Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens system including a higher diopter positive intraocular lens and a lower diopter negative intraocular lens. The positive intraocular lens includes a positive optic portion having an outer peripheral edge and two or more haptic elements. The negative intraocular lens includes a negative optic portion having an outer peripheral edge and two or more haptic elements. Each haptic element is formed to have specific flexibility characteristics so as to be less resistant to bending in a plane generally parallel to an eye's optical axis than in a plane generally perpendicular to the eye's optical axis. The accommodating intraocular lens system is so designed with specific flexibility characteristics to facilitate axial displacement of the positive optic portion with respect to the negative optic portion along the eye's optical axis under a compression force.

Abstract: A process of dry polishing molded or lathe cut intraocular lenses to removing flash, sharp edges and/or surface irregularities therefrom. The process includes rotational tumbling of partially protected intraocular lenses in a dry polishing media. The process is suitable for single piece and multipiece intraocular lenses of varying composition.

Abstract: The invention provides an anterior chamber implant for treating a phakic eye having an optical part connected to loops. The loops have an arc-shaped profile with a double radius of curvature. The radius of curvature of the proximal portion being greater than that of the distal portion.

Abstract: A device for inserting a flexible membrane into an eye which includes a tubular member with an passage and a plunger movably received in the passage. The passage has an open distal end adapted to be received into an eye for implantation of a lens, and a staging area for initially receiving the lens into the passage. The tubular member includes an opening to permit loading of a lens into the staging area, and a cover movable between an open position to expose the staging area and a closed position to enclose the staging area. The distal end of the plunger has a visual indicator which provides a contrasting image as compared to the staging area. The visual indicator enables the surgeon to easily see whether the distal tip of the plunger is improperly positioned in the staging area before loading the lens.

Abstract: An intraocular lens insertion device having a tubular member for receiving the lens and a plunger for pushing the lens into the eye. The lens is held in a suspended position by its haptics so that the optic portion of the lens does not contact the interior of the tubular member. The plunger tip is provided with a slot for holding the lens after it is expelled from the tubular member into the eye in order to alleviate the risks associated with uncontrolled unfolding of the lens or uncontrolled expulsion of the lens from the inserter into the eye.

Abstract: A process for imparting a glare resistant zone to an intraocular implant such as an intraocular lens using a highly regulated spray of an abrasive material. The spray is preferably of air and aluminum oxide, which may be washed from the intraocular implant during cleaning and polishing thereof. The process is suitable for any machinable intraocular lens material such as acrylates, methacrylates and hydrogels.

Abstract: An opthalmic lens and a method of making is disclosed. The lens has a one-piece lens body with an integral edge surface. The edge surface reflects visible light which contacts the edge surface away from the retina of the patient. The edge surface has beveled portions or a curve of a convex form. The bevels or convex form are displayed on the edge by milling with a milling cutter having a shape matching that desired on the edge. This lens design reduces glare seen by the patient caused when incident light contacts the edge surface and is undesirably reflected onto the retina.

Abstract: In an inventive method for mapping the topography of an eye, elevation measurements of the eye are collected using a slit beam diffuse reflection system, such as an ORBSCAN™ device. An approximating b-spline surface is then fitted to the elevation measurements. Slope measurements of the eye are collected using a Placido-based reflective system, but the slope measurements are referenced to points on the b-spline surface, rather than to points approximated using the conventional constant curvature method, so the measurements have substantially improved accuracy. The elevation and slope measurements are then blended using weighted least squares fitting techniques. A new b-spline surface is fitted to the blended measurements, with the new surface having substantially improved accuracy in depicting the actual topography of the eye as a result of the elevation-improved accuracy of the slope measurements.

Abstract: A system for controlling a plurality of ophthalmic microsurgical instruments connected thereto. The microsurgical instruments are for use by a user such as a surgeon in performing ophthalmic surgical procedures. The system includes a data communications bus and a user interface connected to the data communications bus. The user interface provides information to the user and receives information from the user which is representative of operating parameters of the microsurgical instruments. The system also includes surgical modules connected to and controlling the microsurgical instruments as a function of at least one of the operating parameters. The surgical modules are also connected to the data communications bus. The data communications bus provides communication of data representative of the operating parameters between the user interface and the surgical modules.

Abstract: An eye measurement system (10) includes a biometric ruler (14) and an anterior segment analyzer (12) where the system (10) compares a biometric ruler measurement to an anterior segment analyzer measurement to correct for any error in the biometric ruler measurement.

Abstract: A refractive intraocular lens including an optic portion having an outer peripheral edge and three or four balanced haptic elements. Each haptic element is formed to have an inner portion and outer tip for supporting the optic portion in a patient's eye. The inner portion of each haptic element is permanently connected to the outer peripheral edge of the optic portion. Each haptic element also includes a contact plate and a transition portion, which extends between the contact plate and the inner portion. Each haptic is formed to have greater resistance to bending in a plane generally parallel to an eye's optical axis than in a plane generally perpendicular to the eye's optical axis. The intraocular lens is so designed to exhibit less than approximately 1.0 mm axial displacement of the optic portion along the eye's optical axis under a compression force suitable to effect a 1.0 mm in diameter compression of the intraocular lens.

