Abstract: A system and methodology for treating patients with dementia using a methodology which includes a functional assessment of the patient to determine the patient's cognitive and daily living capabilities that is used to prepare a functional assessment of the patient to determine the patient's cognitive and daily living capabilities. The treatment uses a plurality of rooms providing living quarters the patients, with a control system executing a lighting program for a lighting system that is configured to simulate a plurality of different phases of daylight over a period of time. Furthermore, the lighting system includes a structure for adapted for simulating clouds. Also, the system provides at least one room having the lighting system and providing plants and flowing water providing an illusion of the room being outdoors.

Abstract: A method of designing a multifocal ophthalmic lens with one base focus and at least one additional focus, capable of reducing aberrations of the eye for at least one of the foci after its implantation, comprising the steps of: (i) characterizing at least one corneal surface as a mathematical model; (ii) calculating the resulting aberrations of said corneal surface(s) by employing said mathematical model; (iii) modelling the multifocal ophthalmic lens such that a wavefront arriving from an optical system comprising said lens and said at least one corneal surface obtains reduced aberrations for at least one of the foci. There is also disclosed a method of selecting a multifocal intraocular lens, a method of designing a multifocal ophthalmic lens based on corneal data from a group of patients, and a multifocal ophthalmic lens.

Abstract: Visual aids and associated methods for improving the eye sight of low vision patients are provided. Generally, the devices of the present disclosure address the needs of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other low vision patients by providing a magnified retinal image while keeping a large visual field of view. Further, the devices of the present disclosure allow direction of the magnified retinal image away from damaged portions of the retina and towards healthy, or at least healthier, portions of the retina. The devices of the present disclosure are also configured for implantation within the eye using minimally invasive surgical procedures. Methods of utilizing the devices of the present disclosure, including surgical procedures, are also provided.

Abstract: An optimization unit controls electrical currents of a set of electromagnets to generate a wanted maneuvering magnetic field pattern (MMP) for moving an in-vivo device in the GI system. The optimization unit may calculate a magnetic force and a magnetic field to maneuver the in-vivo device from a current location and/or orientation to a new location and/or orientation. The optimization unit may solve a magnetic force optimization problem with respect to the magnetic force in order to determine electrical currents suitable for generating the wanted MMP. The optimization unit may additionally or alternatively solve a minimum electrical power optimization problem with respect to the electrical power to be consumed by the electromagnets in order to recalculate or adjust the electrical currents. The optimization unit may solve one or more of the optimization problems while complying with a set of constraints associated with or derived from each type of optimization objective.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve comprises a radially crimpable and radially expandable, net-like, annular support frame and a valve assembly disposed therein, the valve assembly comprising a conduit tapering from an inlet towards an outlet thereof. Some embodiments or the support frame comprise a proximal portion and a distal portion, a diameter of the proximal portion smaller than a diameter of the distal portion. The proximal portion is dimensioned for deployment in an annulus of a native aortic valve and a distal portion for deployment in an ascending aorta. Some embodiments of the conduit comprise a support construction with a three-cusp, crown-shaped cut line, the support construction sutured to the support frame around a bottom portion thereof and around the cut line. A method for using the prosthetic heart valve to replace a defective native aortic valve uses a minimally invasive procedure.

Abstract: Devices for treating mitral valve regurgitation, including a distal expandable anchor, a proximal expandable anchor, and a fixed length connecting member extending from the proximal expandable anchor to the distal expandable anchor, where at least one of the proximal and distal anchors includes first and second arm segments that extend from one end of the device toward the connecting member and the other anchor when in a collapsed delivery configuration, and where the at least one of the proximal and distal anchors that comprises the first and second arm segments has an expanded configuration in which the first and second arm segments extend radially outwardly such that the first and second arm segments extend away from one another toward the connector, and meet one another at a location axially spaced from the end of the device.

Abstract: An implant is provided for use in an ankle joint between reconditioned end surfaces established on a distal end of an upper tibia bone and an opposing lower talus bone. The implant comprises a substantially porous rigid component adapted to be anchored against the upper tibia reconditioned end surface and the lower talus reconditioned end surface. The component defining an opening therethrough. An intramedullary nail is configured to pass through the opening in the component when the nail is driven through the talus and into the tibia.

Abstract: A method of performing laser surgery in a patient's eye includes generating a light beam, deflecting the light beam using a scanner to form an enclosed treatment pattern that is configured to form an enclosed capsulorhexis incision that includes a registration feature, and delivering the enclosed treatment pattern to target tissue in the patient's eye to form in an anterior lens capsule of the patient's eye the enclosed capsulorhexis incision that includes the registration feature. The registration feature is configured so that an edge of the target tissue formed by the enclosed capsulorhexis incision mates with an intraocular lens registration feature on an intraocular lens so as to rotationally register the intraocular lens relative to the registration feature.

