Abstract: Particular embodiments include, by a computing device, receiving one or more wavefront elevation maps for a patient's eye and identifying one or more attributes of the one or more wavefront elevation maps corresponding to vitreous floaters. The one or more attributes may include localized spatial variation of the one or more wavefront elevation maps; temporal variation among a plurality of wavefront elevation maps; and depth information indicating scattering of light from within the vitreous of the patient's eye. A machine learning model may be trained and utilized to characterize vitreous floaters based on the one or more wavefront elevation maps and other patient data. The wavefront elevation maps may be measured using an aberrometer. The aberrometer may be integrated with a LIDAR system to estimate depth of scattered light. A common laser light source may be used for both the aberrometer and the LIDAR system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to an ophthalmic surgical probe for extrusion. In certain embodiments, the probe includes a beveled probe tip that increases the area of vacuum generation at a target site without increasing probe gauge, thus facilitating improved tissue engagement. In certain embodiments, the probe further includes one or more texturized surfaces for improved “grabbing” and manipulation of target tissues, and/or one or more surfaces formed of polymeric materials to reduce unwanted damage and enhance the safety of use thereof.

Abstract: A syringe with multiple chambers of isolated constituents for advancing to a mixing chamber in furtherance of delivery to tissue within an eye of a patient. The syringe also includes a mixing mechanism that is in communication with the mixing chamber. Additionally, the isolated chambers may be one of sequential or side by side/parallel depending on the types of constituents to be combined and other surgical preferences.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for integrating and optimizing a surgical suite. An ophthalmic suite can include a surgical console, a heads-up display communicatively coupled with a surgical camera for capturing a three-dimensional image of an eye, and a surgical suite optimization engine. The surgical suite optimization engine can performs a wide variety of actions in response to action codes received from the other components in the surgical suite. The surgical suite optimization engine can be integrated within another component of the surgical suite, can be a stand-alone module, and can be a cloud-based tool.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to microsurgical instruments for ophthalmic surgical procedures, and more particularly, methods and microsurgical instruments for vitreoretinal procedures. In certain embodiments described herein, a vitreoretinal procedure is performed utilizing two surgical instruments: 1) a treatment instrument configured to a) treat a target ophthalmic tissue (e.g., sever and remove the vitreous body), and b) infuse fluid into the intraocular space to maintain intraocular pressure (TOP); and 2) an illumination probe for providing illumination within the intraocular space. The combined treatment and infusion functionalities of the treatment instrument eliminate the need for a separate infusion cannula, thus enabling the vitreoretinal procedure to be performed with only two instruments and reducing the number of incisions made in the eye.

Abstract: Certain embodiments herein relate to a method for use by an ophthalmic visualization device in providing ophthalmic visualization of an eye of a patient. In certain embodiments, the method includes, receiving an indication indicative of a material occupying a vitreous cavity of the eye. The method further includes determining, based on the indication, adjustment configurations for adjusting one or more optical elements of the ophthalmic visualization device. The method further includes automatically adjusting the one or more optical elements of the ophthalmic visualization device. The method also includes providing visualization of the eye using the adjusted one or more optical elements.

Abstract: A surgical support system with a pivot mechanism for stable relocating of a surgical tool interface with an eye of a patient. The system includes hardware with a surgical tool securing device. The hardware and system place an intentional limited range of motion and stability on the surgical tool during the procedure. However, a pivot mechanism is incorporated into hardware of the system to facilitate the stable transfer of surgical interface from one of a temporal side preplaced cannula to a nasal side preplaced cannula. Thus, inefficient reconfiguring of the system or the patient between different eye side surgical procedures may be avoided. Further, the techniques employed may also be applicable during transfer between surgical procedures at different eyes of a patient.

Abstract: Certain embodiments herein relate to a method for staining membranes of an eye. In certain embodiments, the method includes mixing a first dye and a second dye to obtain a combination dye, wherein the first dye comprises a first color for staining a first membrane in the eye and the second dye comprises a second color for staining a second membrane in the eye. The method further includes delivering the combination dye to the eye to stain the first membrane with the first color and a second membrane with the second color.

Abstract: An eye surgery tool with an implement having a curved shape memory region that is straightenable for accessing an interior of an eye. Upon accessing the eye interior, the implement may take on a natural curve shape. The implement may include a cutting region or edge that is of a rigidity greater than that of the shape memory material constituting the majority of the shape memory region. In spite of the added rigidity, the shape memory material may serve as a master in a master-slave arrangement to curve the cutting region or edge as appropriate.

Abstract: Systems are provided for automatically configuring devices and systems in an operating environment, e.g., an ophthalmic operating environment, to a user's desired settings. The system includes a controller configured to identify a user, e.g., a surgeon, via the utilization of a user-identifying identifier, e.g., a radio-frequency identification (RFID) device, which may communicate with a receiver operably coupled to the controller. The controller may further be configured to identify a surgical device, e.g., an ophthalmic probe, being used by the user during a surgical procedure via a device-associated identifier, e.g., a device-specific RFID device. Upon identification of the user and the surgical device, the controller may map the user and surgical device to one or more sets of predefined and user-input parameters/settings, and further configure the surgical device based on the mapped one or more sets of previously-determined parameters/settings.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to illumination devices, systems, and methods for ophthalmic surgical procedures. Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide an illumination system which monitors and determines the amount of light delivered to a tissue within the ocular space, based upon data received from an imaging system. In certain aspects, if the amount of light delivered to the tissue is determined to be excessive, the illumination system may modify at least one parameter associated with the delivered light to reduce and/or eliminate phototoxic effects thereof. In certain aspects, if the amount of light delivered to the tissue is determined to be excessive, the illumination system may alert a surgeon, who may then trigger modification of the at least one parameter associated with the delivered light to reduce and/or eliminate phototoxic effects thereof.

