Abstract: The invention is related to a cost-effective method for making a silicone hydrogel contact lens having a crosslinked hydrophilic coating thereon. A method of the invention involves heating a silicone hydrogel contact lens in an aqueous solution in the presence of a water-soluble, highly branched, thermally-crosslinkable hydrophilic polymeric material having positively-charged azetidinium groups, to and at a temperature from about 40° C. to about 140° C. for a period of time sufficient to covalently attach the thermally-crosslinkable hydrophilic polymeric material onto the surface of the silicone hydrogel contact lens through covalent linkages each formed between one azetidinium group and one of the reactive functional groups on and/or near the surface of the silicone hydrogel contact lens, thereby forming a crosslinked hydrophilic coating on the silicone hydrogel contact lens. Such method can be advantageously implemented directly in a sealed lens package during autoclave.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods including a lubricating solution bath for a pump integrated into an ophthalmic surgical hand piece are provided. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic pump system includes a housing defining a cavity. The system includes a rotating element positioned within the cavity of the housing. The system includes a flexible tubular structure positioned within the housing adjacent to the rotating element such that rotation of the rotation element urges a fluid through the flexible tubular structure. The system includes a lubricating solution positioned within the cavity around the rotating element and at least a portion of the flexible tubular structure.

Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a sound channel extending between the vibrating region of a membrane and the outer side of the loudspeaker, the central axis of the sound channel extending perpendicular to the membrane. The sound channel includes a wave front shaping portion arranged to transform the substantially flat wave front of the sound emitted from the membrane into a wave front having a cross section in the shape of a circular segment. The wave front shaping portion is divided into multiple sub-channels by divider walls that extend from an entrance opening to an exit opening of the wave front shaping portion. Seen in cross section the side walls of each sub-channel converge towards each other from the entrance opening to the exit opening. The centre line of each of the divider walls, seen in cross section, converge towards each other adjacent the exit opening.

Abstract: A delivery system is disclosed which can be used to deliver an ocular implant into a target location within the eye via an ab interno procedure. In some embodiments, the implant can provide fluid communication between the anterior chamber and the suprachoroidal or supraciliary space while in an implanted state. The delivery system can include a proximal handle component and a distal delivery component. In addition, the proximal handle component can include an actuator to control the release of the implant from the delivery component into the target location in the eye.

Abstract: The invention relates to a soft hydrogel contact lens, especially a silicone hydrogel contact lens, which has a capability of delivering a hydrophobic comfort agent into the eye of a wearer. The hydrophobic comfort agent includes without limitation a monoglyceride, a diglyceride, a triglyceride, a glycolipid, a glyceroglycolipid, a sphingolipid, a sphingo-glycolipid, a phospholipid, a fatty acid, a fatty alcohol, a hydrocarbon having a C12-C28 chain in length, a mineral oil, a silicone oil, or a mixture thereof. It can be released from the soft hydrogel contact lens into the eye of a wearer when being worn so as to strengthen and stabilize the tear film lipid layer and alleviate the dryness of the eye.

Abstract: An ophthalmic device includes an optic having an optic axis and a closed-loop haptic structure coupled with the optic. The closed loop haptic structure includes a first hinge having a first section, a second section, and a connecting section extending between the first section and the second section. The first section has a first component extending in a first angular direction and a second component extending in a second angular direction that is opposite to the first angular direction. The closed loop haptic structure further includes a second hinge including a radial section and an axial section extending from the axial section in the first angular direction, the radial section having a cross-sectional area greater than a maximum cross-sectional area of the first hinge.

Abstract: A method for improving segmentation in optical coherence tomography imaging. The method comprises obtaining an OCT image of imaged tissue, generating a first feature image for at least a portion of the OCT image, and generating a second feature image for at least the portion of the OCT image, based on either the OCT image or the first feature image, by integrating image data in a first direction across the OCT image or first feature image. A third feature image is generated as a mathematical function of the first and second feature images, and layer segmentation for the OCT image is performed, based on the third feature image.

Abstract: A robotic imaging apparatus is disclosed. A robotic imaging apparatus includes a robotic arm, a stereoscopic camera, and a sensor positioned between the robotic arm and the stereoscopic camera. The sensor transmits output data that is indicative of translational and rotational force imparted on the stereoscopic camera by an operator. The robotic imaging apparatus also includes a processor that is configured to determine a movement sequence for the robotic arm based on a current position of the robotic arm and the output data from the sensor and to cause at least one of the joints of the robotic arm to rotate based on the determined movement sequence via one or more motor control signals provided to the at least one joint. The rotation of the at least one joint provides power-assisted movement of the robotic arm based on the detected translational and rotational forces imparted by the operator.

