Abstract: A mini capsulorhexis valve device is composed of a curved, flexible discoid flap-valve member shaped to align with an ocular lens capsular bag inner surface, and a curved, flexible retainer member shaped to align with an ocular lens capsular bag outer surface, the curved, flexible retainer member being attached at a fastening point to the curved, flexible discoid flap-valve member. Attachment of the curved, flexible discoid flap-valve member to the curved, flexible retainer member may be via bonding with a silastic adhesive. In a method of accessing an ocular lens, the mini capsulorhexis valve device establishes a portal controlling access to an ocular lens. The method may include inserting a cannula through the mini capsulorhexis valve device to permit removal of a crystalline lens matrix and replacement thereof with a capsular filling material.

Abstract: An integrated rigid fixation orbital expander has a coupling tunnel, an injection port, and a substantially spherically shaped expansion chamber. The coupling tunnel is configured with opposing side walls, a top wall and a bottom wall. The top wall of the coupling tunnel may have a depression denoting a mid-point of the coupling tunnel and serves as an entry point to introduce a needle for injection. The depression lines up with a hole on the vertical arm of a plate. The plate may glide within the coupling tunnel to align the depression with a desired hole in the plate. The injection port has a floor and a dome and a plurality of channels. The floor of the injection port may have a backstop plate to block a needle from further penetration. The dome of the injection port is connected to the bottom wall of the coupling tunnel.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are: a composition including at least one glycosaminoglycan, e.g., CIS, and at least one alginate, e.g., sodium alginate, wherein: the at least one glycosaminoglycan and/or the algninate are cross-linked or polymerized, e.g., the alginate is cross-linked or polymerized, for instance by addition of an inorganic salt, such as a calcium salt; or the at least one glycosaminoglycan and the alginate are covalently bound, e.g., by means of a coupling reaction involving a linker molecule such as DVS; or the at least one glycosaminoglycan and/or the algninate are cross-linked or polymerized, e.g., the alginate is cross-linked or polymerized, for instance by addition of an inorganic salt, such as a calcium salt, and the at least one glycosaminoglycan and the alginate are covalently bound, e.g.

Abstract: An interferometric thin film measuring device has a source of illumination light, a detector disposed in a return path of light reflected from a specimen of illumination light, a plurality of wavelength filters that filter light into image channels, a weight vector calculating device that receives detected signals, a look-up table storage unit that stores calibration weight vectors, a weight vector comparing unit that compares calibration weight vectors from the look-up table storage unit to subject weight vectors, and a data output/storage unit to output the measured thin film values.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for rapid, continuous flow histological processing of tissues is disclosed. The steps of fixation, dehydration, clearing and impregnation are performed in less than one hour; this allows a pathologist to evaluate samples shortly after receipt, perhaps while the patient is still in the operating room. Rapid and continuous processing is accomplished by decreasing the thickness of tissue sections, use of non-aqueous solutions composed of admixtures of solutions, solution exchange at elevated temperature and with agitation, and impregnation under vacuum pressure. The patient in surgery is thus provided with point-of-care surgical pathology.

Abstract: A noncontact laser microsurgical apparatus and method for marking a cornea of a patient's or donor's eye in transplanting surgery or keratoplasty, and in incising or excising the corneal tissue in keratotomy, and for tissue welding and for thermokeratoplasty. The noncontact laser microsurgical apparatus comprises a laser source and a projection optical system for converting laser beams emitted from the laser source into coaxially distributed beam spots on the cornea. The apparatus further includes a multiple-facet prismatic axicon lens system movably mounted for varying the distribution of the beam spots on the cornea. In a further embodiment of the method of the present invention, an adjustable mask pattern is inserted in the optical path of the laser source to selectively block certain portions of the laser beams to thereby impinge only selected areas of the cornea.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for rapid, continuous flow histological processing of tissues is disclosed. The steps of fixation, dehydration, clearing and impregnation are performed in less than one hour; this allows a pathologist to evaluate samples shortly after receipt, perhaps while the patient is still in the operating room. Rapid and continuous processing is accomplished by decreasing the thickness of tissue sections, use of non-aqueous solutions composed of admixtures of solutions, solution exchange at elevated temperature and with agitation, and impregnation under vacuum pressure. The patient in surgery is thus provided with point-of-care surgical pathology.

Abstract: A preservative-free composition containing an effective amount of a corticosteroid in an aqueous carrier to treat a dry eye condition. The composition may be provided as a part of a therapeutic regimen to treat a variety of dry eye conditions and ocular surface disorders manifesting delayed tear clearance previously not readily treatable. The composition may be packaged as containers of single dosage amounts of the corticosteroid-aqueous composition sufficient for pulsed-therapy of acute exacerbations of the irritation symptoms and ocular surface disease of conditions associated with dry eye and delayed tear clearance.

Abstract: This invention includes an iso-energetic intensity modulating filter and method for therapeutic charged-particle beams, preferably electron beams, in which attenuating members are arranged to completely attenuate portions of the beam while permitting other portions of the beam to pass through the space between attenuating members. The attenuating members block the charged particles without producing any significant bremsstrahlung contamination in the filtered beam. The attenuating members can be arranged in a large number of configurations to obtain the desired modulated beam intensity profile. This invention also includes an improved iso-energetic, intensity-modulated charged-particle beam produced by the filtering device and method of this invention. A charged-particle beam therapeutic device and treatment method which has the iso-energetic intensity modulating filter is also included in this invention.

