Abstract: A curette including a cylindrical handle, having a longitudinal axis, and a shaft, having a longitudinal axis. The shaft is attached to the cylindrical handle at a first end of the shaft, such that the longitudinal axis of the shaft is parallel to, but not collinear with, the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical handle. A tip is included in a second end of the shaft.

Abstract: A scraper for removing debris from a surface of a tongue. The inventive device includes a scraping assembly having a scraping blade for dragging across a surface of a tongue. A handle assembly is pivotally mounted to the scraping assembly and can be stowed for storage and the transportation purposes.

Abstract: A multi-function pick-manipulator device that provides the functions of a vitreoretinal pick, fiberoptic illumination, and irrigation/aspiration. The manipulator may also function as a bipolar diathermy device. To provide a compact, multi-function device, the aspiration tube projects distally beyond the distal end of the fiber optic containing support tube of the manipulator. The projecting aspiration tube is bent and shaped at its tip to define a pick-like structure that extends in a direction generally transverse to the axis of the fiber optics. An aspiration opening is defined through the wall of the aspiration tube proximal to the pick-like tip.

Abstract: A toothbrush having a scraper disposed therein includes a handle and a bristle portion which has a barrel connected therewith and is pivotally engaged to the handle with a cylinder disposed to the barrel pivotally engaged between two ears extending from an end of the handle, the handle having a groove defined in a side thereof for the scraper to be inserted therein, each of the ears having a first recess defined therein and the cylinder having a plurality of short grooves defined in both ends thereof, the scraper having a first end and having two parts extending therefrom for insertion into said short grooves, a hook portion formed to one of the parts laterally and engaged with the first recess of the ear, the scraper having a T-shaped plate slidably received in the groove of the handle.

Abstract: An apparatus to automatically position and operate surgical instruments, particularly for refractive keratic surgery, particularly lamellar refractive surgery, which includes a device for correctly positioning the apparatus in correspondence with an operating cot; a device for vertically raising all the apparatus; a horizontal guide, a first support member slideably arranged on the horizontal guide, a horizontal linear actuator, which determines the slide in both directions of the support member on the horizontal guide; a vertical guide, integral with the first support member, and at right angles to the horizontal guide; a second support member slideable in both directions on the vertical guide by way of a first vertical linear actuator; a member for operating and supporting the surgical instrument, borne by the second support member; a horizontal plate integral with the support member and endowed with a second vertical linear actuator which allows its raising and lowering in an autonomous manner, and an arm

Abstract: An instrument to facilitate nuclear disassembly during cataract surgery includes a proximal handle, a shaft portion axially aligned with the proximal handle, an intermediate portion constructed to traverse the cortex of the eye, and a hook-form distal end. An inner region of the hook-form has a leading edge defined by diverging surfaces. The diverging surfaces lie at an acute splitting angle to one another selected to have a wedging effect when the leading edge is drawn along a cleavage plane of the nucleus. The diverging surfaces define a relatively bulky back portion that imparts desired stiffness to the leading edge. The hook-form is shaped to facilitate maintaining contact with the nucleus while the leading edge is drawn along the cleavage plane. A method of performing nuclear disassembly during cataract surgery utilizing the instrument is also described.

Abstract: A toothbrush with timer and signalling apparatus having interchangeable periodontal devices. The signalling apparatus is composed of both an audio and vibrating signalling device to alert the user when the preset time limit is achieved.

Abstract: This invention is a surgical device for producing a generally circular, interlamellar pathway within the corneal stroma of the eye. The device is made up of three major components: a vacuum centering guide having an inner bore which fits at one end against the front of the eye, a barrel which fits within the inner bore of the centering guide and to which is attached the third major component, a generally circular dissecting ring. The dissecting ring is shaped in such way that when an eye surgeon twists the barrel to which the ring is attached, the ring moves through the interlamellar space in the stroma producing the desired channel or pathway. The centering guide may optionally include a ring having one or more pins which firmly engage the cornea's epiphilium. The constituent parts of the surgical device, particularly the dissecting ring, also form a part of this invention. A split ring, or intracorneal ring ("ICR"), is inserted into the intrastromal passageway produced by the inventive device.

Abstract: Refractive error of the cornea is corrected by a scraping procedure of rotating or oscillating, about a center axis of the cornea, a sharpened knife edge blade that is tangential to and against that portion of the cornea to be corrected, and microaxially advanced until the refractive error has been corrected.

Abstract: Refractive error of the cornea is corrected by a scraping procedure performed within a vacuum chamber formed above the cornea.

Abstract: Hyperopia (far-sighted) refractive error of the cornea is corrected by a scraping procedure of rotating or oscillating a tool having a central pressure pad with a plurality of curved sharpened knife-edge blades that initially are tangential to and against an outer zone or band of the cornea and micro-axially advanced until the refractive error has been corrected.

Abstract: An instrument for cleaning the top of the tongue comprises a blade held at an oblique angle to the top of the tongue and having a sharp, scraping edge at least along its bottom; it is of a width to fit easily within the mouth and to cover most of the width of the top of the tongue. Arm means, in the form of two forwardly-extending side arms or a single central arm are provided to enable the user to place the blade obliquely near the back of the tongue and pull it forwardly to scrape any coating or other debris from the top of the tongue. In various embodiments, the side portions of the blade may be curved forwardly to capture and pull forward materials scraped from the tongue, and optional antiseptic-laden strips may be adhered to one or both sides of the blade near one or both scraping edges to medicate the scraped area of the tongue.

