Abstract: Intraocular lenses with three zones for the provision of bifocal vision are described. Methods for the lenses use are also described.

Abstract: An assembly for handling a collection container for urine or another body fluid employs a generally rigid body with a holder end and a handle end. The holder end receives and supports the collection container in an upright position to receive the fluid. The handle end forms a structure for the user to hold the supported collection container in an outwardly extended position away from the user's hand. The handle structure also includes a cover for the container. After using the handle structure to position the container for collection of the fluid, the user can then use the cover as a lid to close the collection container. The body of the handle/holder can include a pre-weakened region along which the dual handle/cover can be separated from the holder to free the cover for use.

Abstract: An inflatable penile prosthesis having at least one inflatable cylinder or pressurizable chamber, a fluid reservoir, pump means, and valves for permitting the flow of fluid between said reservoir and cylinder or chamber as a consequence of pressure changes, wherein to prevent spontaneous inflation there is provided an additional lock-out valve disposed at a point between the reservoir and chamber, which will be opened only by the application of a suitable pressure or force exerted volitionally from without the prosthesis. In a preferred embodiment the prosthesis is of a non-unitary type in which the pump means is in the scrotum.

Abstract: An intraventricular pump (IVP) is a surgically-implanted orthotoxic heart pump capable of augmenting either one or both of the heart's ventricles. The IVP pumps blood using an internal diaphragm which is hydrualically activated by a physiologically-controlled pacemaker pump system. The entire system is contained within the human body and is powered by a rechargeable battery system. An artificial valve is incorporated into the right-sided IVP which is hydraulically-activated to work in conjunction with the IVP.

Abstract: An artificial heart has two auricle and two ventricle chambers, and actuating diaphragms with an electromagnetic field forming element, so that they expand and contract under the action of electric current applied to the element, or expand and contract under the action of a fluid supplied into a passage between the diaphragms in emergency situations. The above diaphragms passage can be connected through the air-water connector with a source of water, a source of pressure air, and a respiratory system of a person in emergency situations.

Abstract: Prosthetic devices and methods are described that can be employed in replacing corneal endothelial tissue to allow the diseased or damaged corneal endothelial tissue to be replaced without replacing the outer layers of the patient's cornea and/or to replace the full thickness of the cornea in a manner resulting in less deformation of the outermost surface of the cornea (i.e. less astigmatism) than occurs with current full thickness transplant techniques.

Abstract: An improved method of reconstructing a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is disclosed. Unique instruments and systems for use with the method are also disclosed. The knee joint is inspected arthroscopically to confirm the rupture and possibly take care of other defects. The patellar tendon or semitendinosus tendon is harvested from the patient for the graft (if either is going to be used for the reconstruction), or another ACL substitute is obtained. The graft is prepared for implanting. Notchplasty is generally performed to expand the intercondylar notch. The tibial attachment site of the ACL is determined and a tibial tunnel is drilled over a K-wire from the front face of the tibia to the attachment site using a drill guide system. Preferably, the tibial tunnel starts at a point 20-25 mm below the knee joint. An optimal site for drilling the femoral tunnel is determined through use of a suture anchor and isometer. The suture anchor is a threaded peg which is positioned by a hand-held cannulated driver.

Abstract: Given is a knee-joint endoprosthesis that displays a femur part with convexly-curved condylar cups, and a tibia part with a tibia plateau insert displaying correspondingly, concavely-curved tip surfaces. A connecting part projects with one end into an intermediate space between the condylar cups, is pivotably connected there with the femur part by means of a transverse bolt, and at the other end has a pin that is rotatably journaled in a boring passing through the tibia plateau. To realize, in the case of this axle knee, a bending movement with additional rolling movement components, the pin of the connecting part is journaled in impact-free, axially-displaceable fashion, and the condylar cups approximate a rotation surface about a condylar cup axis that runs above and parallel to the axis of the transverse bolt.

Abstract: Disclosed is a test strip for measuring tear production. The test strip comprises a generally flat sheet material having one end rounded to be semi-circular shaped and being printed with a folding line along which said strip is bent prior to the measurement operation. The test strip is further printed with graduation marks and a scale for indicating the amount of absorbed tear. In a preferred embodiment, provided at either one or both corners of the end opposite to the rounded end is a mark indicating that the particular test strip is used for measuring one of either the left or right eye. The sheet material is preferably made of filter paper. The test strip has no notched portion which would weaken the sheet material and yet may be folded precisely along the fold line prior to use. The graduation marks and scales printed on the test strip enable easy measurement of the length of the portion wetted by tear fluid.

Abstract: An intraocular lens having a substantially circular optical portion and two separate fixation arms each having an inner end and an outer free end. The fixation arms are each attached to the optical portion via a short connecting member which extends substantially radially from the optical portion circumference and is of approximately the same thickness and flexibility as the fixation arm to which it is attached.

