Abstract: A catheter for fallopian tube access comprising an elongated catheter body having a proximal region, a distal end and an elongated passage extending from the proximal region to the distal end. The elongated passage terminates in a distal opening at the distal end. The catheter body has an enlarged distal body portion and the distal opening is on the distal body portion. The distal body portion has a deflecting surface in the elongated passage adjacent the distal opening for directing a member or fluid passed through the elongated passage out of the distal opening along a path having a component which extends laterally of the catheter body.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens system (11), including an IOL (15) having a negative IOL lens portion (22) and a positive lens (13) adapted to be outside the eye and direct light toward the negative IOL lens portion. At least one of the surfaces of at least one of the lenses has a diffractive portion.

Abstract: A hot water system comprising a hot water heater and conduit means coupled to feedwater under pressure for conducting water to and from the hot water heater. The system also includes an injector pump and a reverse osmosis module which has an inlet port, a product water port and a brine outlet port. The injector pump has an inlet coupled to the feedwater under pressure, a brine port coupled to the brine outlet port of the reverse osmosis module and a discharge port coupled to the conduit means. The injector pump includes a first valve operated by the injector pump for opening and closing the inlet of the injector pump. A second valve is provided between the reverse osmosis module and the brine port. The injector pump provides water to the inlet port of the reverse osmosis module and increases the pressure of the brine at the discharge port of the injector pump to greater than the pressure of the feedwater so that the brine can be injected into the hot water system.

Abstract: A venting apparatus comprising a housing having a chamber, an inlet through which fluid can be supplied to the chamber, a liquid outlet through which liquid can leave the chamber and a gas vent through which gas can leave the chamber. The apparatus also includes a pivot arm and a valve element for opening and closing the gas vent to control the flow of gas through the gas vent. The valve element is carried by the pivot arm. A pivot device mounts the pivot arm for compound movement relative to the housing to move the valve element to open the gas vent. A first portion of the compound movement is about a first fulcrum and a second portion of a compound movement is bodily away from the gas vent and is different from the first portion of the compound movement. A float is mounted for movement in the chamber and is drivingly coupled to the pivot arm to drive the pivot arm to bring about such compound movement.

Abstract: A catheter comprising an elongated, flexible catheter body having a distal end portion which is curved in an unstressed condition. The catheter body has a through lumen and a mandrel lumen. A mandrel is provided in the mandrel lumen, and the mandrel has a distal end portion configured to at least partially straighten the curve of the distal end portion of the catheter body. The mandrel is movable between an extended position in which the mandrel at least partially straightens the curve of the distal end portion of the catheter body and a retracted position in which the catheter body is more curved than in the extended position of the mandrel.

Abstract: Optically clear, reinforced cross-linked silicone elastomers of the invention contain 12 to 18 mol percent of aryl substituted siloxane units of the formula R.sub.4 R.sub.5 --SiO end blockers containing silioxane units of the formula R.sub.1 R.sub.2 R.sub.3 --SiO.5, and dialkyl siloxane units of the formula R.sub.6 R.sub.7 --SiO. R.sub.1 and .sub.2 are alkyl, aryl or substituted alkyl or substituted aryl groups, and R.sub.3 is an alkenyl group. R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are phenyl or mono lower alkyl substituted phenyl groups. R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 are methyl or ethyl groups. The polymer has a degree of polymerization between 100 to 2000, and preferably approximately 250. The polymer also contains trimethyl silyl treated silica as a reinforcer in the weight ratio of approximately 15 to 45 parts of reinforcer to 100 parts of the polymer. After cross-linking, the polymer has properties of an optical refractive index which is at least 1.

Abstract: Methods for incorporating beneficial components into polymeric materials are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises introducing a reactable UV light absorbing component into a cross-linked and/or solid polymeric material containing reactable groups, and subjecting the reactable UV light absorbing component to conditions effective to chemically react the reactable UV light absorbing component with the reactable groups of the solid polymeric material.

Abstract: A method of delivering a substance to a fallopian tube of a patient which includes obtaining transcervical access to a fallopian tube with an everting catheter. Access to the fallopian tube is obtained by everting an everting element of the everting catheter in the fallopian tube. A substance selected from the group consisting of biological material and cytotoxic agents is then delivered through the everting catheter to the fallopian tube to deposit the substance in the fallopian tube.

