Abstract: A tissue removal device includes a rigid aspiration cannula, a valve communicating with the aspiration cannula in a fluid-sealed manner, and a pneumatically-driven actuator configured for moving the valve between an open position and a closed position, wherein at the open position the valve defines an aspiration path through the aspiration cannula and the valve, and at the closed position the valve prevents vacuum from being applied at the distal tip.

Abstract: A tissue removal device includes a rigid aspiration cannula, a valve communicating with the aspiration cannula in a fluid-sealed manner, and a pneumatically-driven actuator configured for moving the valve between an open position and a closed position, wherein at the open position the valve defines an aspiration path through the aspiration cannula and the valve, and at the closed position the valve prevents vacuum from being applied at the distal tip.

Abstract: A tissue removal device includes a cannula that can aspirate tissue, and a thermal element located at a tip of the cannula that can apply localized heat to the tissue to be aspirated. The tissue removal device may also include a device for applying a vacuum in the cannula, which may be configured for applying vacuum pulses according to a controlled pulse rate and vacuum level. The tissue removal device may also include a device for applying the heat at the tip according to a controllable pulse rate and power level.

Abstract: A tissue removal device includes a rigid aspiration cannula, a valve communicating with the aspiration cannula in a fluid-sealed manner, and a pneumatically-driven actuator configured for moving the valve between an open position and a closed position, wherein at the open position the valve defines an aspiration path through the aspiration cannula and the valve, and at the closed position the valve prevents vacuum from being applied at the distal tip.

Abstract: A tissue removal device includes a rigid aspiration cannula, a valve communicating with the aspiration cannula in a fluid-sealed manner, and a pneumatically-driven actuator configured for moving the valve between an open position and a closed position, wherein at the open position the valve defines an aspiration path through the aspiration cannula and the valve, and at the closed position the valve prevents vacuum from being applied at the distal tip.

Abstract: Irrigation fluid is aspirated from an eye and through an aspiration instrument by operating a vacuum pump, including moving first and second plungers between respective suction strokes and discharge strokes. Vacuum pressure at an input side of the pump is maintained at a desired vacuum pressure setting by controlling speeds and directions of the plungers, and controlling positions of input and output valves communicating with cylinders in which the plungers move. Controlling is based on the pressure setting and measured pressures in the cylinders. Vacuum pressure is maintained while transitioning from the suction stroke of the first plunger to the suction stroke of the second plunger, by synchronizing respective positions of the plungers and the valves, such that initiation of the suction stroke of the second plunger during the transitioning is delayed until a vacuum pressure in the second cylinder is equal to a vacuum pressure in the first cylinder.

Abstract: A tissue removal device includes a cannula that can aspirate tissue under a vacuum applied in the cannula, and a hermetically sealed fluid regulator in fluid communication with the cannula that generates vacuum pulses according to a controllable pulse rate and flow rate. The tissue removal device may also have a vacuum conduit having two or more conduit sections where the inner diameter of an upstream conduit section is smaller than the inner diameter of a succeeding conduit section. A device is also provided for applying an elastic membrane to an open end of the cannula to allow a user to remove any remaining cortical material after cataract material has first been removed from the eye by vacuum pressure applied in the cannula.

Abstract: A microkeratome that includes a latch assembly that couples a head to a hand piece. The latch assembly allows the head to be readily detached from the hand piece and sterilized. There is no need to also sterilize the hand piece. The microkeratome also has a ring assembly that is coupled to the head and the hand piece. The ring assembly may include a fastener that can be unfastened to allow the hand piece and head to be detached from the ring, even while the ring assembly is fixed to a cornea. The hand piece includes a motor that moves the blade across the ring. The microkeratome may have an aspiration connector with a collar that limits the travel of the blade the and thickness of a resulting lamella flap. The aspiration connector can be replaced with a collar of a different diameter to produce a flap with a different thickness.

Abstract: Irrigation fluid is aspirated from an eye and through an aspiration instrument by operating a vacuum pump, including moving first and second plungers between respective suction strokes and discharge strokes. Vacuum pressure at an input side of the pump is maintained at a desired vacuum pressure setting by controlling speeds and directions of the plungers, and controlling positions of input and output valves communicating with cylinders in which the plungers move. Controlling is based on the pressure setting and measured pressures in the cylinders. Vacuum pressure is maintained while transitioning from the suction stroke of the first plunger to the suction stroke of the second plunger, by synchronizing respective positions of the plungers and the valves, such that initiation of the suction stroke of the second plunger during the transitioning is delayed until a vacuum pressure in the second cylinder is equal to a vacuum pressure in the first cylinder.

Abstract: A tissue removal device includes a cannula that can aspirate tissue, and a thermal element located at a tip of the cannula that can apply localized heat to the tissue to be aspirated. The tissue removal device may also include a device for applying a vacuum in the cannula, which may be configured for applying vacuum pulses according to a controlled pulse rate and vacuum level. The tissue removal device may also include a device for applying the heat at the tip according to a controllable pulse rate and power level.

