Bausch-lomb Incorporated

Ala Moradian

Brian D McCary

Toh Seng Goh

Matthew J Fitzgerald

Joseph Gruber

A phacoemulsification transducer assembly includes a reflector and a driver connected to the reflector. The driver has a known driver vibration frequency range. A horn is connected to the driver opposite the reflector. A needle is connected to the horn opposite the driver. The needle has a known free shaft length. To maximize a desired stroke length of the needle for a minimal amount of power applied to the driver, a material forming the needle is chosen such that a speed of sound through the material results in a quarter-wavelength distance at the driver vibration frequency range substantially equal to the needle free shaft length.

Ultrasonic needles and transducer assemblies formed of non-metal materials or a combination of materials

A phacoemulsification needle includes a hub for connection to an ultrasonic handpiece. An elongated shaft is formed with the hub and extends from the hub. A distal end of the shaft breaks-up tissue when the distal end is caused to be vibrated by the handpiece. At least a distal portion of the shaft is formed of a material that has properties providing advantages compared to a metal needle. Example properties include a substantially lower density, a substantially higher electrical resistivity, a substantially lower thermal conductivity, a substantially lower mechanical lateral stiffness, a substantially higher efficiency of converting electrical energy powering the handpiece into motion of the distal end, a substantially lower acoustical impedance, a substantially higher Poisson's ratio, and a substantially higher mechanical gain.

A capsulotomy device for use in an eye having a capsular bag, comprising a conductive, primary coil capable of generating magnetic field lines and a conductive, secondary coil configured to permit insertion through an incision having a diameter of 3 mm or less, and placement on the capsular bag. When the magnetic field lines are projected through the secondary coil, a current is generated within the secondary coil.

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St. Louis, MO, United States of America

Ala Moradian