Abstract: Ophthalmic instruments, systems and methods enable tonometry and pachymetry measurements to be conducted simultaneously. As such, a patient's intraocular pressure (IOP) corrected for corneal thickness may be determined accurately by a single corneal applanation. Preferably, the ophthalmic instruments have a reference surface at a distal end of the instrument, an applanation plate spaced from the reference surface, and a compliant mount for mounting the applanation plate for resilient displacements relative to the reference surface. The instrument most preferably has a housing such that the reference surface is located at a fixed position at one end of the housing, and the applanation plate is mounted to that one end of the housing in coaxial spaced alignment relative to the reference surface by means of the compliant mount.

Abstract: Hand-held instruments which may be employed to actuate a distally mounted tool by application of radial compressive force about the instrument circumference (i.e., omni-actuatable). In preferred forms, hand-held instruments have a handle and a slide ring assembly attached to the handle which defines a generally V-shaped circumferential channel. The slide ring assembly will have at least one slide ring mounted for longitudinal movements relative to the handle. An actuator member is operatively engaged with the slide ring assembly for moving the slide ring longitudinally relative to the handle in response to a force applied against the actuator member. In preferred embodiments, the actuator member is tubular and includes at least one actuation finger, and more preferably a circumferentially disposed plurality of actuation fingers. The actuator member includes a tubular proximal end section thereof sleeved over the handle so as to be located proximally of the slide ring assembly.

Abstract: Optical fiber illuminators are embodied in light-diffusing particles affixed to an optical fiber's terminal end. Most preferably, the light-diffusing particles are optically transparent solid particles dispersed symmetrically or asymmetrically in an optically transparent bonding material to thereby form a light diffusion medium (LDM). The solid particles may thus be dispersed in the bonding material while the bonding material is in a liquid state to form the LDM. A mass of the LDM may thus be applied onto the terminal optical fiber end while the bonding material is in such a liquid state. Allowing the bonding material to solidify will therefore affix the light-diffusing particles to the terminal end of the optical fiber. In such a manner, optical fiber illuminators having high light throughput and diffusion may be made.

Abstract: Surgical instrument include a longitudinally sectioned needle member establishing respective needle segments, and an outer sleeve member which exerts a circumferentially radial compression onto the needle segments yet allows for relative longitudinal movements between at least one and another of the needle segments. The needle member may be longitudinally bifurcated so as to establish said one and another needle segments. Alternatively, the needle member may be longitudinally trifurcated so as to establish a pair of stationary outer needle segments, and an intermediate needle segment sandwiched between but longitudinally moveable relative to said outer needle segments. Thus, collectively the needle segments define respective opposed longitudinal bearing edges which contact one another and thereby allow for one of the needle segments to be moveable longitudinally relative to another of the needle segments.