Abstract: A corrective intraocular lens system comprises a primary intraocular lens for implanting into an individaual'aphakic or phakic eye. The primary intraocular lens includes an optic portion having an optical axis and an anterior surface and a posterior surface, and includes attachment means for maintaining the optic portion centered along the optical axis of the individual's eye. The optic portion is formed having a narrow recess or groove formed into the anterior surface adjacent peripheral regions of the optical portion. The recess may extend completely or only partially around the optic. Included is an elastically deformable, corrective secondary intraocular lens having an optic portion with an anterior surface and a posterior surface.

Abstract: A pump assembly for a penile implant is provided having a mechanism which prevents spontaneous inflation of the cylinders implanted within the user. The preventative mechanism uses overpressure generated by the reservoir during unintentional compression to effectively seal the pump assembly from unintended fluid flow. The prevention mechanism itself creates all necessary forces to prevent the undesired fluid flow to the cylinders. This is accomplished by incorporating appropriate mechanisms within the pump itself.

Abstract: An alpha wave generation apparatus has a voltage controller including a first resistor connected in parallel to an adapter jack and a battery, a converter for supplying power to a microcomputer, a first coil and a diode connected in series between the first resistor and an input terminal of the converter, a second resistor for maintaining an input voltage to the microcomputer constant in level, and a capacitor being charged with an input voltage to the converter or discharging it. The alpha wave generation apparatus generates alpha waves of 4 Hz, 8 Hz, and 10 Hz which, for example, may be used to activate cerebral cells.

Abstract: An implantable apparatus for controlling fluid flow within a host body includes a constricting member with a plunging member for reducing fluid flow within a body canal when in a closed position. A biasing member biases the constricting member against the body canal. A pulling member counters the force exerted by the biasing member such that when activated, the constricting member is forced away from the closed position so as to allow increased fluid flow within the body canal. An activating member activates the pulling member.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for stabilizing tissue within a patient's body during a surgical operation to provide a relatively motionless surgical field. The devices involve tissue stabilizers which provide superior engagement with a tissue structure to be stabilized, for example the beating heart. The tissue stabilizer may have one or more stabilizer feet which provide for adjustment of the orientation of the features which engage the surface of the tissue structure. In one instance, the orientation may be adjusted to ensure the engaging features will be properly aligned with the surface of the tissue structure before engagement. In addition, once engaged with or connected to the tissue structure the orientation may be adjusted to yield an optimum surgical presentation of a portion of the tissue structure, for instance a coronary artery or the like. The tissue stabilizer may be configured to use friction, negative pressure, or both to engage the surface of the heart.

Abstract: An infant care unit is provided having a patient support platform, an overhead arm and a mounting assembly. The overhead arm is located generally above the platform. The mounting assembly couples the overhead arm to the platform for pivoting movement relative thereto. The pivoting movement is in a second plane that is generally parallel to a first plane which is defined by the platform.

Abstract: An anal incontinence disease treatment apparatus and method include and use an operable restriction device implanted in a patient and engaging the colon or engaging the rectum to form a restricted fecal passageway in the colon or rectum. A source of energy for energizing the restriction device is provided, as well as a control device for releasing energy from the source of energy from outside the patient's body. The released energy is used in connection with the operation of the restriction device, i.e. to enlarge and contract the fecal passageway to allow or substantially prevent passage of fecal material through the passageway.

Abstract: The present invention provides an enclosed humidified environment for an infant positioned on the mattress of an infant warmer open care bed. It includes an “A” frame structure which supports a flexible and transparent cover similar to a tent, which may be folded substantially flat when not in use or prior to use. The tent is designed to be compatible with an infra-red radiant heater, such as might be used in a infant warmer open care bed to heat the infant. The tent includes provisions for inflow of humidified gases and accessibility to the infant by health care workers. In addition, the present invention may be provided as a disposable item thereby reducing the possibility of transferring medical problems between infants.

Abstract: The present invention provides a remote afterloader for moving a radiation source into and out of a catheter inserted in a tumor may include one or more radiation source cassettes, one or more motors, and a shielded container for storing the radiation source cassettes and the motor. Each radiation source cassette may include a radiation source wire having the radiation source connected to a treating end and a dummy source wire having a dummy source connected to a treating end. The motor advances and retracts the radiation source wire and the dummy source wire into and out of each radiation source cassette one at a time.

Abstract: A catheter apparatus and radiation dosimetry unit indicator for delivery of a prescribed radiation dose to a patient. A radiotherapy source vial (700) includes a fluid container (701) of radioactive fluid with a seal (702,731) disposed about the container. Seal (702,731) is moveable with respect to container (701) to change the contained volume therein. A radioactive fluid transport site (703) is in communication with the contained volume and with an exterior (726) of the container (701), and may include a septum (707) or a valve (711). An engagement mechanism (704) is connectable to an external control mechanism (706) whereby the contained volume in the radioactive fluid container can be decreased and increased by actuation of the external control mechanism.

