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: 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 is provided for use with a high-frequency phacoemulsification handpiece with the needle tip having a land formed on the interior of the tip proximate the tip opening, creating a “stepped” configuration.

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: 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 handpiece having at least one pair of vibrating piezoelectric elements that are polarized and arranged within the handpiece so as to produce vibrations that are orthogonal, or otherwise at an angle to, the longitudinal centerline of the handpiece. Vibrating the cutting tip at an angle to its longitudinal axis creates additional shearing at the distal end of the tip, enhancing the tissue cutting action of the tip.

Abstract: A forceps for gripping an intraocular lens (IOL) has first and second jaws moveable toward on another. One jaw is formed with a first curvature and the remaining jaw is formed with a second curvature complementary to the first. When an IOL is gripped between the jaws, the first and second curvatures act to partially curve or fold the IOL, facilitating the insertion of the IOL into an IOL cartridge.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification needle has tip geometries configured to operate efficiently in both the longitudinal and torsional modes. In one variation, the needle tip has a sharpened edge formed on at least a portion of the needle lip. In other variations the lip geopmetry is selected to create cutting surfaces in both the torsional and longitudinal directions.

Abstract: An infusion sleeve for use with a phacoemulsification handpiece has a hollow body with an open end by which the sleeve is attachable to the handpiece and an open tip through which a phacoemulsification needle is passed. Irrigating liquid is directed from the handpiece through the sleeve. At least three discharge ports are formed in the sleeve to provide increased flow of irrigating liquid proximate the sleeve tip. The ports may differ in size, shape and positioning on the sleeve. Internal reinforcing ribs are provided to limit contact between the thinner portions of the sleeve wall and the phacoemulsification needle. External ridges are provided to limit leakage through the incision. A sleeve with an oval cross-sectional configuration is also provided to limit leakage through the incision. These features may be combined to provide sleeves with desired characteristics.

Abstract: An infusion sleeve for use with a phacoemulsification handpiece has a hollow body with an open end by which the sleeve is attachable to the handpiece and an open tip through which a phacoemulsification needle is passed. Irrigating liquid is directed from the handpiece through the sleeve. At least three discharge ports are formed in the sleeve to provide increased flow of irrigating liquid proximate the sleeve tip. The ports may differ in size, shape and positioning on the sleeve.

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: Phacoemulsification needle tips have indentations formed thereon to allow the needles to be used with torsional motion phaco handpieces and with phaco handpieces producing linear or longitudinal motion.

Abstract: Phacoemulsification needle tips are provided with emulsifying surfaces enhancing their capacity to emulsify eye tissue when used with phaco handpieces that vibrate such needles torsionally. In one version, prongs are formed on the tip proximate the tip mouth and are bent to be positioned to provide additional emulsifying surfaces in both needle rotational directions. In another version, additional emulsifying surfaces are formed on the interior of the tip or the needle.

Abstract: An irrigation/aspiration needle has needle segments offset with one another and with the needle amount to position the needle port more accurately and conveniently. The port is preferably positioned at various selected sites on the needle.

Abstract: Tips for phacoemulsification needles feature geometry that allows each tip to cut or emulsify bidirectionally when used torsionally, when used longitudinally or, in some cases, when used both torsionally or longitudinally.

Abstract: A linear-to-torsional converter changes the linear motion imparted by a phaco handpiece to torsional or rotational motion. The converter attaches to the needle mount of a conventional linear handpiece. A lock can be used to defeat the torsional motion and restore linear motion without requiring the converter to be removed from the handpiece. Alternatively the converter can be built into a handpiece.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to place supplemental IOLs in the anterior chamber, posterior chamber or both, in combination with the eye's natural lens or a separate, implanted artificial lens.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification needle uses a variety of tip shapes to increase efficiency during surgery. In several variations the tips are angled with respect to the needle body. Inb others, various cross-sectional shapes are used. Angling the tip opening is another configuration used.

Abstract: The phacoemulsification needle according to the invention comprises a shaft, a tip disposed at a distal end of said shaft, the tip having a larger outer diameter than said shaft and an aspiration lumen extending through said shaft and said tip. The tip has an opening communicating with said aspiration lumen, a ball-shaped surface and a flat distal end comprising said opening. This needle can be used for removal of the cataract nucleus as well as for removal of the residual tissue.