Abstract: A method of testing a surgical system that takes advantage of the fact that in a balanced irrigation/aspiration system (inflow?outflow) the duration of the aspiration pressure recovery to the irrigation fluid source pressure immediately following pump stop is independent of pump run time. This method provides a more reliable way of detecting restricted irrigation flow configurations not detectable by the current methods, such as marginal irrigation flow cases that could potentially lead to surgical complications (e.g. chamber collapse during post-occlusion break surge).

Abstract: RNA interference is provided for inhibition of ocular hypertension target mRNA expression for lowering elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Ocular hypertension targets include carbonic anhydrase II, IV, and XII; ?1- and ?2 adrenergic receptors; acetylcholinesterase; Na+/K+-ATPase; and Na—K—2Cl cotransporter. Ocular hypertension is treated by administering interfering RNAs of the present invention.

Abstract: RNA interference is provided for inhibition of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) mRNA expression, in particular, for treating patients having a Syk-related inflammatory condition or at risk of developing a Syk-related inflammatory condition such as allergic conjunctivitis, ocular inflammation, dermatitis, rhinitis, asthma, allergy, or mast-cell disease.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of adjusting the amount of energy delivered to a liquefaction handpiece of an ophthalmic surgical system may include monitoring a voltage source at an output of a charging element of the ophthalmic surgical system, dynamically adjusting the charging element output based on feedback from the monitored voltage source, and dynamically adjusting the amount of energy provided by the voltage source as an input to the liquefaction handpiece. The energy adjustment may be based on the adjusted charging element output.

Abstract: The use of inhibitors of GSK-3 useful for treating glaucoma is disclosed.

Abstract: A charging base has a generally C-shaped housing and a charging element. The generally C-shaped housing has an upper part and a lower part. The upper part has an upper surface substantially parallel to a lower surface and an opening extending from the upper surface to the lower surface. The opening has a first width and a second width. A notch is located at the intersection of the first width and the second width. The lower part has a beveled surface generally parallel to and beneath the lower surface of the upper part. The charging element, which provides power to recharge a battery, is located beneath the beveled surface of the lower part.

Abstract: A surgical system that is able to sense the onset of an occlusion or other surgical event as well as the instant an occlusion breaks. To help avoid overheating of the tip, the system determines an approximate temperature of the eye using an irrigation flow rate and reduces the power to the handpiece automatically if an overheating situation is predicted. Alternatively or in addition, the system 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: A foot controller for a microsurgical system that includes a body, a switch disposed on the body, and a switch guard coupled to the body and disposed in a spaced relationship to an outer surface of the switch.

Abstract: A connector includes a rear body portion and a front body portion. The front side of the rear body portion, and the front body portion disposed therearound, are for fluidly coupling to first and second sources of pressurized fluids in a co-axial manner. The rear side of the rear body portion is for fluidly coupling to first and second destinations of the pressurized fluids in an adjacent manner.

Abstract: Described are methods for the treatment of ocular hypertension or glaucoma comprising administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of one or more compounds that inhibit the enzyme EgLN-3. Certain embodiments of the invention combine the use of EgLN-3 with other glaucoma treatment agents. The compounds of the invention may be formulated in compositions comprising pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.

Abstract: RNA interference is provided for inhibition of connective tissue growth factor mRNA expression in ocular disorders involving CTGF expression. Ocular disorders involving aberrant CTGF expression include glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, choroidal neovascularization, proliferative vitreoretinopathy and wound healing. Such disorders are treated by administering interfering RNAs of the present invention.

Abstract: An implantable medicament delivery device includes a core body which further includes a single basin or multiple smaller basins for containing a drug or a medicament. Each basin is covered by a screen. The implantable drug delivery device is placed within the body of an animal, and the drug is allowed to diffuse through the holes in the screen to provide treatment of a disease or condition.

Abstract: Ophthalmic compositions suitable for use as artificial tears or as vehicles for ophthalmic drugs are disclosed. The compositions contain a combination of three polymers that have a synergistic effect on viscosity.

Abstract: A multifunction surgical footswitch is disclosed, one embodiment of the surgical footswitch comprising: a base assembly, wherein the base assembly comprises a shroud and a heel plate; a stand-by/ready switch attached to the base assembly and operable to provide a stand-by/ready control signal to switch a laser between a stand-by and a ready state; and a firing switch attached to the base assembly and operable to provide a firing control signal to fire the laser. The surgical footswitch can further comprise an interface communicatively coupled to the firing switch and the stand-by/ready switch and operable to communicate the firing and the stand-by/ready control signals to the laser.

Abstract: An illuminator and surgical illumination system are disclosed, one embodiment of the surgical illumination system comprising: a light source for providing a light beam; an optical cable, optically coupled to the light source for receiving and transmitting the light beam; a handpiece operably coupled to the optical cable; an optical fiber assembly operably coupled to the handpiece, wherein the optical fiber assembly is optically coupled to the optical cable to receive and transmit the light beam and wherein the optical fiber assembly comprises a plurality of fiber guides, wherein each fiber guide comprises a cladding having one or more fiber cores for transmitting and scattering the light beam to illuminate the surgical field, and a cannula, operably coupled to the handpiece for housing and directing the optical fiber assembly. The surgical illumination system can further comprise a separator operable to maintain a spacing between the fiber guides.

Abstract: High refractive index copolymers suitable for use in ophthalmic devices are disclosed. The copolymers comprise a single aryl hydrophobic monomer as a device forming monomer. In addition, the copolymers comprise a non-polymerizable block copolymer surfactant. The copolymers have a reduced tendency to form glistenings when stored in water at physiological temperatures.

Abstract: RNA interference is provided for inhibition of histamine receptor H1 mRNA expression, in particular, for treating patients having an HRH1-related condition or at risk of developing an HRH1-related condition such as allergic conjunctivitis, ocular inflammation, dermatitis, rhinitis, asthma, or allergy.

Abstract: RNA interference is provided for inhibition of Rho kinase mRNA expression for treating patients with ocular disorders, particularly for treating intraocular pressure, ocular hypertension and glaucoma. Rho kinase mRNA targets include mRNA for ROCK1 and ROCK2.

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: One aspect of the present invention relates to methods of treating corneal edema comprising contacting a cornea with an ophthalmic irrigating composition comprising histidine. In certain embodiments, the ophthalmic irrigating compositions contact the corneal endothelium. Another aspect of the present invention relates to ophthalmic irrigating compositions for treating corneal edema comprising histidine and optionally, calcium glycerophosphate and/or glutathione disulfide.