Abstract: Accommodating intraocular lenses containing a flowable media and their methods of accommodation.

Abstract: Methods and devices are adapted for implanting into the eye. An incision is formed in the cornea of the eye and a shunt is inserted through the incision into the anterior chamber of the eye. The shunt includes a fluid passageway. The shunt is passed along a pathway from the anterior chamber through the scleral spur of the eye into the suprachoroidal space and positioned in a first position such that a first portion of the fluid passageway communicates with the anterior chamber and a second portion of the fluid passageway communicates with the suprachoroidal space to provide a fluid passageway between the suprachoroidal space and the anterior chamber.

Abstract: An ophthalmic device includes an optic including an optic axis and a periphery and a closed-loop ring haptic structure coupled with the optic. The closed loop haptic structure includes a first ring structure having a first characteristic length, a second ring structure having a second characteristic length, and a plurality of connectors coupling the first ring structure and the second ring structure. The first ring structure is positioned adjacent to the periphery of the optic and is coupled to the entire periphery of the optic, and the first characteristic length is less than the second characteristic length.

Abstract: Described herein is a cast-molding process for producing contact lenses in a relatively short curing time. The short curing time has been achieved by adding a chain transfer agent into a lens-forming composition.

Abstract: A cannula may include a tubular section having a distal end, a proximal end, and forming a passage, and an elastomeric membrane coupled to and encircling the tubular section. The cannula may also include a valve that is movable between an open condition and a closed condition to selectively provide access to the passage defined by the tubular section. When the tubular section is inserted into an eye during an ophthalmic surgery, a concave surface of the elastomeric membrane acts as a suction cup to retain the cannula device onto a surface of an eye.

Abstract: In a general aspect, a syringe terminates the dispensing of a fluid based on a force applied to a plunger member of the syringe. In some aspects, a plunger member of a syringe includes a top portion, a bottom portion, and a contact portion. The top and bottom portions are in contact with the contact portion, and the bottom portion has a length greater than or equal to a length of the top portion. The contact portion permits the top portion to move independent of the bottom portion in response to a stress in the contact portion exceeding a critical stress. The stress in the contact portion is based on a first force applied to the top portion and a second force opposite the first force applied to the bottom portion.

Abstract: A packaging container (1) for a contact lens comprises a shell (2). The shell (2) comprises a cavity (10) having a drop-shaped perimeter (12), and a flange (20) having a flat upper surface (22) extending around the drop-shaped perimeter (12) of the cavity (10) in an upper surface plane (24). The cavity (10) comprises a bowl portion (30) including an at least partially spherical section (32) for accommodating the contact lens, and a chamfer portion (40) surrounding the bowl portion (30). The chamfer portion (40) is arranged between the bowl portion (30) and the drop-shaped perimeter (12) of the cavity (10) and includes a tapered outlet section (42) forming a tip towards the flange (20) to facilitate removal of the contact lens from the cavity (10).

Abstract: Multi-functional foot controller with treadle for controlling a first function and as an integrated shroud for a switch that controls an additional function.

Abstract: Various optical fiber cables and systems and methods associated therewith are disclosed herein. An optical fiber cable may include a jacket, an optical fiber and a metal wire disposed within a passage defined by the jacket. The metal wire may be coupled to the optical fiber.

Abstract: Systems and methods for driving the cutter of a vitrectomy handpiece using a substantially hermetically sealed system having a pneumatic pump for alternatively creating both positive pressure for pushing a first side of a diaphragm in the vitreous cutter and pulling negative pressure to pull the other side of the diagram, and vice versa.

Abstract: An ophthalmic illumination system can include an optical fiber configured to transmit a light beam output by a light source and focused by a condenser. The optical fiber can include proximal, distal, and central portions. The proximal portion can be configured to receive the light beam focused by the condenser. The distal portion can be configured to emit the light beam to illuminate a surgical field. The central portion can extend between the proximal and distal portions. A core diameter of the proximal portion can be larger than core diameters of the central and distal portions. An ophthalmic illumination method can include focusing, using a condenser, a light beam emitted by a light source onto a proximal portion of an optical fiber. The method can also include transmitting, using the optical fiber, the light beam to a surgical field.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to inherently wettable silicone hydrogel contact lenses having relatively high oxygen permeability, relatively high equilibrium water content and relatively low elastic modulus. The present invention is also related to a method for making such inherently wettable silicone hydrogel contact lenses.