Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for controlling vacuum within phacoemulsification systems. The phacoemulsification system may include a handpiece having a needle. The needle is coupled to a power source configured to cause the needle to be ultrasonically vibrated during operation and an aspiration source. The system further includes a footpedal that defines a first position and a second position. The system also includes a computer program product operatively coupled to the handpiece and the footpedal, the computer program product having a computer-usable medium having a sequence of instructions which, when executed by a processor, causes said processor to execute a process that controls power from the power source and vacuum from the aspiration source applied to the handpiece.

Abstract: A system for preparing an intraocular lens (IOL) injector for receipt of an IOL. A manifold mates with an injector cartridge and easily distributes a lubricating agent to a load chamber of the cartridge. The IOL is then transferred into the load chamber. The cartridge may be rotatably coupled to the handpiece, and then converted from a preparation and load position to a delivery position. The manifold may remain external to the load chamber or fit within the load chamber and include a handle that remains outside. One or more internal channels in the manifold lead from one or more inlet ports to surfaces in the load chamber than contact the IOL.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens for modifying or reducing non-axisymmetric higher order aberrations includes an optic body disposed about an optical axis having a primary meridian and an orthogonal secondary meridian. The optic body includes a higher order toric shape that is imposed on or added to one of the optic body surfaces. The higher order toric shape also includes a first profile disposed along the primary meridian and a second profile disposed along the secondary meridian that is different in shape from the first profile. The higher order toric shape is characterized by a profile along at least one meridian of the lens that changes with increasing radius from the optical axis raised to a power that is greater than two.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for determining the voltage current phase relationship of a piezoelectric phacoemulsification handpiece generally includes the steps of obtaining an analog AC voltage signal corresponding to the operating AC voltage of a piezoelectric handpiece along with an analog AC current signal corresponding to the operating AC current of the piezoelectric handpiece. Using reference detection circuits, a digital voltage signal and a digital current signal is produced. A synchronous sample clock is taken that has a frequency that is 2N times faster than the frequency of the operating ultrasonic handpiece (i.e., driving frequency), where N is the number of digital bits allocated to the sample clock. This clock measures the time between onsets of a voltage and current cycle. This time value equates to the phase time delta between the two signals. Dividing the synchronous sample clock to obtain the driving frequency ensures the signals are synchronous.

Abstract: Intraocular lenses are provided having a visible-light selective transmissive zone defined therein. The visible light-selective transmissive zone can be located near the lens center and designed to reduce the transmission of any wave-length of visible light specifically light in the blue light region having wavelength between approximately 400? to 550?. In one embodiment he IOLs are made from acrylates and the light absorbing compound is a yellow dye.

Abstract: Methods and devices measure eye blinks and tear film lipid and aqueous layer thickness before and following ophthalmic formula application onto the ocular surface, especially wherein the ophthalmic formula is an artificial tear. The methods and devices are suitable for dry eye diagnosis. The methods and devices are suitable for use to evaluate ophthalmic formula effects on the tear film and to use such information to diagnose ophthalmic formula treatment of ocular disease conditions such as dry eye in the absence of contact lens wear or post-surgical eye drop treatment and diagnosis. The methods and devices are also suitable for use in the optimization of ophthalmic drug dosage forms and sustained drug release.

Abstract: A foldable intraocular lens for providing vision contains an optic body that includes an optical zone and a peripheral zone entirely surrounding the optical zone. The optic body has an anterior face, a substantially opposing posterior face, an optic edge, and an optical axis. The anterior face comprises a central face, a peripheral face, and a recessed annular face therebetween that is disposed posterior to the peripheral face. The intraocular lens further comprises at least one haptic that is integrally formed with the peripheral zone. The haptic comprises a distal posterior face, a proximal posterior face, and a step edge disposed at a boundary therebetween. The haptic further comprises a side edge disposed between the optic edge and the step edge. The proximal posterior face and the posterior face of the optic body form a continuous surface. An edge corner is formed by the intersection of the continuous surface with the optic edge, the side edge, and the step edge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connectivity management of a wireless device is provided, such as a wireless medical device. The method comprises providing a wireless connection between at least two medical devices, the at least two medical devices comprising a primary medical device and a secondary medical device, causing the primary medical device to transmit and the secondary medical device to receive state signals wirelessly across a plurality of communication data channels, and reporting a non-active state for one of the plurality of data channels from the primary medical device to the secondary medical device using the plurality of communication data channels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for precisely controlling particle movement relative to a phacoemulsification needle tip is provided. The design monitors actual vacuum present and calculates a pulse shape amplitude waveform proportional to the amount of measured vacuum. An increase in vacuum indicates that the handpiece/needle is becoming occluded by a large particle. The present design determines whether additional power is required to bump or move a large particle away from the needle tip. The present design may employ a control loop that senses and continuously monitors vacuum. The design may dynamically vary the amount of ultrasonic energy delivered to the surgical area in response to the observed actual vacuum, and can actively vary the amount of power delivered to the surgical area based on the size of the particle and the resultant vacuum realized.

Abstract: An intraocular lens is disclosed, with an optic that changes shape in response to a deforming force exerted by the zonules of the eye. A haptic supports the optic around its equator and couples the optic to the capsular bag of the eye. The haptic may be pre-stressed before the optic is placed within it. After such placement, the pre-stress may be relieved, and the haptic may produce stress in the optic. The pre-stress may produce a radial tension or a radial compression in the optic. Alternatively, once the optic is placed within the haptic, both may undergo a process that changes the size and/or shape of one with respect to the other, causing a stress within the optic. This process may produce a radial tension or a radial compression in the optic. The haptic may include an annular ring having outer and inner diameters that may depend on the stiffness of the haptic.

