Abstract: The invention provides methods for identifying immunobinders, such as scFv antibodies, capable of specifically binding to cell surface antigens, and compositions identified according to said methods.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method of operating an ophthalmic surgical hand piece, providing a series of power pulses to the hand piece, each of the series of power pulses having a first portion that produces torsional movement of a cutting tip and a second portion that produces longitudinal movement of the cutting tip; measuring vacuum pressure; altering the duration of the first portion as vacuum pressure increases; and altering the duration of the second portion as vacuum pressure increases.

Abstract: Optical imaging techniques and systems provide high-fidelity optical imaging based on optical coherence tomographic imaging and can be used for optical imaging in ophthalmic surgery and imaging-guided surgery. One method for imaging an eye includes positioning the eye relative to a Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomographic (SD-OCT) imaging system, the eye having a first and a second structure, and imaging the eye with the SD-OCT imaging system by selecting one of a direct image and a mirror image of the first eye-structure and generating a first image-portion corresponding to the selected image of the first eye-structure, selecting one of a direct image and a mirror image of the second eye-structure and generating a first image-portion corresponding to the selected image of the second eye-structure, and suppressing the non-selected images of the first and second structures.

Abstract: A method for optimizing a prescription for laser-ablation corneal treatment includes receiving a measured correction prescription for a current patient. Next a database of treatment outcomes on a plurality of previously treated patients is accessed. The database contains a desired correction, and an actual correction. A difference between the desired correction and the actual correction represents an over- or undercorrection resulting from surgery. From the difference data is calculated a distribution of data points as a function of correction level. From the data-point distribution is calculated a statistically based offset applicable to the correction prescription for matching actual corrections with desired corrections. From the data-point distribution is calculated a confidence interval of the data using a predetermined confidence level. The statistically based offset is then adjusted based upon the confidence interval to provide an optimized prescription.

Abstract: A method to perform high resolution tissue ablation including the steps of forming a beam to deliver optical energy and providing an energy dissipating material is provided. The steps of selecting an area of interest in a target tissue and placing the energy dissipating material adjacent to the area of interest may be included. The steps of directing the beam to the area of interest and scanning the beam across the area of interest to ablate the target tissue may be further included. Also provided is an apparatus and a system for high resolution tissue ablation including a beam to provide optical energy and an injector for placing an energy dissipating material adjacent to an area of interest. Further, the apparatus and system may include at least a mirror and a lens for directing the beam to the area of interest and scanning the beam to ablate target tissue.

Abstract: A docking method for an ophthalmic system may include the steps of aligning a docking unit of the ophthalmic system and an eye; generating an image of an internal structure of the eye by an imaging system; improving an alignment of the docking unit with the internal structure of the eye in relation to the generated image; and docking the docking unit to the eye. The generating the image step may include computing scanning data by a processor corresponding to a scanning pattern; storing the scanning data in a data buffer; transferring the scanning data by the data buffer to an output module; outputting scanning signals by the output module to one or more scanners based on the scanning data; and scanning an imaging beam with the one or more scanners according to the scanning signals.

Abstract: An imaging-guided docking system can separate the tilt and location of an imaged ophthalmic target and present them in an intuitive manner for an ophthalmic surgeon. The docking system can include an ophthalmic imaging system to image a portion of an eye of a patient, an image processor to determine a location and an orientation of the imaged portion of the eye, and a guidance system, coupled to the ophthalmic imaging system, to guide an ophthalmic docking based on the determined location and orientation. In some implementations, the imaging system images an internal eye-structure to determine its orientation and a video-imaging system video-images a frontal eye-structure to determine a location of the frontal eye-structure. The determined orientation and location can be displayed for the surgeon. The alignment of ophthalmic procedures can also be assisted with this imaging capability, e.g. the placement and centration of IOLs into the lens capsule.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antibody acceptor framework and to methods for grafting non-human antibodies, e.g., rabbit antibodies, using a particularly well suited antibody acceptor framework. Antibodies generated by the methods of the invention are useful in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: Topical formulations of olopatadine for treatment of allergic or inflammatory disorders of the nose are disclosed. The aqueous formulations contain approximately 0.6% (w/v) of olopatadine.

