Abstract: The process for producing an orthopedic implant having an integrated silicon nitride surface layer includes steps for positioning the orthopedic implant inside a vacuum chamber, mixing nitrogen gas and vaporized silicon atoms in the vacuum chamber, emitting a relatively high energy beam into the mixture of nitrogen gas and vaporized silicon atoms in the vacuum chamber to cause a gas-phase reaction between the nitrogen gas and the vaporized silicon atoms to form reacted precipitate silicon nitride molecules, and driving the precipitate silicon nitride molecules with the same beam into an outer surface of the orthopedic implant at a relatively high energy such that the precipitate silicon nitride molecules implant therein and form at least a part of the molecular structure of the outer surface of the orthopedic implant, thereby forming the integrated silicon nitride surface layer.

Abstract: An intraocular lens for reducing aberrant optical effects includes an anterior surface, a posterior surface and a peripheral region/zone disposed about a central optical axis. The peripheral region/zone has an inflection region/transition area that is inclined with respect to the anterior surface at an angle between about 40 degrees and 120 degrees with respect to the optical axis.

Abstract: Artificial lenses and methods for optimizing vision in an eye of a patient comprising the steps of determining a target optical configuration including the optimum defocus and aberrations that the patients' eye should have in order to match or approximate the original optical configuration of the patient; determining the refractive change of the patient's eye required to achieve the optical configuration best corresponding to target optical configuration for the patient; and implementing the selected refractive change to achieve the target optical configuration.

Abstract: A therapeutic lens for the treatment of an epithelial defect comprises a layer of therapeutic material disposed over the stroma and/or Bowman's membrane to inhibit water flow from the tear liquid to the stroma and/or Bowman's membrane, such that corneal deturgescence can be restored to decrease corneal swelling and light scattering. The layer may cover and protect nerve fibers to decrease pain. The layer may comprise an index of refraction to inhibit light scatter from an anterior surface of the stroma and/or Bowman's membrane. The lens may comprise a curved anterior surface that provides functional vision for the patient when the epithelium regenerates. The layer of therapeutic material can be positioned on the eye in many ways, for example with a spray that is cured to adhere the layer to the exposed surface of the stroma and/or Bowman's membrane.

Abstract: Intraocular apparatus is provided, having an anterior side and a posterior side, and configured for use with an extraocular imaging device. The intraocular apparatus includes a photovoltaic energy receiver, or an RF energy receiver, on the anterior side which receives energy from outside the eye to power the intraocular apparatus. Additionally, the intraocular apparatus includes a photodiode on the anterior side of the intraocular apparatus which receives data from the extraocular imaging device. An application-specific-integrated-circuit (ASIC) is positioned on the posterior side of the intraocular apparatus and includes (i) circuitry configured to process the data from the photodiode into an image, (ii) an electronic display, e.g., a light-emitting diode (LED) display, which emits light representing the image, and (iii) at least two through-silicon vias connecting the ASIC to the photovoltaic energy receiver and to the photodiode. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: An intraocular lens including a lens portion and a haptics portion, the haptics portion including a scleral engagement portion including an elongate scleratomy transversing portion and a scleral engagement fixation portion, located at an intermediate location along a length of the elongate scleratomy transversing portion, preventing disengagement of the scleratomy transversing portion from a sclera.

Abstract: A locking/unlocking device for a knee prosthesis, comprising a femoral section and a tibial section provided with a tibial plate. These two femoral and tibial sections are both rotatably mounted, coaxial about an axis, comprising a disk constituting the femoral section, two left and right flanges, and a through-shaft, a freewheel assembly comprises a pinion provided with ramps and one rolling member per ramp, an unlocking arrangement comprising a wheel with pins, and a part remote from the unlocking arrangement comprising an angular control comprising at least one connecting rod interposed between the remote part and the tibial plate.

Abstract: A lower limb prosthetic device for use when bathing and showering includes a first shell. A rod is coupled to and extends substantially perpendicularly from an upper face of the first shell. A second shell, which has a top that is open, is coupled to and extends from the rod distal from the first shell. The second shell is substantially complementary to and configured to insert a stump of an amputated leg. A plurality of bladders, which is selectively inflatable, is coupled to an inner surface of the second shell. The bladders are configured to be inflated to couple the second shell to the stump. A plurality of first holes and a plurality of second holes are positioned through the first shell and the second shell, respectively. The first holes and the second holes are configured to drain water from the first shell and the second shell, respectively.

Abstract: A finger actuator, includes a plurality of fluidically interconnected inflatable chambers, wherein each chamber comprises outer walls having an embedded extensible layer selected to constrain radial expansion and freestanding inner walls; and an inextensible layer connected to the chambers at a base of the chambers, the inextensible layer comprising a flexible polymer and having an embedded inextensible layer that extends along the length of the finger actuator.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a posterior chamber intraocular lens with swivel haptics for capsulotomy fixation in an eye. The posterior chamber intraocular lens includes a circular optic and at least one pair of swivel haptics. The circular optic is configured to be positioned within a capsular bag of the eye. The circular optic includes plurality of positioning holes on a periphery. The at least one pair of swivel haptics is positioned on the circular optic. The at least one pair of swivel haptics is configured to be rotated away from the circular optic and fixed above an anterior capsule of the eye.

