Abstract: A portable slit-lamp apparatus, including a body (11) able to be held in the hand of an operator and a solid state lamp means (55) and associated optics (52) carried by the body for generating a narrow beam of light and projecting the beam onto the cornea of a patient s eye for reflection by structures of the eye, when the body is held at a suitable position in front of the eye. Means (22) is mounted in cooperation with the body and the solid state lamp means to detect a reflection of the narrow beam of light by structures of the eye and to make an image thereof, which image is, or is processable to provide, a digital record of the reflection.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a high contrast, real time, three dimensional representation of a scanned object with the use of an additional scanning mechanism to gain information about the third dimension. A light beam is reflected along an input path and is modified, split, scanned in a first direction, scanned in a second direction, and directed through a stereo base producer to provide stereoscopic information by impinging the beam onto the surface from two different directions. It is then reflected onto the surface whereby the light traverses an output path identical to the input path towards a splitter. Some of the reflected light is directed towards a photodetector coupled to a signal processor to produce an image for real time viewing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for scanning material with a laser beam including directing a laser beam (20) through a scanning means, wherein said scanning means includes a first lens (11) and a second lens (12) separated by a distance (16) approximately equal to the focal length of the lenses. The method includes controlling the beam (20) by moving at least one of the lenses in a plane perpendicular to the beam to scan the material. The invention also provides a scanning apparatus for scanning material with a laser beam including laser means for producing a beam of ultraviolet or infra-red light, scanning means for scanning the laser source in a predetermined pattern onto an area of the material, and controlling means for controlling the scanning means, wherein the scanning means includes two lenses, separated by approximately the focal length of one of the lenses, with at least one of the lenses movable perpendicular to the beam to scan the beam.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microfistula tube including a soluble duct, defining a drainage canal having an inner surface, the duct being biocompatible, wherein the microfistula tube is coated with and/or incorporates biological for forming a basement membrane, or an intracellular matrix and a basement membrane. The biological cells may coat the inner surface of the drainage canal, and the microfistula tube may be made of a mouldable material or an absorbable material. The invention also provides an implantation system for the microfistula tube including a microfistula tube and a surgical instrument including an outer tube for penetrating body tissue, an inner tube, and an innermost rod, wherein the outer tube, the inner tube and the innermost rod are coaxial, the outer tube is adapted to receive said microfistula tube, whereby the inner tube may be used to push the microfistula tube into position and the innermost rod provides mechanical support during implantation of the microfistula tube.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of insertion of keratoprostheses, and in particular, a method of surgical insertion and placement of a soft hydrogel prosthetic corneal device into the host cornea. The method of the invention provides a greatly improved rate of success for the implantation and retention of the device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for generating a laser beam of a wavelength suitable for ablating material. The apparatus includes a source of a laser beam of a wavelength which is not suitable for ablation and a frequency converter which uses harmonic generation to generate a laser beam of a suitable frequency. In preferred arrangements the frequency converter is a non-linear optical material that is maintained at a predetermined elevated temperature. In a preferred arrangement the pulse rate of the laser is selected to maintain the acceptance angle of the harmonic generator within predetermined limits.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for producing an image of a surface, including a laser source for producing a beam of light, beam modifying means for modifying the properties of the beam, beam splitting means for splitting the beam, focusing means for focusing the beam, first and second scanning means for scanning the beam in first and second different directions, stereo base producing means for obtaining stereoscopic information concerning the surface by impinging the beam onto the surface from two different positions, and reflecting means, wherein a beam from the laser source may be directing along an input path including being modified with the modifying means and split by the beam splitting means, directed onto the first scanning means to scan the beam in the first direction, directed through the second scanning means to scan the beam in the second direction, directed through the stereo base producing means, and then directed off the reflecting means and onto the surface, whereby reflected lig

Abstract: The invention provides an ocular socket prosthesis comprising a hydrogel consisting essentially of a biocompatible hydrophilic polymer onto which tissues can be directly sutured. Preferably the prosthesis comprises the polymer both in its homogeneous gel form and in its sponge form, and the two forms are chemically joined at their interface via an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN). However, it is also contemplated that the prosthesis of the invention may be made predominantly or entirely from the sponge form of the polymer. Methods of production of the prosthesis of the invention and of surgical implantation are also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for creating and visualising three-dimensional images of an object, including imaging means for obtaining two images of the same object from different angles, digitizing means for digitizing the images, image processing means for color matching and registering the images, controller means for converting the two images into an interlaced image, display means for displaying the registered interlaced image, and visualizing means for visualizing the image in three dimensions. It also provides a method for creating and visualising three-dimensional images of an object including obtaining two images of the same object from different angles, digitizing the images, color matching and registering the images, converting the two images into an interlaced image, displaying the registered interlaced image for visualizing the image in three dimensions, measuring areas of interest, and calculating desired measurements of the object.

Abstract: A system (10) for ocular ultramicrosurgery a ring (12) for immobilising eye (14) of a patient. The incision point (P) on the eye (14) for surgical tools is marked by a marker (16) that is generated by intersecting tire beams of lasers (104 and 106). The intersection point of the laser beams is fixed in space. In order to move the patient's eye (14) so that point (P) coincides with that fixed point in space, the patient's head (52) is fixed to a head positioner (24). The head positioner is operated by a surgeon (26) through joystick (34) and computer (32) to ensure registration of point (P) and the point designated by the intersecting laser beams. All surgical tools used in the system (10) are supported, positioned and operated or worked by a tool support and positioning system (18). The system (18) comprises a stereotactic manipulator (20) and a tool translation table (22) which is supported on the manipulator (20).

Abstract: A composite device which may be implanted in the cornea of the human eye to replace damaged or diseased portions, and a method of manufacturing the said device, are disclosed. The device consists of a transparent central portion intimately attached to an opaque spongy rim. Both portions are made of hydrogel materials produced in different conditions of polymerization during a two-stage process performed in a specific moulding unit. The spongy rim promotes and maintains cellular invasion from the host corneal tissue, thus providing a tight union between implant and recipient cornea which prevents the postoperative extrusion of the implant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for smoothing and homogenising the cross-sectional intensity distribution of the output from an excimer laser for improved application of excimer lasers to optical laser surgery to the cornea. The laser beam is focused by means of a cylindrical lens or mirror and then filtered using a narrow gap spatial filter to smooth the intensity distribution by removing high spatial frequencies. The resulting output beam may be collimated by means of a second cylindrical lens or mirror for application to further optical processes.

Abstract: A composite device which may be implanted in the cornea of the human eye to replace damaged or diseased portions, and a method of manufacturing the said device, are disclosed. The device consists of a transparent central portion intimately attached to an opaque spongy rim. Both portions are made of hydrogel materials produced in different conditions of polymerization during a two-stage process performed in a specific moulding unit. The spongy rim promotes and maintains cellular invasion from the host corneal tissue, thus providing a tight union between implant and recipient cornea which prevents the postoperative extrusion of the implant.

Abstract: A method of making pigmented hydrophilic polymers in such a manner that the resulting polymers absorb ultraviolet and visible radiation, and that no migration, separation or leaching of the pigment can take place, is disclosed. The polymer compositions comprise blends of hydrophilic polymers with melanin pigments, the latter being synthesized on the hydrophilic polymer matrix. The disclosed polymer compositions are useful in the manufacture of ocular devices, particularly intraocular lenses and aphakic contact lenses capable of absorbing ultraviolet and visible radiation, at wavelengths between 300 and 700 nanometers, to the same extent as the natural crystalline lens of the eye. The disclosed method is also useful to impart photoprotective properties to the already made said ocular devices.