Abstract: This invention relates to polymerizable ultraviolet light absorbers and yellow colorants and their use in ophthalmic lenses. In particular, this invention relates to polymerizable ultraviolet light absorbing methine compounds and yellow compounds of the methine and anthraquinone classes that block ultraviolet light and/or violet-blue light transmission through ophthalmic lenses.

Abstract: An intraocular lens for providing vision to an animal or human subject has anterior and posterior sides. The lens includes an optic body, one or more haptics, and one or more marks. Each mark has four or more features disposed along an imaginary line when viewed from the anterior side and/or the posterior side. The mark(s) may be used as an aid in angularly aligning the lens during use.

Abstract: This invention relates to polymerizable ultraviolet light absorbers and yellow colorants and their use in ophthalmic lenses. In particular, this invention relates to polymerizable ultraviolet light absorbing methane compounds and yellow compounds of the methine and anthraquinone classes that block ultraviolet light and/or violet-blue light transmission through ophthalmic lenses.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a multi-purpose phacoemulsification needle comprises a needle body disposed about a centerline and has a lumen disposed therein. The lumen has a first cross-sectional area that is normal to the centerline. The needle further comprises a distal tip comprising an arcuate surface and a face with a port therein. The port has a second cross-sectional area in a plane generally parallel to the face and is in fluid communication with an internal cavity that has a third cross-sectional area normal to the centerline, the internal cavity being in fluid communication with the lumen. The needle is configured such that the third cross-sectional area is greater than either the first cross-sectional area or the second cross-sectional area. In another aspect of the invention, the needle comprises a plurality of fins projecting inwardly from the lumen.

Abstract: A system for easily transferring an intraocular lens (IOL) from an inserter into a patient's eye. The system includes an inserter handpiece with a holding station for receiving or storing an IOL. The IOL may be pre-loaded within the holding station during manufacture, and the inserter handpiece coupled to a delivery tube so that the entire system is ready for use by a surgeon to implant an IOL. The IOL may have an optic and leading and trailing haptics coupled to the optic, and the holding station may be capable of manipulating the haptics as desired to facilitate transfer of the IOL through the delivery tube into the eye. For instance, the holding station may fold one or both of the haptics over the optic. Preferably, the holding station maintains the haptics in their folded positions during transfer of the IOL into the delivery tube. The holding station desirably maintains the IOL in a relaxed configuration during storage.

Abstract: Glaucoma treatments utilizing an implanted shunt having an elastomeric plate and a non-valved elastomeric drainage tube. The plate is positioned over a sclera of the eye with an outflow end of the elastomeric drainage tube open to an outer surface of the plate. An inflow end of the drainage tube tunnels through tissue to the anterior chamber of the eye. The drainage tube collapses upon insertion within an incision in the sclera and cornea, or at a kink on the outside of the incision, but has sufficient resiliency to restore its patency over time. Delayed fluid communication between the outflow and inflow ends of the drainage tube permits a scar tissue bleb to form around the plate. The plate desirably has a peripheral ridge and fenestrations, and a longer suturing tab extending from one side of the plate to enhance visibility and accessibility when suturing the shunt to the sclera.

Abstract: An intraocular lens for insertion into a capsular bag in order to focus incoming light toward a retina and process for manufacturing thereof along with concomitant reduced glare and improved vision provides for a center lens portion of a lens for focusing incoming light toward the retina and the surrounding lens portion for mounting the lens within the capsular bag. A surface roughness disposed on the surrounding lens portion is provided for reducing the glare due to non-focused light directed toward the retina from the intraocular lens with the roughness having a roughness level of between about Ra 45 and about Ra 350.

Abstract: An intraocular lens for insertion into the capsular bag of an eye contains an optic, an outer periphery, and an outer support structure. The optic has a periphery and centered about an optical axis. The outer periphery is disposed about the optic and configured to engage an equatorial region of the capsular bag of an eye. The outer support structure is disposed along the periphery and spaced from the optic with voids outer support structure and the optic. The intraocular lens further comprises a first intermediate member and a weakened region disposed along the outer periphery between the outer support structure and the first intermediate member. The first intermediate member operably couples the optic and the outer support structure. The weakened region is attached to, and configured to provide relative motion between, the outer support structure and the first intermediate member in response to the ciliary muscle of the eye.

Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens for providing a range of accommodative vision contains an optic and a haptic. The optic is disposed about an optical axis and includes an anterior surface and a posterior surface defining a clear aperture of the optic. The haptic is at least partially disposed inside the optic and includes an inner structure, an outer structure, and a plurality of arms disposed between and connecting the inner structure and the outer structure. The inner structure is circumferentially disposed about the optical axis, while the outer structure is circumferentially disposed about the inner structure and has an outer face. Each arm has proximal portion adjacent the inner structure and a distal portion adjacent the outer structure that is bifurcated in a radial direction from the proximal portion. The intraocular lens also has an outer surface defined by outer surfaces of the plurality of arms and an outer surface of the outer structure.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens, such as an intraocular lens (IOL), a phakic IOL or a corneal implant, and a system and method relating to same, having coupled thereto and/or integrated thereon at least one rotationally asymmetric diffractive structure. The lens of the present invention may include a single or limited number of rotationally asymmetric diffractive echelettes that provides an extended depth of focus.