Apparatuses and methods for forming incisions in ocular tissue

1. A method comprising:

causing a first latch to release a first spring;

rotating a central axle in a first direction using the released first spring to impart a first directional motion to a wire wound around the central axle;

causing a second latch to release a second spring;

rotating the central axle in a second direction using the released second spring to impart a second directional motion to the wire;

imparting bidirectional rotation to a surgical blade using the wire, the surgical blade configured to be moved to form an incision; and

returning at least one of the first and second springs to a location for re-securing by at least one of the first and second latches.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

rotating the central axle in the first direction comprises moving the central axle closer to the second latch; and

causing the second latch to release the second spring comprises triggering the second latch based on the movement of the central axle towards the second latch.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second spring is stronger than the first spring and causes the central axle to rotate in the second direction even when the first spring is not secured by the first latch.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

rotating the central axle in the second direction causes an end of the first spring to return to the location where the end of the first spring is secured by the first latch; and

returning at least one of the springs to the location for re-securing comprises depressing a plunger to return an end of the second spring to the location where the end of the second spring is secured by the second latch.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

placing a footplate on a patient's eye, the footplate comprising notches through which the surgical blade passes during rotation of the surgical blade.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

returning at least one of the springs to the location for re-securing comprises using first and second mechanical arms coupled to a plunger, the mechanical arms returning the first and second springs to locations for re-securing by the first and second latches upon depression of the plunger.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein causing the first latch to release the first spring comprises using a switch assembly having a projection inserted into a slot of the first latch, wherein movement of the switch assembly moves the projection to cause the projection to rotate the first latch and release the first spring.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second latches physically contact the first and second springs, respectively, in order to secure the first and second springs.

9. A method comprising:

using a wire to cause movement of a surgical blade that is configured to form an incision, the wire wrapped around a central axle of a surgical tool;

wherein using the wire to cause the movement of the surgical blade comprises:

using first and second springs to rotate the central axle in first and second directions, respectively;

using first and second latches to secure and release the first and second springs, respectively; and

using a switch assembly to cause the first latch to release the first spring so that the central axle rotates in the first direction, the second latch releasing the second spring so that the central axle rotates in the second direction.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

returning at least one of the springs to a location for re-securing by at least one of the latches using a plunger.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein returning at least one of the springs to the location for re-securing comprises using first and second mechanical arms coupled to the plunger, the mechanical arms returning the first and second springs to locations for re-securing by the first and second latches.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein:

the second spring causes an end of the first spring to return to the location where the end of the first spring is secured by the first latch; and

the plunger returns an end of the second spring to the location where the end of the second spring is secured by the second latch.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the switch assembly comprises a projection inserted into a slot of the first latch, wherein movement of the switch assembly moves the projection to cause the projection to rotate the first latch and release the first spring.

14. The method of claim 9 , wherein:

the first spring causes the central axle to move closer to the second latch; and

the second latch releases the second spring when triggered by the movement of the central axle towards the second latch.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the second spring is stronger than the first spring and causes the central axle to rotate in the second direction even when the first spring is not secured by the first latch.

16. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first and second latches physically contact the first and second springs, respectively, in order to secure the first and second springs.

17. A method comprising:

rotating a central axle in first and second directions using first and second springs, respectively, to impart first and second directional motion to a wire to thereby cause movement of a surgical blade that is configured to form an incision;

securing and releasing the first and second springs using first and second latches, respectively; and

causing the first latch to release the first spring using a switch assembly so that the central axle rotates in the first direction, the second latch releasing the second spring so that the central axle rotates in the second direction;

wherein the first spring causes the central axle to move closer to the second latch to thereby trigger the second latch to release the second spring; and

wherein the first and second latches physically contact the first and second springs, respectively, in order to secure the first and second springs.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the switch assembly comprises a projection inserted into a slot of the first latch, wherein movement of the switch assembly moves the projection to cause the projection to rotate the first latch and release the first spring.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the second spring is stronger than the first spring and causes the central axle to rotate in the second direction even when the first spring is not secured by the first latch.

20. The method of claim 17 , wherein:

the second spring causes an end of the first spring to return to the location where the end of the first spring is secured by the first latch; and

a plunger returns an end of the second spring to the location where the end of the second spring is secured by the second latch.