Abstract: A one-piece capsulorhexis device is presented comprising a membrane having a curved, flexible substantially discoid flap-valve member shaped to align with an ocular lens capsular bag inner surface, and at least one integral, flexible retainer shaped to align with an ocular lens capsular bag outer surface.

Abstract: An ocular lens has a refractive optics structure formed from a polyisobutylene-based material and a glassy segment that is non-reactive to ocular fluid and that maintains in vivo transparency for a substantial time period. The material has a central elastomeric polyolefinic block and thermoplastic end blocks (such as a triblock polymer backbone comprising polystyrene-polyisobutylene-polystyrene). The material is preferably flexible such that the refractive optics structure can be folded upon itself and introduced through a small scleral incision. The lens device includes an optic portion and preferably either an annular haptic element or one or more haptic elements adapted to rest within a capsular bag formed by a surgical procedure. A portion of the lens device may be loaded with at least one therapeutic agent that interferes with proliferation of the epithelial cells of the eye to protect against PCO.

Abstract: A surgical implant device for treating glaucoma includes an elongate duct structure formed from a material comprising polyisobutylene and a glassy segment. The material of the elongate duct structure preferably has a general block structure with a central elastomeric polyolefinic block and thermoplastic end blocks (e.g., a triblock polymer backbone comprising polystyrene-polyisobutylene-polystyrene). The elongate duct structure provides a fluid passageway for diverting aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye. Preferably, the elongate duct structure defines a lumen channel having an inside diameter between 0.05 mm and 0.3 mm. The material of the elongate duct structure is biocompatible and biostable. Moreover, the material will not encapsulate in the eye and thus provides an unobstructed flowpath that diverts aqueous humor from the anterior chamber. Different embodiments of the implant device divert the aqueous humor to different parts of the eye (e.g.

Abstract: A method of thermally inducing and monitoring changes to localized regions of tissue illuminating a volume of tissue with a first beam of X-rays, detecting the portions of the first beam of X-rays that passed through the volume of tissue, generating a first X-ray image signal from the portions of X10 rays of the first beam detected, applying heat to at least a localized region of tissue within the volume of tissue after the illuminating and after the detecting, illuminating the volume of tissue with a second beam of X-rays, detecting portions of the second beam of X-rays that passed through the volume of tissue during the illuminating with the second beam of X-rays, generating a second X-ray image signal from the portions of X-rays of the second beam detected, and generating a difference image signal based upon a comparison of the first and second X-ray image signals.

Abstract: A synthetic cornea for placing in a recess formed in the cornea, the recess opening out into the anterior face of the cornea so as to leave Descemet's membrane intact. The synthetic cornea comprises a piece (42) of flexible transparent material having an axis of circular symmetry and presenting an anterior face (44) in the form of a spherical cap of radius Ra and a posterior face (46) in the form of a spherical cap of radius Rp, the central zones of the two faces being separated by a distance e, and a side wall (48) substantially in the form of a truncated cone whose axis coincides with the axis of symmetry and whose apex lies in front of the anterior face, the angle a made between the section of the side wall and the section of the posterior face in a section plane containing the axis of revolution being less than or equal to 45°.

Abstract: A one-piece capsulorhexis device is presented comprising a membrane having a curved, flexible substantially discoid flap-valve member shaped to align with an ocular lens capsular bag inner surface, and at least one integral, flexible retainer shaped to align with an ocular lens capsular bag outer surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a synthetic cornea for placing in a recess formed in the cornea of the eye, said recess opening out into the anterior face of the cornea and not into the posterior face so as to leave Descemet's membrane intact. The synthetic cornea comprises a piece (42) of flexible transparent material having an axis of circular symmetry and presenting an anterior face (44) in the form of a spherical cap of radius Ra and a posterior face (46) in the form of a spherical cap of radius Rp, the central zones of the two faces being separated by a distance e, and a side wall (48) substantially in the form of a truncated cone whose axis coincides with the axis of symmetry and whose apex lies in front of said anterior face, the angle a made between the section of the side wall and the section of the posterior face in a section plane containing said axis of revolution being less than or equal to 45°.

Abstract: A method of thermally inducing and monitoring changes to localized regions of tissue illuminating a volume of tissue with a first beam of X-rays, detecting portions of the first beam of X-rays, generating a first X-ray image signal from the detected X-rays of the first beam, applying heat to at least a localized region of tissue within the volume of tissue after the illuminating and after the detecting, illuminating the volume of tissue with a second beam of X-rays, detecting portions of the second beam of X-rays, generating a second X-ray image signal from the portions of X-rays of the second beam detected, and generating a difference image signal based upon a comparison of the first and second X-ray image signals. The difference image signal provides information of changes in X-ray attenuation by localized regions of tissue within the volume of tissue due to the application of heat.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a supplemental endo capsular lens (SECL) and the method of inserting and embedding the SECL within either a gel or polymer, inside the capsule of the crystalline lens, during phaco-ersatz or similar surgical procedures in order to supplement the refractive power of the eye with a view to (1) correcting ametropia while (2) maintaining a useable amplitude of accommodation.

Abstract: A microprobe useful for assessing auditory function by enabling clinical and intraoperative measurements of blood flow, particularly cochlear blood flow and neural compound action potentials, particularly of the auditory nerve (cranial nerve VIII) is disclosed. In addition, a monitoring system containing this microprobe and a method of using the microprobe are described.

