Advanced Osseous Technologies Inc.

Other

Refractec, Inc.

Surgijet, Inc.

Coopervision, Inc.

Nexus Medical System, Inc. LLC

Biomet, Inc.

Nestle S.a.

Alcon Surgical, Inc.

Larry L Hood

Gregg Hughes

Robert C Klapper

James T Caillouette

Rex E Doherty

Antonio G Mendez

Maurice M Imonti

Ted Carlson

William T Hood

John Berkman

Paul R Goth

Saeed Steve Khalaj

Antonio Mendez G

Gregg W Hughes

Charles E Beuchat

Harold J Walbrink

Alexander Ureche

Dennis L Steppe

Randall R Bailey

Woodrow W Watson

Juan C Valdes

William T Cleminshaw

Steven Baldwin

Tony V Lemus

Gary D Boggs

An electrode assembly that can be used to apply current to a cornea. The assembly includes a tip that is attached to a stop. The stop is pressed into an inner channel of an electrode body. The stop limits the penetration depth of the tip into a cornea.

Electrode assembly for a thermokeratoplasty system used to correct vision acuity

A thermokeratoplasty system and method for locally heating and reshaping a cornea in a manner that produces a minimal regression of the corneal correction. The system includes a probe that is coupled to a power source which can provide current at a predetermined power, frequency and time duration. The probe has a sharp tip that is inserted into the stroma of the cornea. The tip has an insulated stop that controls the depth of tip penetration. Current flows into the cornea through the probe tip to locally heat and denature the corneal tissue. The denatured tissue causes a subsequent shrinkage of the cornea. A pattern of denatured areas can be created around the cornea to correct the vision of the eye.

Method and apparatus for modifications of visual acuity by thermal means

A power supply for a thermokeratoplasty system. The power supply can be connected to an electrode and a return element that are both coupled to a cornea. The power supply can perform a test routine to determine whether the cornea is too 'wet' or too 'dry'.

Thermokeratoplasty system with a power supply that can determine a wet or dry cornea

A power supply for a thermokeratoplasty system. The power supply can be connected to an electrode and a return element that are both coupled to a cornea. The power supply can perform a test routine to determine whether the cornea is too &ldquo;wet&rdquo; or too &ldquo;dry&rdquo;.

A dental instrument includes a pneumatic pressure intensifier that supplies a handpiece having an orifice to generate a high velocity liquid jet. A pneumatic system includes valves to supply the pressure intensifier and control the output to the handpiece. A jet forming assembly includes an orifice mount in the handpiece, and a guide tube assembly secured to the orifice mount. The guide tube assembly is variably positioned to select the minimum distance from the jet orifice to the tissue target, so that the jet force may be controlled.

Apparatus for dental treatment using high pressure liquid jet

A medical device that can emulsify tissue with a heated fluid. The device may include an active heating element that is located within an inner channel at a distal end of a cannula. The cannula is adapted to be inserted into tissue such as a cornea. The active heating element can provide heat to a fluid that flows through the inner channel. The heat can be transferred into a bolus of fluid that is periodically generated by a pump. The heated bolus is then directed onto tissue.

Method and apparatus for thermal emulsification

An apparatus for guiding a high speed liquid jet used in forming ophthalmic incisions includes an instrument body having an elongated rectangular portion and a tapered end portion. An applanation suction ring assembly is secured to the tapered end, and is provided with a stepped opening extending axially therethrough. A carriage assembly extends longitudinally within the instrument body, and a pair of high precision crossed roller slides join the carriage and body to permit lateral translation of the carriage. A micro-motor assembly secured within the body is joined to a pinion gear which engages a rack gear joined to the carriage to drive the carriage in lateral translation. The carriage includes a proximal connector for a high pressure fluid hose, and a jet nozzle assembly extending from the distal end. A plurality of guide members are provided, all having common structural features adapted to engage the stepped opening of the distal end of the instrument body. Each guide member includes a generally cylindrical body and a central portion comprised of a reticle and applanation plate, with differing guide members having applanation plates of various thicknesses. The guide member may include an adaptive applanator member that is selectively variably curved. The cylindrical body also includes an annular vacuum suction ring to selectively secure the device on the eye. The guide member has a jet slot extending in the sidewall thereof to receive the jet nozzle for lateral translation in a chordal path. An aspiration groove is formed within the guide member in opposition to the slot to aspirate the liquid and tissue debris from the incision.

