Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument for use in ophthalmic surgery includes a cylindrical body having front and rear plugs in opposite ends thereof with a piston disposed in a centrally disposed chamber in the body, and a probe having an elongate tubular outer member with a proximal end received in an axial bore in the front plug and a closed distal end with a port therein and an elongate tubular inner member slidably disposed in the outer member with a distal end movable across the port to provide a cutting action and a portion fixed in an axial bore in the piston such that the probe inner member is moved with the piston, the rear plug having an axial bore therethrough aligned with the probe inner member to permit evacuation of cut material through the surgical cutting instrument and a second bore therethrough for supplying pressure to the chamber to move the piston against a spring bias.

Abstract: Surfaces and articles or devices sterilized with an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution are treated with an aqueous solution comprising a sufficient amount of sodium pyruvate to decompose the hydrogen peroxide. The invention includes a method and sterilization system which is particularly useful in medical applications. Hydrophilic contact lenses may be conveniently sterilized with a hydrogen peroxide solution and rendered non-irritating to the eyes by treating the sterilized lenses with a sterile, sodium pyruvate solution which decomposes any hydrogen peroxide remaining with the lenses.

Abstract: A surgical scalpel for use in ophthalmic and other forms of surgery having a blade that can be adjustably extended beyond a foot. The scalpel also includes an indicator for showing the length of the blade that is exposed beyond the foot. The indicator can be calibrated to compensate for variations in blade length and other manufacturing tolerances.

Abstract: An improved ultrasonic surgical aspirator for use in breaking up and removing tissue from an operative site recessed within a tissue body employs an elongated probe having an oval or elliptical cross section to more closely conform to and fit an incision in the tissue and to expose a wider area of tissue to ultrasonic vibrations as the operative tip of the probe is moved over the tissue. An improved method of performing a lensectomy on the human eye using the improved apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: Oxygen permeable hard contact lenses from the copolymerization of ethylenically unsaturated silicone ester; sterically hindered or bulky aliphatic ester of ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, and hydrophilic monomer; and method for the polymerization thereof.

Abstract: An intraocular lens four point contact haptics with an asymmetrical cross section. The ends of each of the haptics are contiguously juxtaposed and inserted in a common bore in the periphery of the optic. The legs of each of the haptics spiral outwardly in juxtaposed relationship, separate and extend away from each other to form eye contacting heel and toe portions residing on opposing sides of the inferior-superior axis of the lens. When two such haptics are employed, a wide haptic compression range can be achieved with little differential in compression force.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the preparation of hydrogel contact lenses having improved mechanical properties, said process comprising polymerizing, in the presence of an azo type initiator, a monomer mixture comprising from 25% to 50% by weight of N-vinyl pyrrolidone, up to 5% by weight of methacrylic or acrylic acid, 0.1 to 1% by weight of 1,3,5-tris(propenoxy)-2,4,6-triazine (TPT), or perhydro-2,4,6,-triketo-1,3,5,-tris (propene-2)-1,3,5-triazine (T.T.P.T.), as a cross-linking monomer, the balance being essentially hydroxy alkyl acrylate or methacrylate, wherein the alkyl group is ethyl or propyl.