Abstract: An earwax curette includes a light beam localizing device connected to a curette body by a connecting ring to localize an incident light beam to the spoon-shaped hook of the curette body for illuminating the external auditory canal as the earwax curette is inserted in the external auditory canal to remove the earwax.

Abstract: The instrument comprises:a tubular outer support forming a shell about a determined axis and including an annular bottom portion that is circularly symmetrical about the axis to define a substantially spherical annular surface of the support for application against the cornea; anda tool carrier received inside the outer support and movable relative thereto between a high position and a low position, the tool carrier including a smooth tool-holding socket whose inside wall is resiliently deformable in the radial direction, the socket being axially movable relative to the support, a resilient member disposed between the socket and the support urging the tool carrier towards its high position, and a threaded drive socket screwed into the support above the smooth socket to constitute an adjustable top abutment for the smooth socket and opposing the return effect of the resilient member.

Abstract: A tongue cleaning brush/scraper comprising an elongated handle, one end of which is rounded and wider then the head of a conventional toothbrush, extending from said head a plurality of short bristles. Attached to the end of said rounded head, and extending at the same angle and to the same height as the short bristles is a semi-rigid scraper. When used, the invention will efficiently and quickly clean the tongue while not eliciting the gag reflex.

Abstract: A normally planar tongue scraper. The scraper has free ends and a central extent therebetween. The central extent has a first edge and a second edge with one of the edges having teeth formed therein. The teeth are undulating in configuration with arcuate exterior tips adapted to scrape the tongue of a user. The scraper is formed of a flexible material to allow bending along the length during use thereof. In an alternate embodiment, a support device is employed for removeably retaining the ends of the scraper with the central extent in an arcuate configuration. The support device has a handle end and forwardly projecting spaced fingers with slots therein of a size to receive the ends of the scraper.

Abstract: Phacoemulsification needles having distal ends with focusing surfaces for concentrating ultrasonic generated acoustic waves. The focusing surfaces can be beveled and/or provided with continuous curved or faceted surfaces.

Abstract: A wedge-shaped probe for the removal of cataractous tissue from within the eye is provided. The wedge-shaped probe has polished distalmost edges so that there are no sharp edges and hence the risk of damage to the cornea, iris or posterior capsule when the probe is used is minimized. Furthermore, the sloped-shape of the probe tip permits effective scooping of cataract material within the eye. Likewise the wedge shape efficiently lifts cortical material off the posterior capsule and is useful for posterior capsule clean-up. The probe can also be used to remove soft cataract material without using ultrasound. Preferably, when the instrument is used for that purpose, a movable spatula element is mounted to the probe and its associated handpiece for crushing and removing material which becomes lodged in the aspiration opening. When operatively coupled to a source of ultrasonic energy, the probe can be used for phacoemulsification of cataract tissue.

Abstract: A novel method for performing intraocular surgery is described in which a radial incision is first made in the sclera of the eye, a subsurface scleral pocket lateral and anterior to the radial incision is then created, the subsurface scleral pocket extending anteriorly to the cornea of the eye, and finally a transverse incision is made from the pocket through the cornea into the anterior chamber of the eye. Through these incisions a damaged lens can be efficiently and effectively removed and replaced with a new lens. Various post-operative benefits are observed as a result of employing this procedure.

Abstract: Refractive error of the cornea is corrected by a scraping procedure of rotating or oscillating a sharpened knife edge blade that is tangential to and against a top of the cornea at its center axis, and micro-axially advanced until the refractive error has been corrected.

Abstract: A tongue cleaner comprises a handle and a scraping portion secured at one end to the handle, the scraping portion being curved, and in general conformity with a human tongue, and having an arc-shaped cross section defining a first channel on one side of the tongue cleaner for accumulating material scraped from the tongue.

Abstract: A toothbrush provided with a replaceable bristle holder that is detachably receivable within a trough formed in the brush head and secured in position by a head cover, with the cover and the trough being configured for engaging corresponding portions of the bristle holder. A tongue scaler is slidably supported within the handle portion of the brush and a corresponding handle cover provided with a track engageable by a tenon formed on an end of the scaler to permit the scaler to be extended into a position of use or retracted into a position of storage with respect to the handle.

Abstract: An improved tip for a phacoemulsification needle having a proximal end attached to a phacoemulsification device, a distal end, a central longitudinal axis extending from the proximal end to the distal end with a bore within the needle concentric to the central axis thereof, so as to form a lumen, the lumen includes needle sidewalls having an inner and outer surface with an opening at the proximal and distal ends of the needle, the tip is formed by the distal opening which, when viewed from an angle perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis has a side view including a top wall located at a needle sidewall on one side of the central longitudinal axis. The top wall terminates in a top wall end face. The needle tip further includes a bottom wall located at a needle sidewall on the opposite side of the central longitudinal axis and extending distal of the end face of said top wall to form a tip projection. An end wall is disposed generally perpendicular to the tip projection.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for the surgical correction of ametropia, which can occur as a function of the corneal curvature in the optical system of one or both eyes of living beings, are proposed. The apparatus includes a grinder essentially comprising a base member to be fixed to the eye and a rotary-driven grinding or polishing punch. A displacement of the focal point in the retinal plane is achieved and consequently the ratio of the optical axis to the refractive force of the eye is corrected by grinding and/or polishing the cornea surface in the optical curvature region.