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 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: 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: A disposable surgical drape is provided for use while performing surgical procedures on an eyes of a patient, or other surgical procedures. The surgical drape comprises a base sheet, defining first and second surgical apertures, for attachment to a patient, and at least one protective patch which can be applied over one of the surgical apertures after the drape has been positioned on the patient. The protective patch defines a slit through which the procedure can be performed, while the other surgical aperture remains open and unobstructed to minimize any patient claustrophobia. After the procedure is performed on one eye of the patient, the protective patch can be removed, and a fresh protective patch applied to the other surgical aperture to permit the procedure to be performed on the other eye of the patient.

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 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. Each of the blade elements has a non-cutting, blunt surface positioned generally above the axis of the respective blade mount. The lower cutting surfaces define a cutting edge for penetration of the nucleus of the eye when brought.

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 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: A phacoemulsification needle has a polygonally-shaped tip with an axis that is offset from the axis of the needle body. The material forming the tip is non-uniformly distributed, adding to the motion of the tip when it is vibrated torsionally. In one embodiment, the tip has tip wall segments of varying thicknesses. In another embodiment, the tip has a series of external ribs formed on the tip wall segments, on the wall segment, at the apex where adjacent wall segments meet, or both.

Abstract: A disposable surgical drape is provided for use while performing surgical procedures on an eye of a patient, or other surgical procedures. There is an operative, surgical aperture formed through a base sheet for being located proximal to a first eye, or other surgical site, of the patient. An attachment zone is formed on the base sheet, proximal to the surgical aperture, and at least partially surrounds the surgical aperture. In one form, a guide extends across the surgical aperture on the upper surface of the base sheet. In another form, the base sheet has a non-surgical aperture spaced from the surgical aperture for being located proximal to a second eye of the patient. The disposable surgical drape can be provided in a folded form to facilitate placement on a patient and subsequent unfolding and spreading of the drape. In this embodiment, the drape includes a minimally-adhesive film that defines the surgical aperture.

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 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 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 phacoemulsification irrigation sleeve having a body configured to operatively connect to a phacoemulsification needle. The body has proximal and distal ends and defines a passageway for liquid. A first irrigation port is formed in the body between its proximal and distal ends. The body is slit to define a first flap configured to swing away from the first irrigation port in response to pressure of fluid flowing in the passageway to thereby reduce resistance of fluid flow through the first irrigation port. The first flap, when swung away from the first irrigation port, is oriented to direct fluid flowing through the first irrigation port in a direction from the proximal end of the body toward the distal end of the body.

Abstract: A corneal marking system and methods for its use, has a first tilt-detecting device attached to a corneal marker, adapted to produce a signal when the corneal marker is in a horizontal position. In another version, the first tilt-detecting device is adapted to produce a signal when the corneal marker is in tilted to a pre-selected value and a second tilt-detecting device is attached to the patient's head to measure the tilt of the head and is adapted to produce a signal when the head is tilted to match the pre-selected value of the first tilt-detecting device. In a third version, the first and second tilt detectors send signals to a signal detector which emits a signal when the first and second tilt detectors indicate substantially the same amount of tilt. In each case, the cornea is marked when the appropriate signal is emitted.

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: 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.