Abstract: A toric intraocular lens is configured for enhanced stability after implantation into a capsular bag of an eye. The intraocular lens has one or more haptics extending from the lens, with stabilization enhanced by configuring the lens to include at least one engagement element configured to cooperate with the interior to the capsular bag to resist relative rotation of the lens. In one aspect of the invention, the engagement element can be provided in the form of one or more rotation-inhibiting projections provided on the lens body and/or the haptics of the lens. In another aspect of the invention, the lens includes an anterior surface which is configured to provide enhanced frictional engagement of the intraocular lens with the interior of the eye. The anterior surface of the lens can be roughened in order to provide the desired frictional engagement.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus is provided for implantation into organic tissue for use with an implant having one or more stabilizing haptics. The surgical apparatus has a ring-like body for stabilizing organic tissue. The body has an outer surface and one or more abutments extending from the outer surface. The abutment is for engaging the stabilizing haptics of the implant to inhibit movement of the implant within the organic tissue.

Abstract: An irrigation/aspiration needle has a rigid needle body over which an elastomeric sleeve is fitted. The elastomeric sleeve terminates in a smooth, relatively soft, rounded tip through which a passageway extends, communicating with a passageway in the sleeve which, in turn, communicates with passageways in the needle body and needle mount, forming a liquid flow path through the needle. The softness of the elastomeric sleeve and, particularly, the sleeve tip protects delicate eye tissue when the needle is used for aspiration from or irrigation of the eye during surgery.

Abstract: A method of determining a vertical location of a patient's eye includes receiving in a surgical console a location of a surgical tray coupled to the surgical console and calculating a vertical distance relative to a point based on the location of the surgical tray.

Abstract: Phacoemulsification needles are configured to cause an eccentric or wobble-type motion by being formed to distribute the mass of the needle non-uniformly. In one version the non-uniform property is created by angling the needle's aspiration passage with respect to the needle axis. In another, the needle tip walls are formed with non-uniform thicknesses, with or without including an off-axis configuration with respect to the needle aspiration passageway. In another, the needle tip walls are formed in a scalloped configuration. In another, external protuberances or “bumps” are formed on the needle tip exterior wall surfaces. In another, the needle tip walls have weighted inserts placed therein. In another, the needle tip is formed with skewed bevels and ridges. In another, the needle body is formed with non-uniformly shaped segments. In another, a portion of the needle tip is twisted with respect to the rest of the tip.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification needle having a central, hollow passageway terminates in a straight, enlarged needle tip formed off-axis from the passageway, allowing the needle tip to move eccentrically when the needle is subjected to torsional vibratory motion.

Abstract: An irrigation sleeve for a phacoemulsification needle has a collar to limit leakage of irrigating liquid in a direction forward of the sleeve when the sleeve is positioned on the needle. In one embodiment the sleeve and needle have mating grooves and ridges. In another embodiment an O-ring embedded in the sleeve forms a seal against the needle body.

Abstract: A corneal marking system and methods for its use, has a first tilt-detecting device attached to a corneal marker, adapted to produce a signal when the corneal marker is in a horizontal position. In another version, the first tilt-detecting device is adapted to produce a signal when the corneal marker is in tilted to a pre-selected value and a second tilt-detecting device is attached to the patient's head to measure the tilt of the head and is adapted to produce a signal when the head is tilted to match the pre-selected value of the first tilt-detecting device. In a third version, the first and second tilt detectors send signals to a signal detector which emits a signal when the first and second tilt detectors indicate substantially the same amount of tilt. In each case, the cornea is marked when the appropriate signal is emitted.

Abstract: An irrigation and aspiration tubing system for use with surgical handpieces and irrigation fluid supplies has a first flexible irrigation tube for transporting irrigation fluid to the handpiece and a second flexible aspiration tube disposed within the first tube. The inner diameter of the first tube is selected to provide a cross-sectional area available for fluid flow in excess of the cross-sectional area of a standard surgical irrigation tubes. The system also includes at least one adaptor to allow the tubing to be attached to known surgical handpieces. Preferably, a second adaptor is also provided allowing attachment to sources of irrigating fluid and aspiration vacuum. The system finds particular utility with phacoemulsification instruments used for opththalmic surgery.

