Abstract: A medical device and a treatment method are disclosed which allow easy formation of a hole using energy and easy expansion of the formed hole without loss of tissue and allow an increase in working efficiency. A medical device is disclosed for forming a hole in a tissue in a living body and expanding the hole, the medical device including: a dilator having a first lumen formed inside and having a tip portion in which the first lumen opens on a distal side; and an output unit that outputs energy for denaturing the tissue and forming a hole, in which the output unit is disposed on a tip portion and formed discontinuously in the circumferential direction of the tip portion, and the outer diameter of the tip portion gradually decreases toward the distal side.

Abstract: A corneal irrigation system, for removing a color pigment(s) from an intracorneal channel, includes a syringe, an irrigation device, and a flexible tube coupling the syringe to the irrigation device. The irrigation device includes a handle, having a distal end and a proximal end, that is coupled to the cannula. The handle also includes a lumen. The cannula includes (i) a shaft section having a first end that is coupled to the handle's proximal end, (ii) a curved section having a blunt tip, wherein an exterior surface of the curved section includes a rough-surface region, and (iii) a lumen having an opening in the rough-surface region, the lumen extending from the first end of the shaft section toward the blunt tip. The cannula's lumen is coupled to the handle's lumen.

Abstract: A medical image processing device includes: image acquisition unit configured to acquire image information obtained by imaging with a medical observation device; and superimposed image generation circuitry configured to generate a superimposed image in which a pattern image having first images with a specific shape arranged in parallel in a specific pattern and a captured image based on the image information are superimposed on each other.

Abstract: A trephination apparatus can include a first member, a blade, and a second member. The first member can include a through-aperture and a first internal chamber. The first member can also include opening to the first internal chamber that can surround the through-aperture in a plane. The blade can have an outwardly-facing male profile at least partially matching the through-aperture and have a cutting edge. The second member can include a first body sized to be received in the through-aperture with the blade. The blade can be positionable between the first body and the female profile at the second opening. The second member can also include a second internal chamber with an opening extending about the aperture axis in the plane with an opening to the first internal chamber.

Abstract: Precise concentric, symmetric, and repeatable circular scoring (cutting) of Descemet's membrane is made possible by a handheld surgical ophthalmic device. The precision of the cut is provided by a stabilizing point on a stabilizing arm as well the anchoring insertion point at the limbus. Stabilization through the insertion point and the stabilizing arm provides a two-point fixation thereby establishing a cutting plane. The cutting plane allows for precise depth of cut whereas the rotating blade's consistent radius allows for circularity of the cut. The stabilization arm fixates on tissue, and is then removed when the procedure is completed. Consistent torque and contact pressure of the cutting blade is provided through rotational control via the depression of a button on a handle thereby removing the need to “free-hand” the desemetorhexis.

Abstract: A technique can consistently achieve thicknesses of ?50 ?m for corneal tissue for for Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK). Grafts with thicknesses of ?50 ?m are also known as nanothin DSAEK (NT-DSAEK) grafts. Evidence shows that using thinner DSAEK grafts, particularly NT-DSAEK grafts, can significantly improve visual outcomes. According to an example embodiment, a method for producing a corneal graft includes drying a donor cornea to cause a pre-cut thickness of the donor cornea to decrease. The method includes, concurrently with drying the donor cornea, determining pre-cut thickness measurements for the donor cornea. The method includes, in response to the precut thickness measurements indicating the pre-cut thickness of the donor cornea has decreased to a predetermined value, cutting the donor cornea to a post-cut thickness of ?100 ?m, or more particularly ?50 ?m, to produce a corneal graft.

Abstract: A method of treating or cleaning a wound bed is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a wound-care device. The wound-care device includes a handle and a head monolithically formed with a first end of the handle and extending away from the first end of the handle. The head includes a base and a plurality of projections monolithically formed with the base and extending away from the base. During use of the wound-care device, a user may manually disturb a wound bed of a patient by placing one or more projections of the plurality of projections in contact with the wound bed and manually moving, while the one or more projections are in contact with the wound bed, the wound-care device with respect to the wound bed.