Fluid jet keratome apparatus and method for refractive surgery

An ultrasonically driven surgical blade which has a recessed cutting portion that extends to a pointed tip. The interface between the tip and the recessed cutting portion provides a cutting edge which has a relatively low attack angle. The recessed cutting portion is located on only one side of the blade to create an unsymmetrical cutting action. When the surgical blade is ultrasonically driven, the unsymmetrical cutting surface and the offset center of gravity creates a transverse movement of the blade. The transverse movement of the blade more efficiently transfers the ultrasonic energy to the tissue to increase tissue coagulation. The blade may be driven by an acoustic wave that has a first base frequency that is modulated by, or switched with, a second frequency to further improve hemostasis. The blade may be coupled to a horn by a sleeve that contains electro-cautery pins, and/or lumens that provide gas for an argon plasma, or a pressure or vacuum source. The profile of the blade tip is no larger than the profile of the blade body so that the blade can be easily inserted into an instrument such as a trocar sleeve.

Blade for ultrasonically assisted cutting and hemostasis

Apparatus for modifications of visual acuity by thermal means

An apparatus for guiding a high speed liquid jet used in forming ophthalmic incisions includes an instrument body having an elongated rectangular portion and a tapered end portion. A cylindrical housing is secured to the tapered end, and is provided with a stepped opening extending axially therethrough. A jet carrier includes a longitudinally extending body, and a pair of high precision crossed roller slides join the carrier and body to permit lateral translation of the jet carrier. A micro-motor assembly secured within the rectangular body portion is joined to a pinion gear which engages a rack gear joined to the jet carrier to drive the jet carrier in lateral translation. The jet carrier includes a proximal connector for a high pressure fluid hose, and a jet nozzle assembly extending from the distal end. A plurality of guide members are provided, all having common structural features adapted to engage the stepped opening of the distal end of the instrument body. Each guide member includes a generally cylindrical body and a central portion comprised of a reticle and applanation plate, with differing guide members having applanation plates of various thicknesses. The guide member may include an adaptive applanator member that is selectively variably curved. The cylindrical body also includes an annular vacuum suction ring to selectively secure the device on the eye. The guide member has a jet slot extending in the sidewall thereof to receive the jet nozzle.

Hydrokeratome for refractive surgery

A guillotine surgical cutter. The cutter includes an inner sleeve that moves within the inner channel of an outer sleeve. The distal end of the outer sleeve may have a plurality of outer ports. The inner sleeve may also have an inner channel and one or more openings that are in fluid communication with the outer ports of the outer sleeve. The inner sleeve can be connected to a diaphragm and a disk spring. The diaphragm may be adjacent to a drive chamber that is coupled to a source of pressurized air by a control valve. Actuation of the control valve pressurizes the drive chamber and moves the inner sleeve relative to the outer sleeve. The cutter may include a snap spring that is attached to the disk spring and which provides an additional acceleration of the inner sleeve. The springs return the inner sleeve back to the original position when the control valve is switched to reduce the pressure of the drive chamber.

Guillotine cutter used with medical procedures

Disclosed is an improved ultrasonic knife of a type for incising various types of material. The knife has a reduced thermal footprint to tailor thermally induced tissue effects. Tooth configuration on the knife cooperates with the stroke of the ultrasonic drive to produce efficient cutting, as well as tactile feedback to the surgeon with respect to the rate of cutting, and changes in tissue density. Ultrasonic knife tip extenders are also disclosed for advancing the ultrasonic knife tip through the working channel of an endoscope or trocar sheath. Methods utilizing the foregoing apparatus are also disclosed.

Cavitation-assisted method of material separation

Ultrasonic knife

An apparatus that senses the pressure within a fluid line which has an external surface. The apparatus includes a sensor which has a probe that is in contact with the external surface of the fluid line. Any change in pressure deflects the fluid line and displaces the probe. The sensor provides an output signal that is representative of the probe displacement.

Growing community of inventors

Laguna Hills, CA, United States of America

Larry L Hood