Abstract: An apparatus for moving a fluid medium comprising a positive displacement member movable to move the fluid medium and a drive mechanism adapted to be driven by a motor for driving the positive displacement member to move the fluid medium. The drive mechanism includes a driving member, a driven member, a resilient coupling and a wobble plate for driving the positive displacement member. The angle of the wobble plate is adjustable by varying the relative angular position of a driving member and a driven member.

Abstract: An acetabular cup comprising a shell having inner and outer ends, a cavity having an outer opening at the outer end, a surface defining an inner opening at the inner end and external screw threads for threading the shell into the acetabulum and an insert having an external polar cap and a concave bearing surface of generally part spherical configuration opening at a mouth. The insert is adapted to receive a femoral head and has an overhang to reduce the likelihood of dislocation. The insert is receivable in the shell with the polar cap being received in the inner opening of the shell. Interlocking teeth on the surface of the shell and on the polar cap of the insert hold the insert in any of a plurality of different angular positions relative to the shell so that the desired angular orientation of the overhang can be obtained.

Abstract: A pressure sensor comprising a main body having an inlet connectable to a source of liquid under pressure, an outlet, a passage extending through the main body from the inlet to the outlet and a surface outside of the passage. A flexible diaphragm confronts the surface and is coupled to the main body to at least partially define a sensing chamber. The main body has a port extending from the passage to the sensing chamber to provide communication between liquid under pressure in the passage and the sensing chamber. The port has a transverse cross section with at least one dimension which is no greater than about 0.060 inch.

Abstract: A hip-joint prosthesis which provides for universal motion about three transverse pivot axes comprising a femoral member adapted to be coupled to the femur and a cup assembly partially receiving the femoral member. The cup assembly is slidably received in the acetabulum. Motion about one of the pivot axes can occur in the prosthesis and motion about the other two pivot axes is forced to occur between the cup assembly and the acetabulum.

Abstract: A tube having an elongated core composed of a flexible narrow molecular weight distribution first polymeric composition, a sheath composed of a broader molecular weight second polymeric composition co-extruded over the outer core surface, and a liner composed of a broader molecular weight distribution second polymeric composition co-extruded over the inner core surface. The core may be composed of a composition exhibiting relative poor processability, and the sheath and liner of a composition exhibiting better processability.

Abstract: An instrument comprising an elongated control handle having a passage extending therethrough, an elongated flexible catheter body having at least one lumen and a distal end coupled to the control handle and an elongated flexible member extending through the passage and into the lumen and having a distal end portion. A tool is coupled to the distal end portion of the flexible member, and the tool is capable of performing a medical task within a patient. An elongated flexible image-transmitting member extends through the passage of the control handle and into the lumen. A position controller is mounted for sliding movement along the control handle and is drivingly coupled to the flexible members so that the axial positions of the tool and the image-transmitting member can be adjusted with respect to the distal end of the catheter body.

Abstract: A method of making an intraocular lens including providing a fixation member having a proximal end portion with the proximal end portion including an elongated filament, converting a region of said filament at said proximal end portion from a first configuration into a second configuration which is adapted to provide a mechanical interlock and molding an optic about the proximal end portion of the fixation member to form a mechanical interlock between the second configuration and the optic and to attach the fixation member to the optic.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve assembly which includes an artificial annulus, a prosthetic valve and a retaining ring for releasably retaining the prosthetic valve on the artificial annulus. By removing the retaining ring, the valve can be replaced with another valve. The artificial annulus includes a suture ring and a mounting ring mounted on the suture ring for receiving the prosthetic valve and the retaining ring.

Abstract: A method of attaching a fixation member to an optic comprising providing the optic with a cavity opening adjacent the peripheral edge of the optic with a shoulder in the cavity, inserting an inner end portion of the fixation member into the cavity, transmitting laser energy through the optic to the inner end portion of the fixation member to cause the inner end portion to become flowable, and allowing the flowable portion of the fixation member to harden and interlock with the shoulder to resist withdrawal of the fixation member from the cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing characteristics of a substance, such as blood, including a membrane support having first and second recesses and first and second dissimilar membranes extending over the first and second recesses, respectively. The membrane support has a groove between the recesses, and edge portions of the membranes extend into the groove on the side thereof adjacent the first recess. A retaining bar is received within the groove, and the membranes are tightly held between the retaining bar and the wall of the groove to form a smooth, essentially continuous surface. The membrane support forms a portion of a flow passage so that blood can flow along the membranes. First and second sensors are mounted on the sides of the first and second membranes opposite the flow passage for sensing characteristics of the blood. The first and second sensors engage the first and second membranes, respectively, to tension the membranes.

