Abstract: An integrated catheter stripper is mounted within a modified Y-connector that is used to seal a catheter on a guide wire. The connector is provided with a stripping port that opens into the central bore of the main body of the connector. A catheter slitter is mounted over the guide wire within the central bore of the main body for slitting the catheter as the catheter slides in the proximal direction along the guide wire within the main body. The split catheter is removed through the stripping port, which can be sealed during an angioplasty operation when the catheter is in use.In non-integrated embodiments of the invention the catheter stripper is separate from the Y-connector and has a main body, a blade mounted in the main body, and an arrangement for aligning the catheter with the blade and for permitting mounting and separation of the blade relative to the catheter only by substantially longitudinal movement.

Abstract: A method and device for lifting the epithelium from a selected area of the eye using an incision instrument for cutting the epithelium to define an area of the epithelium to be removed, and a fluid jet assembly for separating the selected area of the epithelium from the underlying layer. The incision instrument shown has a series of incision elements distributed about a peripheral pattern, arranged to cut the epithelium in the direction of its thickness without disturbing the underlying layer, to create a tear line. The jet assembly directs through the tear line a fluid jet in the manner that the fluid progresses inwardly from the tear line and effectively wedges the epithelium from the underlying layer. The device shown also has an epithelium support structure for engaging the exterior surface of the delineated area of the epithelium in order to support and maintain the structural integrity of the lifted epithelium.

Abstract: A composite device which may be implanted in the cornea of the human eye to replace damaged or diseased portions, and a method of manufacturing the said device, are disclosed. The device consists of a transparent central portion intimately attached to an opaque spongy rim. Both portions are made of hydrogel materials produced in different conditions of polymerization during a two-stage process performed in a specific moulding unit. The spongy rim promotes and maintains cellular invasion from the host corneal tissue, thus providing a tight union between implant and recipient cornea which prevents the postoperative extrusion of the implant.

Abstract: A men's undergarment is disclosed. The undergarment includes a brief having front and rear sections, a crotch section interconnecting the front and rear sections and a pair of leg openings on respective sides of the crotch section. The front section and the crotch section include a relatively non-elastic region formed therein. An absorbent liner is provided for temporarily engaging inside surfaces of the front section and the crotch section. A pocket element is formed on the inside surface of the front section for releasably holding the liner generally in place when the front section is raised and lowered.

Abstract: A change is effected in the refractive power (spherical and astigmatical) of an intraocular implant of the type having a lens, either formed of a series of laminates of material, or having a lens that is coated with material, said material, when subject to laser energy providing for its expansion or contraction, and thereby varying the curvature of the lens, and hence, effecting an increase or decrease in its relative refractive index or power. The direction at which the laser energy is applied to the lens can effect the relative change in the refractive power of the lens. A modification provides haptics diametrically or concentrically extending from the optic lens, with a segment of material such as hydrogel or collagen at the juncture between the haptics and the lens, which when directionally exposed to laser energy, can cause an increase or decrease in the relative refractive power of the implanted lens.

Abstract: An improved intraocular lens is disclosed with at least one filamentary haptic composed of a continuous matrix material interspersed with a toughening amount of discrete particles of a multistage, sequentially produced elastomeric polymer. An improved process for preparing a single-piece intraocular lens is also disclosed. The process involves preparing a composite lens blank by molding pellets composed of a continuous polymeric material interspersed with particles of a multistage, sequentially produced elastomeric polymer about a central optic lens core so as to produce a single lens blank having a toughened annular region surrounding the central optic region, and then machining at least one filamentary haptic from the toughened annular region to prepare the lens.

