Abstract: A fluid reservoir for retaining a particular fluid against an environmental force is disclosed. The fluid reservoir includes a three dimensional porous body that has a plurality of reservoir capillaries formed therein and has a transport volume and effective capillarity in the force direction for the particular fluid when the porous body is oriented in a predetermined orientation. The fluid reservoir also includes at least one lateral indentation in a surface of the porous body. Each of the at least one lateral indentation defines opposing reservoir surfaces each having a lateral surface component orthogonal to the force direction. The at least one lateral indentation is configured so that at least a majority of the reservoir capillaries have a force-aligned length component that is less than the effective capillarity for the particular fluid.

Abstract: An ophthalmic implant having a body for positioning in a recess created in the sclera, feet for positioning in the anterior chamber, and a neck between the body and the feet for positioning in a scleral opening created between the scleral recess and the anterior chamber. The implant feet extend beyond the implant body and have a curvature approximating the curvature of the anterior chamber. The implant has drainage passageways for draining ocular fluid from the anterior chamber. The passageways are formed in outer surfaces or through the interior of the implant. Interior passageways are formed in surfaces of layers of the implant or by voids in inner layers of the implant. Related methods include creating undercuts that receive outer portions of the implant body and creating a scleral opening that is longer than the implant neck.

Abstract: A separator constructed of a polymeric material is used with a surgical device that separates the epithelium of a cornea from the underlying Bowman's layer of an eye of a patient. The surgical device includes a positioning ring for temporary attachment to the eye and is structured to present and expose the cornea to be separated. The separator support is structured and disposed to carry the separator. A drive is operably connected to the separator support for causing movement of the separator across the positioning ring and for causing oscillating movement of said separator.

Abstract: An ophthalmic implant having a body for positioning in a recess created in the sclera, feet for positioning in the anterior chamber, and a neck between the body and the feet for positioning in a scleral opening created between the scleral recess and the anterior chamber. The implant feet extend beyond the implant body and have a curvature approximating the curvature of the anterior chamber. The implant has drainage passageways for draining ocular fluid from the anterior chamber. The passageways are formed in outer surfaces or through the interior of the implant. Interior passageways are formed in surfaces of layers of the implant or by voids in inner layers of the implant. Related methods include creating undercuts that receive outer portions of the implant body and creating a scleral opening that is longer than the implant neck.

Abstract: An instrument for separating at least a portion of the epithelium from Bowman's layer of a cornea of an eye. The instrument includes a vacuum-operated positioning ring for temporary attachment to the eye so that the cornea is received and exposed in a non-planar configuration and the epithelium is not in contact with any portion of the instrument. In addition, the instrument has a separator with an edge that separates the epithelium of the non-planar cornea from the underlying Bowman's layer as the separator moves along a predetermined path intersecting the cornea. No portion of the instrument contacts the epithelium prior to it being separated from Bowman's layer by the separating edge.

Abstract: A system and method of processing an item at least partially formed of a hydrophilic material to reduce or increase the item's protein affinity. In one example, the system and method prevent or greatly reduce the formation of insoluble ionic materials in or on the item during processing, thereby reducing its affinity for binding with pertinacious materials. An example application involves reducing the protein affinity of an ocular item such as an intra ocular lens or a contact lens, thereby reducing the potential for in-eye or on-eye ossification of the item.

Abstract: A thermoplastic fiber demonstrates moisture wicking properties. The fiber has one or more internal lenghtwise open channels each having an opening and at least one groove having a deepest point, a longest dimension and a mouth. The mouth is defined by moving a line from the deepest point along the longest dimension until the largest convex set is identified. The mouth is at the line segment closing the largest convex set. The mouth has width x wherein the average transverse cross-sectional area of the groove is greater than or equal to (.pi.x.sup.2)/8. A durable hydrophilic surface modification is assosiated with said channel.

Abstract: Image analysis method for determining pigment levels in fabric and yarn material. A sample fabric or yarn is illuminated by a source of visible light and a selected field area of the material is recorded then digitalized and stored in a video memory device. The digitalized field area is resolved into discrete segments or pixels having different intensity or gray level values. A frequency distribution in the form of a histogram of gray level values is plotted, and the resulting histogram is interpreted to determine pigment levels in the material sample.