Abstract: A vitrectomy surgical system is disclosed herein. The surgical system includes a vitrectomy probe having a cutting portion comprising an inner cutting tube, an outer cutting tube, and an outer port. The inner cutting tube is movable relative to the outer cutting tube to cut vitreous humor during a vitrectomy procedure. The surgical system further includes a motor configured to move the inner cutting tube relative to the outer cutting tube and one or more pressure sensors coupled to the vitrectomy probe to measure a pressure proximate to a distal portion of the vitrectomy probe and provide pressure feedback. Related systems and methods are also included.

Abstract: An adjustment system for an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) imaging system includes an OCT light source; a beam splitter, splitting the OCT light beam into an imaging beam to an imaging arm, and a reference beam to a reference arm; a probe, guiding the imaging beam onto a target and receiving a returned imaging beam from the target; the beam splitter generating an interference beam from the returned imaging beam and a returned reference beam from the reference arm; an imaging detector, detecting the interference beam; an imaging processor, generating an OCT image from the detected interference beam; and an adjustment device, removably coupled to the probe, the adjustment device comprising the target attached to a distal region of a target holder at a working distance from a distal end of the imaging probe, wherein an optical length of the reference arm is adjustable to improve a calibration of the OCT image.

Abstract: A surgical probe can include an outer cannula; an inner cannula, rotatably disposed inside the outer cannula; a rotational scanner, disposed at an end of the inner cannula and configured to receive a light beam from a delivery fiber and to scan the light beam along a loop; and an anamorphic optical element, disposed at an end of the outer cannula and configured to receive the light beam scanned along the loop and to output the light beam along an anisotropically compressed loop. A corresponding method can include providing a light beam by a light source; coupling the light beam to a rotational scanner at an end of an inner cannula; scanning the light beam by the rotational scanner along a loop; and receiving the light beam scanned along the loop by an anamorphic optical element and outputting the light beam along an anisotropically compressed loop to a target.

Abstract: A medical instrument for delivering electrotherapy to tissue that includes an outer support member having a ground plate at a distal end of the outer support member, and a protrusive element having a tip that extends beyond the ground plate. A portion of the protrusive element proximate the ground plate can act as an electrical insulator and a portion of the protrusive element proximate the distal end of the protrusive element can include a first electrode. The protrusive element can be designed to penetrate into tissue below a tissue surface while a tissue contacting surface of the ground plate rests against the tissue surface. Also disclosed are systems incorporating the medical instrument and methods of electrotherapy to subsurface tissue using the medical instrument.

Abstract: Pulse-generator circuits that permit independent control of pulse widths and the delays between successive pulses. In several embodiments, a pulse-generator subcircuit includes a transmission-line segment comprising first and second conductors, configured such that the first conductor is coupled to a first DC potential. The pulse-generator subcircuit further includes a terminating resistor coupled to a first end of the second conductor of the first transmission-line segment; this terminating resistor is matched to the characteristic impedance of the transmission-line segment. The pulse-generator subcircuit further includes first and second switches, controlled by first and second timing signals, respectively, and configured to selectively and independently connect respective first and second ends of the first conductor to a second DC potential.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for reducing damage caused by a dielectric breakdown during surgical application of a pulsed-electric field (PEF) device. By detecting a dielectric breakdown when it occurs or before it occurs, the properties of the pulsed electric field can be adjusted to reduce damage caused by the energy released during the breakdown. A dielectric breakdown or its precursor can be detected optically, acoustically, or electrically.

Abstract: Pulse-generator circuits that permit independent control of pulse widths and the delays between successive pulses. In several embodiments, a pulse-generator subcircuit includes a transmission-line segment comprising first and second conductors, configured such that the first conductor is coupled to a first DC potential. The pulse-generator subcircuit further includes a terminating resistor coupled to a first end of the second conductor of the first transmission-line segment; this terminating resistor is matched to the characteristic impedance of the transmission-line segment. The pulse-generator subcircuit further includes first and second switches, controlled by first and second timing signals, respectively, and configured to selectively and independently connect respective first and second ends of the first conductor to a second DC potential.

Abstract: A high-intensity pulsed electric field (HIPEF) vitrectomy apparatus is disclosed. An exemplary apparatus includes a HIPEF probe comprising at least one electrode disposed at a distal end of the HIPEF probe, such that the distal end is configured for insertion into an eye. Various embodiments include a probe shaft assembled from a modular end segment and one or more additional modular shaft segments, each of the modular end segment and one or more modular shaft segments in turn comprising at least two longitudinal channels adapted to accommodate an electrode unit. In some of these probe shafts, each of the modular end segment and one or more modular shaft segments has a central longitudinal channel, and the probe shaft further comprises an aspiration tube disposed within the central longitudinal channel.

