Abstract: A multifocal refractive lens to focus light on the retina of the eye. The lens is comprised of a plurality of segments, having different optical powers, at least one for distance vision and another for near. The lens does not require orientation to produce adequate far and near vision and normal stereoscopic effect. One or both of the segments having the optical powers may have aspherical lens surface. The central zone of the lens consists of only one lens segment, providing a clear central axis. Segments of the other optical power border the first segment along a path defined by a semi-circle or hyperbola that extends from one point along the periphery of the adjoining segments to another point along the periphery of the adjoining segments.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for continuous, on-line monitoring of extracorporeal blood in a blood path. A shell has a blood inlet port, a blood outlet port and two compartments: a blood compartment and a plasma compartment separated by a semi-permeable membrane that allows plasma to pass, but not red blood cells. Blood flows through the blood compartment and transmembrane pressure is applied between the blood and the plasma compartments causing the plasma inside the plasma compartment to be replaced by fresh plasma that is flowing through the blood compartment. Any color change of the plasma in the plasma compartment can be detected.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for directing accelerated electrons to at least part of one surface of one ophthalmic mold piece prior to filling with monomer and lens polymerization. In particular it has been found that generation of the ionized oxygen by means of a corona treatment electrode sufficiently increases the adherence of the polymer to the mold piece so treated. In the preferred embodiment, the flange around the convex, male piece of the lens mold is corona treated so that when the mold pieces are separated after lens polymerization, the flashing of excess polymerized material surrounding the lens cavity adheres to that male, convex piece flange while the lens is removed with the female, concave piece.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for automatically retaining a removable chamber during operation, in a system for separating and irradiating multi-component fluids. A clamp arm that having two ends is provided: the first acts as a securing means, the second contains the clamp arm center of mass. The clamp arm is pivoted on the rotating chuck near the interface of the rotating chuck interior and the removable chamber exterior. The pivot allows for rotation of the clamp arm about the pivot, the pivot being located between the first end with the securing means and the second end containing the center of mass. When the chuck is rotating, the end of the clamp arm containing the center of mass rotates outward, causing the clamp arm securing means to pivot above the removable chamber thereby securing it in place.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing a molded ophthalmic lens from between the mold portions in which it is produced. A source of intense electromagnetic radiation, preferably a carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) laser of about 80 Watts at a wavelength of 10.6 .mu.m, is applied to at least one of the mold portions. The exposure of the mold portion to the laser is between one half and one second. Differential expansion of the heated mold polymer relative to the cooler polymer shifts one surface with respect to the other, and the shear force breaks the polymerized lens polymer mold adhesion and assists in the separation of mold portions. The greater the temperature gradient between the surfaces of the mold portions, the greater the shearing force and the easier the mold portions separate. The heated back mold portion is promptly removed so that very little energy is transferred to the polymer lens, avoiding the possibility of thermal decomposition of the lens.

Abstract: An improved intraocular lens is disclosed with at least one filamentary haptic composed of a continuous matrix material interspersed with a toughening amount of discrete particles of a multistage, sequentially produced elastomeric polymer. An improved process for preparing a single-piece intraocular lens is also disclosed. The process involves preparing a composite lens blank by molding pellets composed of a continuous polymeric material interspersed with particles of a multistage, sequentially produced elastomeric polymer about a central optic lens core so as to produce a single lens blank having a toughened annular region surrounding the central optic region, and then machining at least one filamentary haptic from the toughened annular region to prepare the lens.

Abstract: An audience participation system and method utilizing wireless transmission is provided. The system includes a plurality of modules in the possession of an audience, each module having a keypad or other means which is activated by a member of the audience in order for the audience to respond to a question posed by the speaker during his presentation. After the speaker poses a question, the audience responds by supplying information through a physical input into the module. The module then encodes the information provided into an encoded electrical pattern. This encoded electrical pattern is modulated into an electromagnetic signal which is then electromagnetically transmitted. A base station has a receiver for capturing the electromagnetic signal which is then demodulated into the encoded electrical pattern originally transmitted.

Abstract: A method of molding a deformable optic for a soft intraocular lens in which the optic has an opening therein for securely receiving a filamentary fixation member is disclosed. The method includes positioning a wire-like insert member in a mold for the optic at a location corresponding to the desired location of the opening, filling the mold about the wire-like insert member with a curable material selected to form the deformable optic, curing the material, and removing the wire-like insert member from the cured, molded optic.

Abstract: An aspheric lens for providing improved vision and a method for generating such a lens is described. The lens provides a sharp image focus while minimizing image aberrations. The method utilizes ray tracing techniques in conjunction with Modulation Transfer functions to accurately account for the total corrective lens-eye system. The lens may be in the form of a contact lens, an intraocular lens, a natural lens or a spectacle lens, and is suitable for correcting myopia, presbyopia, astigmatism and other focusing problems. The lens is characterized by a hyperbolic or parabolic surface which functions to reduce spherical aberrations and minimize the retinal image spot size.

