Abstract: A prosthetic foot is characterized by the provision of one or more bladders to vary the performance characteristics of the prosthesis. The bladders preferably include multiple chambers formed by full or partial bifurcation of the bladder, and may be tapered to permit operative alignment of the bladder with certain structural members of the foot. The pressure in the bladder is preferably alterable through the provision of valve means communicating with the bladder. A retaining strap is preferably provided to limit the movement of certain structural members of the foot with respect to other such structural members.

Abstract: A prosthesis for attachment with an adjustable fitting clearance to an amputation stump in which optionally, the fit therebetween can be diminished by connectors threadably engaged with each other one thread at a time, or the fit totally released by correspondingly releasing the threaded engagment of the connectors.

Abstract: A one-piece bicomposite intraocular lens having a soft foldable central optic portion and a hard, stiff haptic portion made from two dissimilar polymeric materials wherein the soft polymeric material is soft enough to fold into a smaller dimension for insertion through a surgical incision which is smaller than the diameter of the optic portion and the second hard polymeric haptic material provides a stiffness sufficient to properly hold the intraocular lens in place within a patient's eye. The hard polymeric haptic material is joined to the outermost peripheral surface of the soft central optic material by means of an interpenetrating polymer network to form a one-piece bicomposite intraocular lens, In an alternative embodiment the stiff haptic portion has a further soft material at its terminus to protect the eye tissues at the point of contact without sacrificing the lens positioning properties of stiff haptics.

Abstract: An intraocular lens including a balloon member formed of an elastomer and adapted to be inserted into a capsular bag of an eye, an optically transparent fluid which is injected into the balloon member so that the balloon member expands and fills the capsular bag, and a tube provided on the balloon member and having a bore through which the optically transparent fluid is injected into the balloon member. The bore of the tube is filled with and fluid-tightly closed by a gel filler. The fluid serving as a lens medium is injected into the balloon member through the tube, with the gel filler inhibiting leakage of the fluid from the balloon member.

Abstract: A collagen-hydrogel for promoting epithelial cell growth and regeneration of the stroma is shown. Also shown is an optical lens for the eye, fabricated from the collagen-hydrogel, which, when affixed to Bowman's membrane, promotes and supports epithelial cell growth, enables corneal epithelium of the cornea of an eye, during the healing process, to attach to and cover the anterior surface of the lens implanting the same and to regenerate the stroma which grows over the edge of and attaches to the optical lens. Laid down in the layers of the regenerated stroma are new keratocytes and collagen fibial produced from keratocytes. The collagen-hydrogel is a hydrogel polymer formed by the free radical polymerization of a hydrophilic monomer solution gelled and crosslinked in the presence of an aqueous stock solution of collagen to form a three dimensional polymeric meshwork for anchoring collagen. The collagen-hydrogel material has a ratio by weight of collagen-to-hydrogel in the range of about 0.

Abstract: An improved epikeratophakia utilizing electrofusion to graft donor corneal tissue to patient's cornea.

Abstract: A femoral component of a hip endoprosthesis includes a lateral supporting wedge designed to be supported by the proximal lateral femur when in use. The wedge can be an integral part of the material of the femoral component or it can be placed on a standard component by cementing or preferably by a male/female socket fit. The lateral surface of the wedge forms an angle of about 10.degree.-20.degree. with the midline of the distal portion of the stem and has an anterior-posterior width of about 8-30 mm, preferably about 10-20 mm, and a medial-lateral extension of the lateral surface of the stem of at least 10 mm, preferably 10-30 mm.

Abstract: An intraocular lens comprising a central convex optical portion and two fixation loop appendages extending from the periphery of said optical portion and substantially in the horizontal plane thereof, characterized in that one of said loop appendages is double spring-like and curves from said periphery of said optical portion in a curvilinear "reverse S" shape, and the other said loop appendage extends from the same side of the periphery curving in the opposite direction in a curve from the said optical portion, said other loop appendage defining a curvilinear "C" shape, the outer distance of both loops from the optical portion along its central axis being equal.

Abstract: A device for attaching a prosthesis to an above-the-knee amputee. The device includes a frame which is vertically adjustable for different working heights. A motor is mounted on the frame, and is controlled by a switch. One end of a shaft is connected to the motor, which turns the shaft. The other end of the shaft is disposed in a bearing supported by the frame. A clip holds one end of a tubular stocking in contact with the shaft. As the shaft turns, the stocking is wrapped around the shaft, drawing the stocking toward the shaft.

