Abstract: The invention provides a delivery system comprising a cell penetrating peptide, a polyarginine peptide, and an interfering RNA molecule. The system can be used for delivering interfering RNA molecules into a cell in vivo or in vitro. Therapeutic uses for the delivery system are also provided.

Abstract: An in vivo method for the construction of randomized gene libraries and/or domain replacement in gene libraries by homologous recombination using a Kluyveromyces lactis killer toxin, in particular the ?-subunit of the K. lactis killer toxin, as negative selection marker is described. The use of the ?-subunit of K. lactis as negative selectable marker increases the percentage of randomized clones.

Abstract: A surgical system that is able to sense the onset of an occlusion or other surgical event as well as when an occlusion breaks. To help avoid overheating of the tip, the system of the present invention predicts the temperature of the eye using irrigation flow rate and reduces the power to the handpiece automatically if an overheating situation is predicted. Alternatively or in addition, the system of the present invention monitors the power drawn by the handpiece, which is indicative of the cutting load on the tip, and automatically adjusts the power or stroke of the tip to compensate for increased loads on the tip.

Abstract: Topical suspension compositions of nepafenac are disclosed. The compositions are especially suitable for topical ophthalmic administration.

Abstract: An improved viscoelastic composition useful in the performance of ophthalmic surgical procedures and especially cataract procedures is disclosed. The embodiments of the composition comprise combinations of sodium hyaluronate and chondroitin sulfate and exhibit an improved rheological profile.

Abstract: A disposable injection device has a dispensing chamber housing, a plunger, a needle, and a temperature control device. The dispensing chamber housing has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface partially defines a dispensing chamber for receiving a quantity of a substance. The plunger is engaged with the inner surface of the dispensing chamber housing, is capable of sliding in the dispensing chamber housing, and is fluidly sealed to the inner surface of the dispensing chamber housing. The plunger has a plunger interface. The needle is fluidly coupled to the dispensing chamber. The temperature control device at least partially surrounds the dispensing chamber housing and alters a temperature of the substance in the dispensing chamber. The substance is injected after the temperature of the substance is altered.

Abstract: A continuous high resolution fluid level monitoring system is provided by embodiments of the present invention. This continuous high resolution fluid level monitoring system includes a unique fluid level sensor having a point light source, parabolic reflector, sensor array, and detection, processing and control system. The point light source illumines a parabolic reflector wherein the point light source is located at the focus of the parabolic reflector. The parabolic reflector reflects light from the point light source to produce a parallel light curtain. This parallel light curtain is parallel to an axis of symmetry of the parabolic reflector. The parallel light curtain illumines a chamber such as a chamber in an ophthalmic surgical device used to contain surgical fluid. The sensor array coupled to the chamber detects the parallel light curtain illuminating the chamber. The sensor array provides an output to a detection/processing/control system in order to determine the fluid level within the chamber.

Abstract: The use of bis-amines to enhance the antimicrobial activity of pharmaceutical compositions is described. The bis-amines are particularly useful for enhancing the antimicrobial activity of aqueous ophthalmic compositions, such as artificial tears or ocular lubricants, and solutions for disinfecting contact lenses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising ethyleneoxide butyleneoxide and a galactomannan such as guar. The compositions are particularly well suited for ophthalmic applications such as contact lens disinfection and rewetting. Methods for the treatment of dry eye using the compositions of the present invention are also contemplated.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating and/or preventing ocular disorders associated with increased intraocular pressure comprising administering a bradykinin B2 receptor agonist to a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: Methods for using hydroxyamino- and amino-substituted pyridine analogs are disclosed herein to treat rho kinase-mediated diseases or rho kinase-mediated conditions, including controlling intraocular pressure and treating glaucoma, are disclosed. Ophthalmic pharmaceutical compositions useful in the treatment of eye diseases such as glaucoma, and additionally useful for controlling intraocular pressure, the compositions comprising an effective amount of hydroxyamino- and amino-substituted pyridine analogs, are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A graphical user interface for use in phacoemulsification surgical systems that allows a user to select different pulse modes by touching portions of the display screen. The user interface includes first and second display elements. One display element includes a representation of the on-time of the pulses, and the other display element includes a representation of the off-time. The representations show how the on-time and off-time change relative to a position of a controller, such as a foot pedal. The representation show a constant time, or that a time increases or decreases as the foot pedal is pressed. To select a pulse mode, a user can scroll through different pulse representations by touching the screen at the display elements. The selected pulse mode can be continuous, pulse, burst, or a combination or derivation thereof.

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: Azo compounds that block visible light are disclosed. These light absorbers are particularly suitable for use in intraocular lens materials.

Abstract: Benzotriazole UV/Visible light-absorbing monomers are disclosed. The UV/Vis absorbers are particularly suitable for use in intraocular lens materials.

Abstract: An ophthalmic injection device has a dispensing chamber housing, a needle fluidly coupled to a dispensing chamber, a power source for providing current to the dispensing chamber housing, a controller for controlling the power source, and a housing at least partially enclosing the dispensing chamber housing, the power source, and the controller. The dispensing chamber housing is made of a shape memory alloy and has an inner surface defining a dispensing chamber for receiving a quantity of a substance. The controller directs a first current to the dispensing chamber housing to heat the substance contained in the dispensing chamber and a second current to the dispensing chamber housing to alter the shape of the dispensing chamber housing to deliver the substance.

Abstract: Methods of manipulating pulses of ultrasonic energy for use with an ophthalmic surgical device.

Abstract: A tip for a surgical handpiece having two coaxial tubes or channels mounted within a body. The tip has one or more features that shape the fluid discharge so as to optimize the performance of the handpiece for varying parts of the surgical procedure.

Abstract: Disclosed are soft, high refractive index, methacrylic device materials. The materials contain an ethoxylate monomer to reduce glistenings and a long-chain alkyl methacrylate monomer for softening.

Abstract: A torsional ultrasound surgical hand piece lessens or eliminates chatter from lens material by imparting a twisting, rotary motion to a tip of a phacoemulsification needle at a resonant frequency in excess of 32 kHz. The hand piece has a horn that is designed to operate at an elevated frequency while maintaining size constraints for hand-held ophthalmic instruments. Optionally, heat generation is reduced either through the use of a polyimide tubing situated between the needle and the infusion sleeve, through the use of thermal watch to prevent overheating at the incision, and/or through the use of a bypass hole in the needle that diverts flow under suction into the needle via the bypass hole instead of exiting through an irrigation opening in the infusion sleeve when a tip port is occluded by lens material.