Abstract: A phacoemulsification cannula 10 includes a hub 12 for engagement with an ophthalmic surgical instrument. An elongated needle 14 having a proximal end 16 is attached to the hub 12. The cannula 10 has an aspiration lumen 20 spanning a majority of a length of a needle 14 from the proximal end towards a distal end 18. A venturi lumen 22 is formed in the needle adjacent the distal end. The venturi lumen 22 is in communication with the aspiration lumen 20 so that fluid and tissue may be aspirated through the venturi lumen 22 and the aspiration lumen 20.

Abstract: A pneumatically driven vitrectomy probe system includes a movable member disposed within a cylinder to define an enclosed pressure chamber, which has an inlet and an outlet. A pressure transducer senses the pressure level within the enclosed pressure chamber, and a valve communicates pressurized air to the inlet of the enclosed pressure chamber based on the pressure level. A displacement device coupled to the movable member extends and retracts the movable member within the enclosed pressure chamber, to respectively increase and decrease the pressure level of pressurized air communicated via the chamber outlet. The pressurized air is communicated to enclosed volume within a pneumatically activated vitrectomy probe, which includes a hollow inner cutting member disposed within the hollow outer member.

Abstract: An optical path delay scanner, comprising a rotatable mount, a first prism and a second prism disposed on the mount, and a radiation source aligned to project light through the first prism and the second prism. The radiation source may be arranged to project the light on a surface of the first prism at an incidence angle corresponding to the prism's minimum deviation angle. The scanner may be disposed in a reference arm of a Michaelson interferometer.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating elimination of ambient light from an image of an object, comprising an illumination apparatus adapted to sequentially illuminate the object using multiple lighting arrangements, an image sensor. The apparatus adapted to form on the image sensor (i) a first image of the object using a first illumination arrangement, (ii) a second image of the object using a second illumination arrangement, and (iii) a dark image of the object without illumination.

Abstract: An illumination device for use in an ophthalmic surgical apparatus, the illumination device including a fiber optic having a proximal end and a connector coupled to the fiber optic. The connector includes one or more of (1) a datum surface disposed a predetermined distance from the proximal end to position the proximal end at a predetermined location within the surgical apparatus, (2) a shutter actuation surface configured and arranged to open a shutter in the surgical apparatus when the connector is being connected to the surgical apparatus, and (3) a visual indicator position to provides a visual indication that the connector is fully inserted into the surgical apparatus. The illumination device may be in a combination with an ophthalmic surgical apparatus.

Abstract: An ophthalmic phacoemulsification irrigation sleeve 26 includes an elongated resilient tubular body portion 28 having a distal end 30 and a proximal end 32 for surrounding a portion of a shaft of a phacoemulsification needle. An enlarged section 34 is formed on the proximal end 32 for surrounding a hub of a needle and for connection to a phacoemulsification handpiece. Adjacent to the tubular body portion distal end 30 at least one non-circular irrigation port is formed. The shape of the port includes a radiused leading edge closest to the distal end 30 and has tapering, trailing sides 40 resulting in a trailing end 42 having smaller radius than the leading edge radius.

Abstract: An IOL injector kit comprising a first body portion having a first lumen disposed therethrough, a proximal end, a distal end configured to deposit an IOL into an eye, a second body portion having a second lumen disposed therethrough, a proximal end and distal end, a container comprising a wall defining a container lumen, a first open end configured to receive the proximal end of the first body portion into the container lumen, and a second open end configured to receive the distal end of the second body portion into the container lumen, and an IOL disposed inside said container.

Abstract: A method for determining a centroid coordinate of an image spot, comprising a) determining a search region having a border, b) identifying a first pixel in the search region, the pixel having a first intensity value, c) determining an upper threshold intensity value greater than the first intensity value, d) searching for a second pixel within the search region having an intensity value that is greater than the upper threshold intensity value, and e) upon finding the second pixel, designating the first pixel an integration region center.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical system 10 for aspiration of a biological material comprising a source of irrigation fluid 24, a collection cassette 30, a pump 40 for creating a vacuum in the collection cassette 30, a handpiece 50 applied to a surgical area for infusing irrigation fluid and for aspirating a biological material, conduits 60 and 62 connecting the handpiece to each of the source of irrigation fluid and the collection cassette and means 70 for isolating the pump from the handpiece to prevent creation of vacuum within the conduit 62 and the collection cassette 30 after receiving a stop signal.

Abstract: A plunger for an IOL injector device includes a shaft with a distal tip and a compressible sleeve positioned about the shaft with the tip extending forwardly of the sleeve. In a first stage of IOL advancement through the injector device, the plunger tip engages and pushes the IOL through a first section of the injector body. In a second stage of IOL advancement, the sleeve enters the narrowing section of the injector body toward the open tip thereof with the IOL and sleeve both undergoing compression. The sleeve compresses and lengthens in a forward direction ultimately enveloping the plunger distal tip. Viscoelastic applied inside the injector accumulates between the leading edge of the compressed sleeve and the compressed IOL thereby creating hydraulic pressure which pushes the compressed IOL through the remainder of the injector body and out the open distal tip thereof.

