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.

Abstract: A process control and simulator system, such as for use in the manufacture of pharmaceutical products, includes a process control computer which commands and responds to the operation of the process input/output hardware. A simulator computer commands the operation of simulator input/output hardware. The process hardware and simulator hardware are connected by field lines which transfer signals that correspond to the signals that would be produced in actual production operations. The software in the simulator computer not only produces the simulation functions but in addition monitors the outputs from the simulator input/output hardware and records these outputs during the simulation process. The commands produced by the simulator computer, in response to the simulator input/output hardware outputs, are likewise monitored and recorded in a documentation file within a disk drive of the simulator computer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ophthalmic gel composition of unique rheological and lubricating properties comprising, inter alia, a carboxy vinyl polymer (carbomer) for use as a long lasting artificial tear. Also disclosed is a method of treatment comprising totally administering the composition when indicated for relief of dry eye syndrom, foreign body sensation, burning, hyperemia, corneal straining, and the like.

Abstract: A multiple use container for dispensing fluids, particularly preservative free preparations in variable doses, includes a squeezable container for holding the fluid. A dispenser assembly associated with an exit opening from the container includes a hollow dispensing tip which encloses a fluid valve. The fluid valve utilizes a piston head which sealingly seats in a valve seat. A resilient biasing means holds the piston head in a normally sealed or closed position. A second opening in communication with the interior of the bottle is covered by a hydrophobic filter having a pore size that prevents microbial contaminants from entering the container but prohibits fluid from leaving the container. The bottle is squeezed to force fluid to overcome the biasing pressure of the fluid valve to dispense fluid from the bottle. Upon release of that pressure, the fluid valve closes and air passes through the filter to replace the dispensed fluid. The air entering the container is sterilized by the filter.

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)-2,40 ,5-diones.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for injecting viscous material into the body. In the case of 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 unit dose dispenser for dispensing a composition includes a compressible, air filled container in communication with an open end of a tube filled with the composition. The opposite end of the tube through which the composition is dispensed is sealed with a removable closure cap to maintain sterility of the composition prior to use. By removing the cap and applying external pressure to compress the container, air is forced to enter the tube and eject, by displacement, composition from the tube. To completely eject the predetermined dosage that completely fills the tube, the volume of air or other gaseous propellant within the compressible container is greater than the volume of the unit dose.

Abstract: Hypotonic contact lens care compositions containing a quaternary ammonium antimicrobial agent (e.g. Polyquad.RTM.) and an anionic complexing agent (e.g. citrate) are disclosed. The compositions are useful in the disinfection of hydrophilic contact lenses, particularly Group IV lenses, and in the preservation of products for treating such lenses. Methods for use of the compositions for disinfecting and preserving are also disclosed.

Abstract: Soft and hard contact lenses are freed from deposits by rubbing them with a particulate organic polymer with a carrier, the polymer having a particular size in the range from about one micron to about 600 microns and a Rockwell hardness in the range of from about R120 to about M68, or a shore hardness in the range from about A15 to about D100.

Abstract: Methods for preventing and treating oxidative insult to the eye by the administration of transition metal complexes are disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided which has two concentric transfer tubes: an outer tube and an inner tube. One tube is used for aspiration of fluid, the other for infusion of fluid. The concentric tubing section has proximal and distal ends, the distal end being tapered and having openings for simultaneous aspiration and infusion eye fluid. On the proximal end, the inner transfer tube extends a proximal length greater than the outer transfer tube. The concentric inner and outer transfer tubes are both connected to independent supply tubes. The proximal end of the inner transfer tube, being longer than the outer transfer tube, pierces and protrudes through the wall of the flexible fluid tube connected to the proximal end of the outer tube. This protrusion provides a place on the inner transfer tube for its own independent connection to a supply tube. The tubing assembly is contained within and supported by an elongated, generally tubular housing.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a system for providing control of multiple functions needed to perform eye surgery. A microprocessor based system controls a pneumatic system for driving pneumatic scissors in either a variable frequency, multicut mode or a proportional cut mode where the cutting pressure is proportional to the position of a foot operated position sensor.

Abstract: A microsurgical cutting instrument is disclosed which is provided with a cutting probe assembly wherein the inner and outer cutting members thereof are swaged and the inner cutting member is bent towards the outer cutting member, so as to maintain a preselected relationship of the cutting edges.

Abstract: A pneumatic retinopexy injector includes a syringe to which is communicated a controllable gaseous pressure source. A desired volume of a gaseous substance can be injected by the syringe by utilizing a controller to introduce the pressurized gas to the syringe to cause the piston of the syringe to eject any contents of the syringe. The manual controller can comprise a foot pedal having a variable flow pneumatic valve. The invention can also utilize a vacuum source which is switchable to the syringe to allow automatic filling of the syringe.

Abstract: Disclosed are esters and amides of (+) suprofen, substantially free of the corresponding enantiomorp, (-) suprofen, having enhanced delivery characteristics on topical administration to the eye; also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising such (+) suprofen derivatives and methods of using them when indicated to achieve an anti-inflammatory effect on topical delivery to the eye.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for implantation of intraocular lenses includes a resilient tubular sling which is positionable over parallel working ends of a crossover forceps. The sling allows an intraocular lens to be folded or curled up therein and held in that folded up position with the forceps tips in a closed position. The forceps presents a narror-in-cross-section moving crossover point behind the tips to allow the forceps tips to be inserted through a small incision in the eye, and then open to release the lens once within the eye. By maintaining the crossover point at the small incision, the forceps can release the lens even though it requires the opening of the forceps tips to a position wider than the incision in the eye. The resilient sling holds the folded lens compactly during movement through the small incision, and assists in urging a controlled release of the lens into the eye. The sling also avoids having to handle the lens with the forceps tips prevents damage to the lens.

Abstract: A method of preparing aqueous pharmaceutical compositions containing a synergistic combination of trimethoprim and sodium sulfacetamide is described. The method results in a significant improvement in the aqueous solubility of trimethoprim due to a favorable interaction between the trimethoprim and sodium sulfacetamide which is dependent on a mildly acidic pH.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a driver system for an ultrasonic probe for allowing a user to have proportional control of the power dissipated in the probe in accordance with the position of power dissipation controls operable by the user and for automatically tuning upon user request such that the driving frequency is equal to the mechanical resonant frequency of said probe and such that the reactive component of the load impedance represented by said probe is tuned out. The system uses a tunable inductor in series with the piezoelectric crystal excitation transducer in the probe which has a flux modulation coil. The bias current through this flux modulation coil is controlled by the system. It is controlled such that the inductance of the tunable inductor cancels out the capacitive reactance of the load impedance presented by the probe when the probe is being driven by a driving signal which matches the mechanical resonance frequency of the probe.

Abstract: Bicomposite, hydrogel intraocular lenses with one or more haptic portions having a lower water content than the corresponding optic portions, and methods for their manufacture are disclosed. The bicomposite lenses are manufactured by (i) preparing a bicomposite button of hydrogel material containing one or more polymers or copolymers; (ii) lathing the button to produce a dehydrated intraocular lens with an optic and at least one haptic; and (iii) hydrating the lens.