Abstract: A mini capsulorhexis valve device is composed of a curved, flexible discoid flap-valve member shaped to align with an ocular lens capsular bag inner surface, and a curved, flexible retainer member shaped to align with an ocular lens capsular bag outer surface, the curved, flexible retainer member being attached at a fastening point to the curved, flexible discoid flap-valve member. Attachment of the curved, flexible discoid flap-valve member to the curved, flexible retainer member may be via bonding with a silastic adhesive. In a method of accessing an ocular lens, the mini capsulorhexis valve device establishes a portal controlling access to an ocular lens. The method may include inserting a cannula through the mini capsulorhexis valve device to permit removal of a crystalline lens matrix and replacement thereof with a capsular filling material.

Abstract: A noncontact laser microsurgical apparatus and method for marking a cornea of a patient's or donor's eye in transplanting surgery or keratoplasty, and in incising or excising the corneal tissue in keratotomy, and for tissue welding and for thermokeratoplasty. The noncontact laser microsurgical apparatus comprises a laser source and a projection optical system for converting laser beams emitted from the laser source into coaxially distributed beam spots on the cornea. The apparatus further includes a multiple-facet prismatic axicon lens system movably mounted for varying the distribution of the beam spots on the cornea. In a further embodiment of the method of the present invention, an adjustable mask pattern is inserted in the optical path of the laser source to selectively block certain portions of the laser beams to thereby impinge only selected areas of the cornea.

Abstract: A device for transferring a medicament into the eyeball by iontophoresis. A reservoir holding the active product is applied to a patient's eye. The reservoir has at least one active surface electrode facing the eye tissue lying at the periphery of the cornea. The reservoir also has a return electrode and a current generator. The return electrode is in contact with the patient's partly closed eyelids.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical technique and instrument kit that allows for subtle modification of the corneal curvature by interlamellar injection of a synthetic gel at the corneal periphery while sparing the optical zone. The gel viscosity, volume and disposition within the surgical annular track as well as the diameter of the track, width, depth, and location are all parameters in the refractive change obtained. Following ultrasonic pachymetry performed centrally and at a selected wound entrance located about 2.5 to 3.5 mm from the apex, a one millimeter or so wide, about 75-85% corneal thickness depth radial incision is performed with a micrometric diamond knife adjusted to about 86% corneal thickness. Inserted through the partial-depth incision, a corkscrew-like dissector or helicoidal spatula forms a 360.degree. annular track centered about the apex. A transparent gel is manually injected through the incision, filling the annular channel.

Abstract: A noncontact laser microsurgical apparatus and method for marking a cornea of a patient's or donor's eye in transplanting surgery or keratoplasty, and in incising or excising the corneal tissue in keratotomy, and for tissue welding during thermokeratoplasty. The noncontact laser microsurgical apparatus comprises a laser source and a projection optical system for converting laser beams emitted from the laser source into coaxially distributed beam spots on the cornea. The apparatus further includes a multiple-facet prismatic axicon lens system movably mounted for varying the distribution of the beam spots on the cornea. In a further embodiment of the method of the present invention, an adjustable mask pattern is inserted in the optical path of the laser source to selectively block certain portions of the laser beams to thereby impinge only selected areas of the cornea.

Abstract: An endoprobe includes a tubular element having a proximal end and a distal end. At least one optical fiber element is disposed within the tubular element. A plurality of laser light outlets are defined through a side wall of the tubular element. The at least one optical fiber element is adapted to conduct laser light from the proximal end of the tubular element to the plurality of laser light outlets, thereby to direct laser light radially of the tubular element. The tubular element is arcuately curved along a portion of its length, adjacent its distal end and the laser light outlets are defined along a radially inner portion of the curved portion.

Abstract: A biocompatible poly(ethylene oxide) gel implant and method for production which can be injected into the human body for tissue replacement and augmentation. The implant is prepared by dissolving a sample of essentially pure poly(ethylene oxide) in a saline solution in a sealed canister, removing all free oxygen from the container and replacing it with an inert gas, such as argon, and irradiating the canister with a gamma ray source to simultaneously crosslink the polyethylene oxide while sterilizing it. The gel can then be placed into a syringe and injected into the body.

Abstract: A method and device which is used to insert an implant in order for treating an eye with glaucoma in order to lower the intraocular pressure of the eye. The implant is an artificial meshwork. The implant is attached to a guide knife which is inserted into the anterior chamber of the eye. The knife is then removed leaving the implant in place. During the operation, a prismatic lens with c-shaped vacuum ring is used to help assist the surgeon in viewing the anterior chamber of the eye and stabilizing the eye.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical technique and instrument kit that allows for subtle modification of the corneal curvature by interlamellar injection of a synthetic gel at the corneal periphery while sparing the optical zone. The gel viscosity, volume and disposition within the surgical annular track as well as the diameter of the track, width, depth, and location are all parameters in the refractive change obtained. Following ultrasonic pachymetry performed centrally and at a selected wound entrance located about 2.5 to 3.5 mm from the apex, a one millimeter or so wide, about 75-85% corneal thickness depth radial incision is performed with a micrometric diamond knife adjusted to about 86% corneal thickness. Inserted through the partial-depth incision, a corkscrew-like dissector or helicoidal spatula forms a 360.degree. annular track centered about the apex. A transparent gel is manually injected through the incision, filling the annular channel.

Abstract: A method and device which is used to insert an implant in order for treating an eye with glaucoma in order to lower the intraocular pressure of the eye. The implant is an artificial meshwork. The implant is attached to a guide knife which is inserted into the anterior chamber of the eye. The knife is then removed leaving the implant in place. During the operation, a prismatic lens with c-shaped vacuum ring is used to help assist the surgeon in viewing the anterior chamber of the eye and stabilizing the eye.