Abstract: A polymer coating/ring is employed to aid in the sealing and connection of modular elements used in body flow lumens for the exclusion and bypass of diseased regions of the flow lumen, such as where aneurysm occurs adjacent to branching blood vessels.

Abstract: A device is provided for retaining a tendon, such as, but not limited to, a flexor digitorum tendon onto an associated bone such as, but not limited to, the plantar aspect of a proximal phalangeal base for correction of a toe contracture. The tendon retention device is defined by a tack and a sleeve. The tack is configured for press-fit or instrument aided reception into the tendon and associated bone to retain the tendon against the associated bone. The sleeve has an internally threaded bore for threaded reception onto a threaded shaft of the tack from the opposing side of the associated bone. The sleeve further has a head with an anti-loosening feature or anti-loosening features such as, but not limited to, tangs and/or cutouts, that engage the associated bone to aid in preventing the sleeve from working loose from the bone and/or unthreading from the tack.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to intraocular lens devices, systems, and methods that include determining relative tilt and/or vergence rotation of a subject's eyes and focusing one or more intraocular lenses based on the determined vergence rotation.

Abstract: An accommodating (re-focusable) lens system a body of which includes, upon being assembled, first and second individual lenslets having first and second optical portions sequentially disposed along an optical axis. Change in optical-power accommodation of the system is achieved by changing an applanated area of contact between the lenslets in response to force applied to the lenslets and transformed into an axial force. In specific case, the first and second lenslets form an intraocular lens (IOL) and have respective haptic portions, interlocked as a result of rotating of one lenslet with respect to another such as to bring first and second lenslets in contact at an axial point. The applanated area of contact is changed, then, in response to a radially-directed force caused by a change of distance between the interlocked ends of the haptics and transferred to the optical portions through the interlocked haptics.

Abstract: A medical device includes an expandable conduit, a prosthetic heart valve and a delivery device, including a balloon catheter. The expandable conduit may include one or more inner or outer sleeves supported by a frame or stent. The sleeve(s) may be a bioprosthetic tissue wrapped, molded or sewn about the frame or stent. Coupled to an end of the expandable conduit is the prosthetic heart valve. The conduit and heart valve may be crimped on the balloon catheter for percutaneous deployment. The frame may be constructed of a balloon-expandable material for the conduit portion and a self-expandable material for the prosthetic heart valve portion. The prosthetic heart valve is anchored at the native heart valve and then the conduit to be expanded into place to protect the aorta. The self-expanding prosthetic heart valve avoids the need for balloon mounting. This provides for a smaller diameter and easier delivery.

Abstract: A holder for a hybrid heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The hybrid heart valve includes a non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a self-expandable anchoring stent, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A first suture connects the holder to the valve and constricts an inflow end of the anchoring stent. A second suture connects the holder to the valve and extends down three holder legs to loop through fabric on the valve. Both sutures may loop over a single cutting well on the holder so that severing the first and second sutures at the single cutting well simultaneously releases the tension in the first suture, permitting the inflow end of the anchoring stent to expand, and disconnects the valve holder from the prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: A device for crimping a radially expandable and collapsible prosthetic valve comprises a coiled wire frame having a longitudinal opening extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof. The opening has a first state and a second state, the opening in the first state having a first diameter dimensioned to receive the prosthetic valve in an expanded or partially crimped configuration therein, and the opening in the second state having a second diameter dimensioned to receive the prosthetic valve in a crimped configuration. The coiled wire frame has a first end coupled to a first member and a second end coupled to a second member. The first member is movable relative to the second member to convert the coiled wire frame from the first state to the second state.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a catheter system for introducing a heart valve stent into the body of a patient. The catheter system includes a catheter tip having a seat portion for accommodating the stent in its collapsed state and a stent holder for releasably fixing the stent, wherein the seat portion is constituted by a first sleeve and a second sleeve, said sleeves being moveable relative to each other and relative to the stent holder, and a catheter shaft for connecting the catheter tip to a handle.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing a cardiac support device (CSD) on a heart. The apparatus includes a body, a deployment mechanism on the body for supporting the CSD in an open position for placement on the heart, and a release mechanism coupled to the deployment mechanism for releasably mounting the CSD to the deployment mechanism. The release mechanism includes a release element for releasably engaging the CSD, and a release actuator coupled to the release element for actuating the release element to release the CSD.

