Abstract: A surgical handpiece having two coaxial tubes or channels mounted within a body. The first tube is used for aspiration and is smaller in diameter than the second tube so as to great an annular passage between the first and second tube. The annular passage communicates with a pumping chamber formed between two electrodes. The pumping chamber works by boiling a small volume of the surgical fluid. As the fluid boils, it expands rapidly, thereby propelling the liquid downstream of the pumping chamber out of the annular passage. The electrodes are insulated from each other.

Abstract: A tip for a liquefracture surgical handpiece. The tip uses at least two channels or tubes. One tube is used for aspiration and at least one other tube is used to inject heated surgical fluid for liquefying a cataractous lens. The distal portion of the injection tube terminates just inside of the aspiration tube and directs the heated fluid through an orifice in the wall of the aspiration tube opposite the injection tube. The handpiece may also contain other tubes, for example, for injecting relatively cool surgical fluid.

Abstract: A surgical handpiece having two coaxial tubes or channels mounted within a body. The first tube is used for aspiration and is smaller in diameter than the second tube so as to create an annular passage between the first and second tube. The annular passage communicates with a pumping chamber formed between two electrodes. The pumping chamber works by boiling a small volume of the surgical fluid. As the fluid boils, it expands rapidly, thereby propelling the liquid downstream of the pumping chamber out of the annular passage. The distal end of the annular gap is sealed by sealing together the distal ends of the first and second tube and a plurality or orifices or ports may be formed near the seal. As the expanding gas is propelled down the annular gap, the gas/liquid stream is forced out of the distal orifices in a controlled and directed manner.

Abstract: A surgical handpiece tip with at least two coaxially spaced electrically conductive tubes. The tubes are separated by an electrical insulator. The interior of the inner tube is used for aspiration of liquefied tissue. The distal portion of the interior tube terminates just inside of the outer tube so as to form a boiling region. Electrical current is passed between the inner and outer tube to rapidly boil any surgical fluid in the boiling region. The boiling fluid rapidly expands out of the ring between the tubes and contacts the targeted tissue, thereby liquefying the tissue and allowing the tissue to be aspirated.

Abstract: A surgical handpiece having at least two lumens mounted to a body. At least one lumen is used for aspiration and at least one other lumen is used to inject heated surgical fluid for liquefying a cataractous lens. A portion of the second lumen is enlarged to form a pumping chamber. The pumping chamber works by boiling a small volume of the surgical fluid. As the fluid boils, it expands rapidly, thereby propelling the liquid downstream of the pumping chamber out of the second lumen. The pumping chamber may use any type of heater, such as a resistive heater or an induction heater. The handpiece may also contain other lumens for injecting relatively cool surgical fluid.

Abstract: A surgical handpiece having at least two lumens mounted to a body. At least one lumen is used for aspiration and at least one other lumen is used to inject heated surgical fluid for liquefying a cataractous lens. A portion of the second lumen is enlarged to form a pumping chamber. The pumping chamber works by boiling a small volume of the surgical fluid. As the fluid boils, it expands rapidly, thereby propelling the liquid downstream of the pumping chamber out of the second lumen. The pumping chamber may use any type of heater, such as a resistive heater or an induction heater. The handpiece may also contain other lumens for injecting relatively cool surgical fluid.

Abstract: A surgical handpiece driver having a pumping chamber. The pumping chamber works by boiling a small volume of a fluid. As the fluid boils, it expands rapidly, thereby propelling a piston down the length of the pumping chamber. The piston may be attached to the operative shaft or rod of a surgical probe and produce reciprocal motion. Alternatively, the piston may be attached to a cam or gear to product rotary motion.

Abstract: A tip for a liquefraction surgical handpiece. The tip uses at least two lumens. One lumen is used for aspiration and another, smaller lumen is used to inject heated surgical fluid for liquefying a cataractous lens. The distal portion of the injection lumen terminates just inside of the aspiration lumen so that heated fluid escaping the injection lumen is reflected off of the internal wall of the aspiration lumen prior to entering the eye. Such an arrangement prevents the injected fluid from directly entering the eye. The handpiece may also contain other lumen, for example, for injecting relatively cool surgical fluid.

Abstract: A surgical handpiece having at least two lumens mounted to a body. At least one lumen is used for aspiration and at least one other lumen is used to inject heated surgical fluid for liquefying a cataractous lens. A portion of the second lumen is enlarged to form a pumping chamber. The pumping chamber works by boiling a small volume of the surgical fluid. As the fluid boils, it expands rapidly, thereby propelling the liquid downstream of the pumping chamber out of the second lumen. The pumping chamber may use a pair of electrodes, at least one of the electrodes containing a countersink.

Abstract: A vitreous-cutting surgical device is provided which includes a tubular sleeve having a port in a side wall thereof, proximate to a closed distal end of the tubular sleeve. A vacuum is used for drawing a portion of the vitreous to be cut f rom a body of vitreous into the port and a cutter sleeve, disposed within the tubular sleeve, is provided for cutting the vitreous drawn into the port. Cutting surfaces and a window in the cutter sleeve enable a preferably constant vacuum to be applied to the body of vitreous being cut during cutting thereof to eliminate, or substantially reduce, agitation of the remaining vitreous.

Abstract: A lens case for an intraocular lens having a deformable optic, including a folder for receiving the intraocular lens and folding the deformable optic about a fold axis. A retainer adjacent the folder holds the intraocular lens against substantial pivotal movement relative to the retainer about a pivot axis which is generally transverse to the fold axis. The folder and retainer are relatively pivotable about the pivot axis so that the orientation of the fold axis relative to the retainer and the deformable optic can be changed.