Abstract: A capsularhexis device comprises a resistive-heating element formed from an electrically resistive, superelastic wire formed into a loop. A bare surface of this loop is applied to the anterior capsule and electrically heated to define a rhexis boundary, such that a smooth circular or oval capsule portion may be removed. In some embodiments, the superelastic wire is formed to include a loop, so that first and second ends of the wire are adjacent to one another and extend away from the loop to form a lead section. An electrically insulating material may completely or partly surround the first and second ends of the wire so that the first and second ends of the superelastic wire are electrically separated. A handle engages at least a portion of the lead section so that the loop-shaped heating element may be moved in and out of the anterior chamber.

Abstract: An acoustic streaming fluid ejector includes a fluid filled chamber having an opening, a selectively vibrating flow generator having a sharp edge pointed toward the opening, and a driving device configured to vibrate one of the flow generator and the chamber to create a streaming fluid flow in a direction away from the sharp edge through the opening. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An intraocular lens injection device comprises a tubular housing with a passageway extending along its longitudinal axis and a plunger shaft disposed within and moveable along the passageway. The tubular housing and the plunger shaft have frictional engaging features that are configured to produce a varying plunging friction as the plunger is moved along its operating range, to offset changes in the plunging resistance that arise from injecting the IOL into the eye. The variable plunging friction may include one or more step changes in unloaded plunging friction, or a curved variation in plunging friction, or both, along at least a portion of the operating range of the plunger shaft. In some embodiments, a slot of varying width in the housing frictionally engages a tab extending transversely from the plunger shaft. In others, a contoured surface on the plunger shaft frictionally engages an orifice in the tubular housing.

Abstract: A surgical system comprises a pressurized irrigation fluid source; an irrigation line fluidly coupled to the pressurized irrigation fluid source; a hand piece fluidly coupled to the irrigation line; an irrigation pressure sensor located at or along the pressurized irrigation fluid source or irrigation line; and a controller for controlling the pressurized irrigation fluid source. The controller controls the pressurized irrigation fluid source based on a reading from the irrigation pressure sensor and an estimated flow value modified by a compensation factor.

Abstract: A surgical system comprises a pressurized irrigation fluid source; an irrigation line fluidly coupled to the pressurized irrigation fluid source; a hand piece fluidly coupled to the irrigation line; an irrigation pressure sensor located at or along the pressurized irrigation fluid source or irrigation line; and a controller for controlling the pressurized irrigation fluid source. The controller controls the pressurized irrigation fluid source based on a reading from the irrigation pressure sensor and an estimated flow value modified by a compensation factor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treating an ophthalmic, otic, or nasal infection comprising treating the infected tissue with a composition comprising finafloxacin or a finafloxacin derivative. The present invention also relates to antimicrobial compositions comprising finafloxacin or a finafloxacin derivative. The compositions are suitable for the treatment of ophthalmic, otic, or nasal infections.

Abstract: A method for generating a radial alignment guide for an eye includes collecting preoperative alignment data relative to a pupil from an eye that is not dilated. The method also includes locating a pupil center of the eye while dilated. The method further includes displaying the alignment data on an image of the dilated eye relative to the pupil center. In particular embodiments, software embodied in a computer-readable medium is executable by a processor to perform the steps of such a method.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions containing a fluoroquinolone antibiotic drug are disclosed. The compositions exhibit improved homogeneity, improved bioavailability, lower turbidity or a combination thereof. The composition can be use as otic or nasal compositions, but are particularly useful as ophthalmic compositions.

Abstract: A light source for a surgical system includes a broadband light source operable to produce broadband light. The light source further includes a wavelength splitter adapted to split the broadband light into illumination light having a spectral range covering at least a majority of the visible spectrum and surgical light having a spectral range outside of the spectral range of the illumination light. The light source then includes at least one surgical module adapted to control application of the surgical light. The light source also includes first and second coupling optics. The first coupling optics are configured to optically couple the illumination light to an illumination light guide for delivery to a first surgical probe. The second coupling optics are configured to optically couple the surgical light to a surgical light guide for delivery to a second surgical probe.

Abstract: Vitrectomy probes and system related thereto are disclosed herein. The disclosure describes various example vitrectomy probes having an adjustable cutting port size. For example, one example vitrectomy probe includes a piezoelectric element adapted to adjust the size of the cutting port. Further, the disclosure provides examples for adjusting the size of the cutter port while the vitrectomy probe is in operation.