Abstract: A high-intensity pulsed-electrical-field (HIPEF) apparatus treats ocular tissue within a localized portion of an eye with a pharmacological solution. To mitigate risk of damage to adjacent, healthy ocular tissue, the apparatus delivers the solution to only a portion of the eye and then alters the effectiveness of at least some of the solution delivered by applying a HIPEF. In some embodiments, for example, the apparatus delivers an inactive pharmacological solution and then activates at least some of the solution by applying a HIPEF to that solution. As the apparatus applies the HIPEF with high precision, the HIPEF only activates solution within select portions of the eye. In other embodiments, the apparatus delivers a pharmacological carrier encapsulating an active pharmacological solution and then penetrates the carrier by applying a HIPEF. Delivered with a high concentration, but low dose, the solution diffuses only to tissue within a localized portion of the eye.

Abstract: A high-intensity pulsed-electrical-field (HIPEF) apparatus removes ocular tissue from a localized portion of an eye by delivering one or more focused shockwaves to that tissue. In one embodiment, for example, the apparatus generates one or more electrical pulses, delivers the one or more focused shockwaves to ocular tissue by applying the generated electrical pulses to a HIPEF probe, and then removes the ocular tissue disrupted by the one or more focused shockwaves via aspiration. To mitigate risk of damage to adjacent ocular tissue, the apparatus delivers the one or more focused shockwaves with energy substantially limited to the tissue being removed. The HIPEF apparatus is, therefore, especially advantageous in the context of cataract surgery where cataract tissue need be broken apart and removed without damaging adjacent tissue associated with the lens capsule required to implant an intraocular lens.

Abstract: A high-intensity pulsed electric field (HIPEF) vitrectomy apparatus is disclosed. An exemplary apparatus includes a HIPEF probe comprising at least one electrode disposed at a distal end of the HIPEF probe, such that the distal end is configured for insertion into an eye. A load detection circuit is coupled to the HIPEF probe and is configured to compare a measured physical parameter to a corresponding threshold value. A control circuit is electrically coupled to the load detection circuit and configured to selectively disable application of pulsed energy to the at least one electrode of the HIPEF probe, based on the comparison. The measured physical parameter may include, for example, resistivity, permittivity, reflected light, pressure, or heat dissipation capability.

Abstract: A capsulorhexis apparatus is disclosed. An exemplary apparatus includes a cutting electrode device that in turn comprises a handle, a flexible ring having a single ring-shaped wire electrode embedded therein, and a shaft connecting the flexible ring to the handle, wherein the flexible ring is configured for insertion into an eye through an incision.

Abstract: An eye surgery apparatus includes a HIPEF probe comprising at least two electrodes and is configured for delivery of a high-intensity pulsed electrical field to a surgical site within an eye via the electrodes. Embodiments also include a transducer configured to monitor one or more surgical parameters within the eye during application of the high-intensity pulsed electrical field to the surgical site, a pulse generation circuit configured to generate a series of electrical pulses for application to the electrodes to create the high-intensity pulsed electrical field, and a control circuit, operatively connected to the at least one transducer and the pulse generation circuit and configured to automatically adjust one or more characteristics of the series of electrical pulses, based on the one or more monitored surgical parameters. With these apparatus, the amount of energy delivered can be limited to levels necessary for effective operation without over-exposing the vitreous.

Abstract: A medical instrument for delivering electrotherapy to tissue that includes an outer support member having a ground plate at a distal end of the outer support member, and a protrusive element having a tip that extends beyond the ground plate. A portion of the protrusive element proximate the ground plate can act as an electrical insulator and a portion of the protrusive element proximate the distal end of the protrusive element can include a first electrode. The protrusive element can be designed to penetrate into tissue below a tissue surface while a tissue contacting surface of the ground plate rests against the tissue surface. Also disclosed are systems incorporating the medical instrument and methods of electrotherapy to subsurface tissue using the medical instrument.

Abstract: An intracellular electro-manipulation apparatus for delivery an electric field pulse to a target of one or more biological cells is provided. The apparatus includes a pulse generator that generates an ultrashort electric field pulse, and a pulse delivery system that directs the ultrashort electric field pulse to the target. The apparatus can include a reflected-signal impeder connected between the pulse generator and the pulse delivery system to impede reflection of a signal to the pulse generator when impedance mismatching between the pulse delivery system and pulse generator occurs. Alternatively, or additionally, the apparatus can include a current limiter connected between the pulse generator and the pulse delivery system to limit current between the pulse generator and the pulse delivery system when a high-conductivity condition occurs in the target.