Abstract: Partitioning devices that may be secured and sealed within a heart chamber for separating a patient's heart chamber into a productive portion and a non-productive portion are described herein. The partitioning devices described herein may include a reinforced membrane with outwardly biased members. The reinforced membrane may have a central hub with a distally extending support stem with a plurality of feet which extend radially from a centerline axis and preferably have ends that are aligned in a common plane. These devices may be secured within the heart chamber by sealing them to the wall of the heart chamber, for example, by inflating an inflatable element on the periphery of the device. The non-productive portion may be filled with a material, including occlusive materials. Sealing and/or filling the non-productive portion formed by the devices described herein may help prevent leakage from the non-productive region.

Abstract: A bone structural device including a plurality of bone structural segments (40), wherein adjacent bone structural segments (40) are pivotally connected to one another about a pivot axis, and the bone structural segments (40) are expandable in height, which is in a direction generally parallel to the pivot axis.

Abstract: An acetabular cup assembly includes a shell and a liner. The shell has an inner surface, an outer surface, a face positioned at an upper end of the shell, and an apex positioned at a lower end of the inner surface. The inner surface includes a tapered inner wall and a plurality of inwardly-facing recesses provided along the inner surface adjacent the face. The plurality of inwardly-facing recesses include a main portion and an asymmetrically-extending portion. Each of the asymmetrically-extending portions extend circumferentially in one direction resulting in the recesses having an asymmetric shape. The segmented portion of the tapered inner wall has a wide portion between the asymmetrically-extending portion and the face and a narrower portion between the asymmetrically-extending portion and the adjacent inwardly-facing recess. The liner is adapted to fit within the shell and engage the inner surface of the shell establishing an interference fit.

Abstract: A knee replacement system, and a method for supplying and implanting a knee replacement system, for enabling natural knee movement in a leg in a patient, including: a medial femoral component having a medial femoral articulating surface with a sagittal plane profile including four medial femoral arcuate portions scaled by a first femoral scaling factor; a lateral femoral component having a lateral femoral articulating surface with a sagittal plane profile including four lateral femoral arcuate portions scaled by a second femoral scaling factor; a medial tibial component having a medial tibial articulating surface that articulates with the medial femoral articulating surface and includes a first raised medial edge that increases in width in an anterior direction; and a lateral tibial component having a lateral tibial articulating surface that articulates with the lateral femoral articulating surface and includes a second raised medial edge that increases in width in the anterior direction.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a resilient interpositional arthroplasty implant for application into a joint to pad cartilage defects, cushion, and replace or restore the articular surface, which may preserve joint integrity, reduce pain and improve function. The implant may endure variable joint compressive and shear forces and cyclic loads. The implant may repair, reconstruct, and regenerate joint anatomy, and thereby improve upon joint replacement alternatives. The walls of this invention may capture, distribute and hold living cells until aggregation and hyaline cartilage regrowth occurs. The implant may be deployed into debrided joint spaces, molding and conforming to surrounding structures with sufficient stability so as to enable immediate limb use after outpatient surgery. Appendages of the implant may repair or reconstruct tendons or ligaments, and menisci by interpositional compliant polymer arthroplasties that promote anatomic joint motion.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a resilient interpositional arthroplasty implant. Such implants function to pad cartilage defects, cushion, and replace or restore the articular surface, which may preserve joint integrity, reduce pain and improve function. The implant may endure variable joint compressive and shear forces and cyclic loads. The implant may repair, reconstruct, and regenerate joint anatomy, and thereby improve upon joint replacement alternatives. The walls of this invention may capture, distribute and hold living cells until aggregation and hyaline cartilage regrowth occurs. The implant may be deployed into debrided joint spaces, molding and conforming to surrounding structures with sufficient stability so as to enable immediate limb use after outpatient surgery. Appendages of the implant may repair or reconstruct tendons or ligaments, and menisci by interpositional inflatable or compliant polymer arthroplasties that promote anatomic joint motion.

Abstract: An artificial knee joint, which includes an upper surface at which a post performs a motion relative to a cam of the thighbone coupling member, is configured such that a radius of curvature of an upper curved surface extending posteriorly from the upper surface is larger than that of a lower curved surface, so as to prevent the cam of the thighbone coupling member from deviating from an inflection point existing between the upper curved surface and the lower curved surface, and is configured such that the upper surface is inclined at a predetermined angle, so as to allow the thighbone coupling member to be restored while naturally descending along the upper surface even when the thighbone coupling member is dislocated, thereby increasing a jump distance without increasing an amount of bone to be cut.