Abstract: A bumper step includes a rigid base, a pair of first and second elongated hook members adapted to be mounted on an upper portion of a bumper in spaced apart relationship, and a pair of first and second brackets with which to support the base from the hook members. The lower end portion of each one of the brackets is mounted on a respective one of the end portions of the base so that each one of the brackets can be pivoted approximately ninety degrees between a folded position in which the bracket lies generally flat against the upper base surface and an extended position in which the bracket extends generally perpendicular to the upper base surface.

Abstract: A hip joint prosthesis which provides for universal motion about three transverse pivot axes comprising a femoral member adapted to be coupled to the femur and a cup assembly partially receiving the femoral member. The cup assembly is slidably received in the acetabulum. Motion about one of the pivot axes can occur in the prosthesis, and motion about the other two pivot axes is forced to occur between the cup assembly and the acetabulum. The cup assembly includes an insert which is snap-fit within a cap. The insert is of one-piece, integral construction and has a resilient, flexible portion for allowing a portion of the femoral member to be received within a cavity of the insert.

Abstract: A hip-joint prosthesis which provides for universal motion about three transverse pivot axes comprising a femoral member adapted to be coupled to the femur and a cup assembly partially receiving the femoral member. The cup assembly is slidably received in the acetabulum. Motion about one of the pivot axes can occur in the prosthesis and motion about the other two pivot axes is forced to occur between the cup assembly and the acetabulum.

Abstract: A trephine for cutting a groove in the cornea of an eye comprising a fixation member and a shaft having first and second blades mounted thereon. The fixation member includes a bearing, and the shaft is receivable within the bearing. The fixation member can be affixed to the eye, and the shaft, when received in the bearing, is rotatable in the bearing so that the blades can make cuts in the cornea. By making cuts in the cornea which intersect, a segment of the cornea can be removed to provide the groove.

Abstract: A tripod head includes a base member adapted to be mounted on a separate tripod for pivotal movement about a panning axis and a platform member on which to mount a separate camera. Components are provided for mounting the platform member on the base member to enable independent pivotal movement of the platform member about first and second mutually perpendicular tilting axes. A locking mechanism locks the platform member against pivotal movement about both of the tilting axes by operation of a single knob. Friction plates enhance locking, and the number and size of the friction plates may be adapted to cause locking about one tilting axis before the other. A quick release camera mount is included that enables convenient displacement ninety degrees.

Abstract: A flexible tip catheter for electrically stimulating the heart comprising an elongated body having an elongated passage therein and an elongated conductor partially in the passage. The elongated conductor has a distal end portion outside of the passage which is flexible and resilient along its length. The distal end portion includes a flexible resilient electrode exposed at the outer periphery of the catheter so that current can be passed along the conductor to the electrode to electrically stimulate the heart. The distal end portion is more flexible at distal locations than at proximal locations along its length. The flexibility of the distal end portion and of the electrode greatly reduces the risk of penetration of the heart wall.

Abstract: Substantial magnification while preserving a wide field of view is obtained in the treatment of macular degeneration by implanting within the eye a lens having interior mirrored surfaces forming a folded telescope of either the Gregorian type or the Cassegrain type.

Abstract: A cutting device for vegetation comprising a supporting structure, a rotary cutting head adapted to have at least one strand-like cutting element extending therefrom, a motor for rotating the cutting head, an elongated guard and an arm for coupling the guard to the supporting structure.

Abstract: An endoscope comprising a body, including an elongated tubular distal section adapted for insertion into a patient and optics for transmitting an image through the distal section so that the image can be viewed at a viewing location. The image-transmitting optics include an elongated image-transmitting rod for transmitting the image to at least a region of the distal section. The image-transmitting rod is subject to breakage by bending forces and is divided longitudinally into discrete elongated rod sections to thereby reduce the likelihood of breakage by bending forces.

Abstract: A trephine for cutting a groove in the cornea of an eye comprising a fixation member and first and second shafts having blades mounted thereon. The fixation member includes a bearing, and the shafts are sequentially receivable within the bearing. The fixation member can be affixed to the eye, and the shafts, when received in the bearing, are rotatable in the bearing so that the blades carried by the shafts can make cuts in the cornea. By making cuts in the cornea which intersect, a segment of the cornea can be removed to provide the groove.