Abstract: A blade assembly that can be assembled into a microkeratome which is used to cut a cornea. The blade assembly is constructed in a manner that minimizes the tolerance of the cutting depth into the cornea. The blade assembly includes a blade holder that can be pressed onto a blade. The relative position of the blade holder can be calibrated to control the distance between a reference surface of the blade holder and the cutting edge of the blade. This distance defines the cutting depth of the blade. The blade holder is coupled to the blade with an interference fit that both secures the holder while providing for calibration of the assembly.

Abstract: A microkeratome cutting head includes a head structure, an applanation plate, and a stromal plate. The head structure may include a blade cavity for receiving a blade and a blade opening through which the blade extends. The blade is configured for creating a corneal flap at a corneal flap thickness. The applanation plate is disposed at an elevation above the stromal plate plane. The elevation difference is approximately equal to the corneal flap thickness.

Abstract: A microkeratome that includes a latch assembly that couples a head to a hand piece. The latch assembly allows the head to be readily detached from the hand piece and sterilized. There is no need to also sterilize the hand piece. The microkeratome also has a ring assembly that is coupled to the head and the hand piece. The ring assembly may include a fastener that can be unfastened to allow the hand piece and head to be detached from the ring, even while the ring assembly is fixed to a cornea. The hand piece includes a motor that moves the blade across the ring. The microkeratome may have an aspiration connector with a collar that limits the travel of the blade the and thickness of a resulting lamella flap. The aspiration connector can be replaced with a collar of a different diameter to produce a flap with a different thickness.

Abstract: A blade assembly that can be assembled into a microkeratome which is used to cut a cornea. The blade assembly is constructed in a manner that minimizes the tolerance of the cutting depth into the cornea. The blade assembly includes a blade holder that can be pressed onto a blade. The relative position of the blade holder can be calibrated to control the distance between a reference surface of the blade holder and the cutting edge of the blade. This distance defines the cutting depth of the blade. The blade holder is coupled to the blade with an interference fit that both secures the holder while providing for calibration of the assembly.

Abstract: A blade assembly that can be assembled into a microkeratome which is used to cut a cornea. The blade assembly is constructed in a manner that minimizes the tolerance of the cutting depth into the cornea. The blade assembly includes a blade holder that can be pressed onto a blade. The relative position of the blade holder can be calibrated to control the distance between a reference surface of the blade holder and the cutting edge of the blade. This distance defines the cutting depth of the blade. The blade holder is coupled to the blade with an interference fit that both secures the holder while providing for calibration of the assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to an artificial chamber that can support and pressurize a donor cornea to extract a corneal graft. The artificial chamber has a stationary stem that is adapted to support a cornea. The stem has an inner channel that allows air to pressurize the cornea. The artificial chamber has an outer cap that can be moved in a downward direction to secure the cornea. The cap has an opening that exposes a portion of the cornea to allow for the extraction of a corneal graft. The outer cap is attached to an outer sleeve that is moved by rotation of a cam. The chamber includes a spring that exerts a clamping force onto the cornea. The clamping force can be adjusted by rotating an adjustment wheel. The adjustable spring force allows an operator to set a desired clamping force that is then repeated for each grafting procedure.

Abstract: An artificial chamber that can support and pressurize a donor cornea to extract a corneal graft. The artificial chamber has a stationary stem that is adapted to support a cornea. The stem has an inner channel that allows air to pressurize the cornea. The artificial chamber has an outer cap that can be moved in a downward direction to secure the cornea. The cap has an opening that exposes a portion of the cornea to allow for the extraction of a corneal graft. The outer cap is attached to an outer sleeve that is moved by rotation of a cam. The chamber includes a spring that exerts a clamping force onto the cornea. The clamping force can be adjusted by rotating an adjustment wheel. The adjustable spring force allows an operator to set a desired clamping force that is then repeated for each grafting procedure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for removing a polymethylmethacrylate or other cement plug from the medullary canal during hip-revision surgery. In accordance with the method, a portion of the PMMA plug is softened and a plug removal tool is advanced through the softened portion to become imbedded in the plug. The plug is permitted to harden around the tool, and the tool is withdrawn thereby pulling the plug with it. Softening may be accomplished by conducting ultrasonic energy through the removal tool tip, or by other means. Hardening is accomplished by removing the heat source and permitting passive cooling of the material, or by accelerating cooling of the material through the use of a heat sink or a circulating media such as a compressed gas. Also disclosed is a self-cooling tool tip.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mechanical junction for facilitating the rapid attachment and removal of ultrasonic surgical components for the transfer of ultrasonic energy across the junction from an ultrasonic transducer to an ultrasonically activated tool bit. The junction achieves a high, evenly distributed compressive force to optimize propagation of the ultrasonic energy from the transducer to a tool bit, while maintaining a relatively small outside diameter of the ultrasonic tool.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mechanical junction for facilitating the rapid attachment and removal of ultrasonic surgical components for the transfer of ultrasonic energy across the junction from an ultrasonic transducer to an ultrasonically activated tool bit. The junction achieves a high, evenly distributed compressive force to optimize propagation of the ultrasonic energy from the transducer to a tool bit, while maintaining a relatively small outside diameter of the ultrasonic tool. Also disclosed are a plurality of ultrasonic energy activated tool tips for introducing and removing an orthopedic prosthesis.