Abstract: An ophthalmic irrigation/aspiration venting system that vents a portion of an aspiration circuit by drawing sterile air from a bag. The bag is provided with an air reservoir member to ensure that an adequate air volume is available.

Abstract: An IOL compression chamber for folding an IOL includes a hollow chamber having a loading area, a staging area and a distal tip. The loading area has a distally extending slot in the wall which allows for easy removal of a forceps holding the IOL from the chamber following insertion of the IOL into the chamber with the forceps. The staging area holds the IOL in a folded state until the chamber is placed into an IOL insertion instrument having a plunger which forces the IOL distally out of the staging area and into the eye through the distal tip.

Abstract: The invention is an improved phacoemulsification probe drive circuit for supplying electrical power to an ultrasonic transducer. The drive circuit has a power control loop and a frequency control loop. The power control loop has a variable gain amplifier whose output is an input to a power amplifier. After the power amplifier amplifies power, power is delivered to a transformer and, thereafter, to a transducer. The voltage and current applied to the primary of the transformer are sensed to generate a signal proportional to the power (real or apparent) and the result is compared against a power command originating from a foot pedal. Once compared, the result of this comparison is sent to a first controller which acts upon the information by sending a corrective signal to the variable gain amplifier. Also, the phase of the voltage and current waveforms applied to the primary of the transformer are sensed by a phase detector.

Abstract: A refractive intraocular lens including an optic portion having an outer peripheral edge and two or more but preferably two balanced opposed looped haptic elements. Each looped haptic element is formed to have two broad connecting portions, two radial orientation portions, two spring portions and a linking portion for supporting the optic portion in a patient's eye. The two broad connecting portions of each looped haptic element is permanently connected to the outer peripheral edge of the optic portion. Each looped haptic element is likewise formed to have greater resistance to bending in a plane generally parallel to an eye's optical axis than in a plane generally perpendicular to the eye's optical axis. The intraocular lens is so designed to exhibit less than approximately 1.0 mm axial displacement or tilting of the optic portion along the eye's optical axis under a compression force suitable to effect a 1.0 mm in diameter compression in overall length of the intraocular lens.

Abstract: A refractive intraocular lens including an optic portion having an outer peripheral edge and two or more but preferably two balanced opposed looped haptic elements. Each looped haptic element is formed to have two broad connecting portions, two radial orientation portions, two spring portions and a linking portion for supporting the optic portion in a patient's eye. The two broad connecting portions of each looped haptic element is permanently connected to the outer peripheral edge of the optic portion. Each looped haptic element is likewise formed to have greater resistance to bending in a plane generally parallel to an eye's optical axis than in a plane generally perpendicular to the eye's optical axis. The intraocular lens is so designed to exhibit less than approximately 1.0 mm axial displacement or tilting of the optic portion along the eye's optical axis under a compression force suitable to effect a 1.0 mm in diameter compression in overall length of the intraocular lens.

Abstract: An ophthalmic illumination system is provided that emits a light that is controllably variable in color. Because the light originates from LEDs, less heat is generated from the emitted light as compared to conventional ophthalmic illumination systems using tungsten or discharge sources.

Abstract: An intraocular lens implant packaging system equipped with a mechanism for holding and folding a foldable intraocular lens implant having been packaged and sterilized therein. The packaging system includes a bottle or vial, a sealing apparatus, and a retainer member that removably locks onto the bottle and maintains the sealing apparatus in proper sealing alignment over an open end of the bottle. The intraocular lens implant stored within the bottle is protected during sterilization, storage and transportation such that the intraocular lens is not dislocated or damaged before its intended use.

Abstract: A foot control assembly for a microsurgical system for controlling a plurality of ophthalmic microsurgical instruments connected thereto. The microsurgical instruments are for use by a user such as a surgeon in performing ophthalmic surgical procedures. The system includes a data communications bus and a user interface connected to the data communications bus. The user interface provides information to the user and receives information from the user which is representative of operating parameters of the microsurgical instruments. The system also includes surgical modules connected to and controlling the microsurgical instruments as a function of at least one of the operating parameters. The surgical modules are also connected to the data communications bus. The data communications bus provides communication of data representative of the operating parameters between the user interface and the surgical modules.

Abstract: A defined serumfree medical solution for applications in Ophthalmology, that contains one or more cell nutrient supplements, and a growth factor(s) which maintains and enhances the preservation of eye tissues, including human corneal, retinal and corneal epithelial tissues at low to physiological temperatures (2.degree. C. to 38.degree. C.). This solution is composed of a defined aqueous nutrient and electrolyte solution, supplemented with a glycosaminoglycan(s), a deturgescent agent(s), an energy source(s), a buffer system(s), an antioxidant(s), membrane stabilizing agents, an antibiotic(s) and/or antimycotic agent(s), ATP or energy precursors, nutrient cell supplements, coenzymes and enzyme supplements, nucleotide precursors, hormonal supplements, non-essential amino acids, trace minerals, trace elements and a growth factor(s).