Abstract: Phacoemulsification apparatus includes a phacoemulsification handpiece having a needle and an electrical circuitry for ultrasonic vibrating the needle. A power source provides pulsed electrical power to the handpiece electrical circuitry and an input is provided for enabling a surgeon to select an amplitude of dislighted pulses and a pulse width. A control system and pulse duty cycle is provided for controlling the off duty cycle to insure heat dissipation before a subsequent pulse is activated, including a foot pedal switch.

Abstract: A handpiece system for multiple phacoemulsification procedures is provided which includes a housing having a distal end adapted for sealably and releasably engaging a plurality of nose cones and a sonic generator disposed within the housing. A horn having a body connected to the sonic generator and a needle is provided for radiating sonic energy into an eye for fragmenting eye tissue. A plurality of nose cones are provided which are adapted for being sealably and releasably engaged with the housing and provide structure enabling varied phacoemulsification procedures.

Abstract: Ophthalmic lenses, such as intraocular lenses, include cross-linked polymeric materials having a first constituent derived from a first monomeric component selected from the group consisting of acrylates, methacrylates and mixtures thereof, and a second constituent derived from a second component in an amount effective as a cross linker in the cross-linked polymeric material. The cross-linked polymeric material has branched chain alkyl groups, preferably included with at least a portion of the first monomeric component, in an amount effective to reduce the tackiness of the cross-linked polymeric material relative to a substantially identical cross-linked polymeric material without the branched chain alkyl groups.

Abstract: Intraocular lenses include a lens body sized and adapted for placement in a mammalian eye and having a plurality of different optical powers, and a movement assembly joined to the lens body and adapted to cooperate with the mammalian eye to effect accommodating movement of the lens body in the eye. The lens body has an azonal, aspheric surface, with the correction power of the lens varying continuously and progressively from the optical axis to the periphery of the lens. Such intraocular lenses provide enhanced accommodation relative to the accommodation attainable using a spheric, monofocal IOL adapted for accommodating movement or an aspheric accommodating lens located in a substantially fixed position in an eye.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring accommodation of a lens in an eye includes a target, a Badal lens, and a viewing aperture, where the Badal lens and the viewing aperture are positioned so that when the target moves towards or away from the lens, the apparent size of the target remains constant to a subject looking in the viewing aperture regardless of the distance the target moves. The apparatus may be provided in a compact housing and may include a mirror placed in the housing so that the viewing aperture can be placed away from the optical axis of the lens. The apparatus includes a controller to control the movement of the target. The apparatus measures the accommodation of a lens based on the distance the target moves during an examination. Methods of measuring accommodation of a lens in an eye of a subject are also disclosed.

Abstract: An intraocular lens (IOL) has been provided with an accommodation assembly that effects axial movement of the IOL optic through both the radial action of ciliary muscles and the axial forces resulting from vitreous pressure on the posterior wall of the capsular bag. In a preferred embodiment, the assembly comprises an IOL having substantially rigid, posteriorly extending fixation members which extend through slots in an accommodation ring encircling the optic. Axial forces exerted by vitreous fluids on the posterior wall of the capsular bag are transmitted from the posterior wall to the ring to the fixation members at the slot areas, causing axial movement of the IOL. At the same time, the angulation of the haptics converts radial forces due to contraction or expansion of the capsular bag into axial forces, causing still more axial movement of the IOL.

Abstract: An intraocular lens for implantation in an eye comprising an optic configured so that the optic can be deformed to permit the intraocular lens to be passed through an incision into the eye. A peripheral zone circumscribes the optical zone of the optic and one or more fixation members coupled to the peripheral zone and extending outwardly from the peripheral zone to retain the optic in the eye are provided. In one embodiment the fixation member or members are located so that the optical zone is free of such member or members. The peripheral zone preferably has a maximum axial thickness which is larger than the maximum axial thickness of the periphery of the optical zone.

Abstract: Intracomeal lenses having flow enhancement regions facilitate optimized nutrient transmission from posterior to anterior sides of lenses. Thinning, fenestration, and related structural emplacements permit, for example, hyperopic lenses to be crafted whereby nutrient transport is substantially enhanced in novel ways.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting intraocular lenses (IOLs) into eyes include a hollow tube including a material and having an interior wall defining a hollow space through which an IOL is passed and an outlet through which the IOL is passed from the hollow space into an eye, and a lubricity enhancing component physically secured to said hollow tube and concentrated at or near the interior wall in an amount effective to facilitate the passage of the IOL through the hollow space.

Abstract: An intraocular lens includes an optic for focusing light and a movement assembly coupled to the optic. The movement assembly is adapted to cooperate with the eye to effect accommodating movement of the optic. The movement assembly includes a plurality of movement members and a suspension structure. The movement members are coupled to a periphery of the optic. The suspension structure is coupled to the movement members and is adapted to be in contact with a peripheral region of a capsular bag of an eye. The movement members are adapted to convert radial movement of the suspension structure caused by movement of the capsular bag to axial movement of the optic. The movement members are also adapted to amplify the radial movement of the suspension structure so that the optic moves axially a greater distance than the distance moved radially by the suspension structure.

