Abstract: A method of suturing the lens capsule of the eye in the event of accidental rupture thereof or to create a valve and/or to close a capsulorhexis by laser-induced welding onto the capsule's surface of a flap of biocompatible biological tissue prepared so as to be optically absorbent at the wavelength of the laser being used for welding. The method is suitable for use in so-called Phaco-Ersatz or “lens refilling” ophthalmologic surgery. Welding is desirably performed using laser devices that comprise a laser generator and a fiberoptic system for conveying the laser beam, complete with an applicator handpiece suitable for use in welding the flaps onto the lens capsule in a liquid environment. The handpiece is shaped so as to exert moderate pressure on the tissues to be welded with the free end of the optic fiber.

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

Abstract: An intraocular implant that has an anterior portion, at least one haptic element designed to localize the intraocular implant within an eye, a posterior portion, and an islet storage feature coupled to the anterior and posterior portions is disclosed. The interior of the islet storage feature is accessible from the anterior portion. The intraocular implant can be used as part of a method for treating a disease state, including, but not limited to, diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, macular edema, and other blinding eye diseases.

Abstract: An ophthalmic refractor is described that provides a non-linear relationship between spherical power and refractive error by positioning a reference plane for a sensor system of the refractor in front of the cornea. The refractor may have a working distance and dynamic range that enable it to be mounted on a surgical microscope. Also described are computational methods for analysing the output from the ophthalmic refractor, utilising error minimisation, linear regression and Fourier Transform analysis.

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

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 small animal imaging system comprising a base element and a camera coupled to the base element, the camera being sized to image the eye of a small animal. A light-emitting diode is also included coupled to the base element. An OCT imaging apparatus is also included coupled to the base element. An X-Y scanner is also included coupled to the base element in communication with the OCT imaging apparatus.

Abstract: An aqueous humor drainage device having an elongate structure that provides a fluid passageway for diverting aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye. The device is formed from a biocompatible soft polymeric material with a hardness less than Shore 80A. Preferably, the polymeric material includes polyisobutylene and a glassy segment. The device preferably includes at least one fixation member that extends from the elongate structure. In one embodiment, the fixation member is realized by a tab that is spaced apart from the two ends of the elongate structure. In another embodiment, the fixation member is realized by a pair of tines that extend in traverse directions relative to the central axis of the elongate structure. The tines are spaced apart for positioning on opposite sides of the sclera of the eye during use.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for relieving and treating glaucoma and other ocular disorders are disclosed. The apparatus includes a thin flexible membrane and preferably a tubular member. In another aspect of the invention, a surgical device for repairing ocular tissue includes a flexible membrane of a polymeric material comprising polyisobutylene. In the preferred embodiment, the polymeric material of the membrane is porous.

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 method of suturing the lens capsule of the eye in the event of accidental rupture thereof or to create a valve and/or to close a capsulorhexis by laser-induced welding onto the capsule's surface of a flap of biocompatible biological tissue prepared so as to be optically absorbent at the wavelength of the laser being used for welding. The method is suitable for use in so-called Phaco-Ersatz or “lens refilling” ophthalmologic surgery. Welding is desirably performed using laser devices that comprise a laser generator and a fiberoptic system for conveying the laser beam, complete with an applicator handpiece suitable for use in welding the flaps onto the lens capsule in a liquid environment. The handpiece is shaped so as to exert moderate pressure on the tissues to be welded with the free end of the optic fiber.

Abstract: A surgical method is provided for diverting aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye. A surgical tool is provided having a hollow support member that supports a portion of an aqueous humor drainage device. The device has an elongate duct structure and preferably at least one fixation member that extends therefrom. The distal end of the hollow support member is inserted into the anterior chamber of the eye through an opening passing through the sclera. The aqueous humor drainage device is deployed from the hollow support member for placement into the eye. In one embodiment, the fixation member is realized by a tab that is spaced apart from the two ends of the elongate duct structure. In another embodiment, the fixation member is realized by a pair of tines that extend in traverse directions relative to the central axis of the elongate duct structure.

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 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: An aqueous humor drainage device having an elongate duct structure that provides a fluid passageway for diverting aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye and at least one fixation member that extends from the elongate duct structure. In one embodiment, the fixation member is realized by a tab that is spaced apart from the two ends of the elongate duct structure. In another embodiment, the fixation member is realized by a pair of tines that extend in traverse directions relative to the central axis of the elongate duct structure. The tines are spaced apart for positioning on opposite sides of the sclera of the eye during use. The elongate duct structure and the at least one fixation member are preferably formed from a biocompatible elastomeric material comprising polyisobutylene and a glassy segment.

Abstract: A surgical method is provided for diverting aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye. A surgical tool is provided having a hollow support member that supports a portion of an aqueous humor drainage device. The device has an elongate duct structure and preferably at least one fixation member that extends therefrom. The distal end of the hollow support member is inserted into the anterior chamber of the eye through an opening passing through the sclera. The aqueous humor drainage device is deployed from the hollow support member for placement into the eye. In one embodiment, the fixation member is realized by a tab that is spaced apart from the two ends of the elongate duct structure. In another embodiment, the fixation member is realized by a pair of tines that extend in traverse directions relative to the central axis of the elongate duct structure.

Abstract: A surgical tool for supporting an aqueous humor drainage device and for inserting a distal portion of the device into the anterior chamber of the eye. The aqueous humor drainage device has an elongate duct and preferably at least one fixation member that extends from the elongate duct structure. In one embodiment, the fixation member is realized by a tab that is spaced apart from the two ends of the elongate duct structure. In another embodiment, the fixation member is realized by a pair of tines that extend in traverse directions relative to the central axis of the elongate duct structure. The tool includes a hollow support member that supports a portion of the device and preferably a guide slot for guided deployment of the device.

Abstract: An aqueous humor drainage device having an elongate structure that provides a fluid passageway for diverting aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye. The device is formed from a biocompatible soft polymeric material with a hardness less than Shore 80A. Preferably, the polymeric material includes polyisobutylene and a glassy segment. The device preferably includes at least one fixation member that extends from the elongate structure. In one embodiment, the fixation member is realized by a tab that is spaced apart from the two ends of the elongate structure. In another embodiment, the fixation member is realized by a pair of tines that extend in traverse directions relative to the central axis of the elongate structure. The tines are spaced apart for positioning on opposite sides of the sclera of the eye during use.

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 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.