Abstract: A coaxial flow irrigation and aspiration ultrasonic handpiece for use in surgical operations includes the combination of an elongated outer shell, inner shell and ultrasonic horn assembly disposed within the inner shell. A sealing end cap is provided which functions to center the inner shell within the outer shell as well as to form an irrigation channel therebetween for supplying irrigation fluid to the distal end tip of the surgical handpiece. The sealing end cap includes an irrigation channel and electrical cable integrally therewith to facilitate ease of assembly of the handpiece as well as connection with sources of irrigation fluid and means for providing aspiration.

Abstract: Methods for lowering elevated intraocular pressure resulting from the instillation to the eye of sodium hyaluronate during surgery by administration of transition metal complexes are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved vitreous cutter having a housing with two halves connected together by tapered pins on one half fitting into holes on the other half with a proximal end, a distal end, an internal transverse bore and a longitudinal bore intersecting the transverse bore and penetrating the housing at the proximal and distal ends, a pair of inlets in the proximal end of the housing in fluid communication with opposite ends of the transverse bore for allowing pressurized air to be introduced into the transverse bore, a thermoplastic piston slideably received in the transverse bore having a toothed, longitudinal slot, a stainless steel stationary outer cutting tube having a cutting port on a distal end, a stainless steel rotatable inner cutting tube telescopically received in the outer cutting tube having a cutting port on a distal end and penetrating the proximal end of the housing to form a suction port, a flexible seal between the inner cutting tube and the outer cutting tube and a pinion gear on a medial section o

Abstract: Disclosed is the use of combinations of the prostaglandins PGF.sub.2.alpha. and PGE.sub.2 and their respective derivatives, and pharmaceutically accceptable salts and esters thereof in the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Also disclosed are ophthalmic, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said combinations.

Abstract: An intraocular lens designed for ease of insertion and for minimizing contact with intraocular tissues comprises a lens body having an optical axis, two optical surfaces and a periphery to which is fixed at least one filamentous haptic extending circumferentially and radially from the point of attachment along a curvilinear path in space to a maximum distance from the optical axis. The haptic has a proximal segment adjacent to the attachment point, a medial segment attached to and continuous with the proximal segment and a distal segment attached to and continuous with the medial segment. At least a part of the distal segment lies at the maximum distance from said optical axis and constitutes the tissue-contacting portion of the haptic. The tissue-contacting element is tangent to a second plane parallel to the first plane and displaced from it along the optical axis, and at least the medial segment of the haptic traverses a path concave toward the first plane and avoiding intersection with the second plane.

Abstract: Disclosed are substituted or unsubstituted planar tricyclic fluorene or nuclear analogs thereof, spiro-coupled to a five-membered ring containing a secondary amide, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds are useful, inter alia in the treatment of diabetes. Also disclosed are processes for the preparation of such compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; and methods of treatment comprising administering such compounds and compositions when indicated for, inter alia, long term, prophylactic treatment of the diabetes syndrome. A particularly preferred class of compounds comprise difluoro-dialkoxy substituted spiro-(9H-fluorene-9,4'-imidazolidine)-2',5-diones.

Abstract: Thiophene sulfonamides and pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds useful in controlling intraocular pressure are disclosed. Methods for controlling intraocular pressure through administration of the compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the synthesis of enantiomerically pure R and S isomers of 2,7-difluoro-4-methoxyspiro[9H-fluorene-9,4-imidazolidene]-2',5'-dione from 2,7-difluoro-4-methoxyfluorenone. Intermediate amino acid esters and urea esters and their preparation are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising tobramycin and fluorometholone or fluorometholone acetate for topical ophthalmic delivery and methods of treatment comprising administering said composition when indicated for infection and control of inflammatory response for optimal wound healing and normalization of the eye.

Abstract: Disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising tobramycin and dexamethasone for topical ophthalmic delivery and a method of treatment comprising administering said composition when indicated for infection and control of inflammatory response for optimal wound healing and normalization of the eye.

