Abstract: A high-intensity pulsed-electrical-field (HIPEF) apparatus treats ocular tissue within a localized portion of an eye with a pharmacological solution. To mitigate risk of damage to adjacent, healthy ocular tissue, the apparatus delivers the solution to only a portion of the eye and then alters the effectiveness of at least some of the solution delivered by applying a HIPEF. In some embodiments, for example, the apparatus delivers an inactive pharmacological solution and then activates at least some of the solution by applying a HIPEF to that solution. As the apparatus applies the HIPEF with high precision, the HIPEF only activates solution within select portions of the eye. In other embodiments, the apparatus delivers a pharmacological carrier encapsulating an active pharmacological solution and then penetrates the carrier by applying a HIPEF. Delivered with a high concentration, but low dose, the solution diffuses only to tissue within a localized portion of the eye.

Abstract: A high-intensity pulsed-electrical-field (HIPEF) apparatus removes ocular tissue from a localized portion of an eye by delivering one or more focused shockwaves to that tissue. In one embodiment, for example, the apparatus generates one or more electrical pulses, delivers the one or more focused shockwaves to ocular tissue by applying the generated electrical pulses to a HIPEF probe, and then removes the ocular tissue disrupted by the one or more focused shockwaves via aspiration. To mitigate risk of damage to adjacent ocular tissue, the apparatus delivers the one or more focused shockwaves with energy substantially limited to the tissue being removed. The HIPEF apparatus is, therefore, especially advantageous in the context of cataract surgery where cataract tissue need be broken apart and removed without damaging adjacent tissue associated with the lens capsule required to implant an intraocular lens.

Abstract: A capsulorhexis apparatus is disclosed. An exemplary apparatus includes a cutting electrode device that in turn comprises a handle, a flexible ring having a single ring-shaped wire electrode embedded therein, and a shaft connecting the flexible ring to the handle, wherein the flexible ring is configured for insertion into an eye through an incision.

Abstract: A high-intensity pulsed electric field (HIPEF) vitrectomy apparatus is disclosed. An exemplary apparatus includes a HIPEF probe comprising at least one electrode disposed at a distal end of the HIPEF probe, such that the distal end is configured for insertion into an eye. A load detection circuit is coupled to the HIPEF probe and is configured to compare a measured physical parameter to a corresponding threshold value. A control circuit is electrically coupled to the load detection circuit and configured to selectively disable application of pulsed energy to the at least one electrode of the HIPEF probe, based on the comparison. The measured physical parameter may include, for example, resistivity, permittivity, reflected light, pressure, or heat dissipation capability.

Abstract: An eye surgery apparatus includes a HIPEF probe comprising at least two electrodes and is configured for delivery of a high-intensity pulsed electrical field to a surgical site within an eye via the electrodes. Embodiments also include a transducer configured to monitor one or more surgical parameters within the eye during application of the high-intensity pulsed electrical field to the surgical site, a pulse generation circuit configured to generate a series of electrical pulses for application to the electrodes to create the high-intensity pulsed electrical field, and a control circuit, operatively connected to the at least one transducer and the pulse generation circuit and configured to automatically adjust one or more characteristics of the series of electrical pulses, based on the one or more monitored surgical parameters. With these apparatus, the amount of energy delivered can be limited to levels necessary for effective operation without over-exposing the vitreous.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of identifying and selecting a billing code for a surgical procedure using a surgical system.

Abstract: An improved surgical cassette for controlling intraocular pressure during ophthalmic surgery.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the dissociation of soft proteinaceous tissue using pulsed rapid variable direction energy field flow fractionization is disclosed. The pulsed rapid disruptive energy field is created by the use of a probe which surrounds the soft proteinaceous tissue to be removed. Once the adhesive mechanism between tissue constituents has been compromised, fluidic techniques are used to remove the dissociated tissue.

Abstract: An improved method of operating a vitrectomy probe is disclosed in which the amount of time that the probe port is open during each cut cycle of the probe is fixed and minimized over all cut rates of the probe.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the dissociation of soft proteinaceous tissue using pulsed rapid variable direction energy field flow fractionization is disclosed. The pulsed rapid disruptive energy field is created by the use of a probe which surrounds the soft proteinaceous tissue to be removed. Once the adhesive mechanism between tissue constituents has been compromised, fluidic techniques are used to remove the dissociated tissue.

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 surgical cassette for controlling intraocular pressure during ophthalmic surgery.

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 ophthalmic endoilluminator has a power supply coupled to a light source, a controller, a collimation device, an alignment device, a lens, and an optical fiber. The light source has three light emitting diodes. Each of the three light emitting diodes produces a different color light. The controller controls the operation of the three light emitting diodes. The collimation device collimates the light produced by at least one of the light emitting diodes. The alignment device aligns the light individually produced by the three light emitting diodes into a single light beam. The lens focuses the single light beam. The optical fiber for carries the single light beam.

Abstract: A flow control device includes a fitting having three portals. One of the portals is an entry portal for a liquid, one of the portals is an entry portal for a gas, and the other portal is an exit portal for either the liquid or the gas. A normally closed back flow prevention valve is located in fitting. The back flow prevention valve prevents back flow of liquid through the fitting. The fitting and the backflow prevention valve also minimize or eliminate the formation of air bubbles in the liquid.

Abstract: An improved surgical cassette for controlling intraocular pressure during ophthalmic surgery.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for operating a surgical console and/or a device attached to the surgical console, and embodiment of the method comprising the steps of: enabling a voice command channel at the surgical console; receiving a voice command trigger; receiving a voice command; confirming the voice command; and causing the surgical console to execute one or more actions associated with the voice command. The surgical console may include a microprocessor, memory, procedural recorder, a user interface and interface(s) through which peripheral devices couple to the console. The microprocessor may direct operations of the surgical console and of peripheral devices that couple to the surgical console. The memory in addition to containing instructions which the microprocessor uses to direct the operation of the surgical console and peripheral devices may also store recorded surgical procedures.

Abstract: An ophthalmic endoilluminator has a power supply coupled to a light source, a controller, a collimation device, an alignment device, a lens, and an optical fiber. The light source has three light emitting diodes. Each of the three light emitting diodes produces a different color light. The controller controls the operation of the three light emitting diodes. The collimation device collimates the light produced by at least one of the light emitting diodes. The alignment device aligns the light individually produced by the three light emitting diodes into a single light beam. The lens focuses the single light beam. The optical fiber for carries the single light beam.

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 small gauge mechanical tissue cutter/aspirator probe useful for removing the trabecular meshwork of a human eye has a generally cylindrical outer cannula, an inner cannula that reciprocates in the outer cannula, a port located near or at the distal end of the outer cannula on a side or tip of the outer cannula, and a guide with a distal surface located on the distal end of the outer cannula. A distance between the distal surface of the guide and the port is approximately equal to the distance between the back wall of Schlemm's canal and the trabecular meshwork.