Abstract: A device for marking a corneal surface of an eye includes a planar base having a central opening, a marking side, and a non-marking side, a linear marker extending across the central opening, and an outer circumference of the planar base having a wall extending vertically away from the non-marking side.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for an adjustable standing platform for a person. The adjustable standing platform includes a base structured and arranged to be disposed upon a support surface with a movable platform disposed above and generally parallel to the base, the movable platform having at least one removable foot pedal controller providing at least a portion of a standing area, each removable foot pedal controller in wireless communication with at least one associated remote base unit. An actuator couples the movable platform to the base, the actuator structured and arranged to move the movable platform generally towards or away from the base. A flexible outer element substantially enclosing the adjustable standing platform, the flexible outer element structured and arranged to expand and contract as the movable platform moves relative to the base. An associated method of providing and using the adjustable standing platform is also provided.

Abstract: A device for separating tissue in an eye includes a body configured to be positioned on the eye surface. The body receives air from one or more air supplies. The body includes one or more air supply channels. The separation device includes a plurality of needles extending from the body. Each needle includes a proximal opening, a distal opening, and a passageway extending between the proximal and distal openings. The proximal openings of the needles are coupled to the one or more air supply channels. The distal openings of the needles are spaced from the body to be positioned in eye tissue. The one or more air supply channels direct the air from the one or more air supplies into the proximal openings, through the passageways, and out the distal openings of the needles and into the eye tissue. The air applies a pressure to separate the eye tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus has a first fluid conduit, a second fluid conduit, a connector member, an first tubular member, a second tubular member, and an inner cannula. The connector member has first and second passageways in which the first and second fluid conduits are positioned, respectively. A portion of the second tubular member is positioned within the lumen of the first tubular member. A proximal portion of the inner cannula is fixedly secured within the lumen of the first tubular member. The inner cannula lumen is in fluid communication with the first and second fluid conduits via the lumen of the first tubular member and the lumen of the second tubular member. The inner cannula may be inserted into the subretinal space of a human eye to deliver a leading bleb of fluid and then deliver a therapeutic agent, without having to withdraw the inner cannula from the subretinal space between the acts of delivering the leading bleb delivering the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: An ophthalmic tool and methods are shown. Examples of ophthalmic tools include cannula removal portions that include one or more grippers. In use the grippers, a mandrel, and a tool base provide a surgeon with a level of control that facilitates removal of a cannula. Other examples include a wound visualization tool that may be in combination with a cannula remover.

Abstract: A tuneable contact lens (100), wherein the contact lens comprises a central region (108). The central region has a circumferential wall and an anterior surface having an external curvature. The contact lens also comprises an inflatable ring (106) arranged around the circumferential wall of the central region, and at least one fluid reservoir (104) in fluid connection with the inflatable ring. The at least one fluid reservoir comprises a pump. When fluid is pumped from the at least one fluid reservoir to the inflatable ring, the inflatable ring inflates and the external curvature of anterior portion of the central region is changed.

Abstract: A work tip for an ultrasonic surgical hand piece has a solid knife with a sharp distal edge. A first fluid tube located on one side of the knife and has open ends to receive or discharge fluid. A second fluid tube is located on the other side of the knife and is slidably connected with the knife. The second fluid tube has an opening at a distal end and a smaller side hole. During phacoemulsification the knife is vibrated independent of the fluid tubes. The second fluid tube has irrigation fluid passing from the opening and side hole, and the first fluid tube is positioned so as to receive fluid from the second tube. During I/A cleanup the second fluid tube receives aspiration fluid only through the side hole because the knife is positioned to block the aspiration fluid from entering through the opening.

Abstract: A surgical cannulated blade instrument includes a blade portion having a pointed end, a top surface, and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, an increasing diameter portion having a diameter which increases in a direction away from the pointed end, and a cannula portion having a lumen opening at a location between the pointed end and the increasing diameter portion. An eye surgery method includes incising a cornea of an eye using a blade portion of a surgical cannulated blade instrument to create an opening in the cornea, injecting injectable into an anterior chamber of the eye through the opening by a lumen of the surgical cannulated blade, and stabilizing the eye by engaging an increasing diameter portion of the surgical cannulated blade with the opening.

Abstract: An ophthalmic device for treating an eye includes a laser source, a scanner system and an application head with a focusing optic and a patient interface for docking the application head onto the eye. Moreover, the ophthalmic device includes a measurement system for optically capturing eye structures when the application head is docked to the eye and a circuit which is configured to determine reference structures of the eye, which are arranged in ring-shaped fashion about the center axis of the anterior chamber of the eye, from the captured eye structures and to arrange a defined three-dimensional treatment model with respect to these reference structures in order to process a three-dimensional treatment pattern in accordance with the arranged three-dimensional treatment model in the eye.