Abstract: An IOL implantable in an eye comprising an optic having an optical portion for directing light toward the retina of the eye and a cell barrier portion for inhibiting cell growth from the eye in front of or in back of the optical portion. The cell barrier portion circumscribes the optical portion, is incapable of focusing light on the retina and includes an irregularly configured structure, for example, irregular grooves. At least one elongated fixation member is coupled to the optic for use in fixing the optic in the eye.

Abstract: A foldable intraocular lens for implantation in the eye includes an optic made of a highly pliable material and a pair of fixation members made of a material that is flexible, but more rigid than the optic. The fixation members are integral with a cantilevered arm that extends radially outward from the optic. Each fixation member includes a proximal end at the outer end of the cantilevered arm, a distal end, and a flex portion intermediate the proximal and distal ends. The flex portions of the two fixation member extend generally away from one other adjacent their respective proximal ends on diametrically-opposed sides of the optic.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for protecting the edge geometry of an intraocular lens during polishing are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a protective device having a cavity configured to receive the lens and an annular peripheral portion for surrounding and protecting at least one edge corner of the lens. In one embodiment, the peripheral portion has a constant inner diameter and receives the lens in an interference fit. In another embodiment, the lens is trapped between flanges which extend radially inwardly from the peripheral portion. A lens that is encased in the protective device will have a polished central portion and an unpolished peripheral portion after the polishing process has been completed and the protective device has been removed.

Abstract: An intraocular lens for use in a mammalian eye includes an optic adapted to focus light toward a retina of the mammalian eye and, in cooperation with the mammalian eye, to provide accommodation, the optic including a first portion adapted to move in response to the action of the mammalian eye; and a second portion surrounded by the first portion, and having a higher index of refraction than the first portion and/or being less deformable than the first portion in response to forces exerted by the mammalian eye.

Abstract: An intraocular lens for use in a mammalian eye includes an optic adapted to focus light toward a retina of the mammalian eye and, in cooperation with the mammalian eye, to provide accommodation, the optic being adapted to have a first configuration to provide substantially a single optical power and a second configuration to provide a plurality of different optical powers.

Abstract: An intraocular lens having an optic and a plurality of fixation members coupled to the optic. The fixation members are adapted to flex about points located closer to the outer edge of the IOL than to the optic. The fixation members may have a converging width intermediate region projecting outward from the optic and a pair of leg portions extending generally perpendicularly thereto. The leg portions include foot members and flex radially inward with respect to the intermediate region. Because the optic and intermediate regions are relatively stable, the leg portions flex inward but the optic does not vault or bow upon a compressive fit within the surrounding eye.

Abstract: Intraocular lens combinations are provided which include a first optic having a negative optical power and being adapted to be placed in a substantially fixed position in a mammalian eye. A second optic having a higher optical power than the first optic is provided. In addition, a movement assembly is provided which is coupled to the second optic and is adapted to cooperate with the eye to effect accommodating movement of the second optic in the eye. Very effective accommodation is provided with the present intraocular lens combination. The present combinations can be effectively positioned to effectively inhibit or reduce the risk of posterior capsular opacification (PCO).

Abstract: An intraocular lens (IOL) for insertion in a capsular bag of an eye includes an optic for focusing light and a movement assembly coupled to the optic. The movement assembly is adapted to cooperate with the capsular bag to effect accommodating movement of the optic. The movement assembly includes one or more elongated fixation members coupled to a periphery of the optic and adapted to convert radial movement of the capsular bag to axial movement of the optic. The fixation members extend spirally at least half-way around the optic. Angled transition sections may be provided between each fixation member and the optic periphery. The anterior and posterior edges of the optic periphery may have relatively sharp angles to reduce epithelial cell growth.

Abstract: An intraocular lens (IOL) for use in a mammalian eye includes an optic adapted to focus light toward a retina of the mammalian eye and, in cooperation with the mammalian eye, to provide accommodation, the optic including a first portion adapted to move in response to the action of the mammalian eye; and a second portion secured to the first portion and having a higher index of refraction than the first portion and/or being positioned generally anterior of the first portion.

Abstract: An intraocular lens (IOL) includes an optic for focusing light, an outer ring for supporting the optic in a capsular bag of an eye and a plurality of radially spaced apart, elongated intermediate members connecting the optic to the outer ring. The intermediate members are configured to convert radial forces exerted by the capsular bag on the support ring into axial movement of the optic, allowing a presbyopic patient to more effectively focus on near objects. The outer ring is preferably contoured to conform to the portion of the capsular bag between the anterior and posterior zonules, and has sufficient axial thickness to contact both sets of zonules. In addition, the edge of the ring includes at least one sharp edge corner to prevent epithelial cell growth toward the optic. In addition, the outer ring may include weakened areas configured to allow consistent and repeatable deformation in response to compressive forces.