Abstract: A material is provided that uses controlled electrical current derived from two dissimilar galvanic materials to drive oligodynamic metal ions into solution. Exemplary materials include carbon and silver.

Abstract: An improved intraocular lens ("IOL") is provided that has antimicrobial properties. The invention involves use of one or more antimicrobial polymers in fabricating at least a portion of the IOL. A preferred form of the invention involves use of antimicrobial iontophoretic materials.

Abstract: An iontophoretic material is provided that uses controlled electrical current derived from two dissimilar galvanic materials to drive oligodynamic metal ions into solution to kill microorganisms on and near the material. Iontophoretic structures or material associated with a medical device are partially or completely covered with one or more covering layers that alter physical, mechanical, chemical, or biological properties of the device and/or the iontophoretic material. In addition to being partially coated or completely enveloped by iontophoretic material or structures, all or a portion of a medical device can be integrated with, impregnated by, or fabricated from an iontophoretic material.

Abstract: An iontophoretic material is provided that uses controlled electrical current derived from two dissimilar galvanic materials to drive oligodynamic metal ions into solution to kill microorganisms on and near the material. Iontophoretic structures or material associated with a medical device are partially or completely covered with one or more covering layers that alter physical, mechanical, chemical, or biological properties of the device and/or the iontophoretic material. In addition to being partially coated or completely enveloped by iontophoretic material or structures, all or a portion of a medical device can be integrated with, impregnated by, or fabricated from an iontophoretic material.

Abstract: An iontophoretic structure for medical devices is provided that uses controlled electrical current derived from two dissimilar galvanic materials to drive oligodynamic metal ions into solution to kill bacteria on and near the device to which the structure is affixed. In one embodiment, a first galvanic material separated from a second galvanic material by a resistive material produces an anti-bacterial current flow when placed in contact with an electrolytic fluid. In another embodiment, a cylindrical elastomeric catheter incorporates a first and a second galvanic material separated by a resistive material which controls a current flow between the galvanic materials when the catheter is immersed in an electrolytic fluid. The galvanic materials can be dissimilar metal powders embedded in a conductive polymer substrate that forms an iontophoretic composite material, or dissimilar metals arranged in layers separated by a resistive layer.

Abstract: An iontophoretic structure for medical devices is provided that uses controlled electrical current derived from two dissimilar galvanic materials to drive oligodynamic metal ions into solution to kill bacteria on and near the device to which the structure is affixed. In one embodiment, a first galvanic material separated from a second galvanic material by a resistive material produces an anti-bacterial current flow when placed in contact with an electrolytic fluid. In another embodiment, a cylindrical elastomeric catheter incorporates a first and a second galvanic material separated by a resistive material which controls a current flow between the galvanic materials when the catheter is immersed in an electrolytic fluid. The galvanic materials can be dissimilar metal powders embedded in a conductive polymer substrate that forms an iontophoretic composite material, or dissimilar metals arranged in layers separated by a resistive layer.

Abstract: A meniscectomy knife includes a preformed cutting trace through which a cutting element moves in response to motion producing means disposed on a handle. The cutting trace defines an arc having a size and shape which closely correspond to the lines of stress along a meniscus in the meniscal region of a human knee joint.

Abstract: The invention provides a catheter for ice mapping and ablation and a method of ablation using the catheter. The catheter includes at least two conduits for circulating a refrigerating fluid adjacent an ablation device located at the end of a catheter. The refrigerated ablation device is used to chill a localized region of myocardial tissue, thereby permitting the resulting change in electrical activity to be determined. In response to the test results, the ablation device may be used to make a lesion in the myocardial tissue to correct a cardiac arrhythmia. In one embodiment, the ablation device is an electrode which uses radio frequency energy to ablate the myocardial tissue. Alternatively, the ablation device is an electrode adapted for direct current ablation. In another embodiment, the electrode is replaced with an optical fiber in communication with a laser which uses the laser's light energy to ablate tissue.