Abstract: Intraocular lenses with three zones for the provision of bifocal vision are described. Methods for the lenses use are also described.

Abstract: Two compounds, which are derivatives of 2(2-hydroxyphenyl) 2H-benzotriazole, are copolymerized with hydrogel forming monomers to form ultraviolet absorbing hydrogels. These hydrogels have many potential applications. For instance, they can be used to make contact lenses and intraocular lenses which are particularly useful for aphakics.

Abstract: A means, and system for storing and caring for contact lenses, including cleaning, rinsing, storing, disinfecting, lubricating, etc., including a self-contained contact lens holder to support and contain one or more contact lenses. A fluid conduit is associated with the contact lens holder to provide a pathway for fluid to the chamber or chambers holding each contact lens. A fluid container holding a fluid used in contact lens care can be put in fluid communication with the fluid conduit and is operable to selectively introduce fluid into the fluid conduit and fill the contact lens holder with the fluid. The contact lens holder, fluid conduit, and fluid container may all be incorporated in a unitary body, or fluid container and/or the fluid conduit can be selectively attachable to the contact lens holder so that different fluid containers can be interchangeable to the contact lens holder.

Abstract: Methods for preventing and treating corneal haze resulting from exposure of the eye to laser irradiation are disclosed. The methods include administration of compositions of wound healing modulators to the eye. Compositions for use in preventing and treating the corneal haze are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for injecting viscous material into the eye. In the injection into the eye, sufficient material is injected to separate a membrane from the retina so that intraocular scissors may be manipulated between the membrane and the retina to cut the attachment points. The membrane is then aspirated away. The injection is done using a standard glue injector with a one-shot and a continuous mode. The glue injector is pneumatically coupled through a sterile filter and a custom adaptor to a sterile syringe storing the material to be injected.

Abstract: A process of producing nitrides of aluminum and titanium. The process involves producing a uniform dispersion of microfine particles of the corresponding metal oxide in an infusible polymer, carbonizing the resulting dispersion in a non-oxidizing atmosphere and heating the carbonized product in a nitrogen atmosphere at high temperature to cause the oxide to react with the carbon and nitrogen to form the nitride. Before carbonization, however, the dispersion is formed into shapes in which none of the oxide particles is more than about 2.5 mm (0.098 inch) from an external surface and the shapes are loosely packed in a reactor. The process can achieve a good conversion of the oxide to the nitride to yield a product of high purity and small particle size.

Abstract: This invention is related to an improved method and apparatus for use in controlling the ultrasonic fragmentation of the body tissue. The ultrasonic apparatus includes a transducer assembly mounted in the handpiece assembly. The transducer is operable for converting electrical power to ultrasonic mechanical vibrational energy. A vibrational amplifying device is coupled to the transducer assembly and includes in series asymmetrical horn and symmetrical horn portions. Included in one of the horn portions is an operative tip.

Abstract: A pressure control system is disclosed for closely regulating the pressure level of a controlled volume. The system comprises first and second sources, a throttled valve for controlling the flow rate of the fluid between each of the first and second pressure sources and the controlled volume, and a feedback control. The throttled valve comprises a rotationally mounted cam, a housing for receiving the cam and including a chamber, a first port coupled to the first pressure source, a second port coupled to the controlled volume, and a third port coupled to the second pressure source. The cam has first and second cam surface portions for defining corresponding first and second transfer functions of fluid flow through the first and second ports, respectively. First and second metering needles are associated with the first and third ports respectively for throttling the fluid flows therethrough. The first and second metering needles are disposed to engage respectively the first and second cam surface portions.

Abstract: Disclosed are nonstinging, sustained release ophthalmic formulations. The formulations comprise a cationic drug, an acidic mucomimetic polymer and a polystyrene sulfonic acid polymer. In particular, formulations for the control of intraocular pressure and glaucoma are disclosed. Methods for use of the formulations are also disclosed.