Abstract: A strand of flexible monofilament nylon or nylon-like material which is folded in half so that the two ends meet and are parallel. The ends are bonded by heating and melting the strands to form a single stem from the two strands, the stem having a greater stiffness than the single strand alone. The melting simultaneously creates a rounded tip at the end of the stem. The ends of the strand are joined so that a loop remains open at the fold. The stem is sufficiently stiff so that it can be fed through a pierced ear hole with the rounded end of the stem facilitating feeding the stem through the hole. The loop, which normally is open is compressed as the stem is pulled out the opposite side of the ear. The resilience of the loop is sufficient to permit it to remain slightly expanded so that its greater diameter "scrapes" the ear hole as it passes through. The loop resiles to its original shape as it exits the ear hole.

Abstract: An eye spud designed for use in removing foreign objects embedded in or adhering to the surface of the eye globe with minimal risk of infection or physical damage of the eye globe.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing metal fragments from the eye which consists of a magnetic probe.

Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical instrument (10) for cutting the lens (76) of an eye (70) includes first (12) and second (14) handle members which are interconnected for movement between an open position and a closed position. A wire loop (20) extends from the first end (12a) of the first handle member (12). A plate member (22) is interconnected to the first end (14a) of the second handle member (14) and is disposed adjacent the wire loop (20). In the open position of the handle members (12, 14), the wire loop (20) is spaced apart from the plate member (22) to receive the lens (76) therebetween. In the closed position of the handle members (12, 14), the wire loop (20) contacts the plate member (22) to cut the lens (76) disposed therebetween as the wire loop (20) presses the lens (76) against the plate member (22) to thereby cut the lens (76 ).

Abstract: This ophthalmological instrument is intended to aid in the removal of the mount (lens haptic) of an artificial intraocular lens from the eye, allowing the portion of the mount located behind the iris to be captured and severed by means of an axially sliding cutter installed inside the instrument head, in a tubular guide. In order to capture, sever and remove the mount from the eye in one single operation, it is the intent for the tubular guide to have a lateral opening at its tip, which is closed off by a stop plate at its face end. Parallel with the cutter, a holder with axially sliding motion is supported inside the tubular guide, which may be moved to contact the stop plate, independent of the cutter. The loop end to be severed is inserted sideways into the opening and, initially, clamped down by the holder against the stop plate, only to be severed by the cutter. Subsequently, the severed loop end is removed from the eye while still clamped down by the holder.

Abstract: This invention relates to the design and application of a goniectomy instrument for the purpose of diagnostically and therapeutically removing tissue from the anterior chamber angle of the eye and for retrieving this tissue for further examination. The surgical instrument of this invention comprises in combination: a hollow, tapered shaft having a cutting edge at one end as an integral part thereof; a retractable stylet contained within the hollow interior of the tapered shaft; and an irrigation port running along the outside of the tapered shaft. This instrument is useful for excising tissue to relieve an obstruction blocking the outflow of aqueous humor from the eye as well as for providing specimens of the excised tissue for histopathological examination.