Abstract: A wearing article with a tapering function for wearing on a human body in pressed relation to a surface of the human body, has a heavily-stretchable portion which has an excellent tightening force and is adapted to be held against a required portion of the human body so as to extend generally along muscle fibers over a region from a tendon to a central portion of the muscle. The remainder of the wearing article is defined by an easily-stretchable portion. With this arrangement, by merely wearing this wearing article on the required portion of the body, the heavily-stretchable portion tightens only a required portion of the body to support the central portion of the relevant muscle, thereby easily achieving a taping function.

Abstract: A sigmoid heart valve annuloplasty prosthetic ring is disclosed which has a biocompatible stent molded into a scalloped shape, having three sinusoidal struts, to adapt to the anatomical shape of the annulus of the human sigmoid valves. The prosthetic ring is covered with biocompatible cloth. The prosthetic ring can be incorporated into the extremity of a biocompatible tubular cloth which serves as a vascular prosthesis in order to permit the total replacement of the ascending aorta or pulmonary artery without replacing the sigmoid valve.

Abstract: An optical body, a positioning element, and a supporting element are shaped as an integral unit and have the same radius of curvature that provides for full adherence of the integral unit to an intact natural lens. The distance between the diametrically opposite portions of the supporting element is at least equal to the distance between Zinn's zonules on which the corrective lens rests.

Abstract: An improved orthopedic weight monitor for detecting weight bearing forces on a lower extremity for orthopedic purposes, comprising in combination: flexible pad shaped for conforming to the bottom of a foot for placement inside of a shoe, cast or splint, the pad having a heel portion positionable beneath the heal of a user; sensor encased within the heel portion of the pad to be located beneath the heel of the user, the sensor comprising a thin, rigid rectangular plate having a foil strain gage coupled therebeneath; electronic module remotely positioned from the sensor to receive signals from the foil sensor; and electrical line extending to exterior of the flexible pad between the foil stain gage and the electronic module.

Abstract: A tonometer. The tonometer includes means (6) for generating a surface wave on the eye. The surface wave is monitored at a receiving transducer (10) and phase information is extracted using a phase meter (14). Using the phase information the velocity of the wave may be determined and from this information the pressure in the eyeball may be determined in signal processor (16). The eyeball pressure may be displayed in display (18).

Abstract: An above-the-knee prosthesis with an anatomically configured socket. The socket is characterized by one or more contours which correspond to pre-selected anatomical contours of the residual thigh. By slightly exaggerating the depth of the contour in the socket as compared with the corresponding contour in the thigh, the socket grips the residual thigh and maintains the femur in proper alignment and prevents rotation. Thus, discomfort and the gait abnormalities common in above-the-knee prostheses are reduced or eliminated. A system of inflatable compartments may be included for adjusting the size and fit of the prosthesis. Each of the inflatable compartments corresponds to one of the anatomical contours in the socket and is separately inflatable. In this way, the patient may adjust the dimensions of the socket and, more specifically, the depths of certain contours in the socket as needed to accommodate changes in the size of the residual thigh due to fluid shifts or swelling.

Abstract: A suction-irrigator for use in endoscopic medical procedures having an elongate hollow body portion and a pair of valves in communication with the body to independently or concurrently admit irrigation fluid to the body and, hence, the patient, or to subject it to suction.

Abstract: A posterior stabilized knee prosthesis includes a femoral component formed by medial and lateral condyles, each having an anterior portion, a distal portion and a posterior portion, an anterior patella flange interconnecting the anterior portions of the medial and lateral condyles in parallel, spaced apart relation, and a cam member connected to the lateral surface of the posterior portion of the medial condyle and to the medial surface of the posterior portion of the lateral condyle and having a convex cam surface; a tibial component including a multi-radius medial and lateral tibial plateau bearing surfaces for receiving the medial and lateral condyles for rolling and sliding movement thereon, and a follower member positioned between the medial and lateral tibial plateau bearing surfaces for receiving the cam surface for rotational and sliding movement thereon; the cam surface being in contact with the follower member for substantially the entire flexion range of the knee, with the cam surface being in cong

Abstract: A canine diaper is set forth and is comprised of three sheets of material. The outer sheet is a thin flexible waterproof sheet, the next sheet is an absorbent pad of multi-plyed construction, and the inner sheet is porous, and the diaper is shaped with a central tail hole in a strip which extends from the tail above and below the body terminating in four tabs which reach adjacent the ribs for fastening by adhesive strips.

Abstract: A splash shield for containing contaminated fluids from a wound and a method of use are disclosed. The shield is a transparent dome-shaped body made from a plastic film. The shield can be pierced by a sharp medical instrument, such as a hypodermic syringe or scalpel, and the wound cleansing or draining operation takes place under the shield as it is held against the patient. The shield is deformed by hand to conform to the wound site. The shield can also be hand held above and spaced from the wound site while the cleansing or draining operation takes place, to intercept and provide protection from splashed or squirted fluids. The shield is provided in single use, disposable form.