Abstract: An orthopaedic prosthesis including a tibial tray is disclosed. The tibial tray includes a distal pocket and a plurality of inner pockets. Each inner pocket includes a channel sized to receive bone cement. The tibial tray includes distal-facing surfaces that have a surface roughness (Ra) equal to about 5.0 microns.

Abstract: A tibial implant having a stem and a tibial sleeve. The tibial sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end, where the proximal end includes an annular male portion. The tibial implant also includes an offset ring having a central bore that is offset from the center of the offset ring, where the bore of the offset ring receives the annular male portion of the tibial sleeve. The tibial implant further includes a base plate having a proximal end and a distal end, where the distal end of the base plate forms a female portion, and the female portion receives both the offset ring and the male portion of the tibial sleeve.

Abstract: The invention is a subtalar implant able to expand after implantation. The subtalar implant has two or more expansion segments or wings. In all forms, the expansion wings are hinged on the distal portion of the subtalar implant which causes only the proximal portion of the wing to expand relative to the midplane of the implant. The expansion wings and the entire subtalar implant are threaded to prevent the implant from backing out of the sinus tarsi once implanted. In one form, the subtalar implant includes an integral expansion screw that, when rotated, expands the expansion wings. In another form, the subtalar implant includes a separate expansion screw that, when rotated, expands the expansion wings. The integral and the separate expansion screw includes a socket that accepts a like driver tool for rotating the expansion screw and expanding the expansion wings.

Abstract: A mobile cage system for restoring motion kinematics of the spine featuring a pair of opposing caps that form a cavity and a nucleus disposed in the cavity. The system allows for motion of the caps relative to the nucleus. The mobile cage system provides sufficient support so as to eliminate the need for incorporation of a metal plate or rod and pedicle screws that may be used for spinal fusions. The mobile cage system of the present invention also prevents vertical collapse of the vertebrae and complete bone fusion, and the mobile cage system helps preserve intervertebral motion of the spine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device intended to replace or partially replace one or more vertebral bodies or intervertebral discs in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine, and includes methods for its use and deployment. The invention may be used to restore biomechanical parameters correlating with improved patient outcomes and also involves a method for a more effective discectomy or corpectomy prior to graft deployment.

Abstract: An implant is described for use in the spine, including two blades attached to a blade actuating member. Each blade includes a protruding portion that engages a corresponding channel in the blade actuating member. The blade or blades are extended or retracted when the blade actuating member is translated along a first axis. Each blade is retained in channels within the blade actuating member, and channels within the body of the implant, that constrain each blade to move in a direction near perpendicular to the direction of motion of the blade actuating member.

Abstract: A procedure for harvesting graft material for use during bone fusion surgery. A generally U-shaped cutting blade is inserted to a certain position inside a defined space between adjacent bones to be fused, and the cutting blade is rotated so that it cuts into the adjacent bones and forms a solid bone segment within each one of the bones. Each bone segment is displaced so that a first end portion of the segment enters the bone opposite the bone within which the segment was formed, an intermediate portion of the segment spans the space between the bones, and a second end portion of the segment remains in the bone within which the segment was formed. Each bone segment thereby acts as a strut graft for promoting a fusion of the adjacent bones to one another.

Abstract: A system for implanting an acetabular prosthesis includes a striker arrangement having a handle and a striker shaft with a distal end configured to engage an acetabular prosthesis. An elongate buttress shaft defines a longitudinal axis and is configured to receive the striker shaft therethrough; it is attachable to the striker shaft such that the distal end of the striker shaft extends beyond a distal face of the buttress shaft. The distal face has a larger diameter than a diameter of the distal end of the striker shaft and has a curved surface oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An intervertebral expandable implant with first and second vertebral body engagement surfaces includes first and second implant structures defining first and second angled wedge portions. The first angled wedge portion has first and second inwardly-facing rails and first and second inwardly-facing slots. The second angled wedge portion has first and second outwardly-facing rails and first and second outwardly facing slots. The first implant structure is slidably-engaged with the second implant structure with the first inwardly-facing rail positioned in the first outwardly-facing slot, the second inwardly-facing rail positioned in the second outwardly facing slot, the first outwardly-facing rail positioned in the first inwardly-facing slot, and the second outwardly-facing rail positioned in the second inwardly-facing slot.

Abstract: Instrumentation and methods are provided for knee arthroplasty which permit rotation of a distal femoral component in the sagittal plane. A guide provides for determination of both a femoral component size and rotation angle at which to install the implant in any specific patient.