Abstract: An infusion sleeve for use with a phacoemulsification needle has a hollow body with an open end by which the sleeve is attachable to a handpiece and an open tip through which a phacoemulsification needle is passed. Irrigating liquid is directed from the handpiece through the sleeve. At least one discharge ports is formed in the sleeve to provide increased flow of irrigating liquid into the eye. The port or ports may differ in size, shape and positioning on the sleeve. At least one such port has a slit extending therefrom cutting through the sleeve and adapted to distend or open up under certain flow conditions, effectively increasing the cross-sectional area of the port available for flow. When flow conditions return to normal the slit returns to its “closed” position. Another such port is formed as a flap which opens and closes responsive to the flow of the irrigating liquid.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification irrigation sleeve having a body configured to operatively connect to a phacoemulsification needle. The body has proximal and distal ends and defines a passageway for liquid. A first irrigation port is formed in the body between its proximal and distal ends. The body is slit to define a first flap configured to swing away from the first irrigation port in response to pressure of fluid flowing in the passageway to thereby reduce resistance of fluid flow through the first irrigation port. The first flap, when swung away from the first irrigation port, is oriented to direct fluid flowing through the first irrigation port in a direction from the proximal end of the body toward the distal end of the body.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification needle having a hollow passageway terminates in a straight needle tip formed off-axis from the passageway, allowing the needle tip to move eccentrically when the needle is subjected to torsional or longitudinal vibratory motion. The tip may be flared or may be coextensive with the needle body. The aspiration passageway formed through the needle body may be formed off-axis from the needle body axis. The tip may also be angled with respect to the needle body. The inner and outer surfaces of the needle tip are roughened, as by sandblasting, to enhance the cutting effect of the tip when used with a non-longitudinal handpiece. The lip of each needle tip is polished to a high degree of smoothness and the edges of the tip are rounded to lessen the incidence of snags or cuts.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification needle having a hollow passageway terminates in a straight needle tip having a rectangular cross-sectional shape larger than the cross-sectional shape of the needle passageway. The tip is formed off-axis from the passageway, allowing the needle tip to move eccentrically when the needle is subjected to torsional or longitudinal vibratory motion. The inner and outer surfaces of the needle tip are roughened, as by sandblasting, to enhance the cutting effect of the tip when used with a non-longitudinal handpiece. The lip of each needle tip is polished to a high degree of smoothness and the edges of the tip are rounded to lessen the incidence of snags or cuts.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification needle having a hollow passageway terminates in a straight needle tip formed off-axis from the passageway, allowing the needle tip to move eccentrically when the needle is subjected to torsional or longitudinal vibratory motion. The tip may be flared or may be coextensive with the needle body. The aspiration passageway formed through the needle body may be formed off-axis from the needle body axis. The tip may also be angled with respect to the needle body. The inner and outer surfaces of the needle tip are roughened, as by sandblasting, to enhance the cutting effect of the tip when used with a non-longitudinal handpiece. The lip of each needle tip is polished to a high degree of smoothness and the edges of the tip are rounded to lessen the incidence of snags or cuts.

Abstract: A phacoemulsifcation needle has a central aspiration passageway extending through a needle body. A hollow shell is attached to and covers at least a portion of the needle body, creating an annular space between the inner surface of the shell and the outer surface of the needle body. At least one port is formed through the needle body communicating between the aspiration passageway and the annular space to create a flow path. The openings to the needle body and the shell may be coplanar or may lie in different planes.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification needle has a polygonally-shaped tip with an axis that is offset from the axis of the needle body. The material forming the tip is non-uniformly distributed, adding to the motion of the tip when it is vibrated torsionally. In one embodiment, the tip has tip wall segments of varying thicknesses. In another embodiment, the tip has a series of external ribs formed on the tip wall segments, on the wall segment, at the apex where adjacent wall segments meet, or both.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification needle having a hollow passageway terminates in a straight needle tip having a rectangular cross-sectional shape larger than the cross-sectional shape of the needle passageway. The tip is formed off-axis from the passageway, allowing the needle tip to move eccentrically when the needle is subjected to torsional or longitudinal vibratory motion. The inner and outer surfaces of the needle tip are roughened, as by sandblasting, to enhance the cutting effect of the tip when used with a non-longitudinal handpiece. The lip of each needle tip is polished to a high degree of smoothness and the edges of the tip are rounded to lessen the incidence of snags or cuts.

Abstract: An irrigation sleeve for a phacoemulsification needle has a collar to limit leakage of irrigating liquid in a direction forward of the sleeve when the sleeve is positioned on the needle. In one embodiment the sleeve and needle have mating grooves and ridges. In another embodiment an O-ring embedded in the sleeve forms a seal against the needle body.

Abstract: An irrigation and aspiration tubing system for use with surgical handpieces and irrigation fluid supplies has a flexible tube with first and second lumens formed integrally along its length, with a first lumen used for transporting irrigation fluid to the handpiece and a second lumen used for aspiration of fluid and emulsified particles from a surgical site. The cross-sectional area of the first lumen is selected to provide a cross-sectional area available for fluid flow in excess of the cross-sectional area of a standard surgical irrigation tubes. The system also includes at least one adaptor to allow the tubing to be attached to known surgical handpieces. Preferably, a second adaptor is also provided allowing attachment to sources of irrigating fluid and aspiration vacuum. One said lumen is formed integral with either the interior or exterior surface of the flexible tube.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification needle having a central, hollow passageway terminates in a straight, enlarged needle tip formed off-axis from the passageway, allowing the needle tip to move eccentrically when the needle is subjected to torsional vibratory motion.