Abstract: A method of processing a soft or foldable lens includes a step of tumbling (grinding) the lens in a tumbling medium. The tumbling medium includes a mixture of glass beads coated with an abrasive material, alcohol and water. This process applies to single piece and multipiece soft lenses.

Abstract: A device for inserting a flexible intraocular lens into an eye comprising a tubular member and a plunger. The tubular member includes a staging area, a lumen and an open distal end. The staging area supports the lens in an unstressed state prior to engagement by the plunger. In the unstressed state, the optic of the lens is suspended in a pocket to avoid any substantial contact with interior portions of the tubular member. The plunger includes a slot in its distal tip for receiving and gripping the lens. With this construction, the lens can be inserted into the eye in one continuous motion. Further, the plunger holds the lens when the lens is moved out of the tubular member.

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: A cutting instrument for severing a thin layer of corneal tissue from the surface of the eye, preferably leaving a flap. The cutting instrument includes a body portion that forces the surface of the eye against an applanating surface through a vacuum. A blade with a cutting edge not perpendicular to the direction of travel is then urged across the surface of the eye, severing a thin layer of corneal tissue. The blade can then be retracted, the instrument removed, leaving a flap of corneal tissue suitable for surgical procedures to modify corneal curvature.

Abstract: A tip formation for an instrument for inserting a flexible membrane into an eye is formed at the distal end of a cannula. The cannula has a lumen which directs the flexible membrane through an incision and into the eye. The distal end is beveled so as to provide ease of entry into the incision and to orient the discharge opening for the flexible membrane at an inclination to the longitudinal axis of the lumen. The cannula walls about the beveled end are tapered to form a smaller sized end without impeding the advance of the membrane.

Abstract: An infusion/aspiration apparatus including a base member and first and second cassettes including a base member and first and second cassettes releasably connected to a base member. The first cassette forms an aspiration passageway and a collection area, and the second cassette includes a body and an infusion tube. Preferably, the base member and the second cassette form a vacuum passageway in fluid communication with the aspiration passageway. In operation, an aspiration tube is connected to an inlet of the aspiration passageway, and an outlet of the vacuum passageway is connected to a source of vacuum pressure. An infusion fluid is conducted through the infusion tube and to a surgical site, and that site is aspirated via the aspiration tube. The aspirated materials are drawn into the aspiration passageway and thence into the collection area.

Abstract: An improved positioning assembly for positioning and holding a cornea of an eye during surgery comprising a positioning ring, a suction force operably coupled to the positioning ring to temporarily attach it to the eye and a suction enhancement member. The positioning ring includes a retention plate, having an aperture defined therein to receive the cornea of the eye and an interior rim disposed in surrounding relation about the aperture, and a flange member extending downwardly from the retention plate in spaced, surrounding relation to the aperture. The positioning ring further includes a vacuum port in fluid flow communication with a point radially interior of the flange member such that a suction force applied therethrough secures the positioning ring to the eye with the cornea protruding through the aperture.

Abstract: A process of removing flash from a molded intraocular lens includes a step of tumbling the lens body in a tumbling media. The tumbling media includes a mixture of 0.5 mm diameter glass beads and 1.0 mm diameter glass beads, alcohol and water. This process applies to single piece and multipiece IOLs.

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: A process of removing flash from a molded silicone intraocular lens includes a step of tumbling (grinding) the lens body in a tumbling media. The tumbling media includes conditioned 0.5 mm diameter glass beads or a mixture of 0.5 mm and 0.3 mm diameter glass beads, alcohol and water. This process applies to single piece and multipiece silicone IOLs.

Abstract: An apparatus for calibrating the blade extension of a microkeratome includes a magnifying device and a fixture for holding the microkeratome assembly adjacent thereto. The magnifying device defines a line of sight and includes a reticle visible in the line of sight. The fixture supports the bottom surface of the shim of the microkeratome in a plane parallel to the line of sight of the magnifying device. In measuring the blade extension, the reticle is first aligned with either the cutting edge of the blade or the bottom surface of the gauge member. Relative movement between the reticle and the fixture is effected until the reticle is aligned with the other of the cutting edge and bottom surface of the gauge member. A measuring device monitors the relative movement. The reading of the measuring device equals the blade extension of the microkeratome.

Abstract: A process of removing flash from a molded silicone intraocular lens includes a step of tumbling the lens body in a tumbling media. The tumbling media includes a mixture of 0.5 mm diameter glass beads and 1.0 mm diameter glass beads, alcohol and water. This process applies to single piece and multipiece silicone IOLs.

Abstract: A wrench for installing and removing a tip onto and from a tool comprises a rotary part and a locking hub. The tool includes a housing and a rotatable shaft which has a threaded bore. The tip includes a working portion and a threaded shank which is to be secured in the threaded bore of the shaft. The hub includes a projection which has a non-circular opening which engages a complementary surface on the shaft and a non-circular exterior surface which engages a complementary surface on the interior of the housing to prevent rotation of the shaft relative to the housing. The rotary part includes a passage which includes a non-circular portion which engages the tip to screw the tip into the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a deformable or compressible intraocular lens can be received and staged for insertion into a patient's eye. The apparatus has an elongated compression chamber with proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal passageway, having an inner surface, extending between the ends. The portion of the passageway adjacent to the proximal end forms a loading area in which the passageway gradually decreases in size for causing an intraocular lens to be deformed or compressed as the lens is moved along the passageway. A staging area having a top and bottom passageway wall, communicates with the loading area with the passageway wall including alignment means for retaining the intraocular lens in a deformed or compressed condition. A portion of the passageway is sized to retain the intraocular lens in the deformed or compressed condition.

Abstract: A keratorefractive surgical blade has opposing sides and first and second edges which intersect each other to form a point. The first edge is shaped to form a sharp cutting edge extending from the point a predetermined distance shorter than the distance from the base of a surgical incision to Bowman's membrane, a portion of the first edge adjacent to the sharp cutting edge being dull relative to the cutting edge.