Abstract: A method of treating glaucoma in an eye includes obtaining a surgical instrument having a cutting means and severing/cleaving an anterior attachment of a portion of trabecular meshwork of the eye proximate to Schwalbe's line with the cutting means while leaving the ciliary muscle tendons attached to the scleral spur of the portion of trabecular meshwork to create a trabecular meshwork leaflet. The surgical instrument including the cutting means is preferably a handheld microsurgical cutting instrument having at least one sharpened edge. Alternatively, the instrument may be an invasive or non-invasive laser cutting instrument with a laser cutting means; a vibratory cutting instrument with a vibratory cutting means; or a thermal cutting instrument with a thermal cutting means. The step of severing the portion of trabecular meshwork is preferably characterized by a linear cleavage plane severing the attachment portion without removing substantially any trabecular meshwork from the eye.

Abstract: A surgical instrument (40, 40A) for performing a goniotomy procedure includes a hand grip (44, 44A) having an elongated configuration with proximal and distal ends. The instrument (40, 40A) includes a tip (52, 52A) connected to the distal end (48, 48A) of the hand grip (44, 44A) which has a cutting means for creating a trabecular cleavage plane resulting in a remaining trabecular leaflet directly below Schwalbe's line in an eye to enhance drainage of aqueous humor from the eye. In one form, the cutting means includes a pair of sloping, arcuate cutting surfaces (70, 70A) that join to define an arcuate cutting edge (74, 74A).

Abstract: A surgical apparatus (10, 10A, 10B, 10C) includes a hollow cannula (20, 20A, 20B, 20C) including least one locking aperture (34, 34A, 34B, 34C) extending therein. The apparatus (10, 10A, 10B, 10C) has a hollow tip (40, 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, 40E, 40F, 40G, 40H, 40I) with a base portion (42, 42B, 42C, 42D, 42E, 42F, 42G, 42H, 42I) including at least one projection (50, 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D, 50E, 50F, 50G, 50H, 50I) extending within the at least one locking aperture (34, 34A, 34B, 34C) of the cannula (20, 20A, 20B, 20C) for maintaining the tip (40, 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, 40E, 40F, 40G, 40H, 40I) in position. The tip (40, 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, 40E, 40F, 40G, 40H, 40I) has an exposed end portion (44, 44A, 44B, 44C, 44D, 44E, 44F, 44G, 44H, 44I) extending beyond the cannula (20, 20A, 20B, 20C) and defines at least one port (48, 48A, 48B, 48C, 48D, 48E, 48F, 48G, 48H, 48I) in fluid communication with the interior of the cannula (20, 20A, 20B, 20C).

Abstract: A surgical instrument (40, 40A) for performing a goniotomy procedure includes a hand grip (44, 44A) having an elongated configuration with proximal and distal ends. The instrument (40, 40A) includes a tip (52, 52A) connected to the distal end (48, 48A) of the hand grip (44, 44A) which has a cutting means for creating a trabecular cleavage plane resulting in a remaining trabecular leaflet directly below Schwalbe's line in an eye to enhance drainage of aqueous humor from the eye. In one form, the cutting means includes a pair of sloping, arcuate cutting surfaces (70, 70A) that join to define an arcuate cutting edge (74, 74A).

Abstract: A hollow tip (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G) for use with a cannula (20, 20D, 20E, 20F, 20G) includes a sheath portion (30, 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E, 30F, 30G) for being affixed around an end of the cannula (20, 20D, 20E, 20F, 20G) and defining a central axis (38, 38A, 38B, 38C, 38D, 38E, 38F, 38G). The tip (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G) includes a terminal portion (34, 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D, 34E, 34F, 34G) extending from the sheath portion (30, 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E, 30F, 30G) along the central axis (38, 38A, 38B, 38C, 38D, 38E, 38F, 38G). The terminal portion (34, 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D, 34E, 34F, 34G) and the sheath portion (30, 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E, 30F, 30G) define an internal passage (42, 42A, 42B, 42D, 42E, 42F, 42G) communicating with at least one port (46, 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D, 46E, 46F, 46G) in the terminal portion (34, 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D, 34E, 34F, 34G) to permit fluid communication through the tip (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G).

Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical instrument includes an instrument hand grip portion having an elongated configuration with proximal and distal ends, and a tip portion extending from the distal end. The hand grip portion includes a reservoir for containing an irrigation fluid and a button to selectively provide an irrigation fluid (i) through the instrument, or (ii) around the instrument when coupled with an irrigation sleeve arranged around the instrument. The tip portion has the form of an elastomeric element having a base secured to the distal end of the hand grip portion and a free end extending from the base. The free end is configured for massaging the trabecular meshwork and outer wall of the canal of Schlemm in the eye to improve aqueous outflow for the reduction of intraocular pressure.

Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical instrument (10, 10B, 10C, 10D) includes a hand grip portion (12, 12B, 12C, 12D) having an elongated configuration with proximal and distal ends, and a tip portion (14, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D) extending from the distal end. The tip portion (14, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D) has the form of an elastomeric element (16, 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D) secured to the distal end of the hand grip portion (12, 12B, 12C, 12D) and a free end (18, 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D) for massaging the trabecular meshwork and outer wall of the canal of Schlemm in the eye to improve aqueous outflow for the reduction of intraocular pressure. In one form, the tip portion (14, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D) has at least one irrigation passage (13) extending therethrough for directing an irrigation fluid proximate to the trabecular meshwork of the eye.

Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly includes a phacoemulsification needle (10) for use with a phacoemulsification handpiece. The needle (10) includes a needle shaft portion (14) defining a longitudinal axis (12) and having an internal aspiration passage (16). The needle (10) further includes an emulsification tip (20) joined to a distal end of the needle shaft portion (14). In one form, the tip (20) has a five side walls (22, 24, 26, 28, 30) defining a perimeter of an open mouth (34) communicating with said aspiration passage (16), three of said side walls (22, 24, 26) defining a first thickness (T1), the remaining two of said side walls (28, 30) converging at a location in a vertical plane (P1) that extends through said longitudinal shaft axis (12) and having a second thickness (T2) that is greater than said first thickness (T1).

Abstract: A surgical instrument (40, 40A) for performing a goniotomy procedure includes a hand grip (44, 44A) having an elongated configuration with proximal and distal ends. The instrument (40, 40A) includes a tip (52, 52A) connected to the distal end (48, 48A) of the hand grip (44, 44A) which has a cutting means for creating a trabecular cleavage plane resulting in a remaining trabecular leaflet directly below Schwalbe's line in an eye to enhance drainage of aqueous humor from the eye. In one form, the cutting means includes a pair of sloping, arcuate cutting surfaces (70, 70A) that join to define an arcuate cutting edge (74, 74A).

Abstract: A surgical instrument (40, 40A) for performing a goniotomy procedure includes a hand grip (44, 44A) having an elongated configuration with proximal and distal ends. The instrument (40, 40A) includes a tip (52, 52A) connected to the distal end (48, 48A) of the hand grip (44, 44A) which has a cutting means for creating a trabecular cleavage plane resulting in a remaining trabecular leaflet directly below Schwalbe's line in an eye to enhance drainage of aqueous humor from the eye. In one form, the cutting means includes a pair of sloping, arcuate cutting surfaces (70, 70A) that join to define an arcuate cutting edge (74, 74A).

Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical instrument includes an instrument hand grip portion having an elongated configuration with proximal and distal ends, and a tip portion extending from the distal end. The tip portion has the form of an elastomeric element having a base secured to the distal end of the hand grip portion and a free end extending from the base. The free end is configured for massaging the trabecular meshwork and outer wall of the canal of Schlemm in the eye to improve aqueous outflow for the reduction of intraocular pressure.

Abstract: A surgical trabeculotomy instrument (40) includes a hand grip portion (42) having an elongated configuration with proximal and distal ends. The instrument (40) includes a first tip portion (48) extending from the distal end of the hand grip portion (42) and further extending along a first tip portion axis (46). A second tip portion (50) extends from the first tip portion (48) along a second tip portion axis (52) and terminates in a sloping face (56) that is transverse relative to the second tip portion axis (52). In one form, at least one of the first tip portion (48) and/or the second tip portion (50) includes a through passage (60) having an inlet (64) for communicating with a fluid supply source and at least one outlet port (68) to permit the flow of an irrigating fluid through the through passage (60) to a target location.

