Abstract: An eye treatment system is configured for performing an ocular surgical procedure and includes an eye treatment probe, a treatment console including a controller, and an eye treatment cassette for coupling the eye treatment probe with the treatment console. The eye treatment probe is configured to provide at least irrigation fluid to, and aspiration of fluid from, a subject eye. The cassette comprises a cassette body, first and second arcuate ramps, and a holding tank. The cassette has an engagement axis along which elements of the cassette are configured to generally engage with mating elements of the treatment console. The cassette's first arcuate ramp is proximal a first fluidics channel configured to form a first volumetric pump upon engagement with the treatment console. Also the cassette's second arcuate ramp is proximal a second fluidics channel configured to form a second volumetric pump upon engagement with the treatment console.

Abstract: A method and system of establishing communications between at least two independent software modules in a safety critical system, such as a medical system, is provided. The design comprises providing a media connection between software modules, wherein the software modules employ a communications protocol and participate in a bi-directional master-slave relationship between a master module and a slave module. The design further comprises sending arbitrary data between the master and slave modules, wherein the arbitrary data is used by the master module to control and obtain status from the slave module, and sending arbitrary data further enables the slave module to return data and status information to the master module. The design also employs a safety critical communications watchdog between the master and slave modules, wherein the safety critical communications watchdog monitors communications quality between the master and slave modules.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to improved methods, devices, and systems for controlling surgical fluid flows, particularly during treatment of an eye. In many embodiments, the invention provides a console that interchangeably accepts multiple types of eye treatment cassettes. The cassettes enable one or both of displacement-based or vacuum-based aspiration. The console and the cassette may communicate to establish the functionality of the installed cassette. The multiple types of cassettes may be produced using a common cassette frame and may include a visual indication of functionality.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to improved methods, devices, and systems for eye surgery. In some embodiments, the invention may provide new and/or improved devices, systems, and methods for detecting surgical fluids in a fluidics cassette, particularly cassettes which are used to couple an eye treatment probe to an eye treatment console. Rather than relaying on internal reflection by a gas-liquid interface, the fluid detection techniques described herein may make use of the changes in propagation of light through a portion of the holding tank when the portion varies between empty and full. For example, light may propagate directly through the holding tank portion when there is no surgical fluid, but may be directed away from a light detector when the portion of the holding tank is filled with surgical fluid.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for treatment of an eye alter aspiration flow from the eye in response to an occlusion of the aspiration conduit pathway. Where aspiration is drawn from the eye using a volumetric pump, the pump can be reversed so as to induce fluid reflux from the aspiration conduit pathway into the eye to help clear the occlusion. The pump may vary the reverse flow in response to sensed aspiration pressure or the like, and the reverse flow may be halted before the pressure within the aspiration conduit pathway adjacent the eye significantly exceeds the irrigation fluid pressure and/or the pressure within the eye. Reflux may alternatively be generated by modulating a vent valve disposed between an irrigation conduit pathway and the aspiration conduit pathway.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods interface a cassette with an eye treatment system console to provide coupling between the console and an eye treatment probe. The console may receive the cassette using a driven axial translation linkage that inhibits rotation of the cassette. The cassette may facilitate accurately positioning of a pressure sensor relative to a the console by allowing sliding movement between the sensor and a cassette body. Multiple peristaltic drives may be mounted to the console so that their rotors rotate about a common axis. An integrated mount structure may support and/or position components of the console which will interface with cassette, and an axially compressible vacuum connector of the console seal to a tapered vacuum coupler of the cassette.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for laser eye surgery generally make use of a console that interchangeably accepts multiple types of eye treatment cassettes. The cassettes enable one or both of displacement-based or vacuum-based aspiration. The console and the cassette may communicate to establish the functionality of the installed cassette by utilizing a component indigenous to the operation of the cassette. A dual-mode cassette may include a separable holding tank for enabling vacuum-based aspiration. A displacement-based pump may be provided to drain the holding tank while the vacuum system continues to aspirate fluids. A vacuum sensor for controlling the flow of aspirated fluids may have three ports for communicating with a handpiece, a displacement-based pump, a vacuum-based pump, or an irrigation source. The handpiece may be vented during vacuum-based aspiration by opening a vent valve interposed between the handpiece and the vacuum source.