Abstract: The shaped corneal/other tissue/bioengineered material trephines can create single or combination of shaped cuts and sections in cornea, sclera or any other tissue or bioengineered material of desired shapes, thickness, width, depth, radius, sizes/dimensions, measurements and configurations. It can create certain patterned or shaped cuts in tissue including but not limited to cornea and sclera/bioengineered material without using the femtosecond laser, especially in the case of cornea where at present the femtosecond laser is required for this purpose. A manual or motorized trephine allows creating cuts in different shapes, thicknesses, width, depth, radius, sizes/dimensions, configurations and measurements with single/multiple or combination of cuts.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for transseptal access of septa within a patient. The device can be advanced to a septum, e.g., towards a fossa ovalis. Instead of applying positive pressure to “tent” the septum, a negative pressure is applied to a lumen within a sheath, e.g., within an elongated member slidable within the sheath, via a negative pressure source such as a syringe on the proximal end of the sheath. This results in the septum pulling inward. The sheath employs a stationary needle-like central core component contained within the lumen of the sheath that punctures the septum when the same is pulled passed it by the negative pressure. The stationary needle-like central core component may be hollow and may form a portion of the elongated member or may be coupled to a distal end thereof.

Abstract: A device for producing control data for a laser device for the surgical correction of defective vision. The device produces the control data such that the laser emits the laser radiation such that a volume in the cornea is isolated. The device calculates a radius of curvature RCV* to determine the control data, the cornea reduced by the volume having the radius of curvature RCV* and the radius of curvature being site-specific and satisfying the following equation: RCV*(r,?)=1/((1/RCV(r,?))+BCOR(r,?)/(nc-1))+F, wherein RCV(r,?) is the local radius of curvature of the cornea before the volume is removed, nc is the refractive index of the material of the cornea, F is a coefficient, and BCOR(r,?) is the local change in refractive force required for the desired correction of defective vision in a plane lying in the vertex of the cornea, and at least two radii r1 and r2 satisfy the equation BCOR(r=r1,?)?BCOR(r=r2,?).

Abstract: A single-use adjustable depth trephine corneal punch device that allows a goal trephination depth of a donor cornea to be set and cut prior to a surgical procedure for cutting selected portions of an actual patient cornea. The corneal punch includes a punch block having a central well for receiving a donor cornea, a punch top mounted atop the punch block and having a central cylindrical opening coaxially aligned with the well, a punch blade mounted atop the punch top and through the opening cooperates with the top for combined limited rotation and limited axial movement from a reference or “start” point and into juxtaposed relation against the cornea and a limited axial downward movement during rotation to make a shallow cut in the cornea.

Abstract: A fixed depth skin flap elevator device is provided. The device includes an elongated handle having a proximal end and a distal end. The device further includes an upper arm and lower arm mounted to, so as to extend longitudinally from, the distal end of the handle. The upper arm overlays the lower arm. At least free ends of the upper and lower arms are spaced apart by a distance which is equal to a pre-determined cutting depth. A blade is supported on the lower arm at about its free end. Translation of at least the lower arm within a tissue interior results in separation of a deeper tissue from a surface tissue at a pre-determined cutting depth to form an undermined skin and subcutaneous surface tissue flap of uniform thickness. A method of using the device is also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a one-piece patient interface for single-stage docking of a femtosecond laser. The one-piece patient interface includes an upper circular portion, a lower conical portion integrally formed with the upper circular portion, an applanation plate in the lower conical portion, and a vacuum connection. The applanation plate may be at least partially coated with an applanation plate coating that is substantially transparent to treatment wavelengths of the femtosecond laser and substantially reflective to non-treatment wavelengths. The disclosure further provides a method for single-stage docking of a femtosecond laser and a system for cutting a flap on an eye using a femtosecond laser.

Abstract: The devices and methods of the present invention provide a means to depress the sclera in such a fashion as to provide single point, multiple point, semicircular or 360° circumferential scleral tissue depression without the need for manual manipulation of the scleral depressor. The device comprises a shaped depressor for insertion between the sclera and the orbit of the eye and a holding means for positioning the depressor. In some embodiments the device can be integrated with a speculum. Use of the device eliminates the need to have a second person manipulate the depressor during the procedure and directly enables bimanual surgery.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for driving axial motion of a shaft of a medical instrument using a drive device. Axial motion can include insertion and/or retraction of the instrument. For example, a robotic medical system can include a medical instrument comprising an instrument base and a flexible shaft configured for insertion into a patient, and a first robotic arm attachable to the instrument base of the medical instrument. The system also includes a drive device configured to engage the flexible shaft, and a second robotic arm attachable to the drive device. The second robotic arm is configured to operate the drive device to drive axial motion of the flexible shaft, and the first robotic arm is configured to move in coordination with operation of the drive device.