Abstract: An osteal prosthetic component of a prosthetic joint and a method of implanting an osteal prosthetic component in the medullary canal of a bone are disclosed. The osteal prosthetic component includes a stem for disposition within a medullary canal of a bone and a fluted wedge portion extending from the stem. The fluted wedge has wedge portions which define at least one flute between the wedge portions. An interference fit is formed between the wedge portions and the bone during implantation of the stem into the medullary canal. Movement of the osteal prosthetic component relative to the bone is thereby sufficiently limited to allow tissue growth into a tissue-ingrowth portion at the surface of the stem to substantially prevent micromotion of the stem relative to the bone.

Abstract: A device that is pivotally mounted to a socket of a prosthesis has a top part that bears against the residual limb above a bone to suspend the socket from the limb. As the knee is bent, the device pivots about its pivot point and therefore remains in contact with the limb throughout the entire range of motion of the limb so that the socket does not come off. A convexity is formed in the top part of the device, and that convexity bears against the residual limb just above the medial femoral condyle. Another curvature in the top part allows it to at least partially extend around the medial part of the residual limb. The device is substantially rigid but flexible enough to allow it to conform itself to the contour of the residual limb so that the device will fit numerous individuals having differing bone structures. Use of the device eliminates the need to form the convexity into the socket itself.

Abstract: A prosthetic hip stem implant with U-shaped buildup block that can be selectively connected to the hip stem adjacent to the flange to augment the height of the prosthesis. The buildup block will be available in three heights to accommodate for varying degrees of bone loss as determined intraoperatively.

Abstract: A novel femoral insert for total hip prosthesis is disclosed. The insert lacks any widening on the trochantereal part and the internal longitudinal hollow has a constant diameter throughout its entire length. One embodiment includes an inclined rib on the trochantereal. The insert has elasticity and power of recovery when it is pressed laterally in the direction of the closing of a longitudinal slot of the insert.

Abstract: A cardiac valve prosthesis comprising an annular body housing a closure member in the form of two cusps. The cusps open and close freely and rotate simultaneously around the body axis, checking the forward and reverse blood flows through the prosthesis to simulate the operation of the cardiac valve. To have the operation of the prosthesis resemble that of the natural valve, the lateral surface of at least one cusp is provided with a recess to produce a controlled blood backflow through the prosthesis by causing the blood flow through the prosthesis to swirl.

Abstract: A prosthetic intramedullary femoral prosthesis provided with a separate preformed sheath made from an acrylic material which is dimensioned to enclose the prosthesis stem from the distal tip to a location on the stem which will be adjacent the proximal cut end of the femur with which it will be used.

Abstract: A radiodorsal buttress blade plate assembly includes blades that are rigidly secured to a side plate and are arranged in an offset position to facilitate placement in close proximity to the cortical bone surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for applying a synthetic lenticule to the cornea of a human eye is disclosed, the process also contemplating selective reprofiling of the lenticule while it is in place over the cornea. The process involves securing the lenticule over the cornea with an adhesive, thus leaving the visual axis of the eye undisturbed or with the peripheral edge thereof being retained by a peripheral slit. A laser delivery system is used to reprofile the lenticule if necessary for refining the refractive power of the lenticule.

Abstract: A ophthalmic lens system comprising an intraocular lens adapted for implantation in the eye and spectacles. The intraocular lens has a negative IOL portion. The spectacles include a positive lens system for directing light toward the negative lens portion of the intraocular lens. The positive lens system includes a positive lens and a negative lens, with the negative lens being located posteriorly of the positive lens.

Abstract: The invention comprises an IOL with at least a center zone and two concentrically located ring zones arranged thereabout, the center zone having a distance power correction. The first concentric ring zone has a near power correction and the second concentric zone a distance power correction. In one embodiment the lens body is provided with haptics which act to center the lens body when it is surgically implanted within the posterior lens capsule.In other embodiments, the lens diameter is increased to mate with the internal dimensions of the posterior lens capsule or is provided with an encircling haptic which bears against the posterior lens capsule.

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.