Abstract: A swing weight for a golf club wherein the swing weight includes a main body sized and adapted to be received in a tubular shaft of the golf club, a flange adjacent one end of the main body and having larger cross-sectional dimensions than the main body, and a locking region on the main body adjacent to flange. The locking region has a cross-sectional dimension which is less than a cross-sectional dimension of the flange and which is greater than a cross sectional dimension of other regions of the main body.

Abstract: New valves to allow or prevent material flow through a conduit are disclosed. Such valves comprise a valve seat having a longitudinal axis, defining a through opening and including a seating surface which defines a portion of the through opening. A valve body, operatively coupled to the valve seat, is located at least partially in the through opening. A valve element is secured to and movable relative to the valve body. The valve element includes a sealing surface which is curved in at least one plane parallel to and including the longitudinal axis of the valve seat and is adapted to contact the seating surface to prevent material flow through the through opening. Pump assemblies and condiment dispensing systems employing such valves are also disclosed.

Abstract: New high refractive index polymeric compositions and foldable intraocular lenses made from such compositions are disclosed. In one embodiment, the present compositions comprise a copolymer including a major amount of a first constituent derived from a first monomeric component the homopolymers of which have a refractive index of at least about 1.50, a minor amount of a second constituent derived from a second monomeric component other than the first monomeric component the homopolymers of which have a glass transition temperature of less than about 30.degree. C., preferably less than about 22.degree. C., and a third constituent derived from a crosslinking monomeric component in an amount effective to facilitate returning a deformed intraocular lens made of the composition to its original shape.

Abstract: An ultraviolet light absorbing silicone composition is disclosed which comprises silicone base polymer and ultraviolet light absorbing component present as, or derived from, one or more silicon-containing ultraviolet light absorbing benzotriazole derivatives. Also disclosed are methods for producing such silicone compositions and derivatives. Such silicone compositions, which are preferably optically clear, are useful as lens materials.

Abstract: A controller for moving an elongated medical instrument in a catheter comprising a supporting structure including a mounting section adapted to be coupled to a catheter and a drive section. The controller also includes a drive wheel and a secondary wheel with each of the wheels having a peripheral surface. Each of the peripheral surfaces has an instrument groove portion. One of the wheels has a circumferential recess in its peripheral surface and the other of the wheels provides a circumferential projection. The wheels are rotatably mounted on the drive section with the peripheral surfaces in generally confronting relationship and with the projection in the recess to align the wheels and to maintain the wheels in alignment as the wheels rotate. The instrument groove portions are in confronting relationship to provide an instrument groove which is sized and adapted to receive an elongated medical instrument.

Abstract: A binding block for elevating the binding on a snow ski in order to achieve increased turning leverage has a midregion wherein maximum ski flexibility is permitted. In one embodiment, the binding block is comprised of two separate elements forming a gap between them in order to provide such maximum flexibility. The binding block is constructed from a lightweight, flexible yet compressible material so as to not inhibit the natural flexibility characteristics of the ski, while at the same time performing the desirable function of absorbing or dampening ski vibration. In another embodiment of the invention, the binding block is slidably mounted on the ski so as to move relative thereto in response to the flexing of the ski, thereby enhancing the flexibility of the ski and the "feel" thereof by the skier.

Abstract: New intraocular lenses, fixation member assemblies for use in such lenses and methods for making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention involves a method for producing a fixation member assembly which comprises exposing a fixation member component to a first plasma at conditions effective to enhance, relative to a substantially identical fixation member component which is not subjected to the exposing step, the bondability between the fixation member component and a polymeric coating to be located on the fixation member component; and exposing the fixation member to a second plasma in the presence of at least one material selected from polymeric components, polymerizable components and mixtures thereof at conditions effective to form the polymeric coating located on the fixation member component. Enhanced bondability between the polymeric coating-containing fixation member component and the optic of the intraocular lens and/or enhanced biocompatibility are preferably provided.

Abstract: An inflator for use with a catheter having an inflatable component wherein the inflator includes a housing having an elongated plunger passage and an elongated gage passage. The housing includes a one piece main body which defines at least major lengths of both of the passages, and the passages extend in generally side- by-side relationship. The housing has a port which communicates with both of the passages and which can be coupled to the inflatable component of the catheter. A plunger is movable longitudinally in the plunger passage and is extendible out of a plunger opening in the plunger passage. A pressure responsive gage member is movable longitudinally in the gage passage and is responsive to pressure of the fluid adjacent the port. An indicator is responsive to the longitudinal position of the gage member to provide an indication of the pressure of the liquid adjacent the port. A releasable lock carried by the housing limits the plunger movement.