Abstract: In a method of making a breast prosthesis for use by a wearer having a body temperature, a plurality of dissolvable beads is placed into an open back of a breast-shaped mold. The open back of the mold is sealed. A suspension of an uncured silicone rubber liquid and a plurality of phase change material pellets is injected into the mold around the beads. The uncured silicone rubber is allowed to cure, thereby forming a breast shape. The phase change material has a latent heat of fusion at a melting point so as to remove heat from the wearer when the body temperature is at least at the melting point. The breast shape is removed from the mold and the dissolvable beads are dissolved from the breast shape.

Abstract: A human assistance device has a rate gyro, first accelerometer, and second accelerometer disposed on a mobile body for sensing a physical state of the mobile body to provide a physical state measurement. The human assistance device can be a prosthetic, orthotic, and robotic device. An ATAN2 function is performed on an output of the first accelerometer and an output of the second accelerometer. An output of the rate gyro and an output of the ATAN2 function is filtered to provide a filtered physical state measurement. The filtered physical state measurement is applied to a reference function to generate a reference command to control a non-gait motion of an actuator in the human assistance device. The reference command controls the human assistance device, for example to provide a shifting foot position while seated, with a natural, biological motion, without an artificial or mechanical appearance.

Abstract: A model-based neuromechanical controller for a robotic limb having at least one joint includes a finite state machine configured to receive feedback data relating to the state of the robotic limb and to determine the state of the robotic limb, a muscle model processor configured to receive state information from the finite state machine and, using muscle geometry and reflex architecture information and a neuromuscular model, to determine at least one desired joint torque or stiffness command to be sent to the robotic limb, and a joint command processor configured to command the biomimetic torques and stiffnesses determined by the muscle model processor at the robotic limb joint. The feedback data is preferably provided by at least one sensor mounted at each joint of the robotic limb. In a preferred embodiment, the robotic limb is a leg and the finite state machine is synchronized to the leg gait cycle.

Abstract: An implantable medical device for implantation within a passageway of a patient comprises a stent including a plurality of wires, at least one of the plurality of wires having a cross-section having a first tapered point, and a covering layer having an inner diameter and an outer diameter. In some embodiments, the plurality of wires may be disposed at least partially around the covering layer. Additionally in some embodiments, the first tapered point may extend outward further than the outer diameter of the covering layer.

Abstract: A medical device-includes a scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The scaffold is crimped to the balloon by a process that includes one or more balloon pressurization steps. The balloon pressurization steps are selected to enhance scaffold retention to the balloon while retaining, at least partially, the original balloon folds as the balloon is pressurized and de-pressurized within a crimper head. By at least partially retaining the original balloon folds, a uniformity of scaffold expansion by the balloon is improved.

Abstract: A stent graft system includes a tubular graft component, a bare stent component, an infrarenal stent component at least one suprarenal barb extending distally from at least one suprarenal portion of the bare stent component and at least one infrarenal barb extending distally from at least one infrarenal portion of the bare stent component. A stent graft system can also include at least one barb.

Abstract: The stent delivery device includes a pistol shaped handle with a barrel portion extending atop a grip portion. A trigger actuator is pivotably mounted to the pistol shaped handle and defines an angle with respect to the grip portion. A carrier is slidably mounted to the barrel portion of the pistol shaped handle. A mechanical linkage, which includes a roller clutch, interconnects the trigger actuator to the carrier. The angle is reduced responsive to pivoting the trigger actuator in an actuation direction toward the grip portion, and the angle is increased responsive to pivoting the trigger actuator in a re-set direction. The roller clutch is oriented in the mechanical linkage to rotate responsive to the trigger pivoting in the re-set direction, but the roller clutch is held against rotation responsive to pivoting the trigger in the actuation direction.

Abstract: A medical device-includes a scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The scaffold is crimped to the balloon by a process that includes one or more balloon pressurization steps. The balloon pressurization steps are selected to enhance scaffold retention to the balloon, maintain a relatively uniform arrangement of balloon folds about the inner surface of the crimped scaffold so that the scaffold expands in a uniform manner when the balloon is inflated, and to avoid any possible over-stretching of balloon material.