Abstract: An ophthalmic endoilluminator is provided. The ophthalmic endoilluminator includes a light source, a first optical assembly, an optical coupling element, and an optical fiber having an optical grating located distally on the optical fiber, the optical fiber optically coupled to the optical coupling element. The first optical assembly receives and substantially collimates the white light. The optical coupling element receives the substantially collimated white light from the first optical assembly and directs the light to an optical fiber. The optical grating couples to the distal end of the optical fiber, the optical grating having a surface relief grating, and an overlayer optically coupled to the surface relief grating. The optical grating is operable to substantially diffract incident light into N diffraction orders, the N diffraction orders having a substantially uniform intensity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antibody acceptor framework and to methods for grafting non-human antibodies, e.g., rabbit antibodies, using a particularly well suited antibody acceptor framework. Antibodies generated by the methods of the invention are useful in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The invention provides interfering RNA molecule-ligand conjugates useful as a delivery system for delivering interfering RNA molecules to a cell in vitro or in vivo. The conjugates comprise a ligand that can bind to a transferrin receptor (TfR). Therapeutic uses for the conjugates are also provided.

Abstract: The use of a borate/polyol and zinc system to enhance the antimicrobial activity of multi-dose pharmaceutical compositions is described. The compositions do not require a conventional anti-microbial preservative and therefore are referred to as being ‘self-preserved’. The compositions possess sufficient antimicrobial activity to satisfy the preservative efficacy requirements of the USP for aqueous ophthalmic compositions.

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: The present invention is directed to the provision of multi-dose, self-preserved ophthalmic compositions. The compositions possess sufficient antimicrobial activity to satisfy USP preservative efficacy requirements, as well as similar preservative standards (e.g., EP and JP), without requiring the presence of conventional anti-microbial preservative agents, such as benzalkonium chloride. The compositions are effectively preserved by a balanced ionic buffer system containing zinc ions at a concentration of 0.04 to 0.9 mM, preferably 0.04 to 0.4 mM. One aspect of the balanced buffer system is limitation of the amount of buffering anions present to a concentration of 15 mM or less, preferably 5 mM or less. In a preferred embodiment, the compositions also contain borate or, most preferably, one or more borate/polyol complexes. The use of propylene glycol as the polyol in such complexes is strongly preferred.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of using sequence based analysis and rational strategies to modify and improve the structural and biophysical properties of single chain antibodies (scFvs), including stability, solubility, and antigen binding affinity. These methods and strategies can be used individually or in combination. The methods of the present invention also include the use of a database comprising scFv sequences from an experimentally screened scFv library of antibodies that have been selected to have superior solubility and stability. The invention also provides methods of using the properties found for these selected antibodies in a general approach for reshaping scFv antibodies to improve stability and solubility properties of a single chain antibody fragment.

Abstract: An orientation method for corrective eye surgery that registers pairs of eye images taken at different times and with the patient in different positions includes retrieving reference digital image data on an eye of the patient, including image data on an extracorneal eye feature. Real-time image data are collected that include image data on the extracorneal eye feature. A combined image is displayed of a superposition of the data sets, and a determination is made as to whether the combined image indicates an adequate registration between them based upon the extracorneal eye feature data in the two data sets. If the registration is not adequate, one of the data sets is manipulated until an adequate registration is achieved. A system is directed to apparatus and software for orienting a corrective program for eye surgery.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an ophthalmic injection device may include a dispensing chamber to hold a substance (e.g., a drug) to be injected into an eye, a thermal feedback layer with at least one thermal sensor, and a temperature control layer to apply or remove heat from the dispensing chamber. In some embodiments, the thermal feedback layer and the temperature control layer may be coupled to each other and/or coupled to the dispensing chamber. In some embodiments, at least one of the thermal sensors may be secured between the temperature control layer and the dispensing chamber using a thermal adhesive.

Abstract: An ophthalmic endoilluminator having only a first monochromatic light source emitting a first light and a second monochromatic light source emitting a second light. The first and second lights defining a light color axis representable on a chromaticity graph. A collimation element configured to collimate at least one of the first and second lights. An optical mixing device configured to mix the first and second lights into a single light beam. A lens configured to focus the single light beam. An optical fiber configured to carry the single light beam. A controller coupled to at least one of the first and second monochromatic light sources. The controller configured to tune at least one of the first and second monochromatic light sources such that the single beam of light represents a specific color of light at a point along the light color axis on the chromaticity graph.

Abstract: An ophthalmic illuminator is provided that includes a plurality of color sources, each color source producing a light of a corresponding color; a combiner for combining the light from the color sources to produced a combined light; at least one optical fiber configured to receive the combined light and propagate the received combined light towards a distal end of the ophthalmic illuminator; and a controller configured to control an intensity for each of the color sources responsive to a sampling of a spectral content for the combined light.