Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for inserting a lens into an eye. The apparatus comprises a cradle acting to hold the lens, e.g., in a deformed state, prior to insertion of the lens into the eye, the cradle being constructed, preferably of a shape memory alloy, so as to release the lens in response to a change in temperature; and an insertion assembly associated with the cradle and acting to insert, and preferably withdraw, the cradle into, and preferably from, the eye.

Abstract: A prosthetic gripping device includes an elongated support member haivng first and second end portions and an intermediate portion extending between the first and second end portions, a gripping head attached to the second end portion for holding an implement, and a sleeve to be secured on the arm of a user in order to hold the first end portion of the support member on the arm. The first end portion of the support member is dimensioned and arranged to be held on the arm by the sleeve in a position adjacent the inner wrist such that the support member extends toward the hand, the intermediate portion is dimensioned and arranged to curve slightly over the heel of the hand, and the second end portion is dimensioned and arranged to extend to the palm of the hand with the gripping head being thereby supported at the palm of the hand.

Abstract: A composition and process for cleaning an aluminum-containing article is disclosed. The process comprises: contacting a debris-laden aluminum containing article with a composition at conditions effective to do at least one of the following: (1) remove at least a portion of the debris from the aluminum-containing article and (2) condition at least a portion of the debris for removal from the aluminum-containing article, the composition comprising water, at least one tartaric component selected from the group consisting of racemic tartaric acid, salts of racemic tartaric acid and mixtures thereof, at least one acidic component in an amount effective to increase the solubility of the tartaric component in the composition, and at least on surface active component; andrecovering the aluminum-containing article having at least a portion of the debris removed therefrom.

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: An irrigation controller includes a microprocessor for controlling a plurality of watering stations under program control according to a plurality of stored parameter values, a display module operationally connected to the microprocessor means for displaying the parameter values, and a plurality of selector switches initiating the display of a selected one of a plurality of predefined groups of the parameter values. Each one of the switches corresponds to a respective one of the groups, and the display module includes both a first plurality of display elements configured to produce images of the parameter values and a second plurality of display elements configured to produce images identifying the selected group. One embodiment includes a liquid crystal display having the second plurality of display elements configured as arrowheads pointing toward panel labeling that extends to a corresponding one of the switches.

Abstract: An irrigation controller includes a microprocessor for controlling a plurality of watering stations under program control according to a plurality of parameter values, and a module dimensioned and arranged to enable a user to transport the module by hand. A memory is provide in the module for storing a set of the parameter values, and first and second mating connectors are provided on respective ones of a housing for the microprocessor and the module. The connectors are operationally connected to respective ones of the microprocessor and the memory circuit to enable the user to couple the memory means to the microprocessor in order to transfer the remotely programmed set of the parameter values to and from the microprocessor means. Microprocessor programming enables automatic watering interval adjustment, open circuit testing, and individual watering station shutdown in the event of a fault condition.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens having a size, shape, and composition adapted to be supported by the human eye in the optical path of the eye as an intraocular, contact, or corneal implant lens, includes a biocompatible lens body having a size and shape adapted to be supported by a human eye in the optical path of the eye. An optical portion of the lens body has anterior and posterior surfaces and a grooved portion defining a modified Fresnel or echelon lens pattern in at least one of the anterior and posterior surfaces. The modified echelon lens pattern includes annular zones that are configured so that at least some of the annular zones exhibit optical characteristics that vary circumferentially in order to at least partially correct for astigmatism.

Abstract: A lens container assembly comprising:a lens container acting to hold a lens, and including a base and a lens cover moveable relative to the base and acting together with the base to form a compartment of sufficient size to contain the lens;a carrier acting to carry the lens container and being movable so that by moving the carrier, the lens container is placed in a closed position with the lens cover in relative proximity to the base or in an opened position with the lens cover relatively separated from the base; anda housing acting to hold the carrier and being adapted so that the carrier is movable relative thereto, the housing including a cam acting to at least assist in moving the lens container to the opened position.

Abstract: A pumping system includes a pump for pumping a liquid, a motor for driving the pump, and components for coupling the pump to the motor so that the speed at which the pump is driven varies automatically according to the load the liquid imposes. One embodiment employs an automotive fluid transmission with a torque converter for this purpose, along with input and output manifolds that enable connection to differently sized lines. These components may be mounted on a portable support structure, such as a cart, to form a fully automatic, portable pumping system arranged so that a user can manually move the system to a desired location, connect to variously sized lines, and pump any of various liquids having different or varying viscosities.