Abstract: A low profile stepped delivery system for retracting trigger wires from a prosthesis to release the prosthesis from a delivery device. A rod is disposed within an axial bore of a handle. The rod has a first longitudinal surface and a second longitudinal surface. A first engagement mechanism is disposed on the first longitudinal surface and a second engagement mechanism disposed on the second longitudinal surface. A wire coiling assembly is disposed at an end of the of the handle and comprises a first rotary gear that is adapted to be rotated by the first engagement mechanism, a second rotary gear that is adapted to be rotated by the second engagement mechanism, a first wire spool that is coupled to a rotation of the first rotary gear, and a second wire spool that is coupled to the rotation of second rotary gear. The first wire spool is configured to secure a first trigger wire and the second wire spool is configured to secure a second trigger wire.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for delivering a device assembly using a shaped body allowing for ease of ingestion of a gastric device into a gastric space, allowing the gastric device to expand to occupy volume within the gastric space and, after an effective period of time release from the body.

Abstract: A duodenal sleeve assembly comprises a sleeve, an expandable sealing member, a tether, and an expandable anchor. The sleeve is secured to the sealing member. The tether couples the anchor with the sealing member. A deployment instrument comprises a shaft assembly, a first retention member, and a second retention member. The first retention member selectively secures the sealing member to the shaft assembly. The second retention member selectively secures the anchor to the shaft assembly. When the first retention member is released, the sealing member expands outwardly to seal the proximal end of the sleeve against the mucosa of the patient's duodenum. When the second retention member is released, the anchor expands outwardly within the stomach to anchor the sleeve assembly relative to the stomach. The tether traverses the pylorus. The sleeve isolates chyme from enzymes in the duodenum; and the mucosa of the duodenum from nutrients in the chyme.

Abstract: A method for effecting neuromuscular mechanisms for treatment of specific non-restless leg syndrome, non-restless arms, and non-foot and leg cramps diseases, conditions, and/or illnesses utilizes a device for applying positive pressure to specific areas of the foot. Slight variations to the positioning and/or patient application of the device may be adopted to increase benefits for specific diseases, conditions, or illnesses. Such variations can include frequency or time intervals of use and variations in pressure and positioning of pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for treatment of plantar fasciitis comprises a first anchor adapted for securing around a leg of a patient, a second anchor adapted for securing around a foot of the leg, first and second toe straps each adapted for attachment between the first and second anchors so as to provide respective first and second dorsiflexion forces to respective first and second subsets of toes of the foot, and a fascia compression strap comprising first and second ends and an intermediate portion between the first and second ends, the first and second ends each adapted for attachment to the first anchor so as to provide static pressure to an underside of the foot via the intermediate portion. The first and second anchors may comprise respective upper and lower portions of a sleeve with the upper and lower portions being adapted for securing around respective ones of the leg and the foot.

Abstract: A therapeutic device for slowly stretching a three-dimensional hip joint for reposition movement, where a chest-abdomen fastener fixing band (2) is fixed to a back cover (1); a shoulder fastener suspension band (3) is fixed to the back cover (1) and the chest-abdomen fastener fixing band (2); a pair of wing-shaped supporting bars (5) is fixed to the back cover (1); a pair of limb fixing bars (6) is connected to telescopic ends of a pair of hip joint forward-backward movement adjusters (9), and the pair of hip joint forward-backward movement adjusters (9) are fixed to the back cover (1); upward-downward lifting chute screws (4) are connected to hooks of the pair of wing-shaped supporting bars (5) and the limb fixing bars (6); and an inward-outward telescopic screw (8) is connected between the pair of limb fixing bars (6) which are provided with limb fastener fixing bands (7).

Abstract: A sling of a portable traction device cradles a user's head and includes a pair of shock cords attached at opposite ends of the sling. The ends of the shock cords opposite shock cords are anchored is anchored to a structure, such as a closed door at the hinged side of the door, between the door and door frame, using an anchor, at a height, to generate a tension vector at an acute angle relative to the floor. The tension applies cervical traction.

Abstract: The corrector includes a band-shaped central region to be in contact with an upper surface of the nail; and an insertion edge region continuously extended from at least one end of the band-shaped central region to be inserted between a lateral nail edge and a lateral nail fold, wherein when a direction of a base side of the nail is defined as an upstream and a direction of a tip side of the nail is defined as a downstream in a state that the corrector is attached to the nail, a screw impeller-shaped portion having a specific shape and dimension is formed on a portion including an end portion of an upstream side of the insertion edge region and a hook portion is formed on a downstream side of the insertion edge region to hold the lateral nail edge of the nail or a lateral edge of a nail tip.

