Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide ophthalmic surgical instruments. One embodiment provides an instrument including an infusion sleeve, aspiration tube, and infusion/aspiration tip. The sleeve can include a body defining an infusion channel. The tube can be in the infusion channel and define an aspiration channel. The tip can conform to the distal end of the tube. The tip can seal a gap between the sleeve and tube and can include a flange with a profile (e.g., a tapered portion) corresponding to the profile of the sleeve. The sleeve and tip can be keyed such that the sleeve directs fluid in one direction and the tip draws fluid perpendicularly from that direction. The tip's aspiration channel can extend distally beyond its aspiration port. The tip can extend to a point adjacent to an infusion port of the sleeve. A disposable component (including an aspiration tube and infusion/aspiration tip) for use with instruments is provided.

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 IOP monitoring device for implantation in an eye of a patient may include a first tube having a first opening, the first tube being configured to extend into an anterior chamber of the eye and extend to a first sensor outside the anterior chamber. The first sensor may be in fluid communication with the first opening of the first tube. The device also may include a second tube having an opening spaced from a second sensor. The opening of the second tube may be configured to be exposed to a pressure representative of atmospheric pressure, with the second sensor being in fluid communication with the second opening. In one aspect, a patch is attachable to a globe of the eye and configured to lie over the opening of the second tube and secure the opening in place in the eye.

Abstract: A drainage device for implantation in an eye of a patient to treat an ocular condition is disclosed. The drainage device includes a housing, a multi-compartment flow control chamber, and a membrane. The housing includes an entrance port and an exit port connected by a fluid flow passageway. The membrane is disposed between the fluid flow passageway and the multi-compartment flow control chamber, which includes a first compartment and a second compartment in fluid communication with each other. The first and second compartments are structurally arranged to limit contact of gas with the membrane, which is disposed between the fluid flow passageway and first compartment. The membrane is configured to affect flow through the fluid flow passageway by deflecting in response to pressure in the flow control chamber.

Abstract: Membrane forceps for performing an ILM or ERM peel procedure include a handle, a tube extending from the handle, and forceps jaws extending from the tube. The forceps jaws may be configured to grasp an ILM or ERM, and may include an outer surface having a roughened surface. The roughened surface may be structurally configured to aid in gaining an edge of the ILM or ERM.

Abstract: Designs and techniques for constructing and operating femtosecond pulse lasers are provided. One example of a laser engine includes an oscillator that generates and outputs a beam of femtosecond seed pulses, a stretcher-compressor that stretches a duration of the seed pulses, and an amplifier that receives the stretched seed pulses, amplifies an amplitude of selected stretched seed pulses to create amplified stretched pulses, and outputs a laser beam of amplified stretched pulses back to the stretcher-compressor that compresses their duration and outputs a laser beam of femtosecond pulses. The amplifier includes a dispersion controller that compensates a dispersion of the amplified stretched pulses, making the repetition rate of the laser adjustable between procedures or according to the speed of scanning. The laser engine can be compact with a total optical path of less than 500 meters, and have a low number of optical elements, e.g. less than 50.

Abstract: A surgical system with a variable controller that allows the user to selectively vary the level of venting performance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to particularly stable and soluble scFv antibodies and Fab fragments specific for TNF?, which comprise specific light chain and heavy chain sequences that are optimized for stability, solubility, in vitro and in vivo binding of TNF?, and low immunogenicity. Said antibodies are designed for the diagnosis and/or treatment of TNF?-related disorders. The nucleic acids, vectors and host cells for expression of the recombinant antibodies of the invention, methods for isolating them and the use of said antibodies in medicine are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ophthalmic illuminator is provided that includes a pulse generator to provide amplified pulses and an amplifier to amplify the current pulses to produce amplified pulses. A light source within the ophthalmic illuminator is driven by the amplified pulses so as to stroboscopically illuminate a vibrating ophthalmic surgical tool within the interior of an eye.

Abstract: A patient interface for an ophthalmic system can include an attachment module, attachable to the ophthalmic system, and a contact module, configured to accommodate a viscoelastic substance between the patient interface and a procedure eye. The viscoelastic substance can include a fluid, a liquid, a gel, a cream, an artificial tear, a film, an elastic material, or a viscous material. The refractive index of the viscoelastic substance can be within a range of approximately 1.24-1.52 at an operating wavelength of the ophthalmic system. The patient interface can further include input ports, output ports, and a suction system. It can be an integrated design or a multi-piece patient interface. The viscoelastic substance can be provided by injection, on the cornea, at the contact module, or in a space bounded by soft elastic films or membranes, such as in a bag.