Abstract: An implantable device for controlling a body conduit including a cuff portion adapted to substantially encircle a body conduit. An inlet tube is operatively connected for delivering fluid to the cuff portion. The inlet tube has a one-way valve. An outlet tube is operatively connected to the cuff portion for releasing fluid therefrom and includes a normally closed valve. A pumping reservoir is in communication with the inlet tube and the outlet tube, wherein manipulation of the pumping reservoir inflates the cuff portion and manipulation of the normally closed valve deflates the cuff portion. An inflatable lumen surrounds the pumping reservoir and the cuff portion to provide rigidity and balance pressure between the cuff portion and the pumping reservoir.

Abstract: An anal incontinence treatment apparatus and method includes and uses an adjustable restriction device implanted in a patient, who suffers from anal incontinence. The restriction device engages the rectum of the patient to restrict the fecal passageway. An adjustment device is adapted to adjust the restriction device such that the rectum is temporarily released, in order to open the fecal passageway when the patient wishes to achieve defaecation.

Abstract: A mechanical coupling for an output-side driver of an active or passive implantable hearing system. The driver is adapted to vibrate a preselected site on a member selected from the group comprising the ossicular chain, the footplate of the stapes and a membrane which closes a window in one of the cochlea, the vestibulum and the labyrinth (equilibrium organ), via a first coupling which has a coupling rod, which can be caused to vibrate mechanically by the driver, and a coupling element which can be connected to the preselected coupling site. The coupling rod and the coupling element are interconnected by at least one coupling. The first coupling half of the coupling has a roughly cylindrical outside contour that can be accommodated in the inside contour of a second coupling half, i.e. a contour which is at least partially complementary to the outside contour.

Abstract: A heartburn and reflux disease treatment apparatus includes an adjustable restriction device implanted in a patient and engaging the stomach close to the cardia or engaging the esophagus to form a restricted food passageway in the stomach or esophagus. An adjustment device is implanted in the patient for adjusting the restriction device to restrict and enlarge the passageway and a hydraulic operation device is implanted in the patient for operating the adjustment device. By using a wireless remote control the patient can control the hydraulic operation device, whereby the restriction device works like an artificial sphincter.

Abstract: A heartburn and reflux disease treatment apparatus includes an adjustable restriction device implanted in a patient and engaging the stomach close to the cardia or engaging the esophagus to form a restricted cross-sectional area of the food passageway in the stomach or esophagus, and a post-operation non-invasive adjustment device for mechanically adjusting the restriction device to change the cross-sectional area of the passageway. By using a wireless remote control the patient can control the adjustment device, whereby the restriction device works like an artificial sphincter.

Abstract: A anal incontinence disease treatment apparatus and method include and use an operable restriction device implanted in a patient and engaging the colon or engaging the rectum to form a restricted fecal passageway in the colon or the rectum. A source of energy external to the patient's body and a control device for releasing wireless energy from the source of energy from outside the patient's body are provided. The released wireless energy is used in connection with the operation of the restriction device, to enlarge or contract the restricted fecal passageway.

Abstract: A heartburn and reflux disease treatment apparatus and method include and utilize: an operable restriction device implanted in a patient and engaging the stomach close to the cardia or engaging the esophagus to form a restricted passageway in the stomach or esophagus, a source of energy for energizing the restriction device, and a control device for releasing energy from the source of energy from outside the patient's body. The released energy is used in connection with the operation of the restriction device including to enlarge or contract the restricted passageway.

Abstract: An anal incontinence treatment apparatus includes an adjustable restriction device implanted in a patient, who suffers from anal incontinence. The device engages a portion of the colon or rectum of the patient to restrict the fecal passageway. An adjustment device mechanically adjusts the restriction device to restrict or release the fecal passageway, i.e., to normally close the fecal passageway and open the fecal passageway when the patient wants to relieve himself or herself.

Abstract: A food intake restriction apparatus and method includes and uses an operable restriction device implanted in a patient and engaging the stomach or esophagus to form a restricted stoma opening in the stomach or esophagus. A source of energy for energizing the restriction device, and a control device for releasing energy from the source of energy from outside the patient's body are provided. The released energy is used in connection with the operation of the restriction device to vary the size of the stoma opening to allow or substantially prevent the passage of food therethrough.

Abstract: An anal incontinence disease treatment apparatus and method include and use an operable restriction device implanted in a patient and engaging the colon or rectum to form a restricted. An energy transmission device for wireless transmission of energy of a first form from outside the patient's body is provided. An implanted energy transfer device transfers the energy of a first form transmitted by the energy transmission device into energy of a second form, which is used in connection with the operation of the restriction device, i.e. to open and close the fecal passageway.