Abstract: A valve for medical use has a cannula mounted on a hub and fixed in a fluid conduit so that the cannula points upstream. An elastomeric valve element is mounted on the hub within the conduit so as to enclose the cannula. The valve element has a first solid frustoconical portion upstream of the cannula point, a second hollow frustoconical portion within which the cannula point is disposed, and a third hollow cylindrical portion surrounding the cannula downstream from its point and fixed to the hub. The second portion has a frustoconical interior passageway tapering inwardly from the first portion toward the hub. A supplementary metallic frustoconical sleeve is fixed within the second element interior so as to open outwardly toward the first element and enclose the cannula point. In one type of use, the valve element is compressed to cause the cannula point to pierce the first portion to provide a path for fluid flow through the conduit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring blood pressure by a transducer engaging a flexible part of a body near capillaries and remote from an artery. The transducer provides an electrical signal when actuated by blood pressure pulses or changes in the capillaries. The transducer is releasably secured to the body by a gripping means preferably in the form of a clothespin. The transducer includes a strip with two strain gages disposed one on each respective side of the strip such that the blood pressure pulses flex the strip causing a change in the electrical resistance of the gages. Preferably, the apparatus has electronic circuitry to convert the change in the resistance of the strain gages to a voltage signal indicative of blood pressure and devices for recording and displaying blood pressure.

Abstract: An intraocular lens system adapted to be implanted within a generally circular opening in an anterior wall of the capsular bag which normally contains the crystalline lens of an eye. The intraocular lens system includes a lens body having an annular groove which is formed in a peripheral portion thereof in a plane substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens body. The lens body includes an optically effective portion located radially inside the annular groove, and an anterior lens portion and a posterior lens portion located on respective anterior and posterior sides of the annular groove. The intraocular lens system is secured in position within the circular opening such that an annular flap portion of the capsular bag which surrounds the circular opening is accommodated within the annular groove in the lens body.

Abstract: A guidewire introducer assembly is disclosed, together with a method of introducing a guidewire into a blood vessel. The introducer assembly allows a guidewire to be grasped between the digits of a user, thereby facilitating advancement or retraction of the guidewire. It includes an elongated dispenser tube, a guidewire slidably positioned within the dispenser tube and a guidewire introducer. The guidewire introducer includes or defines an opening through which the guidewire may be grasped. As the guidewire passes through the opening, it can be grasped by a user and advanced or retracted through the guidewire introducer. The guidewire introducer also allows the user to straighten the end portion of the guidewire. This allows the easy insertion of a guidewire having a J-tipped end portion within an introducer needle or catheter.

Abstract: An integrated catheter stripper is mounted within a modified Y-connector that is used to seal a catheter on a guide wire. The connector is provided with a stripping port that opens into the central bore of the main body of the connector. A catheter slitter is mounted over the guide wire within the central bore of the main body for slitting the catheter as the catheter slides in the proximal direction along the guide wire within the main body. The split catheter is removed through the stripping port, which can be sealed during an angioplasty operation when the catheter is in use.In non-integrated embodiments of the invention the catheter stripper is separate from the Y-connector and has a main body, a blade mounted in the main body, and an arrangement for aligning the catheter with the blade and for permitting mounting and separation of the blade relative to the catheter only by substantially longitudinal movement.

Abstract: An applicator to apply a medication in liquid form to the skin or fleece of an animal. The applicator his a handle to be gripped by a user to move the applicator over the skin or fleece. Rotatably supported by the handle is a roller which is equipped with a cam track. Received within the cam track is a cam follower which causes reciprocation of a piston within a cylinder. The cylinder and piston co-operate to pump the liquid to a nozzle so that application of the liquid is metered in accordance with rotation of the roller.

Abstract: Methods and devices for collecting at least two separate samples of a body fluid (e.g., blood) simultaneously. The device is introduced into a body of a living being whose blood is to be analyzed at a preexisting accessible cavity of the body which at least temporarily contains blood of the living being. The device has an interior having first and second hollow retaining compartments capable of receiving and holding the blood which is present in the cavity when the entire device is introduced into and remains wholly within the cavity. After the device is removed from the body cavity, blood is removed from the first and second hollow retaining compartments, such that the blood can be simultaneously separately collected and prepared for subsequent separate an different analyses. The first and second hollow retaining compartments are adapted to collect blood having similar characteristics. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second retaining compartments each contain an absorbent medium such as a sponge.