Abstract: An eye treatment system for performing an ocular surgical procedure contains an eye treatment probe or handpiece, a treatment console, an eye treatment cassette, and a pump formed by the engagement of the treatment cassette with the treatment console. The handpiece is configured to provide at least irrigation fluid to, and aspiration of fluid from, a subject eye. The treatment console comprises a controller configured to control the eye treatment probe. The eye treatment cassette engages the treatment console to couple the eye treatment probe with the treatment console. The pump comprises a pump head having a plurality of projections disposed to rotate about an axis, a ramp disposed near the rotating projections, and a resilient channel configured to transfer fluid when engaged by the ramp and the plurality of projections. The ramp is configured to reduce pressure fluctuations with the eye during a surgical procedure and comprises and entrance portion, a central portion, and an exit portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering energy during a surgical procedure such as phacoemulsification is provided. The method and apparatus include applying energy during at least one pulsed energy on period, typically sufficient or intended to rapidly induce and beneficially employ transient cavitation. Applying energy during the pulsed energy on period comprises applying energy during a first high energy period, and applying energy during a second nonzero lower energy period.

Abstract: An intraocular lens for providing vision to a subject contains an optic, a support structure coupled to the optic. The intraocular lens also includes a textured surface and/or subsurface layer. The optic is disposed about an optical axis and comprises an anterior surface and an opposing posterior surface, the surfaces being configured to focus light when implanted within an eye having a capsular bag. The textured surface is disposed over a surface portion of the intraocular lens and includes a plurality of periodically-spaced protrusions, each protrusion having a smooth distal face and a sharp corner edge configured to engage a wall of the capsular bag and/or at least one cell disposed along the wall.

Abstract: An intraocular lens for providing vision to a subject contains an optic, a support structure coupled to the optic. The intraocular lens also includes a textured surface and/or subsurface layer. The optic is disposed about an optical axis and comprises an anterior surface and an opposing posterior surface, the surfaces being configured to focus light when implanted within an eye having a capsular bag. The textured surface is disposed over a surface portion of the intraocular lens and includes a plurality of periodically-spaced protrusions, each protrusion having a smooth distal face and a sharp corner edge configured to engage a wall of the capsular bag and/or at least one cell disposed along the wall.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the treatment of ocular conditions by the enhancement of lens regeneration. Enhancement of lens regeneration is accomplished by the administration of a viscoelastic material in association with a composition comprising a polymer having functional acryl groups useful in the preparation of intraocular lenses (IOLs).

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 ophthalmic patient interface system includes an interface device and an ocular device. The interface device includes a frame having a first end and a second end, a lens disposed at the first end, and a skirt affixed to the first end. The second end is adapted to couple with a surgical laser system, and the skirt is adapted to seal against an anterior surface of an eye. The ocular device includes magnifying optics and is adapted to be removably seated within the second end. The magnifying optics image a region on a corneal side of the lens when the ocular device is seated within the second end.

Abstract: The invention is generally directed to systems and methods for medical care, and more particularly to systems and methods for historical display of surgical operating parameters. A first embodiment is a surgical system that includes a surgical instrument having a plurality of associated surgical parameters, each parameter having a value at each instant during an associate surgical procedure. The system further includes a computer system configured to record the values of each associated surgical parameter at each instant during an associate surgical procedure and display the values of each associated surgical parameter at each instant in a human readable form.

Abstract: A system for easily transferring an intraocular lens (IOL) from a lens case to an inserter, and then into a patient's eye. The lens case has a transfer mechanism therein which retains the IOL until engagement with the inserter. The transfer mechanism may include jaws having a closed configuration for retaining the IOL and an open configuration for releasing the IOL. Engagement of the inserter with the lens case automatically opens the jaws and transfers the IOL to the inserter. The IOL is transferred into a load chamber of a nosepiece rotatably coupled to a handpiece. After transfer of the IOL, the nosepiece is rotated from a load position to a delivery position. The IOL may have an optic and a haptic coupled to the optic, and the lens case may be capable of configuring the haptic as desired to facilitate its transfer into an inserter and/or into the eye. For instance, the lens case may fold one or both of the haptics over the optic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering energy during a surgical procedure such as phacoemulsification is provided. The method and apparatus include applying energy during at least one pulsed energy on period, typically sufficient or intended to rapidly induce and beneficially employ transient cavitation. Applying energy during the pulsed energy on period comprises applying energy during a first high energy period, and applying energy during a second nonzero lower energy period.

Abstract: A lens case for storing an intraocular lens contains a housing for storing an intraocular lens and a support member configured to support the intraocular lens. The support member includes a plurality of jaws, the jaws having a closed configuration for holding the intraocular lens and an open configuration for releasing the intraocular lens. The lens case further comprises a passage formed when the jaws are in the open configuration, the passage including an opening in the lens case for transfer of the intraocular lens into an intraocular lens inserter. The lens case may further comprise an intraocular lens that is disposed between the jaws, the intraocular lens comprising an optic and a haptic coupled to the optic. The lens case may be configured to maintain the haptic in either a first position in which a distal portion of the haptic is disposed farther from the optic or a second position in which the distal portion of the haptic is disposed closer to optic.

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.