Abstract: Provided herein are devices used to reconstruct a natural lens capsule after a cataract surgery. The device flexibly adapts to the tension of the lens capsule as it is relaxed or contracted. This device comprises a ring-shaped rigid component. The rigid component comprises a distal end in contact with an anterior surface of the capsule and a proximal end disposed on a posterior surface of the capsule and disposed against a Wieger's ligament of the eye. A ring-shaped flexible component substantially concentric with the rigid component is flexibly fitted against an inner surface of the capsule. The ring-shaped flexible component comprises a proximal end formed on an outer surface of a proximal end of the rigid component, and a distal end extending away from the rigid component. A groove is disposed on an inner surface of the rigid component configured to receive haptics on an intraocular lens.

Abstract: An adjustable wedge can be used in an Evans technique foot and ankle reconstructive wedge surgery. The adjustable wedge can include a slide. The slide can be positioned to a suitable location on a patient's calcaneus, then fastened to the calcaneus through first and second holes through the slide at opposite ends of the slide. The adjustable wedge can include a body having a pair of wedged surfaces configured to contact the cutout of the calcaneus. The body can include a slot extending between the wedged surfaces. The slot can be sized to accommodate the slide so that the slide is slidable within the slot. A circumferential surface can extend circumferentially between the wedged surfaces. A threaded hole can extend through the circumferential surface to the slot. The threaded hole can receive a fastener, such as a set screw, to secure the slide to the body.

Abstract: An orthopaedic knee prosthesis includes a femoral component having a condyle surface. The condyle surface is defined by one or more radii of curvatures, which are controlled to reduce or delay the onset of anterior translation of the femoral component relative to a tibial bearing.

Abstract: The present invention includes two embodiments of a tethered ankle-foot prosthesis, one with a single toe to provide plantarflexion and with two independently-actuated toes that are coordinated to provide plantarflexion and inversion-eversion torques. An end-effector was designed which is worn by a subject, and which was integrated with existing off-board motor and control hardware, to facilitate high bandwidth torque control. The platform is suitable for haptic rendering of virtual devices in experiments with humans, which may reveal strategies for improving balance or allow controlled comparisons of conventional prosthesis features. A similar morphology is also effective for autonomous devices.

Abstract: An intraocular lens (100) is provided. The intraocular lens (100) includes an anterior surface (102) and a posterior surface (104). The posterior surface (104) defines a plurality of circular bands (114). Each circular band (114) is offset from its adjacent circular band (114) along a longitudinal axis (106) of the intraocular lens (100), wherein a surface (120) extends along the longitudinal axis (106) between peripheries of adjacent circular bands (114).

Abstract: An intraocular lens, comprising an optic having an anterior surface and a posterior surface, providing a refractive base power, at least one of the anterior surface and the posterior surface having disposed thereon a profile comprising steps having heights determined by combining three constituent diffractive profiles. The diffractive profiles correspond to powers p1, p2 and p3, the powers being different than one another and each power being a positive power less than about 1D or about 1.25D. Each of the diffractive profiles having step heights causing a phase delay, relative to aqueous fluid, of 0.6 to 1.2 times 2? for 546 nm light. The combined profile defined by the function: z=max (diffractive profile (p1), diffractive profile (p2), diffractive profile (p3)), where p3>p2>p1.

Abstract: A knee replacement, a kit for a knee replacement, and a method for performing a knee replacement are provided. A tibial fixed component of the knee replacement is configured to be permanently inserted into a resected tibia of a patient. A tibial modular component of the knee replacement is removably attachable to the tibial fixed component and has an upper surface to interface with a femoral component. The tibial modular component is removable from the tibial fixed component so that in the event that the fit of the knee replacement is not correct, the tibial modular component may be replaced with a differently sized tibial modular component without removing the tibial fixed component from the bone.

Abstract: A prosthesis that mechanically couples with both cancellous bone and cortical bone of a glenoid includes a head portion comprising a rear surface and an articular surface, an anchor member, and a plurality of deformable fins extending radially outward from the anchor member. The anchor member includes a distal end and a proximal end connected to the rear surface of the head portion. The plurality of deformable fins extend radially outward from the anchor member and includes at least a first proximal fin adjacent to the rear surface of the head portion positioned to engage with the cortical bone. The anchor member may also include at least one distal fin located proximate the distal end of the anchor member positioned to engage with the cancellous bone.

Abstract: An improved self-centering phakic refractive lens is disclosed. The lens floats freely in the posterior chamber of the eye and corrects vision of the patient but also prevents buildup of intraocular pressure, cataract induction and iris pigment dispersion. The lens comprises an optical body, haptic members which extend outward from the optical body, and a small hole in the approximate center of the optical body for the purpose of allowing aqueous humor to flow through that hole. The lens is designed such that its posterior surface conforms to the shape of the anterior surface of the patient's natural crystalline lens.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus provide an artificial knee. Such artificial knees may include a thigh link configured to move in unison with a thigh of the person, a shank link configured to be rotatably coupled to the thigh link, and a compression spring rotatably coupled to the thigh link at a first end and coupled to the shank link at a second end. The compression spring is configured to provide an extension torque between the thigh link and the shank link during a first range of motion of the thigh link and the shank link relative to each other. The compression spring is configured to provide a flexion torque between the thigh link and the shank link during a second range of motion of the thigh link and the shank link relative to each other.