Abstract: An intraocular lens inserter can include an energy storage portion, an actuator portion that provides temperature compensation, and a lens support portion. The energy storage portion can include a compressible energy storage device, such as a compressible fluid, springs, and other devices. The inserter can include an actuator portion operating with a substantially incompressible fluid. The actuator can be configured to provide an operator with control over the release of pressurized fluid so as to move a plunger for the discharge of a lens from an intraocular lens cartridge, discharge of the lens being limited based at least in part on pressure feedback from the pressurized fluid due temperature increases.

Abstract: An intraocular lens inserter can include a drive device with controllable advance motion. The drive device may include an actuator device and an energy device. The actuator device may include a piston rod that uses the advance motion to push an intraocular lens from a cartridge for insertion into an eye of an animal. The energy device may act upon the actuator device to generate the advance motion. The actuator device may include a dampening medium to control the advance motion, such as by controllably dampening the advance motion.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for filling syringes, e.g., for use during pneumatic retinopexy or other medical procedures. In one embodiment, the system includes a housing carrying a gas canister including an outlet communicating with a fluid path extending from the outlet to a syringe cavity. A syringe includes a barrel receivable in the syringe cavity such that a port of the barrel communicates with the fluid path. An actuator is provided on the housing for selectively opening the outlet of the gas canister to deliver gas therein along the fluid path into the interior of the barrel, thereby causing the plunger to move from a distal position to a proximal position.

Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical system for filling a syringe with a retinal tamponading gas is disclosed. The system includes a surgical console having a user interface, a computer, first and second bottles containing pressurized retinal tamponading gases, and a port for fluidly coupling to an automatic gas filling consumable including a syringe. A user selects a particular retinal tamponading gas via the user interface, and the system fills the syringe.

Abstract: A surgical console having bottles containing retinal tamponading gases and an automatic gas filling module disposed therein for filling an automatic gas filling consumable is disclosed. The automatic gas filling module includes a pair of gas shutoff valves and a regulator connected in series with a port for connection to the automatic gas filling consumable.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, determining an endoilluminator output includes calculating an illuminator contribution of an endoilluminator system and a fiber contribution of one or more optical fibers of the endoilluminator system. The endoilluminator output is determined from the illuminator contribution and the fiber contribution. The illuminator contribution may be established using calibrated or empirically determined factors, such as an illuminator leg efficiency, an attenuator factor, an initial lamp performance, and/or a lamp performance degradation factor of the lamp. The fiber contribution may be established using calibrated or empirically determined factors, such as a fiber coupling factor and/or fiber transmission ratio of the optical fibers.

Abstract: A gas mixture apparatus includes a measurement control system, an activation system, a pressurized chamber with one or more gases, and a mixing chamber. The apparatus can also include additional pressure regulation control systems. The gas mixture apparatus can be used to introduce and automatically perform the steps to achieve a desired concentration of the one or more gases contained in the pressurized chamber. The gas mixture apparatus can include the pressurized chamber within the apparatus itself such that no external devices are necessary for introducing the one or more gases into the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A gas mixture apparatus includes a measurement control system, an activation system, a pressurized chamber with one or more gases, and a mixing chamber. The apparatus can also include additional pressure regulation control systems. The gas mixture apparatus can be used to introduce and automatically perform the steps to achieve a desired concentration of the one or more gases contained in the pressurized chamber. The gas mixture apparatus can include the pressurized chamber within the apparatus itself such that no external devices are necessary for introducing the one or more gases into the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A self-contained apparatus and corresponding methods are provided for delivering viscous fluids in a controlled manner, such as delivering a viscous fluid in a surgical setting. The self-contained apparatus can include a motion following pressure regulator that allows for linear control of a regulated pressure. The regulated pressure can be used for dispensing a viscous fluid from a syringe that is coupled to the self-contained apparatus. The pressure regulator regulates a pressure derived from a pressurized fluid reservoir located at least partially within a housing of the apparatus. This allows the viscous fluid to be delivered using pressure to provide a driving force greater than a force easily delivered manually, while still allowing a surgeon to retain fine control over the rate of viscous fluid delivery.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, determining an endoilluminator output includes calculating an illuminator contribution of an endoilluminator system and a fiber contribution of one or more optical fibers of the endoilluminator system. The endoilluminator output is determined from the illuminator contribution and the fiber contribution. The illuminator contribution may be established using calibrated or empirically determined factors, such as an illuminator leg efficiency, an attenuator factor, an initial lamp performance, and/or a lamp performance degradation factor of the lamp. The fiber contribution may be established using calibrated or empirically determined factors, such as a fiber coupling factor and/or fiber transmission ratio of the optical fibers.

