Abstract: An adjustable focus lens apparatus includes a transparent lens body having a periphery, and a relatively rigid outer ring extending about the periphery of the lens body and a plurality of micromotor devices spaced equally about and coupled between the ring and the periphery. Each of the micromotor devices is responsive to an externally generated control signal for selectively changing the circumference and/or axial position of an associated portion of the periphery to adjust the lens for power and astigmatism correction. In several embodiments, the periphery includes an inner ring coupled to the outer ring by the micromotor devices. In another embodiment, the ring is formed of segments and the micromotor devices are included in overlapping portions of the segments.

Abstract: A foldable plastic lens insertable into the eye lens zone from which a natural lens has been removed comprising the plastic lens having a light passing intermediate and bead-like optical portion, and two oppositely extending haptics; the lens also having two opposed peripheral segments characterized as light blocking; and the segments having substantially reduced thickness relative to the thickness or thicknesses of the main extent of the intermediate optical portion.

Abstract: An absorbent pad for use with an ostomy appliance or similar apparatus connected to a stoma extending through the skin of a patient, is formed of a flexible laminate with a liquid-permeable inner layer facing toward the patient's skin, an intermediate layer of absorbent material, and a liquid-impermeable outer layer. The layers are sealed together, and the laminate has a central opening for fitting around the connection between the ostomy appliance flange and body portion. An adhesive layer is provided on the peripheral border of the pad for sealing to the patient's skin. The adhesive layer is applied so that it encircles the absorbent surface area of the pad. The adhesive layer cooperates with the impermeable outer layer of the laminate to surround the fluid-absorbing intermediate layers of the pad and prevent fluid and odor absorbed therein from being released. The absorbent pad is further characterized in that it can be applied and disposed of separate and apart from the ostomy appliance.

Abstract: A foldable plastic lens insertible into the eye lens zone from which a natural lens has been removed comprising the plastic lens having a light passing intermediate and bead-like optical portion, and two oppositely extending haptics; the lens also having two opposed peripheral segments characterized as light blocking; and the segments having substantially reduced thickness relative to the thickness or thicknesses of the main extent of the intermediate optical portion. Reinforcement strands are typically incorporated with the segments, and may assist in anchoring the haptics.

Abstract: A ball falls freely onto an eyelid-covered cornea, and the kinetic energy of the ball is conversed into a force causing deformation of the cornea. The amount of the ball rebound varies depending on the amount of intraocular pressure and the latter is judged against the amount of the ball rebound.An ocular tonometer has a tubular housing, wherein provision is made for a free falling of the ball kept by a special holder at one of the ends of the housing. The opposite end of the housing is placed on the eyelid so that the falling ball interacts with the cornea through the eyelid. The amount of the ball rebound characteristic of the amount of intraocular pressure, is registered either with the aid of a scale or by a special measuring instrument.

Abstract: The knee joint prosthesis is formed of a tibia metal plate which can be attached to a tibia and a femur part which can be secured in a femur. An intermediate plastic part is provided on the tibia metal plate to receive the femur part in bearing relation. In order to reduce abrasion of the intermediate plastic part, support members of hard material are distributed in the bearing surface of the intermediate plastic part to receive the femur part thereon. The bearing surfaces of the support members are integrated in the bearing surface of the intermediate part and are provided with dual surfaces to receive different bearing surfaces of the femur part, each of which has a different radius of curvature.

Abstract: A one-piece polymethylmethacrylate intraocular lens having an optic with an optic profile and a pair of haptics each extending from the optic within the optic profile and each with a medial segment of variably reduced cross-sectional area.

Abstract: Here is disclosed an arrangement of elastic surrounding respective leg-openings of garments such as disposable diaper, wherein the elastic surrounding each of the leg-openings comprises a plurality of first elastic members and a plurality of second elastic members; the first elastic members are positioned substantially along a front half of the leg-opening while the second elastic members are positioned substantially along a rear half of the leg-opening; the first and second elastic members have their tensile stress gradually decreasing from their longitudinally inner ends toward their longitudinally outer ends; and the first and second elastic members have their inter-member spacings gradually enlarged from their longitudinally inner ends toward their longitudinally outer ends (FIG. 2).

Abstract: In the first embodiment, the faceplate coupling ring is of conventional design and includes an axially extending rib with a radially outwardly extending rim and a radially inwardly extending deflectable sealing strip. The pouch coupling ring includes inner and outer spaced walls, forming a channel for receiving the rib. First and second protrusions extend inwardly from points on the interior surface of the walls proximate the ends thereof. The first protrusion cooperates with the rim and the second protrusion cooperates with the tip of the sealing strip, to securely retain the rib within the channel. The walls of the channel have reduced thickness and are easily deflectable as the rib is inserted into the channel, such that coupling of the rings is facilitated but decoupling requires the conventional amount of force due to the second protrusion.

