Abstract: A system and apparatus are disclosed for controlling amounts of fluid flow to and from a surgical site. The system includes a surgical handpiece having means including a passage for allowing fluid flow to and from a surgical site. A dispensing assembly is couplable to the handpiece for movement therewith and is selectively operable for automatically controlling continuously or discretely a controlled and metered amount of fluid flow to and from the surgical site.

Abstract: A solid-state tunable laser having a ND:YAG pumping source, a chromium-doped fosterite crystal lasing medium, a birefringent filter for selecting a specific fundamental wavelength, a pair of harmonic generating crystals mounted on counter-rotating platforms driven by stepper motors under the control of a computer, a partially reflective, partially transmissive mirror for directing the output of the pumping source through the lasing medium so that the lasing medium produces radiation having a range of fundamental wavelengths, and a fully reflective mirror for directing the radiation of the specific fundamental wavelength through the birefringent filter and the pair of crystals so as to produce radiation of a harmonic wavelength of the specific fundamental wavelength.

Abstract: A surgical knife having a handle and a blade, the blade having a blunt tip, a generally V-shaped cutting portion extending from the blunt tip to the widest part of the blade and tapered portion extending from the widest part of the blade to the point of attachment of the blade with the handle.

Abstract: A method for attaching a pair of colored haptics (20) to an optic (10) of an intraocular lens (1), containing the steps of providing the peripheral edge (17) of the optic (10) with a pair of holes (12), inserting the end portions (21) of the haptics (20) into the holes (12), aiming a laser emitting radiation within the visible spectrum at the end portion (21) of the haptic within the hole (12) in the optic (10) and firing the laser so that the radiation passes through the optic (10) essentially without absorption and is absorbed by the haptic (20), thereby causing the haptic (20) to fuse with the optic (10).

Abstract: A midinfrared laser tissue ablater having an Er:YAG radiation source optically connected to a first end of a fiber optic cable, a probe with a handle and a bifurcated cannula having a first half and a second half and a generally closed, hollow tip having an opening opposite the handle, a fiber optic integrally and coaxially mounted in the probe, optically and mechanically connected to a second end of the fiber optic cable and terminating at a free end in an interior of the hollow tip, the free end having a coating with a hole so that a pulse of radiation emitted by the radiation source is directed through the fiber optic cable and the fiber optic to the free end where the pulse of radiation is reflected by the coating out the hole in the coating and into the opening in the tip, an irrigation source connected to the first half of the cannula and an aspiration source connected to the second half of the cannula.

Abstract: An improved surgical method and apparatus using laser energy for destroying body tissue which includes a surgical handpiece including a surgical tip assembly which is driven by means of laser to achieve optical breakdown, plasma formation and shockwave generation to emulsify or destroy body tissue. The surgical tip assembly includes a laser fiber, a focusing means to enhance optical breakdown of tissue or fluid caused by laser energy transmitted through the laser fiber and an emulsification tip that is resonate tuned to vibrate in response to shockwaves produced by the optical breakdown caused by the laser energy. The emulsification tip and focusing means are configured in a spaced relationship to form an acoustic resonating chamber which further emulsifies body tissue and facilitates mixing of tissue with irrigation fluid.

Abstract: A flexible and steerable aspiration tip for microsurgery includes a tip portion, the configuration of which may be remotely altered to access different areas at a surgical site. The aspiration tip includes a flexible portion which includes a spring material therewith which may be configured in a relaxed and pre-curved state or, alternatively, a stressed and straight configuration. The aspiration tip may be combined with a handpiece assembly which includes means to remotely alter the configuration of the aspiration tip. Different surgical procedures can be formed with a single flexible and steerable aspiration tip which results in a reduction of trauma and stress to the surgical site by elimination of the use of several surgical instruments and complicated surgical techniques.

Abstract: Intraocular lenses with three zones for the provision of bifocal vision are described. Methods for the lenses use are also described.

Abstract: A surgical knife having a handle and a blade with a first generally V-shaped portion for cutting an incision having a first width of approximately 3.2 millimeters and a second generally arcuate portion for widening the incision to a second width of approximately 5.2 millimeters.

Abstract: There are disclosed an improved method and apparatus which derive the optical characteristics of a lens system from a plurality of measurement beams and can display the same. Included is an imaging channel which cooperates with a microprocessor for detecting the measurement beams and processing the detected beam information to derive the optical characteristics of the lens system.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical handpiece having a generally hollow body with a reduced diameter portion at a free end and an interior surface, an ultrasonic horn coaxially mounted inside the body, terminating at the free end and defining a fluid flow passage at the reduced diameter portion and a spiral thread formed in the interior surface at the reduced diameter portion for reducing shearing of a fluid flowing through the fluid flow passage created by an ultrasonic vibration of the horn.

