohol may be removed by solvent exchange with a lower molecular weight alcohol and/or drying.

Abstract: Damage to endothelial and epithelial cells subject to trauma can be substantially reduced by using a wafer of a viscoelastic material. This method is particularly useful when applied prior to ophthalic surgery, particularly intraocular lens implantation surgery. Lens implantation is facilitated by the compression of lens haptics by this delivery system.

Abstract: A system for collapsing the lens loops of an intraocular lens in preparation for insertion of the lens into a human eye and forming and maintaining the lens loops in a collapsed position during the lens insertion operation. The system includes an apparatus for mating the intraocular lens with an incapsulating structure such as a wafer fabricated from viscoelastic material. The device is designed in a manner which causes the lens loops of the intraocular lens to collapse as the lens is inserted into the incapsulating structure during the mating process. In a preferred embodiment, the device may comprise a rotor element mounted on a baseplate for supporting the intraocular lens beneath the incapsulating structure, whereby the lens can be rotated or "dialed" into the incapsulating structure.

Abstract: A disposable plastic syringe sleeve (2) is disclosed. The syringe sleeve (2) is adapted to receive the body (42) of a conventional glass hypodermic syringe (40), which glass hypodermic syringe (40) has a luer tip (44) extending therefrom. A threaded section (10) formed at one end (12) of the syringe sleeve (2) cooperates with the luer tip (44) of the glass hypodermic syringe (40) and the threads (54) on a hypodermic needle (52) to provide positive luer locking for the needle 52. An enlarged finger grip (20) with a retaining mechanism (32) is formed at the other end (24) of the syringe sleeve (2). The retaining mechanism (32) operates to retain the glass hypodermic syringe (40) in position after the syringe sleeve (2) has received the syringe body (42).

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a shutter particularly useful in blocking laser energy, such as for an Nd:YAG laser used for laser surgery. The shutter includes a metal plate which is rotatable about an axis, and the metal plate has a series of substantially evenly spaced holes therethrough. A plastic ring is disposed on one surface of the plate and has a like series of holes. The holes allow radiation to pass through the plate and ring, and the sections of the plate and ring intermediate the holes block such radiation. The plate/ring is mounted within a housing and a shaft so that this assembly can be manually or automatically rotated. The housing includes a hole therethrough with which any one of the holes in the plate/ring may be aligned to allow the laser beam to pass. The shutter assembly may have a switch or other suitable sensor for sensing the position of the plate to indicate and insure that a hole (or a section between holes) of the plate and plastic ring is aligned with the hole in the housing.

Abstract: An improved structure for storing lenses, including storage during shipment, is disclosed. The device comprises a cylindrical upper portion with a knurled flange at the top thereof, together with an interlocking coaxially cylindrical lower portion having a knurled flange at the bottom thereof. A central bore extending through each of the cylindrical portions permits inspection and irrigation of the lens while in the device, but maintains the lens in a substantially fixed position, thereby avoiding scratches. The device is specially suited to storage of anterior chamber intraocular lenses.