Abstract: A prosthesis for protecting the palate of a small infant from injury by airway or other tubes required to be maintained in the throat of an infant patient for extended periods, comprises a thin mass of injection molded, soft, resiliently deformable plastic having an upper surface contoured to conform to a normal palate of a healthy infant of approximately the same size as the patient. The plastic mass incorporates an integral, downwardly opening passage for an air way tube, thus disposing the plastic mass between the tube and the palate of the infant patient.

Abstract: A low or high refractive index corneal inlay optical lens adapted to be inserted between the layers of a cornea to correct refractive errors in eyesight, wherein the implanted lens is of a size or configuration that permits unimpeded passage of nutrients and gases throughout the corneal layers and wherein the composition of the lens relative to that of the surrounding stromal tissue is such that multi-refractive indices may be created and multi-focal corrections are possible.

Abstract: An intraocular lens surgically positioned in the anterior chamber and to be used in addition to the natural lens to correct the refraction. The lens is fixated by iris stromal support, comprising an optical portion of inner concave and outer convex shape and a side support portion which has one or more pairs of pincerlike extensions for holding a portion of iris tissue. The design provides safe clearance away from the vital structures both anteriorly and posteriorly. This technique of stromal iris support permits full pupil motility. Lack of any postoperative decentration allows the system to be used for myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia or astigmatism. A non-transparent, light-impermeable ring may be incorporated to prevent glare or edge effects. The lens provides high predictability of the precalculated optical power.

Abstract: The implant may be used as prosthetic replacement for a ligament and/or tendon. The implant has a plurality of discrete longitudinal strands disposed in side-by-side relation with transverse filaments about the strands. Individual sub-zones of the ligament are folded over in a transverse manner about a longitudinal axis of the sub-zone with intermediate zones being in an unfolded state. The intermediate zones may be formed solely of longitudinal strands to enhance flexibility.

Abstract: To determine intraocular pressure with a tonometer in which a measurement prism presses against the human eye with a given force and a corresponding relationship is established between the force and the area aplanated thereby, it is proposed that a plurality of measured values of force and aplanated area, each being associated with the other, be determined per unit of time during the course of a continuous increase in pressure by means of the power-driven, spring-pretensioned motion of the measurement prism and processed in the form of a curve in such a manner that the intraocular pressure can be determined differentially from the plurality of measured values.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having a liquid pervious top-sheet, a liquid impervious and vapor pervious backsheet and an absorbent core interposed between the topsheet and the backsheet comprising interposing liquid impervious and vapor pervious barrier sheets between the topsheet and the backsheet, said barrier sheets being extended from the front edge and the rear edge of the diaper to the inwards of the front edge and the rear edge of the absorbent core respectively, to thereby form waist barrier parts covering the front edge and the rear edge of the absorbent core, and the barrier sheets being so formed that the intensity in the lateral direction of the diaper is higher than the intensity in the longitudinal direction of the diaper.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin is disclosed which has an absorbent and a fluid-permeable cover positioned over at least one surface of the absorbent. The cover is formed from a nonwoven web having a network of essentially unbroken thermoplastic fibers. The web has a plurality of apertures formed therethrough which are located in a predetermined area which represents less than about 80% of the surface area of the cover. Each of the apertures is surrounded by a consolidated ring formed of thermally set thermoplastic fibers which in turn is surrounded by a raised area which contacts the body of the user. The apertures formed in the web occupy about 20% to 55% of the predetermined area and permit body fluid to quickly pass through to the absorbent.

Abstract: A guidewire advancement system for inserting catheter guidewires into blood vessels, and more particularly a guidewire dispensing system for the controlled sterile insertion of a coiled spring guidewire to avoid infection of the patient. The system provides for the transmission of an electrical signal by the guidewire to determine its location within the body.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot is characterized by an attachment section and plurality of curvilinear foot portions extending downwardly from the attachment section to contact a supporting surface. The portions are capable of movement independent from one another. Preferably, the plurality of foot portions is fabricated by dividing a forefoot portion and a heel portion demountably attached thereto. Such division may be achieved by the provision of a slot in said forefoot and heel portions. A strap or similar expedient is provided to limit the movement of the foot portions relative to each other.

Abstract: The implant is made of two members which are relatively movable relative to each other. One member is made of hard material while the second member is made of a soft material. In addition, a plurality of support members of hard material are embedded in the soft member and each has a sliding surface to receive the hard member thereon in bearing relation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of securing fractured bones in place without the use of wires is disclosed. An absorbable bone pin is inserted in place by a cannulated applicator which is used to help drill a hole for the bone pin and accurately measure its depth. The applicator has a scaled recess in the handle which is used to measure the progress (depth) of the wire-type drill as it forms the hole. The drill has a marking or similar means on it for registration with the applicator scale. The bone pin is selected or cut to an appropriate length based on the depth of the hole and inserted in place by a push rod through the applicator guide tube. The applicator can have one or two guide tubes, and the tubes can be parallel or at angles to one another, depending on the usage desired. With a two-tube applicator, it is possible to better maintain the bone's pieces in place under compression until a bone pin is installed.