Abstract: An iontophoretic structure for medical devices is provided that uses controlled electrical current derived from two dissimilar galvanic materials to drive oligodynamic metal ions into solution to kill bacteria on and near the device to which the structure is affixed. In one embodiment, a first galvanic material separated from a second galvanic material by a resistive material produces an anti-bacterial current flow when placed in contact with an electrolytic fluid. In another embodiment, a cylindrical elastomeric catheter incorporates a first and a second galvanic material separated by a resistive material which controls a current flow between the galvanic materials when the catheter is immersed in an electrolytic fluid. The galvanic materials can be dissimilar metal powders embedded in a conductive polymer substrate that forms an iontophoretic composite material, or dissimilar metals arranged in layers separated by a resistive layer.

Abstract: The invention provides a catheter for ice mapping and ablation and a method of ablation using the catheter. The catheter includes at least two lumens for circulating a refrigerating fluid adjacent an ablation device located at the end of a catheter. The refrigerated ablation device is used to chill a localized region of myocardial tissue, thereby permitting the resulting change in electrical activity to be determined. In response to the test results, the ablation device may be used to make a lesion in the myocardial tissue to correct a cardiac arrhythmia. In one embodiment, the ablation device is an electrode which uses radio frequency energy to ablate the myocardial tissue. Alternatively, the ablation device is an electrode adapted for direct current ablation. In another embodiment, the electrode is replaced with an optical fiber in communication with a laser which uses the laser's light energy to ablate tissue.

Abstract: The invention provides a catheter for ice mapping and ablation and a method of ablation using the catheter. The catheter includes at least two lumens for circulating a refrigerating fluid adjacent an ablation device located at the end of a catheter. The refrigerated ablation device is used to chill a localized region of myocardial tissue, thereby permitting the resulting change in electrical activity to be determined. In response to the test results, the ablation device may be used to make a lesion in the myocardial tissue to correct a cardiac arrhythmia. In one embodiment, the ablation device is an electrode which uses radio frequency energy to ablate the myocardial tissue. Alternatively, the ablation device is an electrode adapted for direct current ablation. In another embodiment, the electrode is replaced with an optical fiber in communication with a laser which uses the laser's light energy to ablate tissue.

Abstract: A surgical tool for operating within a body cavity through a small diameter opening includes a substantially rigid member which is elongated along a first axis and which has a cross-sectional dimension to fit within the opening. A head is mounted on one end of the rigid member for movement in at least one plane through an angle with respect to the first axis. An operable control member is mounted on an opposite end of the rigid member for having at least one degree of manipulability. The control member is coupled to the head member through the rigid member such that manipulation of the control member through an angle with respect to the first axis causes movement of the head member through a corresponding angle. Accordingly, the head member can be steered within a body cavity by control external to the body cavity. In some embodiments, the control member is manipulable to a second degree for actuating an actuating member mounted on the head.

Abstract: Thermoelectric heat pumps using recuperative heat exchange are described. These devices use sets of thermocouples (thermoelectric couples) arranged side-by-side to form a plate. The plate is positioned in a fluid-containing vessel and heat exchanging fluid is flowed down one side of the plate and up the other side. In these devices the heat flow, and thus the driving thermal gradient on each thermoelectric couple in the device, is in a direction from one side of the plate to the other side, i.e., other than the direction of the device's working thermal gradient, which is the direction of the flow of fluid. Generally these two directions (driving gradient on the thermoelectric couples and fluid flow-working thermal gradient) are essentially orthogonal to each other.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device has a cylindrical structure with a hollow central annulus member in which a fluid is pumped so that the heated fluid is pumped from the center of the structure and discharged on the outer surface of an outer annulus member or with the reversal of electrical current, the heated fluid is pumped from the outer periphery and discharged in the central tube. A plurality of thermoelectric cells are positioned in the space between the inner and outer annulus members with the cells being radially directed relative to the axis of the inner annulus member. A thermoelectric device having a similar structure may be used for the conversion of thermal energy to electrical energy when a thermal gradient is imposed between the inner member of the structure and the peripheral surface.