Abstract: A system for conducting a vitrectomy includes: a gas source; a vitrector including a cutting mechanism that opens and closes according to a pressure at the vitrector; and a pulse-generating system receiving gas from the gas source and generating pulses at the vitrector. The pulses cause the pressure at the vitrector to vary according to a cycle, and the varying pressure at the vitrector causes the cutting mechanism of the vitrector to open and close. At a first time in the cycle, the pulse-generating system, raises the pressure at the vitrector to a maximum pressure. At a second time in the cycle, the pulse-generating system reduces the pressure at the vitrector to a minimum pressure that is greater than ambient, the pressure at the vitrector being maintained at least at the minimum pressure. The difference between the maximum pressure and minimum pressure is minimized to reduce gas consumption.

Abstract: A torsional dissection tip and method of use comprising a longitudinal-torsional resonator having a cutting surface at a distal end with cutting teeth of a pitch optimized to the torsional or longitudinal displacement of the distal tip. The present art apparatus and method of use utilizes uniquely designed cutting surface geometries with the aforesaid pitch attributes for surgical applications. Utilization of the present art torsional dissection tip allows a surgeon to easily remove hard tissues such as bone without moving the present art instrument to any site except that which is to be dissected.

Abstract: A system for conducting a vitrectomy includes: a gas source; a vitrector including a cutting mechanism that opens and closes according to a pressure at the vitrector; and a pulse-generating system receiving gas from the gas source and generating pulses at the vitrector. The pulses cause the pressure at the vitrector to vary according to a cycle, and the varying pressure at the vitrector causes the cutting mechanism of the vitrector to open and close. At a first time in the cycle, the pulse-generating system, raises the pressure at the vitrector to a maximum pressure. At a second time in the cycle, the pulse-generating system reduces the pressure at the vitrector to a minimum pressure that is greater than ambient, the pressure at the vitrector being maintained at least at the minimum pressure. The difference between the maximum pressure and minimum pressure is minimized to reduce gas consumption.

Abstract: Disposable, bipolar electrosurgical forceps are designed to prevent the sticking of body tissue to the tips of the forceps and include a pair of electrode arms having lengths with opposite proximal and distal ends, with thin layers of biocompatible metal on the forceps arm distal ends and bipolar electrical conductors permanently secured to the forceps arm proximal ends.

Abstract: A system for conducting a vitrectomy includes: a gas source; a vitrector including a cutting mechanism that opens and closes according to a pressure at the vitrector; and a pulse-generating system receiving gas from the gas source and generating pulses at the vitrector. The pulses cause the pressure at the vitrector to vary according to a cycle, and the varying pressure at the vitrector causes the cutting mechanism of the vitrector to open and close. At a first time in the cycle, the pulse-generating system, raises the pressure at the vitrector to a maximum pressure. At a second time in the cycle, the pulse-generating system reduces the pressure at the vitrector to a minimum pressure that is greater than ambient, the pressure at the vitrector being maintained at least at the minimum pressure. The difference between the maximum pressure and minimum pressure is minimized to reduce gas consumption.

Abstract: Systems and methods for deoxygenating ophthalmic fluid are disclosed. The systems include an infusion system having a valve having an inlet in fluid communication with a source of gas, a first outlet in fluid communication with a container of ophthalmic fluid, and a second outlet in fluid communication with an infusion line of the system. The valve directs gas into the fluid disposed in the container to deoxygenate the fluid, and the deoxygenated fluid is then injected into the eye.

Abstract: Disposable, bipolar electrosurgical forceps are designed to prevent the sticking of body tissue to the tips of the forceps and include a pair of electrode arms having lengths with opposite proximal and distal ends, with thin layers of biocompatible metal on the forceps arm distal ends and bipolar electrical conductors permanently secured to the forceps arm proximal ends.

Abstract: A multiple target ophthalmic surgery instrument is comprised of a single primary optic fiber that transmits laser light to the instrument, and a plurality of additional optic fibers that receive the laser light from the primary optic fiber and project the laser light as a plurality of beams from the plurality of additional optic fibers. In this manner, the instrument splits the single laser light beam received from a single laser light source into the multiple of laser beams and targets the multiple laser beams at multiple spots of a surgical site in the eye.

Abstract: A coaxial illuminated laser endoscopic probe and active numerical aperture control apparatus and method of use, succinctly known as an illumination and laser source, capable of selectively providing illumination light and laser treatment light through a single optical fiber. The apparatus and method is especially useful during ophthalmic surgery. The present art is capable of providing the aforesaid through an optical fiber of such small size that heretofore said fiber was only useable for laser treatment light only. The present art also, with its unique optical system, allows for two illumination light outputs from a single illumination source. The apparatus utilizes a phototoxicity risk card to calibrate the system to prior art or safe illumination levels since the unique optical system provides illumination light of greater intensity than the prior art.

Abstract: A diffusing optical fiber tip yielding a homogenous output pattern having a total illumination angle of at least 180 degrees. The diffusing optical fiber tip has an outer diameter which is no greater than that of the optical fiber, and appears as a point source of illumination, having substantially the same output pattern when immersed in water as it does in air. The diffusing optical fiber tip is manufactured on the end of a typical acrylic optical fiber by causing longitudinal stresses in the fiber end, which are then relieved by forming axial cracks in the fiber core at the optical fiber tip. As a result, light exiting the optical fiber must traverse a scrambled pathway caused by a complex interaction of reflections and refractions, yielding wide angle diffuse illumination.

Abstract: A device for preventing post occlusion flow surges during eye surgery includes an enclosure defining an inlet and an outlet. The enclosure further defines a flow passage between the inlet and the outlet. A restriction is positioned in the flow passage. Structure preferring a filtering function is placed upstream of the restriction for permitting fluid passage through the device. The enclosure further defines a storage area for collecting material restrained by the filter structure. In the preferred embodiment, the device is constructing from a suitable plastic or other molded material, and is intended for disposable use.

Abstract: A diffusing optical fiber tip yielding a homogenous output pattern having a total illumination angle of at least 180 degrees. The diffusing optical fiber tip has an outer diameter which is no greater than that of the optical fiber, and appears as a point source of illumination, having substantially the same output pattern when immersed in water as it does in air. The diffusing optical fiber tip is manufactured on the end of a typical acrylic optical fiber by causing longitudinal stresses in the fiber end, which are then relieved by forming axial cracks in the fiber core at the optical fiber tip. As a result, light exiting the optical fiber must traverse a scrambled pathway caused by a complex interaction of reflections and refractions, yielding wide angle diffuse illumination.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cassette 12 and vacuum aspiration collection system 10 for ophthalmic surgery. The cassette 12 comprises two parts 14, 16 under vacuum where the smaller part 14 discharges into the larger part 16 and the vacuum provided to both parts is provided by a single unit 30. The vacuum control system 10 has improved response to the user's demand.

Abstract: A laser delivery system for ophthalmic surgery and the like includes a handpiece terminating distally in a probe, a laser connector, and an optical fiber for transmitting laser light from a laser source to an eye to be treated. The optical fiber extends substantially through the handpiece probe. The probe also includes a fluid path from the distal end thereof to the interior of the handpiece body. The probe has a soft tip to reduce the possibility of injury to the interior of the eye by contact with the metal portion of the probe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cassette and vacuum aspiration collection system for ophthalmic surgery. The cassette comprises two parts under vacuum where the smaller part discharges into the larger part and the vacuum provided to both parts is provided by a single unit. The vacuum control system has improved response to the user's demand.