Abstract: A multifocal refractive lens to focus light on the retina of the eye and method of making. The lens is comprised of a plurality of segments, alternating segments having different optical powers. At least for distance vision and another for near. The lens of the invention does not require orientation to produce adequate far and near vision and normal steroscoptic effect. One or both of the segments having the optical powers may have aspherical lens surface. Preferably, the lens has at least one aspherical lens surface and the segments are divided by an arcuate path going from the center of the lens to edge. Such a lens is manufactured by taking lens molds and cutting the molds from the edge through the center to the opposite edge along a predetermined path. The molds are cut so that the segments produced are interchangable and can be fitted together to make a mold that can produce the multifocal refractive contact lens by molding.

Abstract: A low water contact lens material having high O.sub.2 permeability, a lower water content and reduced polymer matrix size provides adequate O.sub.2 to the cornea, but does not wick water away from the eye nor allow protein or other tear components to penetrate and deposit in the lens. Such a lens is made by polymerizing and crosslinking a prepolymer which contains a cyclic polyol with polyalkylether segments containing curable segments. The cyclic polyols consist of alkoxylated glucose or sucrose which are then reacted with an isocyanate to produce an ultraviolet curable prepolymer. The prepolymer is then placed in a mold and polymerized by exposure to ultraviolet light. The free hydroxyl groups of the material react with a highly hydrophilic reagent to form covalent bonds thus making the surface of the material more wettable.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring a bodily constituent such as glucose or cholesterol by analyzing a sample taken from the body such as blood, saliva or urine. The sample is placed on a test strip inserted into the test block portion of the apparatus where the portion of the sample containing the constituent desired to be measured reacts with a chemical reagent. Products of this reaction have an absorbance/reflectance characteristic which is mathematically related to the concentration of the constituent in the bodily sample. The reflected light is absorbed by a photodiode and the output of the photodiode converted to a digital form where a microprocessor can calculate the concentration of the constituent using the mathematical relationship between the reflected light and concentration stored in memory means of the apparatus.

Abstract: Vision correcting lenses utilizing the principles of both Fresnel lenses and Fresnel zone plates are disclosed. The lenses of the present invention provide multifocal vision correction, and are most preferably used to provide intraocular lenses for small incision surgeries. Using the concept of a "tuned" Fresnel lens, intraocular and other types of vision correcting lenses are provided by the present invention which overcome the limitations found in typical Fresnel lenses by phase synchronizing the light passing through the lens. As disclosed, the groove width and depth of the lens may be varied to provide the synchronization, and also to provide multifocal vision. Also, the design of the present invention permits a relatively thin lens to be designed, therefore making it particularly applicable to small incision surgeries since it may be rolled or folded into a configuration which is easily inserted into an incision in the eye.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification system is provided, including an ultrasonic phacoemulsification handpiece and a handpiece driver. A handpiece simulator is provided to analyze the performance characteristics of the handpiece driver. The simulator is selectively coupled in a feedback loop with the driver so as to receive drive signals from the driver and return a feedback signal to the driver in the same manner as a handpiece. The simulator detects the frequency and voltage characteristics of the signal provided by the handpiece driver and on the basis thereof generates a feedback signal for return to the handpiece driver. The simulator can exercise the response of the driver dynamically by controllably varying the frequency of the feedback signal. The simulator may be constructed in either analog or microprocessor-based form. In the latter case, the microprocessor can determine whether the drive signals are within acceptable limits, and displays to the user the nature of unacceptable performance.

Abstract: An aspheric lens for providing improved vision and a method for generating such a lens is described. The lens provides a sharp image focus while minimizing image aberrations. The method utilizes ray tracing techniques in conjunction with Modulation Transfer functions to accurately account for the total corrective lens-eye system. The lens may be in the form of a contact lens, an intraocular lens, a natural lens or a spectacle lens, and is suitable for correcting myopia, presbyopia, astigmatism and other focusing problems. The lens is characterized by a hyperbolic or parabolic surface which functions to reduce spherical aberrations and minimize the retinal image spot size.

Abstract: A process is described for reducing the volume of spent ion exchange resins containing radioactive contaminants, and a filter aid having groups reactive with the functional groups of the resins. Spent ion exchange resin and the filter aid are dewatered, then subject to a pressure of about 2000 psi in conjunction with 250.degree. C. heat to reduce the volume occupied by the resin by up to a factor of 5 and impart rewet stability.

Abstract: Disclosed is a closure mechanism for sealing a nuclear waste disposal container. The mechanism allows partial closure of the container after internal apparatus have been inserted leaving a smaller opening for inserting and processing the waste material. Partial closure is achieved by inserting into the container an annular inner ring that fits against the container and by tightening an annular outer cap onto the inner ring, permitting access to the container through the aligned openings. After the waste material is loaded and processed, a sealing disk, axially joined to an inner plug to permit rotational but not linear movement, is passed through the outer cap opening and seats around the inner ring opening. The inner plug is tightened against the sealing disk by engaging matching threads on the inside of the outer cap opening.

Abstract: Described is an apparatus for removal of liquid from a waste burial container holding a slurry of waste material. Constructed inside the container are multiple layers of porous plastic pipe having pores of predetermined size and having the pipe extend radially from a central hub. The porous plastic pipe is supported internally by a sleeve in contact with the pipe inner wall at the pipe's hub end and a rod of smaller diameter running the length of the pipe. The hubs rest on plates that are affixed to vertical supports. Each hub is connected to a liquid removal system that includes piping and a header for applying a vacuum to draw the liquid from the slurry.