Abstract: An injector for intraocular lenses has a housing and a plunger movable within the housing. An elastomeric sleeve is sized and shaped to fit around a portion of the plunger, providing damping friction opposing the movement of the plunger. The sleeve is sterile and disposable, allowing a new sleeve to be used for each procedure.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for phacoemulsification combine a phacoemulsification needle having an offset feature with a handpiece capable of producing longitudinal motion to create a hybrid phacoemulsification effect that is more efficient than conventional longitudinal handpiece-needle combinations and has been demonstrated under certain conditions to be more efficient than needles used with handpieces providing torsional motion. The phacoemulsification needle is of the type having a hollow passageway that terminates in a straight needle tip formed off-axis from the passageway, allowing the needle tip to move eccentrically when the needle is subjected to torsional or longitudinal vibratory motion. The tip may be flared or may be coextensive with the needle body. The tip may also be angled with respect to the needle body. The aspiration passageway formed through the needle body may be positioned or shaped to be off-axis from the needle body axis.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification irrigation sleeve having a body configured to operatively connect to a phacoemulsification needle. The body has proximal and distal ends and defines a passageway for liquid. A first irrigation port is formed in the body between its proximal and distal ends. The body is slit to define a first flap configured to swing away from the first irrigation port in response to pressure of fluid flowing in the passageway to thereby reduce resistance of fluid flow through the first irrigation port. The first flap, when swung away from the first irrigation port, is oriented to direct fluid flowing through the first irrigation port in a direction from the proximal end of the body toward the distal end of the body.

Abstract: A corneal marking system and methods for its use, has a first tilt-detecting device attached to a corneal marker, adapted to produce a signal when the corneal marker is in a horizontal position. In another version, the first tilt-detecting device is adapted to produce a signal when the corneal marker is in tilted to a pre-selected value and a second tilt-detecting device is attached to the patient's head to measure the tilt of the head and is adapted to produce a signal when the head is tilted to match the pre-selected value of the first tilt-detecting device. In a third version, the first and second tilt detectors send signals to a signal detector which emits a signal when the first and second tilt detectors indicate substantially the same amount of tilt. In each case, the cornea is marked when the appropriate signal is emitted.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for phacoemulsification combine a phacoemulsification needle having an offset feature with handpieces capable of producing various vibratory motions using motive systems that produce selected hybrid motions to create a hybrid phacoemulsification effect that is more efficient than conventional longitudinal handpiece-needle combinations and has been demonstrated under certain conditions to be more efficient than needles used with handpieces providing torsional motion. The phacoemulsification needle is of the type having a hollow passageway that terminates in a straight needle tip formed off-axis from the passageway, allowing the needle tip to move eccentrically when the needle is subjected to torsional or longitudinal vibratory motion. The tip may be flared or may be coextensive with the needle body. The tip may also be angled with respect to the needle body. The aspiration passageway formed through the needle body may be positioned or shaped to be off-axis from the needle body axis.

Abstract: Phacoemulsification needles are configured to cause eccentric or wobble-type motion by being formed to distribute the mass of the needle non-uniformly. In one version the non-uniform property is created by angling the needle's aspiration passage with respect to the needle axis. In another, the needle tip walls are formed with non-uniform thicknesses, with or without including an off-axis configuration with respect to the needle aspiration passageway. In another, the needle tip walls are formed in a scalloped configuration. In another, external protuberances or “bumps” are formed on the needle tip exterior wall surfaces. In another, the needle tip walls have weighted inserts placed therein. In another, the needle tip is formed with skewed bevels and ridges. In another, the needle body is formed with non-uniformly shaped segments. In another, a portion of the needle tip is twisted with respect to the rest of the tip.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification needle having a hollow passageway terminates in a straight needle tip formed off-axis from the passageway, allowing the needle tip to move eccentrically when the needle is subjected to torsional or longitudinal vibratory motion. The tip may be flared or may be coextensive with the needle body. The aspiration passageway formed through the needle body may be formed off-axis from the needle body axis. The tip may also be angled with respect to the needle body. The inner and outer surfaces of the needle tip are roughened, as by sandblasting, to enhance the cutting effect of the tip when used with a non-longitudinal handpiece. The lip of each needle tip is polished to a high degree of smoothness and the edges of the tip are rounded to lessen the incidence of snags or cuts.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for phacoemulsification combine a phacoemulsification needle having an offset feature with a handpiece capable of producing longitudinal motion to create a hybrid phacoemulsification effect that is more efficient than conventional longitudinal handpiece-needle combinations and has been demonstrated under certain conditions to be more efficient than needles used with handpieces providing torsional motion. The phacoemulsification needle is of the type having a hollow passageway that terminates in a straight needle tip formed off-axis from the passageway, allowing the needle tip to move eccentrically when the needle is subjected to torsional or longitudinal vibratory motion. The tip may be flared or may be coextensive with the needle body. The tip may also be angled with respect to the needle body. The aspiration passageway formed through the needle body may be positioned or shaped to be off-axis from the needle body axis.

Abstract: An irrigation and aspiration tubing system for use with surgical handpieces and irrigation fluid supplies has a first flexible irrigation tube for transporting irrigation fluid to the handpiece and a second flexible aspiration tube disposed within the first tube. The inner diameter of the first tube is selected to provide a cross-sectional area available for fluid flow in excess of the cross-sectional area of a standard surgical irrigation tubes. The system also includes at least one adaptor to allow the tubing to be attached to known surgical handpieces. Preferably, a second adaptor is also provided allowing attachment to sources of irrigating fluid and aspiration vacuum. The system finds particular utility with phacoemulsification instruments used for opththalmic surgery.