Abstract: A needleless injector device includes an integral unit that is dimensioned and arranged to be grasped in the hand of a user, loaded with a selected dosage, and held proximate the skin in order to inject the selected dosage in a high pressure jet sufficient to pass the selected dosage through the skin for injection purposes, the unit having a barrel portion, a gas storage portion, and an intermediate portion. A trigger operates a release mechanism to release compressed gas from a storage compartment to act upon a piston and drive a plunger that ejects the selected dosage of medication through an aperture in the discharge end of the barrel portion, the piston face being larger than the plunger face to increase pressure.

Abstract: A catheter sized and adapted to be passed through a tortuous path into a desired location in a human medical patient's body is disclosed. This catheter includes a deflection system, such as a bellows located at or near the distal end of the catheter. The distal end portion of the catheter can be controllably deflected, relative to the remainder of the catheter, by activating, e.g., pressurizing, the deflection system. This controlled deflection allows one to easily maneuver the catheter through the tortuous path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with a panel having at least first and second targets thereon detectable with x-rays and comprising relatively moving the panel and an x-ray detection apparatus along a search path to locate the targets on the panel. With the targets located work operations, such as drilling and shearing, are performed on the panel.

Abstract: A drug infusion system includes a plurality of infusion pump modules and a central management unit interconnected with the infusion pump modules to provide centralized control. The central management unit includes a touch screen for communicating with a user, the touch screen including an arrangement for enabling the user to initiate the display of a menu of infusion-rate-related parameters and selectively assign values for any of the parameters in the menu while an infusion rate value is automatically calculated according to the values so assigned. One embodiment enables temporary transfer from a titrate screen to a calculator screen with which the values are assigned, and a separate set of values is preserved for each infusion pump module.

Abstract: An improved opthalmic lens is disclosed which has a plurality of alternating power zones with a continously varying power within each zone, as well as in transition from one zone to another. In other words, a plurality of concentric zones (at least two) are provided in which the variation from far to near vision correction is continuous, i.e., from near correction focal power to far correction focal power, then back to near, and again back to far, or vice versa. This change is continuous (progressive), without any abrupt correction changes, or "edges".Two versions of the invention are disclosed. In the first version continuous, alternating power variation is accomplished by a continuously changing curvature of the lens posterior surface, thereby altering the angle of impact of light rays on the eye.

Abstract: A sleeve useful on a surgical instrument, in particular an instrument for treating the eye such as a vitrectomy cutter, is disclosed. Such sleeve includes a hollow elongated sleeve portion with at least one fluid outlet at or near its distal end portion, and a hub secured to the sleeve portion and adapted to receive at least a portion of the surgical instrument. The present sleeve is made of one or more organic polymeric materials and provides substantial benefits, e.g., providing effective fluid seals and being non-irrigating in use, and being disposable after use.

Abstract: A closure for a T-shirt bag includes a sheet of material, the sheet of material defining first and second openings in which to place first and second handles of a T-shirt bag in order to restrain the handles for purposes of retaining the T-shirt bag at least partially closed. The first and second openings have substantially identical shapes, each being dimensioned and arranged to receive a portion of each handle. Each opening may include an access opening portion and an interior portion, the access opening portion being dimensioned and arranged to enable a user to pass handles through it into the interior portion. The interior portion of each opening may include first and second channel portions that extend on opposite sides of the access opening, each channel portion receiving a separate one of the handles.

Abstract: An intraocular lens comprising a deformable optic and first and second fixation members. Each of the fixation members has a proximal end portion. First and second elongated anchors are coupled to the proximal end portions of the fixation members, respectively, and the anchors and the proximal end portions are within peripheral regions of the optic so that the anchors can assist in attaching the fixation members to the optic. The anchors are spaced apart so that the deformable optic can be folded to facilitate insertion of the optic through a relatively small incision into the eye.

Abstract: An intraocular lens includes an optic for implantation in a human eye and first and second fixation members attached to the optic for supporting the optic from the capsular bag of the eye, each of the fixation members having inner and outer legs. The inner legs extend radially outwardly and circumferentially from first and second attachment sites on the optic to intermediate portions of the fixation members. Each of the outer legs extend along an arc from the intermediate portion of the fixation member to a distal end portion of the fixation member.