An ophthalmic surgical instrument for nucleus splitting includes an instrument handle having proximal and distal ends, wherein the distal end includes a pair of cooperating blade mounts which can be selectively moved relative to each other by manipulation of the handle. A pair of circular blade elements are respectively joined to the blade mounts at the distal end of the handle. Each of the blade elements have a lower cutting surface positioned generally beneath an axis defined by the respective blade mount. The lower cutting surfaces define a cutting edge for penetration of the nucleus of the eye when brought.

In some embodiments, a vitrectomy probe may include an inner cutting tube reciprocating in an outer tube. The outer tube includes a side port and the inner tube includes a distal cutting port, and, in some embodiments, an additional side port. In some embodiments, the inner tube may also include a flat upper edge that cuts across the outer tube side port. In some embodiments, a diaphragm drives the inner tube and may have an open-stroke side with a lower hardness material than a closed-stroke side. In some embodiments, an aspiration tube coupled to the vitrectomy probe may include a first aspiration tubing and a second aspiration tubing with a lower hardness than the first aspiration tubing. In some embodiments, the vitrectomy probe may be coupled to pneumatic tubing that is stepped or tapered.

A method for removing soft tissue from a target tissue of the eye to enable drainage of excessive fluid, the method comprising: providing a device comprising a soft-tissue cutting tool, the cutting tool comprising an elongated proximal part attached to a proximal handle for gripping the device, a distal part having an open distal end and a distal cutting edge configured to attach to and cut the soft tissue, and a cavity extending inside the cutting tool to receive the cut soft tissue; positioning the device at a first point with respect to the eye; advancing the device along an axis until contacting said target tissue; distally progressing and rotating at least the distal part of the cutting tool into the target tissue to cut and remove the soft tissue by the distal part of the cutting tool, and storing the removed soft tissue in the cavity, thereby creating a channel of a predetermined geometry across the target tissue layer; retracting at least the distal part proximally out of the target tissue; and withdrawing the device out of the body, thereby leaving the created channel allowing the drainage of the excessive fluid.

Devices, systems, and methods for performing an ophthalmic procedure in an eye are disclosed. The devices include a hand-held portion and a distal, elongate member coupled to the hand-held portion having a lumen operatively coupled to a vacuum source. A drive mechanism operatively coupled to the elongate member is configured to oscillate the elongate member. When in use, the device is configured to aspirate ocular material from the eye through the lumen. The drive mechanism retracts the elongate member with a retraction speed profile and advances the elongate member with an extension speed profile. The retraction speed profile is different from the extension speed profile.

Systems and methods for monitoring for an occlusion in an aspiration line during an ophthalmic surgical procedure. An ophthalmic surgical system may include a first aspiration pump located in a handpiece, a second aspiration pump located away from the handpiece such as in a console, and a pressure sensor located between the first aspiration pump and the second aspiration pump. The pressure sensor is adapted to monitor for an occlusion in the aspiration line upstream of the first aspiration pump. The second aspiration pump may be operated at the same flow rate as the first aspiration pump and/or to maintain a constant pressure between the second aspiration pump and the first aspiration pump. Systems and methods as disclosed allow for a handpiece pump located close to the working tip while providing reliable occlusion detection with a pressure sensor located away from the handpiece.

Disclosed herein is a medical device. The medical device includes an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member. The outer tubular member has a distal end, an open window disposed at the distal end, and one or more dimples. The inner tubular member has a distal tip and one or more axial grooves. The inner tubular member is configured to be received within the outer tubular member. The one or more axial grooves and the one or more dimples are configured to align the distal tip of the inner tubular member with the open window of the outer tubular member. The open window of the outer tubular member and the distal tip of the inner tubular member are configured to cut tissue.

Surgical apparatus for performing a microsurgery including a cannula having an intraocular portion. The intraocular portion connects to an infusion tube. The intraocular portion includes fenestrations at its distal end. The intraocular portion receives fluid through the infusion tube and dispenses the fluid through the fenestrations lessening the flow at an infusion site in an eye. The surgical apparatus includes a vitreous cutter. The vitreous cutter includes a suction tube at one end and a shaft at another end. The cutting port cuts vitreous into smaller pieces or a laser that liquefies the vitreous. The shaft receives the cut vitreous pieces and the suction tube draws out the cut vitreous pieces from the eye. The surgical apparatus includes a vitreoretinal surgical tool having a vitreoretinal cutter. The vitreoretinal cutter has a scissor-like or forceps-like mechanism. The vitreoretinal cutter holds and/or cuts a membrane in the eye during the microsurgery.

Systems and methods for optimizing the application of pulse width modulation (PWM) in a voltage signal for delivering a current in a valve used to alternatively deliver pressurized gas to and vent from chambers in a vitrectomy probe used to drive a cutter.

Systems and methods for optimizing the application of pulse width modulation (PWM) in a voltage signal for delivering a current in a valve used to alternatively deliver pressurized gas to and vent from chambers in a vitrectomy probe used to drive a cutter.

A vitrector for performing a vitrectomy comprises a tubular shaft portion which is attached to a distal end of a vitrector hand piece. The shaft portion is provided with a sharply pointed needle tip portion for piercing the pars plana and sclera of the eye, and a pneumatically driven guillotine cutter is incorporated within the shaft portion of the vitrector at a location immediately adjacent to the sharply pointed needle tip portion. A source of pneumatic air is operatively connected to the proximal end of the vitrector hand piece and is pneumatically connected to the guillotine cutter so as to drive the same. In addition, an aspiration line is also operatively connected to the proximal end of the vitrector hand piece and is also fluidically connected to the region immediately adjacent to the pneumatically driven guillotine cutter so as to remove the floater particles, severed from the vitreous cavity by means of the pneumatically driven guillotine cutter, by means of aspiration.