Abstract: A plurality of locally sensitive, far-field immune sensors are mounted in mutually spaced relation on the exterior of the body of a subject to detect electrical signals associated with voluntary skeletal muscle activity in the immediate physical vicinity of the sensors. The detected signals are used to determine which, if any, of a predetermined series of voluntary skeletal muscle maneuvers is performed by the subject. A signal bearing a predetermined relationship to the maneuver is then transmitted to a device to be controlled based on which maneuver the subject has performed. Also disclosed are a novel sensor and a method of making same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical technique and instrument kit that allows for subtle modification of the corneal curvature by interlamellar injection of a synthetic gel at the corneal periphery while sparing the optical zone. The gel viscosity, volume and disposition within the surgical annular track as well as the diameter of the track, width, depth, and location are all parameters in the refractive change obtained. Following ultrasonic pachymetry performed centrally and at a selected wound entrance located about 2.5 to 3.5 mm from the apex, a one millimeter or so wide, about 75-85% corneal thickness depth radial incision is performed with a micrometric diamond knife adjusted to about 86% corneal thickness. Inserted through the partial-depth incision, a corkscrew-like dissector or helicoidal spatula forms a 360.degree. annular track centered about the apex. A transparent gel is manually injected through the incision, filling the annular channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions useful in the stimulation of hair growth. These compositions comprise a conditioned medium obtained from a cell culture of human mononuclear cells or a conditioned or extracted medium obtained from a cell culture of mammalian normal or transformed cells or cancer cells.

Abstract: A synchronous, pulsatile angioplasty system utilizes a control apparatus which controls balloon inflation and deflation in a pulsatile fashion synchronized with the heartbeat of a patient. A heart monitor provides an input, a signal to the control apparatus which serves as a baseline for operation of the pulsatile inflation and deflation of the balloon. A triggering circuit reads the baseline signal and generates a control signal to selectively generate valves interconnecting the angioplasty catheter with sources of inflation media and low pressure. Time delay circuits may be utilized which delay either the duration of the control signal or the receipt thereof by the control valves.

Abstract: Plants with an altered starch synthesizing ability are produced by incorporating into the genome of the plant at least one donor gene encoding a starch primer. The starch primer is an enzyme capable of initiating starch synthesis, such as an amylogenin and/or glycogenin. DNA constructs encoding a starch primer are provided, particularly constructs encoding amylogenin from maize.

Abstract: A method of treating a subject afflicted with nicotine dependence with the opiate antagonist, nalmefene is described. The subjects will not gain significant amounts of weight as a result of smoking reduction or cessation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods and compositions related to the administration of connective tissue growth factor, alone or in combination with other growth factors, compositions or compounds, to induce the formation of connective tissue, including bone, cartilage, and the skin.

Abstract: The invention is a method of inhibiting cancer growth, including cellular proliferation, invasiveness, or metastasis in mammals. The method employs 6-demethyl-6-deoxy-4-dedimethylaminotetracycline (CMT-3) and other functionally related chemically modified, preferably non-antibacterial, tetracycline compounds to inhibit cancer growth. The method is particularly effective to inhibit the establishment, growth, and metastasis of solid tumors, such as tumors derived from colon cancer cells, breast cancer cells, melanoma cells, prostatic carcinoma cells, or lung cancer cells.

Abstract: A plurality of locally sensitive, far-field immune sensors are mounted in mutually spaced relation on the exterior of the body of a subject to detect electrical signals associated with voluntary skeletal muscle activity in the immediate physical vicinity of the sensors. The detected signals are used to determine which, if any, of a predetermined series of voluntary skeletal muscle maneuvers is performed by the subject. A signal bearing a predetermined relationship to the maneuver is then transmitted to a device to be controlled based on which maneuver the subject has performed. Also disclosed are a novel sensor and a method of making same.

Abstract: Activation of the c-fos promoter and the serum response element (SRE) in androgen independent cancer cells has been demonstrated. In androgen dependent cells, direct activation of protein kinase C (PKC) or serum response factor (SRF) activated the c-fos promoter or SRE and caused androgen independent expression of an androgen target promoter. The highly specific PKC inhibitor chelerythrine selectively killed androgen independent cells. Expression of mutant SRF cDNA's inhibited activation of the SRE in prostate cancer cells. These reagents demonstrate the feasibility of both chemotherapy and gene therapy in interfering with intracellular pathways on which androgen independent cells are dependent; i.e. a strategy is outlined for treating hormone independent cancer in which the PKC-SRE pathway is disrupted by either chemotherapy or gene therapy.

Abstract: An endoprobe includes a tubular element having a proximal end and a distal end. At least one optical fiber element is disposed within the tubular element. A plurality of laser light outlets are defined through a side wall of the tubular element. The at least one optical fiber element is adapted to conduct laser light from the proximal end of the tubular element to the plurality of laser light outlets, thereby to direct laser light radially of the tubular element. The tubular element is arcuately curved along a portion of its length, adjacent its distal end and the laser light outlets are defined along a radially inner portion of the curved portion.