Abstract: A device for applying a marking to the human eye, in particular to the cornea of the eye, comprises a marking head comprising a marking element and a holding device carrying the marking head or an intermediate adapter. The marking head or the intermediate adapter has a bearing area which is rotatably mounted in a bearing ring of the holding device which surrounds the bearing area in a predeterminable or variable angular position.

Abstract: A microsurgical device and methods of its use can be used for treatment of various conditions including eye diseases, such as glaucoma, using minimally invasive surgical techniques. A dual-blade device can be used for cutting the trabecular meshwork (“TM”) in the eye. The device tip provides entry into the Schlemm's canal via its size (i.e., for example, 0.2-0.3 mm width) and configuration where a ramp elevates the TM away from the outer wall of the Schlemm's canal and guides the TM to first and second lateral elements for creating first and second incisions through the TM. The dimensions and configuration of the blade is such that an entire strip of TM is removed without leaving TM leaflets behind and without causing collateral damage to adjacent tissues.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for cutting a flap in laser ophthalmic surgery using polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT). The system includes a PS-OCT system, a femtosecond laser, control device, and processor. The PS-OCT system includes a PS-OCT source, a polarization component, a reference reflector, a beam splitter, a wave plate, and a detector. The processor receives data relating to an interference pattern of a reflected PS-OCT beam, received at the detector, determines a relative fiber orientation of the sample, determines whether a photodisruption pattern generated by the femtosecond laser to cut the flap should be adjusted horizontally or vertically, based on the relative fiber orientation, and may generate a control signal to adjust the photodisruption pattern generated by the femtosecond laser. The disclosure further provides a method for cutting a flap on an eye using PS-OCT.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for an eye marker device that includes a handle and an eye marker tip, wherein the eye marker tip includes at least two arms dimensioned for placing at least one mark or indicator on a cornea, sclera or sclera/cornea junction.

Abstract: A microsurgical device and methods of its use can be used for treatment of various conditions including eye diseases, such as glaucoma, using minimally invasive surgical techniques. A dual-blade device can be used for cutting the trabecular meshwork (“TM”) in the eye. The device tip provides entry into the Schlemm's canal via its size (i.e., for example, 0.2-0.3 mm width) and configuration where a ramp elevates the TM away from the outer wall of the Schlemm's canal and guides the TM to first and second lateral elements for creating first and second incisions through the TM. The dimensions and configuration of the blade is such that an entire strip of TM is removed without leaving TM leaflets behind and without causing collateral damage to adjacent tissues.

Abstract: A dissection system for corneal transplants includes a housing including a contact side to be positioned against a cornea. The housing includes an interior passageway with an opening at the contact side. The dissection system includes a blade assembly disposed in the interior passageway. The blade assembly includes a first blade and a second blade. The first blade includes a first cutting edge and the second blade includes a second cutting edge. The first blade and the second blade are movable relative to the housing such that the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge extend through the opening of the housing and out of the interior passageway. The first cutting edge produces a first cut in the cornea. The second cutting edge produces a second cut in the cornea. The first cut and the second cut define a volume of tissue for removal from the cornea.

Abstract: A vacuum device comprises a vacuum generator and a vacuum interface for fluidically coupling the vacuum generator to a vacuum cavity for affixing an ophthalmological patient interface on a patient's eye. The vacuum device comprises a movement detector which is configured to detect movements of the patient's eye and a control unit that is configured to detect a faulty fluidic coupling of the vacuum cavity on the basis of a pressure that is ascertained by a coupled pressure sensor and to produce a control signal for interrupting an ophthalmological treatment that is carried out by an ophthalmological treatment device if an eye movement is detected by the movement detector at the same time as the detected faulty fluidic coupling of the vacuum cavity.

Abstract: A system and method for holding a cutting tool at a predetermined distance from a defined cutting surface to prepare a tissue flap of substantially uniform thickness for optimal viability. A tissue holder plate having a vacuum chamber is provided to stabilize the tissue mass, and a cutting tool holder and guide plate restrict the movement of the cutting tool with respect to the tissue holder plate.

