Abstract: A tack for intraocular drug delivery and a method for insertion and removal of an intraocular device for sustained release of a drug are provided. The tack comprises a post, an anchoring region and a head. The post is for being positioned within the vitreous region of the eye. The post has a first end and a second end, and includes a drug to be administered. The anchoring region is affixed to the second end of the post, and includes a width measured perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the tack which varies to provide the anchoring region with a configuration to anchor the tack within at least one of a sclera, a retina and a choroid. The head extends radially outwardly from the anchoring region such that upon insertion of the anchoring region and post within the eye, the head remains external to the eye and abuts a scleral surface of the eye. Other embodiments include a tack comprising a post, a central portion, a head and a suture hole through the head for anchoring the head to the sclera.

Abstract: An iris dilator includes a body formed of an expansile material being expandable from a dehydrated first size and shape to a hydrated second size and shape. When hydrated, the dilator has a shape complementary to an inside diameter of the iris and a size sufficient to dilate the iris. In addition, a mammalian iris may be dilated by inserting the at least partially dehydrated iris dilator described above into a position radially inwardly from the iris where, in the presence of bodily or surgical fluids, the dilator hydrates and expands to engage and dilate the iris. An apparatus for deforming the dilator to facilitate insertion in use includes top and bottom surfaces which engage top and bottom sides of the dilator, respectively, at least one depression member for forming a depressed area on an edge of the dilator and at least one retainer member for retaining a non-depressed area on the edge of the dilator.

Abstract: A flexible ocular insert device adapted for the controlled sustained release of an ophthalmic drug into the eye. In one embodiment, the device includes an elongated body of a polymeric material in the form of a rod or tube containing a pharmaceutically active ingredient and with at least two anchoring protrusions extending radially outwardly from the body. The device has a length of at least 8 mm and the diameter of its body portion including the protrusions does not exceed 1.9 mm. The sustained release mechanism may, for example, be by diffusion or by osmosis or bioerosion. The insert device is advantageously inserted into the upper or lower fornix of the eye so as to be independent of movement of the eye by virtue of the fornix anatomy. The protrusions may be of various shapes such as, for example, ribs, screw threads, dimples or bumps, truncated cone-shaped segments or winding braid segments.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for indenting the ocular coats for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The method includes the steps of (1) gripping the eye at the intra-forniceal bulbar conjunctival surface with an inflatable tubular member having a centripetally expanding surface; and(2) applying pressure to the ocular coats to cause indentation as determined by the controlled filling of the inflatable member.

Abstract: An iris dilator includes a body formed of an expansile material being expandable from a dehydrated first size and shape to a hydrated second size and shape. When hydrated, the dilator has a shape complementary to an inside diameter of the iris and a size sufficient to dilate the iris. In addition, a mammalian iris may be dilated by inserting the at least partially dehydrated iris dilator described above into a position radially inwardly from the iris where, in the presence of bodily or surgical fluids, the dilator hydrates and expands to engage and dilate the iris. An apparatus for deforming the dilator to facilitate insertion in use includes top and bottom surfaces which engage top and bottom sides of the dilator, respectively, at least one depression member for forming a depressed area on an edge of the dilator and at least one retainer member for retaining a non-depressed area on the edge of the dilator.

Abstract: Foreign substances may be removed from a mammalian body cavity containing an aqueous phase by injecting into the cavity a water-immiscible, optically clear, biocompatible debridement fluid to at least partially displace the aqueous phase, and removing the aqueous phase and the foreign substances. In addition, a method is provided for visualizing a transparent foreign substance in a mammalian body cavity using a water-immiscible, optically clear, biocompatible fluid having a refractive index different from that of water. The debridement fluid may also be used to reposition desirable substances, such as a lens in an ocular cavity, or to remove a secondary membrane from a cavity lining or structure. Preferably, a liquid heavier than water, such as a perfluorocarbon liquid, is used as the debridement fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for indenting the ocular coats for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The method includes the steps of (1) gripping the eye at the intra-forniceal bulbar conjunctival surface with an inflatable tubular member having a centripetally expanding surface; and(2) applying pressure to the ocular coats to cause indentation as determined by the controlled filling of the inflatable member.