Abstract: A surgical drape (20A) is provided for use while performing surgical procedures on one or both eyes of a patient, or other surgical procedures. The surgical drape includes a base sheet (24A), defining a surgical aperture (28A) having the form of an elongate slot sized to accommodate both eyes of the patient. The drape (20A) includes an attachment zone (32A) formed on the lower surface of the base sheet (24A) to fix at least a portion of the base sheet (24A) with respect to the patient. The attachment zone (32A) permitting attachment of a first portion of the base sheet lower surface to a second portion of the base sheet lower surface to vary the length of the surgical aperture (28A) to accommodate a pupillary distance of the patient.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification needle (100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200, 200A) is provided for emulsifying body tissue. The needle (100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200, 200A) is adapted to be attached to a phacoemulsification handpiece that imparts a vibration to the needle (100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200, 200A). The needle (100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200, 200A) has a body (104, 220, 220A) with a distal end (99), a proximal end (106), and an aspiration passage (124) extending between the proximal and distal ends (99, 106). The aspiration passage (124) defines a longitudinally-extending central body axis (110, 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D). The aspiration passage (124) is enlarged at the distal end (99) to define a tip (102, 102A, 102B, 102C, 102D, 210, 210A).

Abstract: A goniotomy surgical instrument (10) includes a hand grip portion (12) having an elongated configuration with proximal and distal ends. The instrument (10) includes a tip portion (14) extending from the distal end of the hand grip portion (12) and includes a shank (16) extending from the hand grip portion (12). The tip portion (14) includes a V-shaped distal end having first and second legs (18, 20). The first leg (18) extends at a first angle (?) from the shank (16) of the tip portion (14). The second leg (20) extends at a second angle (?) from the first leg (18). The shank (16) and the first and second legs (18, 20) are substantially coplanar.

Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical instrument for nucleus splitting includes an instrument handle having proximal and distal ends, wherein the distal end includes a pair of cooperating blade mounts which can be selectively moved relative to each other by manipulation of the handle. A pair of circular blade elements are respectively joined to the blade mounts at the distal end of the handle. Each of the blade elements have a lower cutting surface positioned generally beneath an axis defined by the respective blade mount. The lower cutting surfaces define a cutting edge for penetration of the nucleus of the eye when brought.

Abstract: A surgical blade (10) for being combined with an elongate handle (50) to form a cutting instrument for ophthalmic surgery includes a proximal portion (12) for being attached to the handle (12), an operative, distal portion (14), and a central portion (20) extending therebetween. The central portion (20) having a trapezoidal configuration that tapers radially inwardly from the proximal portion (12) to the distal portion and having a pair of sharpened lateral edges (21, 22). The distal portion (14) includes a first tapered section (23) defining a pair of sharpened lateral edges (24, 25) and extending from the central portion (20) to a substantially straight section (26) having a pair of sharpened lateral edges (27, 28). The substantially straight section (26) extends from the first tapered section (23) to a second tapered section (30) having a pair of sharpened lateral edges (32, 33) and terminating at a pointed tip (36).

Abstract: A phacoemulsification needle is provided for emulsifying body tissue. The needle is adapted to be attached to a phacoemulsification handpiece that imparts a vibration to the needle. The needle has a hollow body with an operative distal end, a proximal end for being attached to a handpiece, and an internal surface defining an aspiration passage extending between the proximal and distal ends. In one form, the needle body includes a tip at the distal end and the needle body, the tip including one or more lateral apertures for enhanced posterior capsule safety. In another form, the needle body includes a tip including at least a pair of offset internal concave surfaces for enhanced efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to topical skin composition comprising one or more active ingredients and one or more permeation enhancers. The present invention is further directed to a method of reducing or eliminating pain.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a topical composition comprising one or more active ingredients and one or more permeation enhancers. The present invention is further directed to a method of reducing or eliminating one or more conditions selected from the group consisting of pain, hemorrhoids, acne, wrinkles and scars.