Abstract: Microsurgical instruments having combined illumination, laser ablation, and viscoelastic injection functions. A surgical instrument includes a probe having a main lumen and a port at a distal end thereof. The probe may further include one or more optical fibers within the main lumen, the optical fibers configured to project laser light and illumination light. Laser light may be emitted from the distal end of the probe for disrupting an ocular tissue, while illumination light may be simultaneously emitted, axially or laterally, to provide enhanced visualization of the intraocular space during tissue disruptance. Upon disrupting the tissue, a viscoelastic fluid may be injected from the port to maintain an integrity of the intraocular space.

Abstract: Certain aspects presented herein provide systems and methods utilizing one or more machine learning models in determining a severity of vitreous disease, and in particular, vitreous opacities. Such machine learning models are trained based on historical patient data to determine the severity of vitreous opacities afflicting a current patient. The severity determination may thereafter be utilized to inform treatment decisions for the current patient, including patient suitability for certain types of treatment.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein provide a method of performing an otological surgical procedure including surgically accessing a middle ear, injecting a perfluorocarbon liquid into the middle ear, and suctioning the isolated blood from the middle ear without removing the perfluorocarbon liquid. The perfluorocarbon liquid is immiscible with blood for isolating blood in the middle ear from the perfluorocarbon liquid. In certain embodiments, the perfluorocarbon liquid has a specific gravity greater than blood to apply positive pressure to surrounding tissues. In certain embodiments, the method includes suctioning the perfluorocarbon liquid from the middle ear after the isolated blood is removed.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to surgical instruments having variable stiffness, and more particularly, surgical instruments having variable stiffness for ophthalmic surgical procedures. In certain embodiments, a surgical instrument includes a base unit, a probe, a stiffener, and an actuation mechanism. The stiffener is formed of a hollow tubular member substantially surrounding at least a portion of a length of the probe. The actuation mechanism is configured to actuate the stiffener along the length of the probe and adjust the stiffness of the probe, thus providing a user better control of the surgical instrument. The actuation mechanism includes a stiffener biasing device configured to apply a first biasing force against the stiffener in the distal direction and, in some embodiments, a control member configured to lock the stiffener in a position along the length of the probe.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to surgical instruments having adjustable stiffness, and more particularly, surgical instruments having adjustable stiffness for ophthalmic surgical procedures. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument includes a probe, a slidable support sleeve, and a rotatable knob. A stiffness level of the probe may be adjusted by rotating the knob, thereby causing linear displacement of the support sleeve along a length of the probe. The knob may further include a dial depicting a series of settings representing different eye sizes and corresponding to preset positions of the support sleeve relative to the probe. Thus, a user may select an optimal stiffness of the probe for a particular eye size by rotating the knob to the corresponding setting.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a voice-controlled system for controlling devices and systems in a surgical setting. The voice-controlled system includes at least one microphone and at least one loudspeaker distributed within the surgical setting to receive and audibly respond to voice commands from operating staff. In certain aspects, the at least one microphone and at least one loudspeaker include a phased microphone array and a phased loudspeaker array that are coordinated and synchronized to perform active noise reduction, echo cancellation, and directional determination of sound sources. The voice-controlled system performs tasks, such as activation of surgical devices, based on verbal interactions with the operating staff through the at least one microphone and at least one loudspeaker.

Abstract: A technique for illuminating an end of a surgical tool near a front of an eye. The technique avoids increased illumination of an operating room and challenges to the surgeon associated with such increased illuminating. Instead, a tailored window of light may be directed at the end of the surgical tool that is to be guided into the eye. This tailored window of light is of such minimal illumination or narrow monochromatic light that visual enhancement is provided without a resultant constriction to the surgeon's own eyes. Further, a cannula for receiving the end of the surgical instrument may also be visually enhanced with similar fluorescent light.

Abstract: Provided herein are cannula devices that are self-illuminating to facilitate visualization of the cannula devices during a surgical procedure. The self-illuminating feature may be provided by phosphors incorporated into the cannula device, for example in the hub or sealing element of the cannula device. The cannula device may emit light of a specific color selected to correspond to a size of the cannula device.

Abstract: An ophthalmic endoscope includes a surgical handpiece and an endoscopic tip coupled to the surgical handpiece. A probe extends from the endoscopic tip. An illumination source is disposed in the surgical handpiece. A plurality of illumination fibers are disposed in the probe. The plurality of illumination fibers include a first end coupled to the illumination source and a second end that projects illumination outwardly from the probe. A wavelength of illumination supplied by the illumination source is adjustable between visible light and near-infrared light.