Abstract: Novel surgical instruments for cutting soft tissues, and the like, are provided. The instruments include an elongated shaft having a cutting member rotatably mounted to the shaft and disposed to slide against a substantially planar surface of the shaft. The stylus and planar surfaces are disposed to provide smooth rotating action to the cutting instrument during such surgical procedures as cataract operations. The instruments also preferably include cutting blades having blade faces forming acute angles of less than 50.degree., for providing sharp cutting surfaces even when the instruments are tilted by a surgeon while accessing tight surgical areas.

Abstract: A bipolar probe device for ophthalmic surgery such as anterior capsule cutting includes an elongated probe electrode assembly having an active tip region where a pair of electrodes are exposed along a sidewall portion of the active tip region such that there exists a single axis of closest approach between the two exposed electrodes which lies along the side of the probe. The preferred embodiment includes an outer cylindrical metal tube electrode forming the outer surface of the elongated probe and a axial electrode coaxial with the tubular electrode at the extreme tip of the tubular electrode and extending from the tubular electrode and radially away from the central axis of the tubular electrode to one side of the probe. The central axis of the extreme tip of the central electrode is turned away at least 45.degree. and suggestedly about 80.degree. and 90.degree. from the central axis of the tubular member.

Abstract: Anterior capsulotomy procedures are performed by inserting a cystitome having a freely rotating stylus with blade through a relatively small initial limbal incision severing a central portion of the anterior capsule by one or more elongated incisions made entirely through the one small limbal incision including at least one elongated incision cutting the capsule along a path extending across a diametric axis through the center point of the anterior capsule and center of the initial incision.

Abstract: A device for fragmentation of the nucleus of an eye lens, in vivo, including a working tip adapted to be passed through a limbal incision in the eye and beneath the nucleus of the lens, in vivo, and includes a hollow tubular portion for guiding an elongated member, a platform portion extending from the hollow tubular portion and one or more points or tines at the extreme end of the platform portion all adapted for immobilizing the nucleus while the elongated member is advanced into and removed from the nucleus, guided by the hollow tubular portion, causing its fragmentation. A modified syringe embodiment is described in which the elongated splitting member is coupled with and manipulated by means of a syringe plunger.

Abstract: Improves bipolar electrode probe devices for use in electrocautery and electrocoagulation include a central electrode having an outer electrode coaxially disposed therearound. The central and outer electrodes are electrically insulated from each other and are adapted to receive a high frequency voltage or direct voltage thereacross. The diameter of the central electrode as well as the inner and outer diameters of the outer electrode are dimensioned in accordance with the designated use of the probe, for example: general surgery, specialty surgery or microsurgery. In one of the improved embodiments, the central or axial electrode has an elongate untapered cylindrical shape having an exposed flat transverse surface at one end thereof. The outer electrode has an elongate hollow tubular shape which is coaxially disposed around the central electrode.

Abstract: An electrode for use in electrocautery includes a central electrode having an outer electrode coaxially disposed therearound. The central and outer electrodes are electrically insulated from each other and are adapted to receive a high frequency voltage or direct voltage thereacross. The diameter of the central electrode as well as the inner and outer diameters of the outer electrode are dimensioned in accordance with the designated use of the probe, for example: general surgery, specialty surgery or micro surgery. In the preferred embodiment, the central or axial electrode has an elongate cylindrical shape with one end thereof tapering down to a point. The outer electrode has an elongate hollow tubular shape which is coaxially disposed around the central electrode.