Abstract: Apparatus for inserting intraocular lenses (IOLs) into eyes are disclosed. The apparatus comprises an insertion tube, and an injector rod having a distal tip capable of engaging an intraocular lens. A guide assembly is provided to direct the distal tip of the rod radially outwardly as it moves distally through the insertion tube. The radial movement of the tip is controlled such that the tip contacts a proximal edge, rather than a fold, of the IOL. The tip exerts little or no pressure on the bottom wall of the IOL cartridge, with any incidental pressure varying as the tip moves distally. In one embodiment, the guide assembly also includes a component for allowing the tip to return upward after contacting the IOL, thus decreasing or eliminating the pressure on the wall as the rod tip continues through a narrower diameter exit portion of the cartridge. Methods for inserting an IOL into an eye using such apparatus are also disclosed and are within the scope of the present invention.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for protecting the edge geometry of an intraocular lens during polishing are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a protective device having a cavity configured to receive the lens and an annular peripheral portion for surrounding and protecting at least one edge corner of the lens. In one embodiment, the peripheral portion has a constant inner diameter and receives the lens in an interference fit. In another embodiment, the lens is trapped between flanges which extend radially inwardly from the peripheral portion. A lens that is encased in the protective device will have a polished central portion and an unpolished peripheral portion after the polishing process has been completed and the protective device has been removed.

Abstract: An intraocular lens having an optic and a plurality of fixation members coupled to the optic. The fixation members are adapted to flex about points located closer to the outer edge of the IOL than to the optic. The fixation members may have a converging width intermediate region projecting outward from the optic and a pair of leg portions extending generally perpendicularly thereto. The leg portions include foot members and flex radially inward with respect to the intermediate region. Because the optic and intermediate regions are relatively stable, the leg portions flex inward but the optic does not vault or bow upon a compressive fit within the surrounding eye.

Abstract: An intraocular lens (IOL) for use in a mammalian eye includes an optic adapted to focus light toward a retina of the mammalian eye and, in cooperation with the mammalian eye, to provide accommodation, the optic including a first portion adapted to move in response to the action of the mammalian eye; and a second portion secured to the first portion and having a higher index of refraction than the first portion and/or being positioned generally anterior of the first portion.

Abstract: A multifocal ophthalmic lens, having outer annular zones with vision correction powers less than a far vision correction power of the patient, is disclosed. These additional annular zones come into play, when the pupil size increases under dim lighting conditions, to thereby compensate for the near-vision powered annular zones. The net effect of the additional near vision annular zones and the additional annular zones having power less than the far vision correction power is to shift the best quality image from in front of the retina to an area on the retina of the eye, to thereby reduce halo effects and improve image contrast.

Abstract: An apparatus useful for applying a traction force from a traction force system to a limb of a patient comprising:an elongated tubular member having an open first end and an opposing second end, sized and adapted to receive a substantial portion of a limb of a patient through the first open end, and being constructed so as to contract around at least a portion of the received limb upon the application of a traction force on the second end;an elongated hollow element having an open end and a sidewall which is microbially impermeable, sized and adapted to receive the received limb through the open end, at least a portion of the elongated hollow element substantially surrounds or is substantially surrounded by the elongated tubular member; andan attachment assembly secured to the elongated tubular member and acting to connect the elongated tubular member to the traction force system.

Abstract: A process for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir comprising:contacting the reservoir with at least one metal component selected from the group consisting of vanadium components in which vanadium is present in the 5+ oxidation state in an amount effective to promote the chemical modification of at least one component of the hydrocarbons in the reservoir, iron components in which iron is present in the 3+ oxidation state in an amount effective to promote the chemical modification of at least one component of the hydrocarbons is the reservoir, manganese components in which manganese is present in the 3+ oxidation state in an amount effective to promote the chemical modification of at least one component of the hydrocarbons in the reservoir and mixtures thereof, and at least one oxygen transfer agent in an amount effective to do at least one of the following: maintain at least partially the promoting activity of the metal component; produce at least a portion of metal compon