Abstract: A microsurgical instrument for illuminating an interior site includes an optical fiber having a length between opposed proximal and distal ends, wherein the proximal end of the optical fiber is configured for operative engagement with an illumination light source, the distal end of the optical fiber including a light emitting portion, a preformed curved portion of the optical fiber proximate to the distal end, wherein the curved portion has a predetermined bend or curve, a flexible tubular sleeve enclosing at least a portion of the optical fiber, wherein the tubular sleeve has a preformed curved portion corresponding to the curved portion of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A microsurgical instrument including a handpiece defining a handpiece bore is provided. The instrument includes a first needle arranged at least partially within the handpiece bore, and an optical fiber extending through the handpiece bore and fixed to an interior of the first needle. The handpiece is rotatable relative to the optical fiber and the first needle.

Abstract: A microsurgical instrument for illuminating an interior site includes an optical fiber having a length between opposed proximal and distal ends, wherein the proximal end of the optical fiber is configured for operative engagement with an illumination light source, the distal end of the optical fiber including a light emitting portion, a preformed curved portion of the optical fiber proximate to the distal end, wherein the curved portion has a predetermined bend or curve, a flexible tubular sleeve enclosing at least a portion of the optical fiber, wherein the tubular sleeve has a preformed curved portion corresponding to the curved portion of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A known disposable per use surgical primary cassette is modified to avoid contamination thereof during use by aspirated fluid from a vitreous cutter connected thereto by bypassing the aspirated fluid into a receiving chamber of a relatively less expensive disposable secondary cassette, whereby during use a vacuum produced in a chamber of the primary cassette connected to the receiving chamber of the secondary cassette in turn produces a vacuum in the receiving chamber of the latter for drawing aspirated fluid from the vitreous cutter directly into the receiving chamber.

Abstract: A known disposable per use surgical primary cassette is modified to avoid contamination thereof during use by aspirated fluid from a vitreous cutter connected thereto by bypassing the aspirated fluid into a receiving chamber of a relatively less expensive disposable secondary cassette, whereby during use a vacuum produced in a chamber of the primary cassette connected to the receiving chamber of the secondary cassette in turn produces a vacuum in the receiving chamber of the latter for drawing aspirated fluid from the vitreous cutter directly into the receiving chamber.

Abstract: The combination of an adaptor and a male connector are configured for screwing onto a female optical fiber connector consisting of electrically conductive material electrically connected to a sense node of a controller. A ground clip partially surrounds but is electrically isolated from the female connector. An adaptor consisting of an insulator ring having a first ring of electrically conductive material on a front face, a second ring of electrically conductive material on a back face, and a resistor mounted in a transverse groove of the insulator ring, with the resistor having its ends electrically connected between the first and second electrically conductive rings. The insulator includes a threaded centrally located hole for screwing onto the female connector, whereby the first ring is secured against the ground clip to ground the associated end of the resistor.

Abstract: An aspirator cassette includes a housing having first and second ends sealed off by first and second end caps, respectively. A partition mechanism is enclosed within the housing for dividing its internal volume into first and second regions. First and second fluid flow ports are mounted on the first and second end caps, respectively, to provide fluid flow paths into and from the first and second regions, respectively. When the first region is filled with liquid, its associated first port is connected to a vacuum source for sucking the liquid out of the region, whereby as the liquid is removed, the partition mechanism responds by decreasing the volume of the first region, and increasing the volume of the second region causing its second port to draw a vacuum for sucking fluid from an aspiration device connected to the second port.

Abstract: A tissue irrigation solution containing at least one electrolyte compatible with tissue and a nutrient source including at least one member of the citric acid cycle, deprotinated derivatives and salts thereof which may include a free radical scavenger and/or a wetting agent, said solution being a one-part solution and having a stable shelf-life.