Abstract: A corneal marking system, and methods for its use, has a tilt-detecting device attached to a corneal marker, adapted to produce a signal when the corneal marker is in a horizontal position. Use of measurement devices may be coordinated between the marker and a level-measuring device positioned on a patient's head. Devices capable of measuring one, two or three axes are used and processors are provided to evaluate the data produced by the devices and provide a physician with a signal that the positions of the patient's head and the marker are such that an accurate marking procedure can be performed.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for use in assisting the performance of a procedure on an eye, the eye having a front and rear, a cornea, an iris defining a pupil, and a lens capsule behind the iris. The apparatus has a frame with a front and rear, a first portion and a second portion. The first frame portion has at least one iris engagement portion for being operatively connected to the iris to exert a pressure upon the iris that maintains the pupil in an enlarged state. The second frame portion has a curved edge configured to guide movement of an instrument in a curved path with the first frame portion operatively connected to an iris.

Abstract: A corneal marking system is disclosed. The system has a corneal marker with at least one projection for marking the human eye. The system further has a measurement device capable of taking measurements of the human eye. The system further has an indicator that is connected to the measurement device via a signal path. The signal path is configured to permit communication of at least one signal from the measurement device to the indicator such that the indicator provides an indication to a user of the corneal marking system.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for use in assisting the performance of a procedure on an eye, the eye having a front and rear, a cornea, an iris defining a pupil, and a lens capsule behind the iris. The apparatus has a frame with a front and rear, a first portion and a second portion. The first frame portion has at least one iris engagement portion for being operatively connected to the iris to exert a pressure upon the iris that maintains the pupil in an enlarged state. The second frame portion has a curved edge configured to guide movement of an instrument in a curved path with the first frame portion operatively connected to an iris.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for use in assisting the performance of a procedure on an eye, the eye having a front and rear, a cornea, an iris defining a pupil, and a lens capsule behind the iris. The apparatus has a frame with a front and rear, a first portion and a second portion. The frame is reconfigurable between (i) a first collapsed state for being inserted through an incision in a cornea and (ii) a second operative state for being operatively connected to an iris. The frame first portion is configured to be generally residing within a plane in the second operative state. The second frame portion is configured to be operatively connected to an iris in the second operative state exerts a pressure upon the iris at at least a first location that is spaced from the plane to maintain the pupil in an enlarged state.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification needle (100, 100A, 100B, 1000, 100D, 200, 200A) is provided for emulsifying body tissue. The needle (100, 100A, 100B, 1000, 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, 1000, 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, 1100, 110D). The aspiration passage (124) is enlarged at the distal end (99) to define a tip (102, 102A, 102B, 1020, 102D, 210, 210A).

Abstract: An irrigation and aspiration apparatus suited for irrigation and aspiration during an eye surgery procedure includes a hollow aspiration cannula having proximal and distal ends. An outer, aspiration tip is positioned on at least the distal end of the aspiration cannula, and includes a generally spherical body portion defining an aspiration port in fluid communication with an interior passage defined by the aspiration cannula. The aspiration cannula defines an annular retention step at an outer surface thereof spaced from the distal end, with the aspiration tip defining an internal, annular abutment surface for engagement with the annular retention step to maintain the aspiration tip on the cannula in substantially fluid-tight relationship therewith.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for use in assisting the performance of a procedure on an eye, the eye having a front and rear, a cornea, an iris defining a pupil, and a lens capsule behind the iris. The apparatus has a frame with a front and rear, a first portion and a second portion. The frame is reconfigurable between (i) a first collapsed state for being inserted through an incision in a cornea and (ii) a second operative state for being operatively connected to an iris. The frame first portion is configured to be generally residing within a plane in the second operative state. The second frame portion is configured to be operatively connected to an iris in the second operative state exerts a pressure upon the iris at at least a first location that is spaced from the plane to maintain the pupil in an enlarged state.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for use in assisting the performance of a procedure on an eye, the eye having a front and rear, a cornea, an iris defining a pupil, and a lens capsule behind the iris. The apparatus has a frame with a front and rear, a first portion and a second portion. The first frame portion has at least one iris engagement portion for being operatively connected to the iris to exert a pressure upon the iris that maintains the pupil in an enlarged state. The second frame portion has a curved edge configured to guide movement of an instrument in a curved path with the first frame portion operatively connected to an iris.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for phacoemulsification combine a phacoemulsification needle having an offset feature with handpieces capable of producing various vibratory motions using motive systems that produce selected hybrid motions to create a hybrid phacoemulsification effect that is more efficient than conventional longitudinal handpiece-needle combinations and has been demonstrated under certain conditions to be more efficient than needles used with handpieces providing torsional motion. The phacoemulsification needle is of the type having a hollow passageway that terminates in a straight needle tip formed off-axis from the passageway, allowing the needle tip to move eccentrically when the needle is subjected to torsional or longitudinal vibratory motion. The tip may be flared or may be coextensive with the needle body. The tip may also be angled with respect to the needle body. The aspiration passageway formed through the needle body may be positioned or shaped to be off-axis from the needle body axis.