Abstract: Apparatus for operating needle to inoculate the web of a bird's wing. An arm rocks a needle holder back and forth between a serum container and web positioner, along a path which causes the needle holder to move substantially vertically into and out of the container and web positioner. Gears cause the needle holder to pivot on the arm in response to pivotal movement of the arm, so that the needle points downwardly throughout its movement.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus useful for eye surgery, wherein an incision is made in the eye coroscleral tissue, and via which a plastic lens is to be introduced into an eye lens zone in a capsule from which a natural lens has been removed, the lens having haptic loop structure attached thereto, comprising a surgical forceps having two longitudinally elongated laterally spaced arms and two blades, the arms extending in parallel relation, each blade integral with an arm at the forward end thereof, each blade being blunt at the forward end thereof; whereby the forceps may be displaced to controllably receive a haptic between the blades and to controllably bend the haptic relative to the lens for positioning the haptic into the capsular "bag" or cavity, or force the haptic to be released in the sulcus, posterior to the iris, or anterior the capsule.

Abstract: An artificial body vessel to be inserted into a human organ is collapsed and introduced into a catheter, which is brought to a required position in the human organ, where the artificial body vessel is released therefrom. A pair of foldable, elastic wire rings 10 are provided at the opposite ends of the artificial body vessel. A plurality of connecting wire rings bridge the end wire rings 10. A plurality of intermediate wire rings 12 bind and keep the connecting wire rings 11 transformed in a generally elliptical shape. The end wire rings 10, the intermediate wire rings 12 and the connecting wire rings 11 are folded by means of a string passed through loops to collapse the artificial body vessel 7. The collapsed artificial body vessel 7 is inserted into a catheter.

Abstract: An intraocular lens, in the form of a disk, intended to replace the crystalline lens of a patient's eye, in particular after a cataract extraction, comprises on its distal side an aspherical sector extending approximately from the midline of the disk over one quarter of the surface thereof. The rest of the distal side is spherical. The radius of curvature of the aspherical sector varies monotonously between the value of the radius of the spherical sectors and a lower value. Such a configuration allows light rays impinging on the intraocular lens to be refracted at different angles and provides both near the distance vision. The discontinuity at transition between the aspherical sector and the spherical sector is blocked out by dark or etched plastic to eliminate glare. The proximal side can either be a convex surface, a concave surface or a plane.

Abstract: A unitary disposable absorbent article such as a catamenial pad or incontinent pad is provided with an elasticized side flap by operatively associating an elastic member on both the upper surface and the lower surface of the side flap. The elastic member is preferably joined to the inner surface of the side flap as well as the outer surface of the side flap by folding it about the distal edge of the side flap. In a preferred embodiment, the elastic member comprises an elastomeric laminate of an elastomeric layer and a coverstock layer, with the coverstock layer being on the outside of the product, so that the sanitary napkin is provided with soft longitudinal edges which contact the wearer during use. In addition, the elastomeric laminate provides relatively low tension that while raising the side flaps of the product to be a barrier against lateral leakage, also maintain the product in a shape which does not encourage fluid run-off or leakage at the ends of the pad as well as providing a bunching benefit.

Abstract: The intraocular lens, whether for implantation in the anterior or posterior chamber of the eye, embodies laterally extending non-radially oriented supporting loops which accommodate by bending compressive forces imposed thereon without flexing or bowing of the lens. The anterior chamber intraocular lens implants are fixated in the angle of the anterior chamber and locate the lens anterior of and in noncontacting relationship with the iris whether extracapsular or intracapsular surgery has been performed. The posterior chamber intraocular lens implants may be fixated in the groove posterior to the iris in an extracapsular eye or in the anterior chamber after penetration of the supporting loop segments through peripheral openings in the iris in an intracapsular eye, with either location in fixation, the lens anatomically replaces the surgically removed lens of the eye.

Abstract: An intraocular lens comprising a deformable optic and first and second fixation members. Each of the fixation members has a proximal end portion. First and second elongated anchors are coupled to the proximal end portions of the fixation members, respectively, and the anchors and the proximal end portions within peripheral regions of the optic so that the anchors can assist in attaching the fixation members to the optic. The anchors are spaced apart so that the deformable optic can be folded to facilitate insertion of the optic through a relatively small incision into the eye.