Abstract: An improved aberrometer is disclosed having a variable visible illumination fixation target for controlling pupil size for the diagnostic images.

Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical system utilizes a needle through which fluid is aspirated from a surgical site, and a sleeve coaxially received over the needle to define a flow passage between the sleeve and needle through which fluid is communicated to the surgical site. The system further includes a container that provides an adjustable infusion pressure for urging the flow of irrigation fluid to the surgical site. An aspiration pump urges aspiration of fluid from the surgical site, and a sensor detects the rate of aspiration flow. A controller is configured to calculate an intraocular eye pressure based on the infusion pressure and a pressure drop due to a resistance to the flow rate, which flow includes the sensed flow rate and a predicted leakage selected from a look-up table based on a size of the needle, a size of a sleeve, and a size of an incision through which the needle and the sleeve are placed.

Abstract: An ophthalmic apparatus adapted to project a waist of a beam of the light, such that a portion of the confocal region of the waist is projected onto the cornea. The source can be at least partially coherent and/or monochromatic. The source may be a laser or a laser diode. The beam can be a Gaussian beam, or a non-Gaussian beam. The apparatus can comprise a wavefront aberrometer, an axial eye length measuring apparatus or a refractometer.

Abstract: An IOL injector comprising a distal body portion comprising a tip through which an IOL is injected into an eye, a tip protector, and a proximal body portion configured to connect to the distal body portion. The distal body portion and the tip protector being are configured to lockingly connect together, and the tip protector and proximal body portion are configured to interact with one another such that, when the tip protector and the distal body portion are in a connected state, the tip protector is unlocked from the distal body portion as the proximal body portion is being connected to the distal body portion.

Abstract: In an aspiration flow measurement system, a flow channel is provided for receiving an aspiration fluid flow therethrough. The flow measurement system further includes an aspiration flow measurement chamber and a flow sensor that is configured to generate a raw signal indicative of the rate of fluid flow through the flow channel. A control system is configured to monitor the signals indicating the flow through the flow measurement chamber, and to determine when a value of the raw signal is indicative of a disruption caused by the presence of an air bubble, wherein the control system generates a filtered signal of the flow rate that is exclusive of any signal values that are indicative of a disruption.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for injection molding intraocular lenses includes an embodiment having first and second runners extending into first and second optic cavities of a mold configured to make a dual optic lens device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical system 10 for aspiration of a biological material comprising a source of irrigation fluid 24, a collection cassette 30, a pump 40 for creating a vacuum in the collection cassette 30, a handpiece 50 applied to a surgical area for infusing irrigation fluid and for aspirating a biological material, conduits 60 and 62 connecting the handpiece to each of the source of irrigation fluid and the collection cassette, and means 70 for stopping the pump and preventing creation of vacuum within the conduit 62 and collection cassette 30 after receiving a stop signal.

Abstract: A preloaded intraocular lens injection device includes a retainer for releasably holding an IOL in an unstressed state. The retainer and IOL are removably attached to an injector body and are sealed in the same package for delivery to a surgeon. In an alternate embodiment, the retainer and IOL are coupled together and sealed in one package and the injector body is sealed in a separate package with the surgeon attaching the retainer to the injector body at the time of surgery. To deliver the IOL through the injector body, the retainer is removed from the injector body causing the IOL to release from the retainer and become located in an unstressed state in the injector body. A compressor is moved to the closed position to compress the IOL, the injector tip is inserted through a small incision in an eye and a plunger is advanced to push the IOL through and out the injector body tip and into an eye.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to apparatus and methods for automatically setting a power level of light emitted by a light source; illuminating a retina of a patient with the light emitted by the light source; receiving, at a sensor, light reflected from the retina of the patient; providing a signal based upon the received light; determining whether the signal meets one or more signal quality criteria; automatically setting a second power level of light emitted by the light source; and repeating the steps of illuminating the patient's eye, receiving reflected light, providing the signal, and determining whether the signal meets the signal quality criteria. In some embodiments, setting the second power level is performed in response to determining whether the signal meets the signal criteria. In still other embodiments, the method comprises selecting an operating power based upon the signal quality criteria.

Abstract: A device for injecting an intraocular lens (IOL) into an eye, the device having an injector body including a lumen and an open tip wherethrough the IOL is expressed from the device. An IOL loading bay is located in the passageway wherein the IOL is positioned and compressed. In a first aspect of the invention, the passageway diameter increases from a point adjacent the loading bay to the open tip to reduce compressive force on the IOL as it travels through the lumen. In another aspect of the invention, the plunger tip has a shape and diameter which has a close, sliding fit with the shape and diameter of the passageway to reduce the chance of the IOL becoming wedged between the plunger tip and the passageway wall as the plunger tip engages and advances the IOL through the passageway.