Abstract: A method for performing multi-level eye registration comprising: obtaining a first initial reference eye image by a first diagnostic device and defining a reference coordinate system; obtaining a second eye image by a surgery device, said second eye image being obtained in a pre-surgery phase before the surgery has started; performing a first registration between said first eye image and said second eye image to obtain a first registration result; obtaining a third eye image by said surgery device, said third eye image being obtained after surgery has started; performing a second registration between said second eye image and said third eye image to obtain a second registration result; combining said first and second registration results to obtain a combined registration result to thereby obtain a registration between said initial reference eye image obtained by said diagnostic device and said third eye image obtained by said surgery device after surgery has started.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus selectively attachable to an ultrasonic device to disrupt target cells from underlying tissue for treatment of an ocular condition, including a shaft, a coupling portion at an end of the shaft, and a cell disrupting end extending from a distal portion of the shaft. The shaft has a longitudinal axis and a first diameter. The coupling portion includes a connector portion and a hub configured to selectively couple to the ultrasonic device and impart ultrasonic vibration to the shaft. The cell disrupting end is solid and has a second diameter and a smooth, continuous, curved shape.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for illuminating a surface to be observed microscopically using a retractable beamsplitter. The retractable beamsplitter allows the use of coaxial illumination when the beamsplitter is positioned in the operator's line of sight. The retractable beamsplitter allows the use of non-coaxial illumination without reducing the amount of illumination that reaches the operator when the beamsplitter is retracted from the operator's line of sight. As a result a single system can be used effectively to provide various types of illumination.

Abstract: A fluid flow-regulating system includes an electrolysis chamber configured to contain a liquid, and includes first and second electrodes disposed within the electrolysis chamber. A gap between opposing surfaces is sized to promote capillary action of a liquid in the electrolysis chamber that draws the liquid to at least one of the first and second electrodes in a manner allowing the flow-regulating system to be placed in multiple orientations and still have said one of the first and second electrodes wetted by capillary action.

Abstract: The present invention relates to artificial tear formulations and ophthalmic formulations suitable for drug delivery. The formulations comprise galactomannans such as guar or hydroxypropyl guar and a borate source such as boric acid. The formulations further comprise a cis-diol such as sorbitol that interferes with the cross-linking of galactomannan and borate. Optionally, the formulations are substantially free of divalent cations.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a capsule polishing device include a resistive-heating element including an electrically resistive, superelastic wire forming a loop between first and second ends of the superelastic wire. The first and second ends of the loop may at least partially extend from a planar face defined by the loop, to an insulating portion. In some embodiments, the capsule polishing device may be configured to perform active capsule polishing through a combination of hyperthermia of LECs and mechanical abrasion of the capsule surface. In some embodiments, at least a side and end portion of the loop of the capsule polishing device may be shaped to follow a contour of the capsule bag. The loop may be heated to approximately 40 to 47 degrees Celsius to destroy LECs (other temperatures are also possible). In some embodiments, the loop may include a roughened surface to increase mechanical abrasion.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for detecting ocular surface defects. The methods of the invention can be used to detect ocular surface diseases, such as dry eye, uveitis, conjunctivitis, keratitis, keratoconjunctivitis, vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC), atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC), autoimmune disorders of the ocular surface, meibomianitis, conjunctival hyperemia, eyelid hyperemia, ocular rosacea, ocular inflammation, or eye lid swelling.

Abstract: In various embodiments a frame system for a surgical system may include a plurality of rod structures cross connected through one or more structural members. In some embodiments, the rod structures may each include at least one rod with an interface joint molded over the at least one rod. One or more of the interface joints may include a receiving hole for receiving a structural member to couple at least two of the plurality of rod structures together. One or more surgical components (such as a surgical console) may be received into the frame system. Other components may also be received into the frame system (e.g., an aesthetic skin). The rod structures may also include cross face structural members that are secured to portions of the rod structures through being molded to the rod structures through the interface joints.

Abstract: A haptic footswitch treadle for use in microsurgical systems is disclosed. The haptic footswitch treadle includes a haptic surface coupled to a pivotable treadle base and configured to convey vibratory haptic feedback to a surgeon. The haptic footswitch includes a positional sensor coupled to the treadle base and suspension elements and actuators positioned between the haptic surface and the treadle base. The actuators are configured to move the suspension elements and the haptic surface based on command signals generated by haptic software applications in response to data from the positional sensor.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a phacoemulsification cutting tip with a straight shaft and an angled portion off of the straight shaft may include a hook on the angled portion to move an axis of rotation of the cutting tip closer to alignment with an extended centerline of the shaft. The cutting tip may be configured to torsionally rotate back and forth on an axis perpendicular to a centerline of the shaft (e.g., rotation around a y-axis). In some embodiments, lateral vibrations (e.g., side to side along an x-axis or z-axis perpendicular to the y-axis) that result from torsional rotation around the y-axis in a cutting tip without the hook may be reduced through use of the hook to balance the otherwise eccentrically weighted hook.