Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering energy during a surgical procedure such as phacoemulsification is provided. The method and apparatus include delivering energy during a surgical procedure, including applying energy at a level and for a time period sufficient to induce transient cavitation, and reducing applied energy after applying energy during a second nonzero lower energy period.

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, comprising applying energy during a series of short burst periods, the short burst periods interspersed by short rest periods. The method and apparatus further comprise delivering minimal energy during a long off period, the long off period comprising a relatively long period when minimal energy is applied, wherein one long off period follows each pulsed energy on period. The short burst periods and the short rest periods are relatively brief in duration as compared with the long off period.

Abstract: An intraocular lens suitable for implantation into an eye has an optically clear, deformable lens body composed of a silicone polymer and a silica reinforcer that structurally reinforces the polymer. The silica reinforcer is chemically modified with aryl groups effective to increase the refractive index of the silica reinforcer, preferably so as to substantially match the refractive index of the silicone polymer.

Abstract: Biocompatible polymers useful for making intraocular lenses are provided. The biocompatible polymers are generally composed of one or more acrylate monomers, crosslinked with at least one diacrylate ester and may include one or more additional components such as ultraviolet light and/or blue-violet light absorbing dyes. The posterior chamber IOLs made using the biocompatible polymers disclosed herein are suitable for placement in phakic or aphakic eyes and are intended for refractive correction including myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia, astigmatisms and for implantation after removal of the natural crystalline lens as warranted by medical conditions such as cataracts.

Abstract: An instrument for providing illumination of intraocular tissue during surgery generally includes a hand held light source which includes a light emitting diode, a power source for driving the diode and a control switch for interconnecting the diode with the power source. At least one fiber optic having a proximal end in light communication with the LED and a distal end size for insertion into an eye for illumination of intraocular tissue is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intraocular correction lens for implantation in the posterior chamber of the eye between the iris and the intact natural lens. The lens has a concave posterior surface which is part of a non-spherical surface that is rotation symmetric around the optical axis of said optical part, wherein the intersection between said non-spherical surface and any plane containing the optical axis of the lens represents a flawless curve free from discontinuities and points of inflection. The invention also relates to methods of selecting correction lenses based on estimations of the individual eye in need of vision correction and thereby arriving with a correction lens with a high safety for wearer with respect to surrounding eye tissues.

Abstract: A multipurpose phacoemulsification needle includes a needle body having a lumen therethrough for aspiration of fluids and tissue. A needle body includes a proximal end adapted for attachment to a phacoemulsification handpiece, a curved portion and a tip portion disposed at a distal end of the needle body. The tip portion includes a truncated hemisphere having a flat surface thereon and a port disposed in the flat surface. The truncated hemisphere includes a rounded surface of sufficient area to enable capsule polishing and when driven in an ultrasonic mode, the needle is also suitable for irrigation and aspiration as well as phacoemulsification of lens tissue.

Abstract: An intraocular lens (IOL) insertion apparatus including a cartridge with an IOL-receiving chamber, a handpiece into which the cartridge is loaded, and a plunger rod that extends through a lumen in the cartridge to reliably engage the IOL therein. The chamber is stepped in one section to cause the IOL positioned therein to assume a complex curve. A lip or projection on the plunger rod is aligned with the complex curve and intersects the IOL to reliably engage the IOL across its thickness. The cartridge may be a folding type with a pair of arcuate walls and extension wings joined at a living hinge. The stepped section of the chamber may coincide with the location of the hinge.

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.

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: A method of determining the dimensions of a laser beam spot, comprising: scanning the laser beam in a path across a reference-edge having a photodetector positioned therebehind; and measuring an output signal from the photodetector during the scanning, the output signal corresponding to an area of the laser beam spot incident on the photodetector during the scanning. A method of aligning a laser beam delivery system, the method comprising: positioning a measurement/alignment tool at a target location; firing the laser beam on the tool; observing the laser beam using the tool; and adjusting the system in response to the sensed laser beam.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provided for controlling fluid control to and from an eye or a phacoemulsification handpiece. The handpiece includes an ultrasonically driven, hollow, sleeved needle and the method includes inserting the needle and sleeve into an eye for phacoemulsification of eye tissue and introducing fluid into the eye through an annulus established between the sleeve and the needle. Aspiration of fragmented tissue and fluid from the eye is conducted through the hollow needle. An initial irrigation fluid pressure is determined and the irrigation fluid flow and aspiration fluid flow are adjusted based upon the initial determination. Thereafter continued determination of irrigation fluid pressure is utilized to continuously adjust irrigation fluid flow and/or aspiration fluid flow.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification system includes a phacoemulsification handpiece including a cutting tip ultrasonically vibrated by an ultrasonic transducer. A power supply is provided for driving the ultrasonic transducer at a resonant frequency of the transducer and cutting tip and varying power to the transducer, in response to loading of the cutting tip, by phase shifting drive signals to the resonant converter which supplies power to the transducer.

