Abstract: A device for injecting an intraocular lens into an eye includes a compartment for holding an intraocular lens, a plunger engaged with the compartment, a nozzle coupled to the compartment, and a pneumatic cylinder. The pneumatic cylinder has a chamber and a cylinder connected to a shaft. The shaft is connected to the plunger. The shaft has teeth located on its surface. A pawl engages the teeth to limit the movement of the shaft to a dispensing direction.

Abstract: A microsurgical system, and a foot controller for the improved operation of a microsurgical system, are disclosed. A surgeon may use the foot controller to proportionally control a surgical parameter based upon the amount of force applied to a pressure plate of the foot controller.

Abstract: A system for automatically adjusting the display intensity and/or illumination of surgical console controls and indicators. The invention includes a light sensor to detect the level of ambient light as well as a microprocessor with settings for ambient light threshold level and dimming amount.

Abstract: A trocar cannula having a tube and a hub. The hub is attached to the proximal end of the tube so that the tube may be inserted into an incision. The proximal side of the hub is rounded, curved or slanted so as to minimize contact with the tissue surrounding the incision.

Abstract: A gradient index wide-angle illuminator is disclosed, one embodiment comprising: a light source for providing a light beam; an optical cable, optically coupled to the light source for receiving and transmitting the light beam; a handpiece, operably coupled to the optical cable to receive the light beam; an optical fiber, operably coupled to the handpiece, wherein the optical fiber is optically coupled to the optical cable to receive and transmit the light beam; an optical element, optically coupled to a distal end of the optical fiber, for receiving the light beam and transmitting the light beam to illuminate a surgical field, wherein the optical element comprises a gradient index lens; and a cannula, operably coupled to the handpiece, for housing and directing the optical fiber and the optical element. The optical element can be a small-gauge, divergent gradient index lens having a distal surface co-incident with the distal end of the cannula.

Abstract: A tray mounting system for use with a piece of medical/surgical equipment includes a tray and a tray support base. The tray and tray support base are attached to one another using a locking mechanism. When the instruments, devices and/or consumables on the tray are in need of replacement, either the tray alone or the combination of the tray and tray support base may be removed and replaced.

Abstract: An improved instrument for removing subretinal fluid and performing fluid exchanges in vitreoretinal surgery is disclosed. The instrument includes a cannula with a curved distal portion and a side port on the curved distal portion for aspirating subretinal fluid. The instrument also includes a second port for aspirating a second fluid from the vitreous cavity during a fluid exchange.

Abstract: An ergonomic footswitch having a substantially planar tiltable treadle positioned on a base enables up and down or pitch movement of the footswitch around an axis of rotation located on the horizontal rotational axis of an operator's ankle. This arrangement reduces fatigue in the operator's leg and ankle and also permits the operator to vary the speed of an instrument or vary an operational parameter of the instrument via both the up and down motion of the treadle.

Abstract: An improved instrument for helping to remove subretinal fluid and helping to perform fluid exchanges in vitreoretinal surgery is disclosed. The instrument includes a handle and a probe coupled to the handle. The probe includes a curved distal portion having a closed tip with a smooth surface capable of safely touching the retina.

Abstract: A wound clamp having two substantially identical halves. The clamp halves are biased together using a spring or elastomeric band. Prongs or needles integrally formed with the halves cause the clamp to be engaged firmly on the conjunctival and scleral tissue about the wound. The biasing of the clamp halves toward each other provide for a tight sealing of the wound.

Abstract: In vivo polymerizable intraocular lens compositions which comprise substituted fluoroalkyl or perfluoroalkyl monomers having anionic, cationic, and/or nonionic surface active functionality in the unsaturated fluorophobic ends. The compositions are preferably cured by UV photoinitiation and are useful in repairing torn or detached retinal tissue or forming intraocular lenses in situ.

