Abstract: A system for protecting a sector of tissue from exposure to surgically directed radiation includes a processor and an input device, a camera, and an output screen in electronic communication with the processor. A software resident on the processor receives camera data containing an image of a region of tissue, which includes at least a portion of a predetermined area desired to receive therapeutic radiation. The software also routes the image for display superimposes thereon first indicia indicative of the predetermined area. Data are received on a location of a sector of the tissue desired to be protected from the radiation and for superimposing on the displayed image second indicia indicative of the sector. In a specific embodiment the tissue is an eye and the predetermined area is at least a portion of the cornea.

Abstract: Optical characteristics, including vision defects, of optical systems, such as the eye, are measured using a collimated beam from a diode laser focused at a position relative to the eye other than the retina for providing a finite source of secondary radiation on the retina of the eye, the image of which is close to a desired diffraction-limited spot. The secondary radiation is reflected back from the retina as a reflected wavefront of radiation that passes through the eye and is directed onto a wavefront analyzer where distortions associated with the reflected wavefront are measured. By focusing on the cornea through a long-focal-length lens and thus converging the beam through a small angle, as opposed to focusing a collimated light onto the retina, the need for lenses or lens combinations and the time required to adjust such to accommodate the different visual characteristics of each patient is eliminated.

Abstract: A system and method improve a quality of sensor image data from a wavefront emanating from an eye. The sensor image data include a pixel array of intensities. A filter array is populated with a coefficient at each position of the array and the filter array is applied to each position in the pixel array. The system includes a process and a software package adapted to perform the above method steps.

Abstract: Aqueous suspension formulations containing dexamethasone and ciprofloxacin are disclosed for the treatment of middle ear infections in human patients having an open tympanic membrane.

Abstract: An instrument for positioning an intracorneal optical lens within an intracorneal pocket is disclosed. The instrument generally includes a handle and a cannula associated with and having a distal portion extending from the handle. The cannula is for fluidly coupling to a vacuum source in a first mode of operation and to a reservoir of surgical fluid in a second mode of operation. The distal portion of the cannula is for receiving the lens in a folded position around the distal portion. The distal portion has an aperture for providing vacuum to hold the lens in the folded position in the first mode of operation and for ejecting surgical fluid in an outward direction from the distal portion to help unfold the lens in the second mode of operation. Methods of using the instrument for positioning of an intracorneal optical lens are also disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical handpiece having two coaxial tubes or channels mounted within a body. The first tube is used for aspiration and is smaller in diameter than the second tube so as to create an annular passage between the first and second tube. The annular passage communicates with a pumping chamber formed between two electrodes. 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 annular passage. The distal end of the annular gap is sealed by sealing together the distal ends of the first and second tube and a plurality or orifices or ports may be formed near the seal. As the expanding gas is propelled down the annular gap, the gas/liquid stream is forced out of the distal orifices in a controlled and directed manner. The distal end of the first and second tubes may contain a bend.

Abstract: A surgical handpiece having two coaxial tubes or channels mounted within a body. The first tube is used for aspiration and is smaller in diameter than the second tube so as to great an annular passage between the first and second tube. The annular passage communicates with a pumping chamber formed between two electrodes. 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 annular passage. The electrodes are insulated from each other.

Abstract: An ophthalmic laser system includes a laser beam delivery system and an eye tracker responsive to movement of the eye operable with a laser beam delivery system for ablating corneal material of the eye through placement of laser beam shot on a selected area of the cornea of the eye. The shots are fired in a sequence and pattern such that no laser shots are fired at consecutive locations and no consecutive shots overlap. The pattern is moved in response to the movement of the eye.

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.

Abstract: Beadlets comprising xanthophylls and carotenes and/or retinoids, dietary supplements comprising these beadlets and methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: A wavefront sensor includes an afocal relay stage for magnifying an incoming wavefront reflected from a source plane. In an exemplary application, a retina of an eye reflects an impinging light beam thereon to form a series of wavefronts. A lenslet array is positioned at a reference plane of the afocal relay stage to receive the magnified wavefront. Further downstream is positioned a means for imaging and demagnifying a focal plane image of the lenslet array at a final image plane. This demagnified image then serves as input to an analyzer, such as a charge-coupled-device (CCD) camera.

Abstract: A surgical handpiece and tip having two coaxial tubes or channels mounted within a body. The first tube is used for aspiration and is smaller in diameter than the second tube so as to create an annular passage between the first and second tube. The annular passage communicates with a pumping chamber formed between two electrodes. 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 annular passage. The distal end of the annular gap is sealed by a nozzle at the distal ends of the first and second tube and a plurality of orifices or ports may be formed in the nozzle. As the expanding gas is propelled down the annular gap, the gas/liquid stream is forced out of the distal orifice in a controlled and directed manner.

Abstract: Methods of treating dry eye by administering fixed combinations of MUC-1 secretagogues, such as HETE derivatives, and lacrimal gland stimulants are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of treating dry eye by administering fixed combinations of MUC-1 secretagogues, such as HETE derivatives, and anti-inflammatory steroids are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of treating dry eye by administering fixed combinations of MUC-1 secretagogues, such as HETE derivatives, and androgen compounds are disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical handpiece having a tube used to inject heated surgical fluid for liquefying a cataractous lens. A portion of the 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. To control the expulsion of the fluid, valves are placed on either side of the boiling chamber.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the treatment of dry eye and related diseases utilizing 6-keto-PGF1&agr; and its analogs are disclosed.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump having a molded flow channel contained on an elastomeric sheet that is bonded or mechanically attached to a rigid substrate. The pump head rollers are mounted radially from the axis of rotation of the pump motor and compress the elastomeric flow channels against the rigid substrate.

Abstract: An optical correction system for correcting visual defects of an eye includes a wavefront analyzer responsive to a wavefront emanating from an eye for determining an optical path difference between a reference wave and the wavefront. A converter provides an optical correction based on the path difference and on a radially dependent ablation efficiency. The efficiency correction uses a compensating polynomial of the form A+B&rgr;+C&rgr;2+D&rgr;3+ . . . +X&rgr;n, where &rgr; is a normalized radius measured from a central portion of the cornea, reaching a value of 1 at an outer edge of the optical correction zone. A laser beam is directed to the cornea that has power sufficient for ablating corneal material. The optical correction is achieved by the removal of a selected amount of the corneal material to create a desired corneal shape change based on the optical correction.