Abstract: An infusion sleeve for use with a phacoemulsification needle has a hollow body with an open end by which the sleeve is attachable to a handpiece and an open tip through which a phacoemulsification needle is passed. Irrigating liquid is directed from the handpiece through the sleeve. At least one discharge ports is formed in the sleeve to provide increased flow of irrigating liquid into the eye. The port or ports may differ in size, shape and positioning on the sleeve. At least one such port has a slit extending therefrom cutting through the sleeve and adapted to distend or open up under certain flow conditions, effectively increasing the cross-sectional area of the port available for flow. When flow conditions return to normal the slit returns to its “closed” position. Another such port is formed as a flap which opens and closes responsive to the flow of the irrigating liquid.

Abstract: An illuminated sign which includes a single or double sided photometric lens one or both sides of which have in juxtaposition therewith a graphics panel. The photometric lens has one edge lit by a strip of light emitting diodes (LED's) and the lens(es) is(are) adapted to spread the LED's light evenly across the graphics panel and through a clip-on frame for the photometric lens and graphics panel(s) which frame can provide edge light distribution for the sign. The photometric lens can also be fitted as an illumination source in an existing exit or the like sign to produce illumination for the existing exit or the like sign.

Abstract: An irrigation sleeve for a phacoemulsification needle is constructed with a non-uniform distribution of mass. When the sleeve is used with torsional phacoemulsification apparatus the sleeve adds to the eccentric motion of the needle, adding efficiency to the phacoemulsification process. In one embodiment, weights are implanted in the sleeve. In another embodiment the sleeve is molded with concentrations of sleeve material at selected locations in the sleeve.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification needle having a hollow passageway terminates in a straight needle tip having a rectangular cross-sectional shape larger than the cross-sectional shape of the needle passageway. The tip is formed off-axis from the passageway, allowing the needle tip to move eccentrically when the needle is subjected to torsional or longitudinal vibratory motion. The inner and outer surfaces of the needle tip are roughened, as by sandblasting, to enhance the cutting effect of the tip when used with a non-longitudinal handpiece. The lip of each needle tip is polished to a high degree of smoothness and the edges of the tip are rounded to lessen the incidence of snags or cuts.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification needle having a hollow passageway terminates in a straight needle tip formed off-axis from the passageway, allowing the needle tip to move eccentrically when the needle is subjected to torsional or longitudinal vibratory motion. The tip may be flared or may be coextensive with the needle body. The aspiration passageway formed through the needle body may be formed off-axis from the needle body axis. The tip may also be angled with respect to the needle body. The inner and outer surfaces of the needle tip are roughened, as by sandblasting, to enhance the cutting effect of the tip when used with a non-longitudinal handpiece. The lip of each needle tip is polished to a high degree of smoothness and the edges of the tip are rounded to lessen the incidence of snags or cuts.

Abstract: A phacoemulsifcation needle has a central aspiration passageway extending through a needle body. A hollow shell is attached to and covers at least a portion of the needle body, creating an annular space between the inner surface of the shell and the outer surface of the needle body. At least one port is formed through the needle body communicating between the aspiration passageway and the annular space to create a flow path. The openings to the needle body and the shell may be coplanar or may lie in different planes.

Abstract: An irrigation and aspiration tubing system for use with surgical handpieces and irrigation fluid supplies has a flexible tube with first and second lumens formed integrally along its length, with a first lumen used for transporting irrigation fluid to the handpiece and a second lumen used for aspiration of fluid and emulsified particles from a surgical site. The cross-sectional area of the first lumen is selected to provide a cross-sectional area available for fluid flow in excess of the cross-sectional area of a standard surgical irrigation tubes. The system also includes at least one adaptor to allow the tubing to be attached to known surgical handpieces. Preferably, a second adaptor is also provided allowing attachment to sources of irrigating fluid and aspiration vacuum. One said lumen is formed integral with either the interior or exterior surface of the flexible tube.

Abstract: Digital audio and video files are created corresponding to selected scenes from a creative production and are provided with a processing system that enables dialog to be selected from a scene and replaced by a user's dialog which is automatically synchronized with the original dialog so as to be in synchronism with lip movements displayed by the accompanying video display. The processing further includes a graphical user interface that presents the user with the video, the text of the dialog, and cues for rehearsal and recording of replacement dialog by the user. Replay of the user's dialog is accompanied by the video and part of the original audio except that the original dialog corresponding to the user's dialog is muted so that the user's dialog is heard as a replacement. Singing or other sounds associated with visible action may also be replaced by the same processes.

Abstract: A digitised audio signal, such as an amateur's singing, and a digital guide audio signal are supplied to a time alignment process that produces a time-aligned new signal, time-aligned to the guide signal. Pitch along the time-aligned new signal and along the guide signal is measured in processes and which supply these measurement to a pitch adjustment calculator which calculates a pitch correction factor C's(Fps) from these measurements and the nearest octave ratio of the signals. A pitch changing process modulates the pitch of the time-aligned new signal to produce a time-aligned and pitch adjusted new signal.

Abstract: A housing for a light fixture, and the light itself, is disclosed. The housing comprises an elongate body and a resilient member mountable in the body to retain at least one light emitting diode (LED) between the resilient member and the housing such that the or each LED is repositionable within the housing. The light includes at least one LED mounted in the housing.