Abstract: Coatings for surgical instruments which comprise substituted fluoroalkyl or perfluoroalkyl monomers having anionic, cationic, and/or nonionic surface active functionality in the unsaturated fluorophobic ends.

Abstract: An apparatus based on precision X-Y stages that are stacked. Attached to arms projecting from each X-Y stage are a set of two axis gimbals. Attached to the gimbals is a rod, which provides motion along the axis of the rod and rotation around its axis. A dual-planar apparatus that provides six degrees of freedom of motion precise to within microns of motion.

Abstract: A method based on precision X-Y stages that are stacked. Attached to arms projecting from each X-Y stage are a set of two axis gimbals. Attached to the gimbals is a rod, which provides motion along the axis of the rod and rotation around its axis. A dual-planar apparatus that provides six degrees of freedom of motion precise to within microns of motion. Precision linear stages along with precision linear motors, encoders, and controls provide a robotics system. The motors can be remotized by incorporating a set of bellows on the motors and can be connected through a computer controller that will allow one to be a master and the other one to be a slave. Position information from the master can be used to control the slave. Forces of interaction of the slave with its environment can be reflected back to the motor control of the master to provide a sense of force sensed by the slave.

Abstract: An apparatus based on precision X-Y stages that are stacked. Attached to arms projecting from each X-Y stage are a set of two axis gimbals. Attached to the gimbals is a rod, which provides motion along the axis of the rod and rotation around its axis. A dual-planar apparatus that provides six degrees of freedom of motion precise to within microns of motion. Precision linear stages along with precision linear motors, encoders, and controls provide a robotics system. The motors can be positioned in a remote location by incorporating a set of bellows on the motors and can be connected through a computer controller that will allow one to be a master and the other one to be a slave. Position information from the master can be used to control the slave. Forces of interaction of the slave with its environment can be reflected back to the motor control of the master to provide a sense of force sensed by the slave.

Abstract: Ophthalmic compositions containing biocompatible, bioadhesive polymerizable amphipathic mesophase materials useful for repairing retinal tissue tears or retinal detachments are disclosed. In one embodiment, the polymerizable materials, which comprise substituted fluoroalkyl or perfluoroalkyl monomers having anionic, cationic, and/or nonionic surface active functionality in the unsaturated fluorophobic ends, are polymerized in vivo to provide effective, long-lasting repair of torn, ruptured or detached retinal tissue. Ophthalmic applications of these materials are not limited to retinal repair.

Abstract: A self-contained surgical tubing management system whereby all of the required surgical handpiece(s) and power and fluid tubings, cables and connections are incorporated in a single disposable package. The tubing management system includes a sterile sheet or substrate that may cover either all or only a portion of the patient's body. Pockets may be formed in either end of the sheet to hold, at one end, any number or variety of surgical instruments, such as vitreous probes, infusion cannulas, aspiration lines, coagulating probes, etc., and, at the end opposite the instruments, a small coils of power and fluid lines. The various power and fluid lines needed to operated these instruments may be permanently or temporarily connected to the respective instruments and extend down the length of the sheet. These lines are attached to the sheet either continuously or at various points by any number of methods.

Abstract: An improved vitreous cutter having a housing with two halves connected together by tapered pins on one half fitting into holes on the other half with a proximal end, a distal end, an internal transverse bore and a longitudinal bore intersecting the transverse bore and penetrating the housing at the proximal and distal ends, a pair of inlets in the proximal end of the housing in fluid communication with opposite ends of the transverse bore for allowing pressurized air to be introduced into the transverse bore, a thermoplastic piston slideably received in the transverse bore having a toothed, longitudinal slot, a stainless steel stationary outer cutting tube having a cutting port on a distal end, a stainless steel rotatable inner cutting tube telescopically received in the outer cutting tube having a cutting port on a distal end and penetrating the proximal end of the housing to form a suction port, a flexible seal between the inner cutting tube and the outer cutting tube and a pinion gear on a medial section o