Abstract: A surgical system having a cassette with an aspirant collection chamber and an aspiration exhaust line that drains into the aspirant collection chamber. A fluid line containing a valve allowing fluid from the irrigation fluid container to be vented into the aspirant collection chamber. A source of pressurized air is connected to the irrigation fluid container and is used to pressurize the fluid container. When the pressure within the fluid container needs to be increased, pressurized air from the pressurized air source is allowed to enter the fluid container. When the pressure within the fluid container needs to be decreased, irrigation fluid is allowed to be bled out of the fluid container and inter the collection chamber. In this manner, a direct fluidic connection with the gas contained within the fluid container does not need to be maintained.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the treatment of retina and optic nerve head neuropathy are disclosed. The compositions and methods are particularly directed to the use of neurotrophic factor stimulators, such as AIT-082 (neotrofin), in the treatment of glaucomatous neuropathy.

Abstract: Methods of treating osteochondral lesions by the intraarticular application of a mixture of sodium hyaluronate and chondroitin sulfate are disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical system and cassette, the cassette having a series of identifying tabs that are variably opaque to translucent. By varying the opaqueness of the tabs, the surgical system can readily identify the type of cassette being used.

Abstract: A light-translation system includes a fixed base and translatable mirror mount having mirror-supporting brackets. A first and second arm are pivotally attached in parallel, spaced-apart relation adjacent first ends to the base and adjacent second ends to the mirror mount to form a parallelogram-shaped attachment with the base and mirror mount. The pivotal attachments are formed using flexural pivots, each having a thick portion oriented for achieving minimal angular deviation of the mirror. A first bracket has three pads for supporting one side of the mirror. A second bracket has two surfaces shaped to support an edge of the mirror, each surface positioned opposite a pad. A washer dimensioned to admit a mounting screw is positionable opposite a third pad against an outside wall of the mirror mount to removably retain the mirror without imposing appreciable bending stress thereon.

Abstract: Hydroxy substituted fused naphthyl-azoles and fused indeno-azoles are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for the lowering and controlling of normal or elevated intraocular pressure as well as a method for the treatment of glaucoma using compositions containing one or more of the compounds of the present invention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous casting of metal strip, the apparatus having (i) a first endless belt supported and moved on the surfaces of a first entry pulley and a first exit pulley and (ii) a second endless belt supported and moved on the surfaces of a second entry pulley and a second exit pulley, with an entry nip defined between the first and second entry pulleys and an exit nip defined between the first and second exit pulleys. Opposing surfaces of the first and second belts progressively diverge from each other in the direction of movement thereof. The apparatus may include a cooled roll in place of the first pulley and first belt with a nip defined between the cooled roll and the second entry pulley.

Abstract: Pyranoindazoles are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for the lowering and controlling of normal or elevated intraocular pressure as well as a method for the treatment of glaucoma using compositions containing one or more of the compounds of the present invention.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for facilitating the formulation and closure of a corneal flap during LASIK surgery are described. The compositions and methods are based on the use of one or more viscosity-enhancing agents (e.g., chondroitin sulfate) to provide an ophthalmic irrigating solution with improved coating properties and prolonged dwelling time on the cornea, thereby providing lubrication for the microkeratome used to form the corneal flap, reduce corneal epithelial abrasions, and help to produce smooth and consistent cuts with the microkeratome blade.

Abstract: Air bubbles can be reduced or eliminated from the infusion source used during surgical procedures which require the delivery of irrigating fluid to the operating field. This is particularly a problem during surgical procedures performed within a closed organ, such as the eye. A constant low rate of infusion is created upon removal of a test chamber from a surgical handpiece. Pressure within the test chamber is lowered prior to removal of the test chamber.

Abstract: Selective PDE-IV inhibitors are useful for treating dry eye disorders and other disorders requiring the wetting of the eye.

Abstract: Disclosed are soft, high refractive index device materials having improved strength. The materials contain microphase-separated aliphatic and aromatic domains.

Abstract: A method of determining the accuracy of a pressure sensor in a surgical cassette is disclosed. The method involves displacing a diaphragm of the sensor a pre-defined amount of displacement, and measuring the force exerted on the diaphragm by the displacing step. The accuracy of the pressure sensor is determined by comparing the force measured in the measuring step to a pre-defined force for the pre-defined amount of displacement.

Abstract: An orientation system for corrective eye surgery includes a camera for performing a first image mapping of a patient's eye using a predetermined eye feature and software for processing the first image map to determine an edge location of the feature. A second image mapping of the eye is performed with the patient in a different position. The second image map is processed to locate the predetermined eye feature. Correlation of the mappings is used to calculate an orientational change of the eye between the two positions. The data are used to calculate an adjustment to be applied to a corrective prescription for application by the surgical procedure.

Abstract: Featured is a device for puncturing tissue of a body, such as the lamina cribosa and methods for treating a CVRO with such a puncturing device. The puncturing device includes a puncture member being generally configured and arranged to locally disrupt tissue proximal an area of the puncture site, to minimize the potential for damage to body parts or tissue immediately adjacent to this area of the puncture site and to facilitate perforation of the tissue at the puncture site. When the lamina cribosa is being punctured, the puncture member is more particularly configured and arranged to locally disrupt connective tissue of the lamina cribosa proximal to and surrounding the central retinal vein while minimizing the potential for structural damage to the central retinal vein. In an exemplary embodiment, the lamina cribosa is repeatedly punctured to strip/locally disrupt connective tissue surrounding the central retinal vein.

Abstract: A footswitch having an adjustable treadle and switch placements, thereby helping to make the footswitch ergonomically more correct for a variety of users.

Abstract: A surgical handpiece having at least two lumens or tubes mounted to a body. At least one tube is used for aspiration and at least one other tube is used to inject heated surgical fluid for liquefying a cataractous lens. A portion of the second tube is enlarged to form a pumping chamber. The pumping chamber works by boiling a small volume of the surgical fluid. As the fluid boils, it expands rapidly, thereby propelling the liquid downstream of the pumping chamber out of the second tube. The pumping chamber may use a pair of electrodes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for directing relatively gentle pulses of heated surgical fluid against the capsular bag to assist in the removal of lens epithelial cells and cortical material adhered to the capsular bag.

Abstract: Water-soluble borate-polyol complexes are useful as buffers and/or antimicrobials in aqueous ophthalmic compositions, including those containing polyvinyl alcohol. These compositions have greater antimicrobial activity than comparable compositions containing typical borate buffers and unexpectedly increase the antimicrobial efficacy of other antimicrobial agents when used in combination. In addition, use of the borate-polyol complexes avoids the incompatibility problem typically associated with the combination of borate buffer and polyvinyl alcohol; therefore, the compositions disclosed herein may also contain polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to ophthalmic compositions containing a gelling amount of a combination of galactomannan polysaccharides and borates. The compositions gel or partially gel upon administration to the eye. The present invention also discloses methods of topical ophthalmic administration of the compositions to the eye.