Abstract: A vitrectomy probe includes a housing, a fluidic motor disposed within the housing, a needle extending from the housing, and a cutter assembly. The cutter assembly includes an inner cutting member disposed within and axially moveable relative to the needle, a drive shaft disposed within the housing and axially moveable relative to the housing, and a coupler disposed within the housing coupling the drive shaft and the inner cutting member. The motor is associated with the drive shaft in a manner that drives the cutter assembly in an oscillating manner. The probe also includes two or fewer seals within the housing in contact with the cutter assembly for sealing against fluid leakage.

Abstract: Vitrectomy probes and system related thereto are disclosed herein. The disclosure describes vitrectomy probes having an adjustable cutting port size. In some instances, the cutting port size may be adjusted by altering a position of a stroke limiter via a pancake motor. Various example features are described for adjusting the size of the cutting port.

Abstract: Vitrectomy probes and system related thereto are disclosed herein. The disclosure describes various example vitrectomy probes having an adjustable cutting port size. Various example features are described for adjusting the size of the cutting port. Further, the disclosure provides examples for adjusting the size of the cutter port while the vitrectomy probe is in operation.

Abstract: A loudspeaker comprising a housing and a membrane mounted in said housing, which membrane can be set vibrating so as to produce sound, wherein the loudspeaker has at least one sound channel which extends between the membrane and the outer side of the housing, and wherein one or more local sound barriers are provided in the sound channel, which sound barriers locally block at least 15% of the cross-sectional area of the sound channel, such that amplification of the sound pressure occurs in the audible frequency range due to resonance.

Abstract: The use of certain synthetic phospholipids to preserve pharmaceutical compositions from microbial contamination is described. The synthetic phospholipids have unique molecular arrangements wherein a phosphate group is linked to a quaternary ammonium functionality via a substituted-propenyl group, and the quaternary ammonium functionality is further linked to at least one long hydrocarbon chain. Such molecular arrangements are what make the phospholipids of formula (I) highly water soluble, e.g., the length of the hydrocarbon chain assists to maintain solubility and efficacy of the molecules for the uses described herein. The synthetic phospholipids described herein have been found to be particularly useful as antimicrobial preservatives for ophthalmic, otic and nasal pharmaceutical compositions, especially ophthalmic compositions. These compounds may also be utilized to disinfect contact lenses.

Abstract: Embodiments of this disclosure provide an apparatus and method for gas and debris management. The apparatus comprises a surgical cassette, wherein the surgical cassette is at least partially formed of a cassette material defining a chamber. The surgical cassette has a floor and a plurality of walls. The apparatus also has a drain conduit with a drain entry and a drain exit. The drain entry is connected to the chamber near the floor. The drain conduit has a top portion and a bottom portion. The apparatus also has an aspiration conduit. The aspiration conduit has an aspiration port and an aspiration exit. The aspiration conduit is in liquid communication with the chamber and the drain conduit. At least a portion of the top portion of the drain conduit is positioned above at least a portion of the aspiration exit.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical console may include a sensor strip with sensor strip sensors (e.g., field effect or capacitive sensors) offset vertically and configured to receive an input from a user corresponding to a vertical height of a patient's eyes relative to the surgical console. The surgical console may use the input from the sensor strip to determine a patient eye level (PEL) relative to a surgical console component and then use the PEL and the at least one component in controlling operation of at least one of a source of irrigation or a source of aspiration during an ophthalmic procedure. The surgical console may further include a plurality of visual indicators positioned relative to at least two of the plurality of sensor strip sensors and configured to be illuminated to correspond to a sensor detecting the touch input.

Abstract: An adjusting ophthalmic docking system is described that includes a curved contact element, disposed on a procedure eye, a conformation platform at a distal tip of an optical system to support an adjustment of the curved contact element, and a connector to accommodate the adjustment of the contact element. The curved contact element can be a meniscus-shaped contact lens, with a proximal surface radius larger than a distal surface radius. The contact lens can be made of an approximately refractive index-matching material, such as a fluoro-polymer.

Abstract: A laser probe for electrically steering a light beam includes a tubular-shaped housing, an optical waveguide, and a beam steering cell. The optical waveguide is disposed within an interior region of the housing and is configured to emit a light beam travelling in a first direction. The beam steering cell is disposed within the housing and comprises an electro-optical (EO) material. The beam steering cell is configured to receive one or more voltages and electrically steer the light beam with the OE material to a second direction. The EO element has a shape of varying thickness such that a first portion of the light beam passes through a portion of EO element having a greater thickness than a second portion of the EO element passed through by a second portion of the light beam. The laser probe may be a directional laser probe or a multi-spot laser probe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds and methods which may be useful as inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) for the treatment or prevention of inflammatory diseases and other diseases involving elevated levels of cytokines and proinflammatory mediators.