Abstract: A foldable intraocular lens for providing vision contains an optic body that includes an optical zone and a peripheral zone entirely surrounding the optical zone. The optic body has an anterior face, a substantially opposing posterior face, an optic edge, and an optical axis. The anterior face comprises a central face, a peripheral face, and a recessed annular face therebetween that is disposed posterior to the peripheral face. The intraocular lens further comprises at least one haptic that is integrally formed with the peripheral zone. The haptic comprises a distal posterior face, a proximal posterior face, and a step edge disposed at a boundary therebetween. The haptic further comprises a side edge disposed between the optic edge and the step edge. The proximal posterior face and the posterior face of the optic body form a continuous surface. An edge corner is formed by the intersection of the continuous surface with the optic edge, the side edge, and the step edge.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improving overall vision in patients suffering from a loss of vision in a portion of the retina (e.g., loss of central vision) by providing a dual optic intraocular lens which redirects and/or focuses light incident on the eye at oblique angles onto a peripheral retinal location. The intraocular lens can include a redirection element (e.g., a prism, a diffractive element, or an optical component with a decentered GRIN profile) configured to direct incident light along a deflected optical axis and to focus an image at a location on the peripheral retina. Optical properties of the intraocular lens can be configured to improve or reduce peripheral errors at the location on the peripheral retina. One or more surfaces of the intraocular lens can be a toric surface, a higher order aspheric surface, an aspheric Zernike surface or a Biconic Zernike surface to reduce optical errors in an image produced at a peripheral retinal location by light incident at oblique angles.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polymeric stent by forming a pattern on a polymer tube with a laser, where the pattern formed on the polymer tube comprises a plurality of repeating units comprising a plurality of unit cells, each having a V-shaped configuration and polymeric stents formed by the methods. The pattern may be formed on the polymer tube (e.g., polylactic acid tube) using a second harmonic generator laser in which a wavelength ranging from 940 nm to 1552 nm is converted.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polymeric stent by forming a pattern on a polymer tube with a laser, where the pattern formed on the polymer tube comprises a plurality of repeating units comprising a plurality of unit cells, each having a V-shaped configuration and polymeric stents formed by the methods. The pattern may be formed on the polymer tube (e.g., polylactic acid tube) using a second harmonic generator laser in which a wavelength ranging from 940 nm to 1552 nm is converted.

Abstract: A prosthesis capable of being worn on the eye of a wearer having a convex surface and a concave surface. The prosthesis is configured to widen the natural palpebral fissure of a wearer's eye. The prosthesis may have an aperture widening zone located on the convex surface and including an area of increased surface friction. A method of widening the natural palpebral fissure of a wearer's eye is also provided.

Abstract: A first embodiment can be a method to reduce SLOSH energy absorption within an organism by reducing the inelastic collisions. A fluid containing organism can utilize an embodiment of the method wherein one or more of reversibly increasing pressure within the organs or cells, reversibly increasing the volume within the organs or cells, reversibly altering vascular, molecular, or cell wall stiffness, or reversibly altering vascular, molecular, or cell wall configuration within said organism may reduce these collisions.

Abstract: An intraocular lens for providing a range of accommodative vision, an extended depth of focus, or enhanced performance through the asymmetric transfer of ocular forces to the lens. The intraocular lens contains an optic and a haptic. The shape and/or material of the haptic results in the transmission of ocular forces to particular regions in the optic. Greater forces applied to particular regions result in deformation of that region and increased power.

Abstract: An implantable stent includes a plurality of rings. At least a distal end ring has an eased corner feature formed in the polymer substrate at a radially outward, distal-facing corner of the ring while relatively sharp corners of the polymer substrate are maintained in radially inward corners of the ring.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an ophthalmic lens includes an optic having an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and an optical axis. At least one of the anterior surface and the posterior surface includes a first zone extending from the optical axis to a first radial boundary and a second zone extending from the first radial boundary to the edge of the optic. The first zone includes an inner region and an outer region separated by a phase shift feature, the phase shift comprising a ridge extending outwardly from the inner region and the outer region.

Abstract: An intraocular lens system according to an embodiment includes a lens, a converter, and a driver. The lens is placed in the lens capsule, and configured to allow at least changes of the focal length. The converter is placed in the lens capsule, transmits part of incident light therethrough, and converts the energy of other part of the light into electrical energy. The driver is placed in the lens capsule, operates with the electrical energy obtained by the converter, and is used to change the focal length of the lens.

Abstract: The present invention provides a valved stent that can provide a valve function without blocking a branch blood vessel, and also can provide a valve function with minimum covering of blood vessel tissue in a stent indwelling section. Specifically, a cylindrical stent body 4 is provided. A leaflet 5 that can open/close a blood vessel 2 in a blood flow direction is provided. The leaflet 5 is composed of connective tissue and protrudes radially inward from the stent body 4. An inside and an outside of the stent body 4 radially communicate with each other. The stent does not block a branch blood vessel 8. An area of the blood vessel covered with the stent is reduced.

Abstract: Devices for treating mitral valve regurgitation, including a distal expandable anchor, a proximal expandable anchor, and a fixed length connecting member extending from the proximal expandable anchor to the distal expandable anchor, where at least one of the proximal and distal anchors includes first and second arm segments that extend from one end of the device toward the connecting member and the other anchor when in a collapsed delivery configuration, and where the at least one of the proximal and distal anchors that comprises the first and second arm segments has an expanded configuration in which the first and second arm segments extend radially outwardly such that the first and second arm segments extend away from one another toward the connector, and meet one another at a location axially spaced from the end of the device.