Abstract: A one-piece polymethylmethacrylate intraocular lens having an optic with an optic profile and a pair of haptics each extending from the optic within the optic profile and each with a medial segment of variably reduced cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A linear cavity laser system having a yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser rod for producing a fundamental wavelength of radiation having a front face and a longitudinal axis, a first mirror reflective of the fundamental wavelength but transmissive of a desired harmonic wavelength located in front of the laser rod along the longitudinal axis, a second mirror reflective of both the fundamental wavelength and the desired harmonic wavelength located to a rear of the lasing rod along the longitudinal axis, a phase matched crystal harmonic wavelength generator responsive to the fundamental wavelength for generating the desired harmonic wavelength of radiation arranged between the front mirror and the lasing rod along the longitudinal axis and a dichroic member transmissive of the fundamental wavelength but reflective of the harmonic wavelength arranged between the laser rod and the harmonic wavelength generator along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An irrigating sleeve for use in combination with the cutting tip of a phacoemulsification handpiece containing a base having a nose and a hollow interior; a tube connected to the base at the nose having an interior surface, an open end opposite the nose and a longitudinal bore to receive the cutting tip in communication with the hollow interior of the base; and a rough texture comprised of random bumps and pits on the interior surface of the tube for reducing the amount of surface contact between the cutting tip and the interior surface of the tube during tube compression and for bathing the cutting tip continuously in a lubricant.

Abstract: An improvement to a flow control system is disclosed which comprises a transducer apparatus having dampening means to prevent or reduce the destructive effect of water hammers in such fluid control systems. This is especially useful in surgical irrigation and aspiration systems. The dampening means functions by diverting the transient fluid waves away from the delicate pressure-sensing means until a portion of the kinetic energy contained therein is dispersed.

Abstract: A coaxial flow irrigation and aspiration ultrasonic handpiece for use in surgical operations includes the combination of an elongated outer shell, inner shell and ultrasonic horn assembly disposed within the inner shell. A sealing end cap is provided which functions to center the inner shell within the outer shell as well as to form an irrigation channel therebetween for supplying irrigation fluid to the distal end tip of the surgical handpiece. The sealing end cap includes an irrigation channel and electrical cable integrally therewith to facilitate ease of assembly of the handpiece as well as connection with sources of irrigation fluid and means for providing aspiration.

Abstract: An improved vitreous cutter having a housing with two halves connected together by tapered pins on one half fitting into holes on the other half with a proximal end, a distal end, an internal transverse bore and a longitudinal bore intersecting the transverse bore and penetrating the housing at the proximal and distal ends, a pair of inlets in the proximal end of the housing in fluid communication with opposite ends of the transverse bore for allowing pressurized air to be introduced into the transverse bore, a thermoplastic piston slideably received in the transverse bore having a toothed, longitudinal slot, a stainless steel stationary outer cutting tube having a cutting port on a distal end, a stainless steel rotatable inner cutting tube telescopically received in the outer cutting tube having a cutting port on a distal end and penetrating the proximal end of the housing to form a suction port, a flexible seal between the inner cutting tube and the outer cutting tube and a pinion gear on a medial section o

Abstract: An intraocular lens designed for ease of insertion and for minimizing contact with intraocular tissues comprises a lens body having an optical axis, two optical surfaces and a periphery to which is fixed at least one filamentous haptic extending circumferentially and radially from the point of attachment along a curvilinear path in space to a maximum distance from the optical axis. The haptic has a proximal segment adjacent to the attachment point, a medial segment attached to and continuous with the proximal segment and a distal segment attached to and continuous with the medial segment. At least a part of the distal segment lies at the maximum distance from said optical axis and constitutes the tissue-contacting portion of the haptic. The tissue-contacting element is tangent to a second plane parallel to the first plane and displaced from it along the optical axis, and at least the medial segment of the haptic traverses a path concave toward the first plane and avoiding intersection with the second plane.

Abstract: A lens for implantation into the cornea of the eye for providing correction for myopia and myopia with accompanying astigmatism wherein a corneal cap section is removed and an implant bed is created to receive the intracorneal lens. The intracorneal lens is formed of a hydrogel type material or other material highly compatible with corneal physiology. In the range of lens powers of approximately -1.0 diopters to -30.0 diopters, the posterior radius of curvature conforms to the receiving surface of the lamellar bed of the cornea and the anterior surface has the radius of curvature necessary to provide the desired lens power for achieving the desired change in the refractive power of the cornea. The lens includes a peripheral transitional zone to join the anterior surface and posterior surface to allow the lens to be implanted onto the corneal bed and to allow for a smooth overlay of the replaced corneal cap section.

Abstract: A method for attaching a polymethylmethacrylate haptic having a colored core to an optic of an intraocular lens, containing the steps of providing the periphery of the optic with a pair of intersecting holes, inserting an end of the haptic into one hole, inserting an end of a polymethylmethacrylate anchor strand having a colored core into the second hole so that the end of the anchor strand and the end of the haptic intersect, aiming a laser capable of a transmitting energy of a visible wavelength at the intersection of the first and second holes, firing the laser through the optic at the point of intersection of the end of the haptic and the end of the anchor strand, wherein the optic transmits, but essentially does not absorb, the laser energy and the core the anchor strand and the core of the haptic absorb a portion of the laser energy sufficient to fuse the end of the anchor strand and the end of the haptic at their point of intersection.