Abstract: Presbyopia is treated by implanting within a plurality of elongated pockets formed in the tissue of the sclera of the eye transverse to a meridian of the eye, a prosthesis having an elongated base member having an inward surface adapted to be placed against the inward wall of the pocket and having a ridge on the inward surface of the base extending along at least a major portion of the major dimension of the base. The combined effect of the implanted prostheses is to exert a radially outward traction on the sclera in the region overlying the ciliary body which expands the sclera in the affected region together with the underlying ciliary body. The expansion of the ciliary body restores the effective working distance of the ciliary muscle in the presbyopic eye and thereby increases the amplitude of accommodation. Hyperopia, primary open angle glaucoma and/or ocular hypertension can be treated by increasing the effective working distance of the ciliary muscle according to the invention.

Abstract: An intraocular lens (38) having focusing capabilities permitting focusing movement of the lens (38) in response to normal ciliary muscle movement incident to changes in the distance between the eye and an object under observation is provided. The lens (38) is designed for surgical implantation within the capsule (22) of an eye (10) and includes an optic (40) and a resilient body (46) which cooperate to form a discoid shaped lens (38) that generally conforms to the shape of the natural capsule (22). When distant objects are viewed, the ciliary body (32) is retracted and the capsule (22) flattens, thus causing the lens (38) to likewise flatten, moving the optic (40) posteriorly, closer to the fovea (26). When viewing near objects, the ciliary body (32) contracts, causing the capsule (22) and thus the lens (38) to expand to their original shape, shifting the optic (40) anteriorly, away from the fovea (26).

Abstract: Methods for treating total and partial occlusions employ a perfusion conduit which is penetrated through the occlusive material. Oxygenated blood or other medium is then perfused through the conduit in a controlled manner, preferably at a controlled pressure below the arterial pressure, to maintain oxygenation and relieve ischemia in tissue distal to the occlusion. In another aspect, interventional devices, such as stents or balloon catheters, are passed through the perfusion catheter to remove obstructions. Optionally, the occlusion may be treated while perfusion is maintained, typically by introducing a thrombolytic or other agent into the occlusive material using the perfusion conduit or by employing mechanical means to remove the obstruction. Such methods are particularly suitable for treating acute stroke to prevent damage to the cerebral tissue.

Abstract: A system for repairing body lumens including a modular graft and a method for deploying the graft within the body lumen. The modular graft includes a first component having first and second leg portions which mate with second and third graft components, respectively. The second leg portion has a bell bottom shape. The modular graft further includes expandable members which aid in implanting the modular graft as well as facilitates the mating of its components. In order to repair the body lumen, the first component is placed at the repair site and thereafter, the first and second legs are advanced to the repair site and attached to the first component.

Abstract: A valve prosthesis is disclosed which is implantable within a vein or other blood vessel of a patient using a minimally-invasive surgical procedure. The prosthesis includes a tubular wire frame which presses radially outward against the inner walls of the blood vessel following implantation to hold the prosthesis in position. Multiple flow-resistive pockets that open and close in response to changes in blood flow direction are attached to the frame to impede the flow of blood in the reverse direction. The prosthesis is implanted using an introducer catheter which holds the prosthesis in a radially-compressed state as the prosthesis is inserted into and positioned within the blood vessel.

Abstract: A method for modifying the curvature of a live cornea to correct a patient's vision. First, at least one relatively small opening is made in the cornea for inserting a fiber optic cable or micro-cutting tool therein to create a pocket or cavity with first and second opposed internal surfaces. The laser beam or micro-cutting tool can be directed onto one of the first and second internal surfaces, or both, if needed or desired to incrementally and sequentially ablate or remove three-dimensional portions of the cornea. If a laser beam is used, then a flexible template can be inserted into the opening in the cornea for accurately controlling the pattern to be ablated within the cornea. Preferably, the live cornea is then left alone to collapse and obtain its new refractive power by waiting a set period of time. After waiting the set period of time, the cornea is then examined to determine the new refractive power of the cornea.

Abstract: An IOL that is free of glare and the halo effect associated with conventional IOLs and a method for using the same is provided. The IOL is adapted for implantation into an eye, in place of or in addition to the natural lens of the eye, to adjust a refractive power of an eye. The IOL includes at least one lens portion and a light-absorbing material. The lens portion has first and second surfaces and a perimeter connecting the first and second surfaces which extends entirely about the lens portion. The first and second surfaces can have any suitable shape to provide the lens portion with a suitable refractive power. The light-absorbing material is disposed to absorb light propagating in a direction towards the perimeter to thus eliminate glare and the halo effect caused by such light. One or more haptics, which include a light absorbing material, can be attached to the lens portion for mounting the IOL in the eye.

Abstract: An IOL that is free of glare and the halo effect associated with conventional IOLs and a method for using the same is provided. The IOL is adapted for implantation into an eye, in place of or in addition to the natural lens of the eye, to adjust a refractive power of an eye. The IOL includes at least one lens portion and a light-absorbing material. The lens portion has first and second surfaces and a perimeter connecting the first and second surfaces which extends entirely about the lens portion. The first and second surfaces can have any suitable shape to provide the lens portion with a suitable refractive power. The light-absorbing material is disposed to absorb light propagating in a direction towards the perimeter to thus eliminate glare and the halo effect caused by such light. One or more haptics which include a light absorbing material can be attached to the lens portion for mounting the IOL in the eye.