Abstract: The multi-component intraocular lens for an eye includes a base intraocular lens, a cap situated on the base lens, a plurality of flanges for attaching the cap on the base lens, at least one sandwiched lens which is sandwiched between the base intraocular lens and the cap, and a plurality of projections holding the multi-component intraocular lens in place in the eye, wherein the base intraocular lens forms a platform on which to place the other components and the cap forms an enclosure holding the sandwiched lens in a desired position.

Abstract: An open weave fixation device is secured to a distal end region of a catheter or other diagnostic or treatment device, for either temporarily or permanently fixing the device within a body cavity. In one approach, the fixation element is constructed of braided, helically wound filaments of resilient stainless steel. A sheath surrounds the catheter and fixation element to elastically deform the element into a reduced radius configuration to facilitate insertion and deployment. With the fixation element positioned as desired, the sheath is withdrawn to permit the fixation element to self-expand against body tissue, thus to secure the fixation element and catheter. In an alternative arrangement, a dilation balloon surrounds a catheter near its distal end, and in turn is surrounded by a plastically deformable fixation element. Following desired positioning, the balloon is dilated to permanently deform the fixation element into contact with body tissue.

Abstract: A force transducer usable tokodynamometer for measuring intrauterine pressure and motion, and for measuring other force exerted by human body or other organisms. The tokodynamometer has a cavity filled with an incompressible fluid and closed by a flexible diaphragm disposed for contacting the body portion being studied. A zero-displacement fluid-pressure transducer is in the cavity and provides an electrical signal responsive to pressure in the fluid, as body force acts through the flexible diaphragm to induce pressure in the fluid. Changes in intrauterine pressure or other body forces are thus measured with no significant physical displacement of a transducer or other force-measuring element. The fluid-filled cavity has the shape of a truncated cone with the diaphragm at the larger end and the transducer at the smaller end, increasing the sensitivity of the transducer.

Abstract: A bi-directionally operable terminal device for an upper limb prosthesis is provided having a frame that includes a rigid finger portion which, to simulate the fingers of a natural hand, is partially curled in a manner generally corresponding in configuration and location to the normal relaxed finger condition of the natural hand; this rigid finger portion of said frame effectively constituting a first gripping jaw means. To said frame is attached a thumb-like unit that is adapted to swing towards and away from said rigid finger portion of the frame; this thumb-like unit including its immediately adjacent frame support structure effectively constituting a second jaw means. Operatively disposed between said thumb-like unit and said rigid finger portion of the frame, for bi-directional gripping movement, is the hooked forward end of a finger slide that is movably carried by said frame; this hooked forward end of said finger slide effectively constituting a third or central jaw means.

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

Abstract: Sanitary napkins are provided which include release surfaces disposed on their undergarment-facing side so that adhesive elements on one or more flaps can be secured. This feature provides users of the sanitary napkin product with the choice of employing side-protecting flaps upon demand or leaving them in place. The napkins also incorporate preferred adhesive element systems which can be disposed to contact silicone treated films or other release areas on their undergarment-facing sides. Additional embodiments of this invention provide for extending the release surface to enable tri-folding of the napkin and a partial or total elimination of traditionally required release paper strips.

Abstract: A method for sensing pressure within a work object including placing an electrically deformable member on the work object so as to cover a portion of the surface area thereof; applying electrical energy to the member to cause the member to deform thereby applying pressure to the portion of the surface area of the work object; and sensing the tension in the member as a result of the amount of resistance to deformation imparted by the pressure within the work object.

Abstract: A device for dispensing of small volume comprises a pump associated with a container of the substance to be dispensed, the pump comprising: a hollow pump body; and a piston sliding inside said pump body in sealing contact with the pump body around a circular periphery of diameter D2; wherein the pump further includes: a push rod including a central channel in which a valve seat is formed, the push rod sliding in contact with the pump body around a circular periphery of diameter D1 less than D2; a punch secured to the piston and capable of bearing in sealed manner against the valve seat; and resilient means urging the piston against the valve seat.

Abstract: In the housing of the tonometer is disposed a forehead support capable to be displaced against the force of a spring and which can be locked rigidly in the housing in a determined position by a locking tooth which engages in an indentation. By means of a linear motor, a measuring body can be displaced toward the eye in order to measure in the known way the intracocular pressure. The result of the measurement is stored and indicated on a display. Due to the stable support of the tonometer by means of the forehead support and a full automatic control of the measuring process, the tonometer can serve for self tonometering, that is the person experimented upon, resp. the patient can proceed to the measure of its own intraocular pressure without any help from the outside. For this reason, the measurement can take place without important expenses, relatively often and at any times which guarantees a reliable diagnosis.

Abstract: An apparatus enhances the sense of touch when placed between the fingertips of the user and the object being touched. The apparatus comprises a liquid lubricant inside a sealed enclosure. The enclosure is formed of a pliable, elastic material having a wall thickness of about 0.005 to 0.020 inches. The liquid lubricant is present in an amount sufficient to fully coat the interior of the enclosure, but which also permits the enclosure to be flattened with at least about 75 percent of the surface area of one side in contact with the other side.