Abstract: An apparatus and use thereof for clearing a capsular space following removal of a cataract or other ophthalmologic procedure. The apparatus includes a body having an irrigation outlet, an aspiration inlet, and a sweeper head rotatably connected with the body for extending a portion of the body including the irrigation outlet, the aspiration inlet, and the sweeper head into the capsular space. The sweeper head is connected with the body by a flow-to-rotary converter located in a cavity within the body for powering the sweeper head with fluid flow while irrigating the capsular space, aspirating the capsular space, or both. Sweeping a surface of the lens capsule while irrigating facilitates clearing remnants and other material from the capsular space following removal of cataracts or another ophthalmologic procedure.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for interfacing a surgical laser with an eye using a patient interface device that minimizes aberrations through a combination of a contact lens surface positioning and a liquid medium between an anterior surface of the eye and the contact lens surface.

Abstract: A vitreous body cutter that allows wide movement of an opening position at the end part of a pipe even when the pipe is thin and that allows suction of vitreous bodies etc. in a wide range. The vitreous body cutter includes: a pipe having an opening on the side of an end part; a cutter, which slides along the inner surface of the pipe; a power output section, which is connected to the pipe and slides the cutter; and an outer case, through which the pipe passes, and which includes the power output section inside; and further includes a joint for connecting the outer case to a cannula attached to an eyeball. The protrusion length of the pipe from the outer case can be changed.

Abstract: This invention is a handheld multipurpose device for standardizing intraocular access for injecting into or obtaining substance(s), content(s), medicine(s), or sample(s) from a human eye(s) or an animal eye(s), in any age group(s), once a specific marker(s) is placed at corneal scleral Limbus.

Abstract: A method for the reduction or elimination of astigmatism in an eye that includes an astigmatism axis, the method including determining an astigmatism axis of an eye and forming a first set of incisions in a cornea of the eye that are bisected by the astigmatism axis. The method including forming a second set of incisions in the cornea that are bisected by the astigmatism axis, wherein the first set of incisions and the second set of incisions reduce or eliminate astigmatism in the eye.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shield (10) for the distal extremity of an administration device (3) comprising a hub (2) on which said shield (10) is to be removably engaged, said shield (10) having a wall (13) the internal face (14) of which defining an interior cavity (15) for receiving the extremity of the administration device (3), at least a portion (14a) of said internal face (14) being intended to be in contact with said hub (2) when said shield (10) is engaged on the extremity of said administration device (3), whereby said portion (14a) has, distributed over a major portion of said portion (14a), a surface feature (16, 17) that defines the amount of contact between said portion (14a) and said hub (2).

Abstract: Disclosed is a patient interface for affixment on onto a patient eye, said patient interface including: a negative-pressure cavity designed for fluidic coupling to the patient eye; a first negative pressure interface with a first negative pressure aperture for fluidically coupling the negative-pressure cavity to a negative-pressure device to charge the negative pressure cavity with a negative pressure; a second negative pressure interface with a second negative pressure aperture for fluidically coupling the negative-pressure cavity to the negative-pressure device to charge the negative cavity with a negative pressure; wherein the first negative pressure aperture and the second negative pressure aperture are arranged in a wall of the negative pressure cavity separate from and in close vicinity to each other.

Abstract: An ophthalmic apparatus for performing an ocular surgery may include an ophthalmic probe body having an inner cutting member at least partially disposed within and moveable relative to an aspiration tube within the probe body to facilitate flow of aspiration fluid. A motor within the body may be configured to actuate the inner cutting member relative to the aspiration tube.

Abstract: A support arm system (10) has at least one lockable articulated connection (16). A locking device (20) is associated with the articulated connection (16). The locking device (20) includes a passive drive (32) as well as an actuating device (36) associated with the locking device (20) with an active drive (38). The active drive (38) acts in the same plane as the passive drive (32).

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing subcutaneous surgery in a minimally invasive manner are provided. The methods include application of reduced air pressure in a recessed area of a handpiece placed over a section of skin and drawing the section of skin and subcutaneous tissue into the recessed area. In a subsequent step a tool is inserted through a tool conduit in the handpiece and through the skin into the subcutaneous tissue, enabling the performance of the desired surgery. Common surgical procedures include dissection and ablation. The devices and methods can be directed at the treatment of skin conditions like atrophic scars, wrinkles, or other cosmetic issues, at treatments like or promoting wound healing or preventing hyperhidrosis, or can be used for creating space for various implants.