Abstract: Blowout means that the excrement enters an area between its faceplate and the one's skin, externally leaking out. In case of blowout, a clothing and a bedding are wasted and people around the ostomate gets annoyed, causing serious problems in preventing people from an advance into society. This invention is intended to prevent the excrement leaked out from externally spreading out. Adhesion unit (90) is provided so that a receiving hole (83) is arranged on the circumference of the faceplate (12). An auxiliary storage bag (31) is prepared to store the excrement leaking in case of blowout. The first opening (33) through the auxiliary storage bag is coupled to the adhesion unit. The second opening (35) through the auxiliary storage bag is coupled to the faceplate. The auxiliary storage bag envelops the receiving hole. The excrement as a result of blowout leaking from the receiving hole is captured in the auxiliary storage bag to prevent the spreadout.

Abstract: A method of regulating body temperature that involves (i) determining, via processing circuitry, if sensor data from a plurality of sensors is in a predetermined normal range, (ii) converting the sensor data to fuzzy values when the sensor data is not in the predetermined normal range, (iii) combining one or more related consequents of the predetermined fuzzy rules, (iv) evaluating the combined consequents to determine a centroid value using a centroid method; and (v) transmitting the centroid value to a thermal management system to activate the thermal management system to a predetermined activation level based on the centroid value, wherein the plurality of sensors include a core temperature sensor, a skin temperature sensor, a skin blood flow sensor, a cardiac output sensor, a neuromuscular activity output sensor, an electromyography sensor, a vibration sensor, and an imaging device.

Abstract: Vascular pressures and oximetry are optimized through administration of fluids and other support prior to manipulating temperature in a therapeutic hypothermia procedure. Temperature and active hemodynamic management are utilized, through measurement and adjustment of temperature and hemodynamic parameters through the use of an internal cooling device, such as endovascular catheter, and/or an external temperature-altering device, to ensure that temperature management is optimized, and hemodynamics and tissue resuscitation are optimized prior to and during temperature manipulation.

Abstract: A subcutaneous implant system is applicable in a variety of surgical procedures and includes a balloon shaped implant formed from a bioresorbable material and is capable of assuming deflated and inflated configurations. The balloon shaped implant is inserted, in its deflated configuration, into the patient's body, and subsequently is inflated by filling the balloon shaped implant with a medicinal agent. The balloon shaped implant filled with the medicinal agent remains in the body and permits a steady-state release of the medicinal agent therefrom. The balloon shaped implant has a wall which may be formed from either a solid material which is impermeable to the medicinal agent, or a porous material. The medicinal agent egresses from the interior of the balloon shaped member in a controlled manner provided by a mechanism which may include a permeable membrane, a check valve, a flap valve, openings in a porous wall of the balloon shaped member, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An illuminated microsurgical instrument is provided herein that includes a microsurgical instrument having a tubular member arranged to treat patient tissue at a surgical site, the tubular member having a distal tip, an inner surface, and an outer surface. The inner surface defines a lumen. The outer surface has a notch formed therein. The illuminated microsurgical instrument further includes an optical fiber arranged to deliver light to the surgical site. The optical fiber includes a proximal end arranged to receive a light beam from a light source and also includes a curved distal end arranged to emit light adjacent to the distal tip. A portion of the curved distal end is positioned within the notch and curves away from the tubular member.

Abstract: A vitrectomy apparatus is provided, including a pressure source, a cut valve connected to the pressure source, the cut valve configured to be turned on and off to provide pressure to selectively extend and retract a vitrectomy cutting device, a sensor configured to sense pressure provided from the cut valve, and a controller configured to control operation of the cut valve based on pressure sensed by the sensor. The controller is configured to monitor pressures encountered and alter cut valve timing based on pressure conditions previously encountered.

Abstract: Provided is a device for use in controlling the liquid outflow from the anterior chamber of the eye, methods of draining aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to the intra-orbital space using the device, methods for controlling the liquid outflow from the anterior chamber of the eye and further surgical methods for implanting the presently described device.

Abstract: Intraocular pressure can be reduced by insertion of an intraocular shunt in the eye such that it forms a drainage pathway between the anterior chamber and a region of lower pressure. A hollow shaft that holds an intraocular shunt can be advanced through the anterior chamber. The sclera can be penetrated with the hollow shaft. A beveled tip of the shaft can be oriented such that a beveled surface thereof faces toward the Tenon's capsule when the beveled tip passes out of the sclera. After the beveled tip passes out of the sclera, at least a portion of the shunt can be advanced from the hollow shaft.