Abstract: An improved method of controlling intraocular pressure with a microsurgical system using measured flow rate.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a trocar cannula may be configured for insertion into an eye to facilitate insertion and removal of instruments during surgery. The cannula may be affixed to an overcap (to inhibit rotation of the overcap relative to the cannula) that includes a seal. In some embodiments, the seal may be overmolded into the overcap or may include a wafer that is fixed between the cannula and the overcap to inhibit rotation relative to the cannula and the overcap. In some embodiments, the cannula and overcap may snap together through a tab/slot interface in a permanent fashion such that the cannula and overcap may not be separated without damaging the cannula or overcap. In some embodiments, a vent cannula may be receivable in the slit of the seal for allowing fluids to vent from the eye through the cannula (which may include an indentation to frictionally engage the vent).

Abstract: A ophthalmic surgical console system reduces kinking or flow restrictions in the tubing/cables attached to a ophthalmic surgical console by rotatably mounting the head of the surgical console to the base of the surgical console. The screen on which surgical parameter outputs are displayed and control inputs are made is attached to the ophthalmic surgical console using a movable adjustable arm.

Abstract: A microsurgical system capable of controlling aspiration and detecting an occlusion via monitoring a change in either suction flow rate or suction impedance.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical instrument, an aspiration flow rate measurement device, a vacuum force measurement device, and an indicator. The surgical instrument has an aspiration portion and is located in a media type. The aspiration flow rate measurement device is configured to measure the flow rate generated by the aspiration portion. The vacuum force measurement device is configured to measure the vacuum force generated by the aspiration portion. The indicator provides an indication of the media type in which the surgical instrument is located. The indication is based on aspiration flow rate measurement information, vacuum force measurement information, and an operation and configuration of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Generally speaking, the output brightness of an illuminator is varied by chopping an output light beam such that the beam is alternately interrupted and unhindered. An interrupter can be rapidly moved into and out of the transmission path of a light beam. The brightness of the light beam received at a site will be attenuated based on the amount of time per cycle the light beam remains obstructed versus unhindered.

Abstract: An improved method of controlling intraocular pressure with a microsurgical system using measured flow rate.

Abstract: A microsurgical system, and a foot controller for the improved operation of a microsurgical system, are disclosed. A surgeon may use the foot controller to simultaneously control multiple surgical parameters based upon movement of a foot pedal of the foot controller in a single plane of motion.

Abstract: Generally speaking, the output brightness of an illuminator is varied by chopping an output light beam such that the beam is alternately interrupted and unhindered. An interrupter can be rapidly moved into and out of the transmission path of a light beam. The brightness of the light beam received at a site will be attenuated based on the amount of time per cycle the light beam remains obstructed versus unhindered.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a trocar cannula may be configured for insertion into an eye to facilitate insertion and removal of instruments during surgery. The cannula may be affixed to an overcap (to inhibit rotation of the overcap relative to the cannula) that includes a seal. In some embodiments, the seal may be overmolded into the overcap or may include a wafer that is fixed between the cannula and the overcap to inhibit rotation relative to the cannula and the overcap. In some embodiments, the cannula and overcap may snap together through a tab/slot interface in a permanent fashion such that the cannula and overcap may not be separated without damaging the cannula or overcap. In some embodiments, a vent cannula may be receivable in the slit of the seal for allowing fluids to vent from the eye through the cannula (which may include an indentation to frictionally engage the vent).