Abstract: Phacoemulsification needles are configured to cause eccentric or wobble-type motion by being formed to distribute the mass of the needle non-uniformly. In one version the non-uniform property is created by angling the needle's aspiration passage with respect to the needle axis. In another, the needle tip walls are formed with non-uniform thicknesses, with or without including an off-axis configuration with respect to the needle aspiration passageway. In another, the needle tip walls are formed in a scalloped configuration. In another, external protuberances or “bumps” are formed on the needle tip exterior wall surfaces. In another, the needle tip walls have weighted inserts placed therein. In another, the needle tip is formed with skewed bevels and ridges. In another, the needle body is formed with non-uniformly shaped segments. In another, a portion of the needle tip is twisted with respect to the rest of the tip.

Abstract: A safety surgical knife has a blade guard and a knife blade holder. The knife blade is covered when the guard is extended to protect it. When the blade is extended to its full operating position the guard is simultaneously retracted. When the blade is retracted the guard is simultaneously extended to return to its protective position. A shaped knife handle acts as an orientation guide and an anti-roll prop keeps the knife from rolling over when placed on a flat surface.

Abstract: Phacoemulsification needles are configured to cause an eccentric or wobble-type motion by being formed to distribute the mass of the needle non-uniformly. In one version the non-uniform property is created by angling the needle's aspiration passage with respect to the needle axis. In another, the needle tip walls are formed with non-uniform thicknesses, with or without including an off-axis configuration with respect to the needle aspiration passageway. In another, the needle tip walls are formed in a scalloped configuration. In another, external protuberances or “bumps” are formed on the needle tip exterior wall surfaces. In another, the needle tip walls have weighted inserts placed therein. In another, the needle tip is formed with skewed bevels and ridges. In another, the needle body is formed with non-uniformly shaped segments. In another, a portion of the needle tip is twisted with respect to the rest of the tip.

Abstract: A capsular guide for conducting capsulorhexis in an eye has a guide ring adapted to be retained against the capsular bag. The means for retaining the ring comprises at least one gripper formed on the lower surface of the guide ring.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for phacoemulsification combine a phacoemulsification needle having an offset feature with a handpiece capable of producing longitudinal motion to create a hybrid phacoemulsification effect that is more efficient than conventional longitudinal handpiece-needle combinations and has been demonstrated under certain conditions to be more efficient than needles used with handpieces providing torsional motion. The phacoemulsification needle is of the type having a hollow passageway that terminates in a straight needle tip formed off-axis from the passageway, allowing the needle tip to move eccentrically when the needle is subjected to torsional or longitudinal vibratory motion. The tip may be flared or may be coextensive with the needle body. The tip may also be angled with respect to the needle body. The aspiration passageway formed through the needle body may be positioned or shaped to be off-axis from the needle body axis.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for phacoemulsification combine a phacoemulsification needle having an offset feature with a handpiece capable of producing longitudinal motion to create a hybrid phacoemulsification effect that is more efficient than conventional longitudinal handpiece-needle combinations and has been demonstrated under certain conditions to be more efficient than needles used with handpieces providing torsional motion. The phacoemulsification needle is of the type having a hollow passageway that terminates in a straight needle tip formed off-axis from the passageway, allowing the needle tip to move eccentrically when the needle is subjected to torsional or longitudinal vibratory motion. The tip may be flared or may be coextensive with the needle body. The tip may also be angled with respect to the needle body. The aspiration passageway formed through the needle body may be positioned or shaped to be off-axis from the needle body axis.

Abstract: A safety surgical knife has a blade guard and a knife blade holder. The knife blade is covered when the guard is extended to protect it. When the blade is extended to its full operating position the guard is simultaneously retracted. When the blade is retracted the guard is simultaneously extended to return to its protective position. A shaped knife handle acts as an orientation guide and an anti-roll prop keeps the knife from rolling over when placed on a flat surface.

Abstract: An injector for intraocular lenses has a housing and a plunger movable within said housing. An elastomeric sleeve is sized and shaped to fit around a portion of the plunger, providing damping friction opposing the movement of the plunger. The sleeve is sterile and disposable, allowing a new sleeve to be used for each procedure.

Abstract: An instrument for use in aligning an intraocular lens (IOL) comprises a marker ring rotatably held in a yoke attached to an instrument handle. The ring has an upper surface and a lower surface, and an inner surface and an outer surface. In one version, four marking tabs are attached to the ring outer surface, with each tab spaced apart 90° from its immediate neighbors. Each marking tab has a tab extension that extends below the lower ring surface. The ring also has a pair of axis marking tabs attached to the ring inner surface, with one marking tab positioned diametrically opposite the other. Each axis marking tab has a tab extension that extends above the ring upper surface. Each of the marking tab extensions are coated with a suitable coloring agent and are brought into contact with the cornea, preferably with one marking tab positioned at the limbus, to form reference marks on the cornea.

Abstract: Surgical instruments for ophthalmic surgery are modified to include a manually bendable portion to allow the position of the operative segment of the instrument to be adjusted during surgery without the use of adjusting tools. In one embodiment the bendable portion is formed by selectively annealing a site on the operative segment of the instrument. Commonly used instruments are then made more useful by allowing the surgeon to make adjustments during surgery to assure comfort and utility.