Abstract: Biocompatible polymers useful for making anterior chamber intraocular lenses (AC-IOL) are provided. The biocompatible polymers are generally composed of one or more acrylate monomers, crosslinked with at least one diacrylate ester and may include one or more additional components such as ultraviolet light and/or blue-violate light absorbing dyes. The AC-IOLs made using the biocompatible polymers disclosed herein are suitable for placement in phakic or aphakic eyes and are intended for refractive correction including myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia and astigmatisms.

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: Apparatus and method for the removal of lens tissue includes a first handpiece having a laser emitting probe sized for insertion into a lens capsule and radiating a lens therein. The laser emitting probe includes a lumen for introducing irrigation fluid into the lens capsule. A second handpiece includes a pulsed controlled vibrated needle for insertion into the lens capsule and emulsifying laser eradiated lens tissue. The vibrated needle includes a lumen therethrough for aspiration of emulsified lens tissue and irrigation fluid.

Abstract: A multipurpose phacoemulsification needle includes a needle body having a lumen therethrough for aspiration of fluids and tissue. A needle body includes a proximal end adapted for attachment to a phacoemulsification handpiece and a tip portion disposed at a distal end of the needle body. The tip portion includes a truncated hemisphere having a flat surface thereon and a port disposed in the flat surface. The truncated hemisphere includes a rounded surface of sufficient area to enable capsule polishing and when driven in an ultrasonic mode, the needle is also suitable for irrigation and aspiration as well as phacoemulsification of lens tissue.

Abstract: Multi-purpose solutions for contact lens care provide substantial lens wearer/user comfort and/or acceptability, with minimal, if any, corneal epithelial punctate fluorescein staining. Such solutions may include an aqueous liquid medium; an antimicrobial component comprising polyquarternium-1 and a hexamethylene biguanide polymer having a number average molecular weight in the range of from about 4,000 to about 45,000; a surfactant component, preferably a poly(oxyethylene)-poly(oxypropylene) block copolymer surfactant, in an effective amount; a buffer component in an effective amount; a viscosity-inducing component, preferably selected from cellulosic derivatives, in an effective amount; and a tonicity component in an effective amount. Such solutions have substantial performance, comfort and acceptability benefits, which, ultimately, lead to ocular health advantages and avoidance of problems caused by contact lens wear.

Abstract: An intraocular lens (IOL) insertion system for implanting IOLs into the eye. The insertion system includes an insertion cartridge that receives the IOL and cooperates with a handpiece. The cartridge includes a longitudinal lumen from a loading chamber to an open distal mouth that gradually narrows in dimension so as to fold the IOL into a tube for insertion through an incision in the eye. A distal tip member of a plunger rod in the handpiece enters the loading chamber of the cartridge and urges the IOL therethrough. The distal tip member has a portion that enters the folded IOL and is trapped therein for maximum control of IOL advancement. A soft tip, such as silicone, may cover a longitudinally extending portion of the distal tip to effect the IOL trapping. The distal tip member further has a portion that engages and pushes the IOL optic.

Abstract: Ophthalmic lenses, such as intraocular lenses, include crosslinked polymeric materials having a first constituent derived from a first monomeric component selected from the group consisting of 2-phenylpropyl acrylate or methacrylate and mixtures thereof, and a second constituent derived from a second component in an amount effective as a crosslinker in the crosslinked polymeric material. The crosslinked polymeric material has branched chain alkyl groups, in an amount effective to reduce the tackiness of the crosslinked polymeric material relative to a substantially identical crosslinked polymeric material without branched chain alkyl groups.