Abstract: A surgical ophthalmic intra ocular access tool comprising a platform having a walled structure with central space(s), that is placed on the surface of the eye; a set or more of track(s) with entry and exit port(s) travelling within the wall(s) at a certain angle and length; a needle hub receiver(s) that allows universal attachment of any injecting device(s) with an opening to the bottom of the surgical ophthalmic intra ocular access tool; a projecting marker(s) on one or more sides; a set of repeated projections from the underside of the surgical ophthalmic intra ocular access tool to facilitate gripping to the eye tissue underneath; a rail like system outlining the inner as well as the outer walls, allowing multiple accessory(s) to be attached to either rail to facilitate surgical intervention(s) and predesigned holes at lower edge of said surgical ophthalmic intra ocular access tool in contact with eye wall(s) allowing for suturing in order to obtain secure attachment(s) or augmented wall(s) support.

Abstract: The present invention provides a graft more suitable for the transplantation of corneal endothelial cells and an application method thereof. Specifically, the present invention provides a corneal endothelial preparation capable of cell proliferation in vivo, which contains a substrate and a corneal endothelial cell layer cultured on the substrate, and a treatment method of a disease selected from the group consisting of bullous keratopathy, corneal edema, corneal leukoma and corneal endothelial inflammation, which includes a step of transplanting the preparation to patients. As the substrate, collagen is used.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for an eye marker device that includes a handle having an interior cavity, a marking device coupled to the handle, and a rotational scale for providing a visual representation of the angle of the marking device relative to a predetermined origination point.

Abstract: The invention provides a positioning device for use in an examination, procedure or surgery of the eye. The positioning device includes an incurvate body with an upper peripheral edge having a first arc length, a lower peripheral edge having a second arc length, and a curved lateral portion therebetween. The lower peripheral edge has an arc length that is longer than the first arc length, as well as one to eight indentations of a size effective to receive a surgical instrument. The incurvate body of the positioning device of the invention is configured to engage at least a portion of the eye posterior to the corneal limbus and beneath which the pars plana is located. The positioning device can also include a handle pivotably attached to the incurvate body. The positioning device can be used to stabilize the eye as well as assist in accurate positioning of instruments during eye examination, procedure or surgery involving the anterior or posterior segment of the eye.

Abstract: An ophthalmic system may comprise an imaging device having a field of view oriented toward the eye of the patient; a patient interface housing defining a passage therethrough, having a distal end coupled to one or more seals configured to be directly engaged with one or more surfaces of the eye of the patient, and wherein the proximal end is configured to be coupled to the patient workstation such that at least a portion of the field of view of the imaging device passes through the passage; and two or more registration fiducials coupled to the patient interface housing in a predetermined geometric configuration relative to the patient interface housing within the field of view of the imaging device such that they may be imaged by the imaging device in reference to predetermined geometric markers on the eye of the patient which may also be imaged by the imaging device.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube delivery device comprises a drive assembly and a force limiting shaft assembly. The shaft assembly comprises a cannula and a piercer operable to translate relative to the cannula so as to pierce the tympanic membrane of a patient. The piercer is mechanically coupled with the drive assembly such that actuation of the drive assembly causes translation of the piercer relative to the cannula. The piercer is mechanically coupled with the drive assembly by a clutch. The clutch is resiliently biased to couple the piercer with the drive assembly. The clutch is configured to uncouple the piercer from the drive assembly in response to a threshold force being imposed upon the piercer so as to inhibit translation of piercer relative to the cannula.

Abstract: A medical knife includes a blade plate and a blade portion formed at the distal end of the blade plate. Cutting edges extend from the distal end to the proximal end of the blade portion. Two blade surfaces in the width direction of a back-face portion of the blade portion are formed to gradually increase a distance between opposite side and cutting edge from one of the distal end and the proximal end to the other. The two blade surfaces in the width direction of a front-face portion of the blade portion are formed such that the distance between the opposite side and the cutting edge becomes equal in a zone corresponding to a distal end of the cutting edge and a zone corresponding to a proximal end of the cutting edge, over the entire cutting edge from the distal end to the proximal end of the cutting edge.

Abstract: The invention provides an eye fixation system that allows accurate positioning, stabilization and safe and efficient manipulation of the eye and surgical instrumentation used during procedures and surgeries of the anterior and posterior segments of the eye.