Abstract: Optically clear, reinforced cross-linked silicone elastomers of the invention contain 12 to 18 mol percent of aryl substituted siloxane units of the formula R4R5-SiO, end blockers containing siloxane units of the formula R1R2R3SiO.5, and dialkyl siloxane units of the formula R6R7-SiO. R1 and R2 are alkyl, aryl or substituted alkyl or substituted aryl groups, and R3 is an alkenyl group. R4 and R5 are phenyl or mono lower alkyl substituted phenyl groups. R6 and R7 are methyl or ethyl groups. The polymer has a degree of polymerization between 100 to 2000, and preferably approximately 250. The polymer also contains trimethyl silyl treated silica as a reinforcer in the weight ratio of approximately 15 to 45 parts of reinforcer to 100 parts of the polymer. After cross-linking, the polymer has properties of an optical refractive index which is at least 1.44, a type A durometer hardness of at least 35, tensile strength of at least 500 psi and tear strength of at least 20 pli.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a ventilation control system for controlling the ventilation of a patient. The ventilation control system utilizes a user-friendly user interface for the display of patient data and ventilator status. The user interface includes a graphic representation of a breath cycle that displays the breath cycle currently being ventilated, and is also responsive to changes in ventilation settings to assist the user in evaluation the effect of those changes on the ventilator strategy before the changes are implemented.

Abstract: Presbyopia is treated by a method which uses ablative lasers to ablate the sclera tissue and increase the accommodation of the ciliary body. Tissue bleeding is prevented by an ablative laser having a wavelength of between 0.15 and 3.2 micron. A scanning system is proposed to perform various patterns on the sclera area of the cornea to treat presbyopia and to prevent other eye disorder such as glaucoma. Laser parameters are determined for accurate sclera expansion.

Abstract: A process for imparting a glare resistant zone to an intraocular implant such as an intraocular lens using a highly regulated spray of an abrasive material. The spray is preferably of air and aluminum oxide, which may be washed from the intraocular implant during cleaning and polishing thereof. The process is suitable for any machinable intraocular lens material such as acrylates, methacrylates and hydrogels.

Abstract: An intraocular lens assembly for use in the phakic or aphakic eye is provided. In the preferred embodiment, the intraocular lens assembly is suitable for the correction of myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism. The lens assembly has a lens having a circumferential edge, and a first haptic and a second haptic, which extend from the edge of the lens. Each of the haptics has a first leg extending from the lens edge to a distal end, and a second leg extending from the lens edge to distal end, and a transverse member extending between the distal ends of each first and second leg. The transverse member can be substantially straight or bowed inward toward the lens. Each leg has a footplate at its distal end. Each leg of each haptic may be in inwardly bowing, straight, and outwardly bowing. Additionally, each leg may have the same or different shape from the other legs. In a one embodiment, the first and second legs of the first and second haptics are outwardly bowing.

Abstract: A method and implantation tools for placing a transventricular splint including a tension member. The method includes gaining access to the patient's hearts and identifying entry or exit points for the tension member, marking those locations and delivering the tension member. Anchors for the tension member are also delivered. The length of the tensions member is measured and the walls of the heart drawn together. The pads are secured to the tension member and the tension member is trimmed to length. The pads are secured to the heart surface.

Abstract: An artificial cornea capable of preventing a separation thereof from an eyeball of the patient during an implant operation thereof while avoiding post-operative complications at the interface between the artificial cornea and the patient's cornea, such as erosive tissue necrosis (melting), leakage of aqueous humor, infection, extrusion of the implant, and intraocular inflammation.

Abstract: Disclosed is an instrument, valve prosthesis and procedure for the minimally invasive implantation of an anti-reflux valve in a patient for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Self-anchoring or stapleable one-way anti-reflux valve prostheses are provided, which may be implanted proximate a patient's gastroesophageal junction without open or laparoscopic surgery. An instrument for the peroral insertion, positioning and fixing of the valve prosthesis to the tissue of the esophagus is described for the implantation of either the self-anchoring or stapleable prosthesis.

Abstract: A method of using a plaster of Paris as an orthopedic filling material prepared by mixing 15-80% by weight of calcium sulfate half-hydrate and 85-20% by weight of water, an aqueous solution, an aqueous dispersion, or an aqueous suspension; and stirring the resulting mixture into a paste having a viscosity in the range of 20 and 75 poises. The paste is injected into a cavity of a bone or a vertebra to be reinforced. The injected paste becomes hard in the cavity, and eventually will be absorbed by the patient.

Abstract: A system and method for testing neuroregenerative and neuroprotective effects of specific substances on a human central nervous system. The method utilizes a standard ophthalmological procedure in which measurable but clinically insignificant damage occurs to the nerve fiber layer in a human eye. The method includes comparing the protection or regeneration of the nerve fiber layer in a patient provided with a test treatment versus a placebo treatment. Because the eyes are the only bilateral or duplicated manifestation of the human central nervous system, each human subject can act as his or her own control subject.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus for compressing ambient air to a pressure above ambient, directing the compressed air into a portable hyperbaric chamber in which a exothermal chemical reactor is located whereby the air is heated and changed in chemical composition and passing the heated product gas through an expansion motor wherein the work output of the expansion motor is used to help drive the compressor. The exothermal chemical reactor may support combustion or be a person.

Abstract: A method of selectively enhancing the effect of photothermal vascular targeting on tumor regression by administration of a bioreductive agent is disclosed.