Abstract: An ostomy maintenance apparatus comprising a shielding member made of a flexible lightweight material and fastened around ostomates waist using a releasable securing arrangement, a receptacle having an opening and being releasably attachable to the shielding member using an attaching arrangement. The receptacle includes reinforcement at the opening for support to keep the opening from collapsing while in use and for supporting a disposable waste receiver in an open and receivable manner into which refuse during and resulting from ostomy maintenance procedures is received and disposed of in, and a closure arrangement at the receptacle opening for temporary conversion of receptacle to a storage receptacle for the shielding member and some ostomy supplies.

Abstract: A transdermal drug applicator (100) for application to a living body for the delivery of at least one drug through the skin (144) into the bloodstream comprising an applicator (100) including at least one drug reservoir (182A, 182B) containing the drug for delivering same through the skin (144) by physico/chemical mass transfer. A mounting structure (138, 140) is removably mounted to the body for holding the applicator (100) to the skin (144), with the applicator (100) removably connected to the mounting structure (138, 140). A power supply (166) for the applicator (100) and a circuit transmitting electrical power from the power supply (166) to the applicator (100) is disclosed, wherein an electric circuit is created between the applicator (100) and the skin (144).

Abstract: An intra-ocular lens for implanting into the posterior capsule after cataract extraction, has a pair of sinuous haptics having greater flexibility near their roots than at their distal ends. A long arcuate distal segment of each haptic espouses the internal radius of the posterior capsule over an arc of at least 15 degrees. Both haptics have a slight backward slant. The haptics facilitate the implantation and retention of the lens.

Abstract: The artificial heart is designed for intrathoracic implantation, while its operation is effected by means of an extracorporeal control and energy feed system, form by a reduced console and interchangeable energy sectors and pneumatic sectors, also interchangeable, all of this taking up a minimum volume susceptible to being carried by the patient himself. Said heart is destined to a half life use and is based on a tubular-valved system, eliminating the classic heart chambers. The artificial heart utilizes a left sector and a right sector couplable between the left auricle and the aorta and the right auricle and pulmonary artery, respectively, sectors divided into compartments by means of cardiac valvular prostheses for the left sector and for the right sector.

Abstract: Arteries and veins of umbilical cords are treated by processes described, fitted with a biodegradable mesh support and used as tubular prosthesis for vascular reconstructive surgery.

Abstract: A guidewire and method of using same for tracking an indwelling device such as a catheter previously positioned within a body lumen. The guidewire includes an elongate flexible body shaft having proximal and distal ends, and a tracking member disposed at the region of the distal end. The tracking member defines an opening passable over the shaft of the indwelling device. During use, the tracking member is slid along the indwelling device toward its distal end to enable the guidewire to track the path of the indwelling device. The indwelling device then may be withdrawn from the patient's body lumen and an over-the-wire catheter may be threaded onto and advanced along the guidewire into the patient's body lumen. The tracking member is retractable within and removable from the guidewire. The invention is useful particularly in catheterization procedures where it is desired to exchange an over-the-wire catheter for a catheter having a fixed or integral guidewire.

Abstract: The invention is for a biopsy instrument having a stationary shaft secured to which is a stylet such that, once secured, the stylet does not move relative to the instrument. The stylet is telescopically received by a cannular which is mounted to a spring-loaded guide; the cannula and the guide move between charged and discharged positions. Also provided is a safety cap, which travels within slots formed in opposite sides of the cylindrical casing that houses the shaft, the guide and the spring. Retracting the safety cap moves the guide and the cannula from the discharged to the charged position where a release lever engages the guide. The safety cap covers the release lever to prevent accidental actuation of the instrument. The instrument is fired by sliding the safety cap forward and depressing the exposed release lever, which allows the spring to drive the cannula forward, toward the discharged position and over the stationary stylet, so that a tissue sample may be taken.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve comprising a base and at least two flaps. The valve includes means for guiding the flaps and for retaining them, said means being constituted, for each flap, by: two arcs for guiding the trailing edge of the flap; and at least one arc for guiding the leading edge of the flap. The invention is applicable to the manufacture of prosthetic heart valves.

Abstract: An artificial disk prosthesis and methods for implanting it, the prosthesis. In one embodiment having a member for adapting in size and shape to an anatomical space between vertebrae and apparatus for expanding the member to conform to the space.

Abstract: A suction device is disclosed comprising a molded plastic handle having a suction bore therethrough and a spigot for connection to the hospital suction source. The device further comprises a probe having a suction passage therethrough and terminating in a suction tip. At its proximal end the probe is formed with a male thread which threadedly engages in internal threads provided at an enlarged entrance portion of the handle. The proximal end of the probe terminates in an end member which fits within a reception bore located between the front bore and the suction bore of the handle. The dimensions of the end member are such that there is an annular space between the reception bore and the end member and this space connects through an opening through the suction bore. The handle has a controllable suction port whereby the suction at the tip can be controlled. This port opens into the annular space downstream of the connection between the opening and the suction bore.