Abstract: The present invention is directed to an intraocular lens having a lens body which includes a primary portion and secondary portions. The secondary portions are connected to the primary portion with connect members. The secondary portions may be folded with respect to the primary portion so that a smaller perimeter for the lens body is possible during lens insertion into the eye thereby requiring a smaller incision in the cornea than is otherwise possible.

Abstract: A heart valve having a disc (10) pivotally mounted within a ring (14) by means of pairs of projections (16, 18 and 20, 22) carried by the ring. The disc and ring are arranged so that the blood flows through the valve as the disc moves relative to the ring reduces the likelihood of blood clot formations, in turn, reducing the likelihood of thrombosis.

Abstract: A pacemaker battery charging system that utilizes the pumping action of a modified heart valve to recharge the battery of the pacemaker by creating a current inductance as the valve operates, which current is supplied to the pacemaker's rechargeable battery.

Abstract: A body member is attachable at one of its ends to a handicapped arm and this body member is removably attachable to a stud secured in a handle end of an implement to be manipulated. The body member includes an axially non-rotatable, universal pivot connection allowing versatile movement of the implement.

Abstract: A heart valve apparatus includes a circular valve ring having a passageway therethrough and forming a valve seat around the passageway opening. A disk shaped valve element is shaped to cover the valve opening and to seat in the valve seat. The valve ring has a ring link bracket attached thereto, while the valve element has a valve element link bracket attached on one side thereof. A linkage is movably attached between the ring link bracket and the valve element link bracket to thereby allow the valve element to swing open and closed against the valve seat. The valve link has stop elements for preventing the swing of the valve link and the rotation of the valve element thereon. Two attracting permanent magnets are positioned at base of the link and valve ring to hold the valve link and valve element open until a predetermined force from pivoting valve element on the return flow, releases the link from the magnets for closing of the valve.

Abstract: An air system prosthesis for amputees includes a hollow body with stiff peripheral walls and an open end and a cup shaped partition defining with the walls a first socket. A hollow stump support second socket with stiff peripheral walls is snugly nested within the first socket upon the partition. The second socket includes spaced apart inner and outer walls with cup shaped closed ends interconnected and hermetically sealed at their other ends defining a continuous air chamber between the inner and outer walls adapted to snugly and frictionally receive a human stump. A manually operated air pump and pressure relief valve is mounted upon the outer wall having a normally closed air passage adapted for applying pressurized air to the chamber and for selectively exhausting air therefrom.

Abstract: The disclosed prosthesis for replacement of the bicuspid or mitral valve in the left auriculo-ventricular aperture, or of the tricuspid valve in the right auriculo-ventricular aperture, is fitted to a semi-rigid ellipsoidal and reniform support which imitates the biological shape of the original organ. The moving part of the valve is fashioned from a single piece of biological, bio-compatible or polymeric material, and fabricated such that the sub-valve section is supported by two "suspenders" in order to ensure a singularly biological type of operation, with no drop in pressure incurred during the opening movement, and with minimal regurgitation during the closing movement.

Abstract: An improved thoracic restraint device is provided for use in association with a low back exercise machine adapted for evaluating low back exercise movement against a resistance, particularly rotational movement of the lower back. The restraint comprises a back support having a pair of horizontally extending arms and a pair of flexible restraint straps adapted to be secured across the thorax of the user to the arms so as to secure the thorax of the user against the back support. In order to further limit rotational movement of the thorax during low back exercise, an adjustable back stabilizer is provided beneath the back support and adapted to restrainingly engage the lower thoracic area of the back so as to minimize rotation of the thoracic vertabrae during low back exercise.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot is disclosed which comprises an articulated heel. The heel comprises a plurality of links and has energy-storing resilient devices at adjacent ends of the links.

Abstract: An exercise machine having a beam pivoted off center, with a weight movable along the beam under control of a motor. A cable connects the beam to a handle or other device for assumption by the excerciser of the load created by the weight. The weight can be moved over center for counterbalancing purposes.

Abstract: A blood pump comprises an atrium chamber defined by flexible walls and having an inlet and an outlet, a ventricle chamber defined by flexible walls and having an inlet and an outlet, a passage communicating the outlet of the atrium chamber with the inlet of the ventricle chamber, a first one-way valve in the passage adapted to permit blood flow only from the atrium chamber to the ventricle chamber, and a second one-way valve in the outlet from the ventricle chamber adapted to permit blood to flow through the outlet only out of the ventricle chamber. The chambers are movably supported in a casing having first and second openings, the atrium chamber inlet being fastened to the first opening and the ventricle chamber outlet to the second opening. A drive device cyclically moves the walls of the ventricle chamber to decrease its volume and expel blood from it while simultaneously moving the walls of the atrium chamber such that its volume may increase upon inflow of blood into the inlet to it.

Abstract: An artificial ankle joint (FIG. 1) is of the kind which connects a shin member to a foot, by means of a ball and socket joint. The socket has adjacent main and subsidiary socket portions. The main socket portion has a first part, which engages the elastic covering of the ball, and a second part which extends down from the first part and receives within it the subsidiary socket portion. A circlip locks the parts together. The main socket portion includes an integral skirt which engages an annular elastic buffer which is mounted around the ball shank.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis with a valve housing in the form of a ring and a curved valve which is mounted within the housing and which is hinged to the valve ring by means of a flat flexible small lug which, if appropriate, is drawn in one region through a slot in the valve ring, is characterized in that the valve and the ring each consist of two rigidly joined halves fitting respectively onto or into each other, and the end portions of the small lug in the form of a short strip are embedded "sandwich"-like between the valve halves on one side and between the ring halves on the other side.

Abstract: An arrangement for adjusting the heel height of a prosthetic foot includes a cavity at the rear aspect of the prosthetic foot adapted to receive a separate locking block therein. Both the locking block and the cavity, as seen inside elevational view, are arcuate in configuration. Secured to the lower aspect of the block are a pair of arcuate rails spaced transversely from each other. Secured to the upper surface of the cavity and in complementary relation to the arcuate rails are a pair of transversely spaced grooves or tracks to receive the respective rails. The locking block may be moved longitudinally and arcuately of the prosthetic foot to thereby adjust the heel height of the foot when it is secured to a prosthetic device. A locking bolt is used to accomplish the attachment of the foot to the device and hold the block in fixed position to maintain the desired heel height.

Abstract: A spinal implant prosthetic insert for implantation into a void in the spinal column in place of a diseased or injured vertebra that has been removed. The insert maintains the height of the anterior spinal column, thus preventing deformity from occurring. The prosthesis insert is implanted into the spinal column after the anterior vertebral body has been removed. The insert is rigidly fixed in place with bone screws that will screw into the adjacent upper and lower vertebrae after the insert has been positioned in place, through the operation of a drive that is accessible after the insert has been implanted into place. The insert is contoured so that no substantial part of it protrudes outside of the margins of the anterior vertebral column, making it usable as an implant even in the lumbar region where protrusions from the spinal column cannot be tolerated.

Abstract: The invention concerns an elbow lock mechanism for use in artificial arms, comprising a locking bolt which is mounted for axial movement on a carriage which is movable by electric drive means between two positions, there being a spring on the carriage which urges the bolt into its locking position when the carriage is in one position and which urges the bolt into an unlocking position when the carriage is in the other position.

Abstract: An intraocular lens, including an optic having an optic body with a posterior surface and first and second circumferentially spaced spacing tabs at the periphery of the optic body. Each of the spacing tabs extends radially outwardly from the periphery of the optic body and axially of the optic body in the same axial direction. A haptic is mounted on the optic and projects generally radially outwardly of the periphery of the optic. With this construction, the intraocular lens can be implanted in the eye, with the spacing tabs in contact with the wall of the capsular bag to space the posterior surface of the optic from the wall of the capsular bag.

Abstract: A posterior chamber intra-ocular implant in which a lens of a material such as polysulfone or polymethylmethacrylate is lodged in a pocket of a carrier of a material such as silicone or a hydrophilic polymer. Haptic loops extend from the carrier to position the implant in the posterior chamber. Protrusions may be provided on the rear surface of the carrier to space the implant from the posterior capsule.

Abstract: The connection of the facing ends of a tubular bone cut by an operation consists of a cylindrical metal pin with an open-cell metallic outer layer on a cylindrical metal core and with annular grooves for receiving stop surfaces which come to bear against the bone ends. The stop surfaces are suitably formed as flat interrupted rings of circumference slightly greater than half the circumference of the annular grooves and arranged to project outwardly of the grooves. A longitudinal groove intersects the annular grooves and receives a longitudinal flange projecting outwardly of the longitudinal groove and connected to the stop surfaces.The connection may be used as an endoprosthesis in which case only one stop surface is employed.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis has a supporting frame (22) with a circular cross-section, which is covered with a dacron fabric (23). On one end face the dacron fabric (23) is arranged to form a suture ring (14). The fixed aortic valve (15,16,17) of a kangaroo is attached inside the frame and sutured to the dacron fabric (23).