Abstract: A mechanical heart valve having one or more leaflets pivotally fitted in a substantially cylindrical shaped valve body formed from a resiliently deformable material. A stiffening member formed from substantially nonresilient material fit about the valve body exterior wall to provide structural integrity to the valve body. Stresses which are normally applied to the heart valve body during the opening and closing of the valve are absorbed or cushioned by the incorporation of a rubber-like body between the stiffening member and the retainer member. Further cushioning is provided by incorporating another rubber-like body in the sewing ring. This second body extends out from the exterior surface of the valve body. Finally, a length of fabric is positioned about the retainer and shock absorbing bodies. This design provides a precisely calibrated rotational torque which allows for optimum orientation of the leaflets by the implanting surgeon.

Abstract: The reinforcement for the proximal region of a bone cement bed for a femoral head prosthesis includes a grid of crossing members at least some of which are wavy. The wavy members have a high wavy shape lengthwise and spring in as the gap between a bone cavity and a prosthesis stem narrows. The prosthesis is fixed by averaging out of the restoring forces and the gap size mechanically until the bone cement has cured.

Abstract: A boot for a peg leg comprises a circular sole of non-skid elastic material, connected by a watertight seam, to a tubular upper. The upper, which is also made of an elastomeric material, is shaped to receive the shaft of a peg leg, such that the boot is held in place by friction.

Abstract: Applicant's invention is a prosthetic rib for attachment between a patient's scapula and clavicle. The prosthetic rib serves to provide a generally anterior/posteriorly oriented platform to which other prostheses otherwise attachable a natural rib near the same position would be attached. The prosthetic rib includes a clavicle carriage for attachment to the clavicle, a scapula carriage for attachment to the scapula and a rib sleeve which intervenes the clavicle and scapula carriages and is the platform to which other prostheses may be attached.

Abstract: An ocular telescopic lens system for low-vision conditions such as macular degeneration includes an intraocular lens having a converging lens portion and a diverging lens portion, and multiple-element spectacles having anterior and posterior lenses arranged to converge light toward the diverging lens portion. The intraocular lens includes an optic with a generally continuous rearward surface that combines with a first portion of the forward surface as the converging lens portion and with a second portion of the forward surface as the diverging lens portion, while the anterior and posterior lenses of the spectacles may have concave surfaces, combine to serve as an objective lens, and provide at least +8 diopter power.

Abstract: A method of implanting an intraocular lens in a human eye, includes the steps of (a) making a first incision in the eye not greater than 2.5 mm to allow a cataract lens to be extracted therefrom and a rolled intraocular lens to be inserted therethrough, the intraocular lens having a positioning hole for permitting positioning of the lens in the eye; (b) making a second incision in the eye of approximately 1 mm and spaced from the first incision to allow an intraocular lens positioning tool to be inserted therethrough; (c) pushing a rolled intraocular lens having a wrapping about at least a portion of the rolled intraocular lens into the eye through the first incision; (d) cutting the wrapping from the rolled intraocular lens in the eye so that the rolled intraocular lens unrolls in the eye; (e) removing the cut wrapping from the eye through the first incision while the lens position is maintained; and (f) final positioning of the unrolled intraocular lens in the eye.

Abstract: The mammary implant includes a shell with a base portion and a reinforcement member provided at the base portion. The shell also includes a promontory portion that projects from the base portion. The reinforcement member can be formed with materials of different hardnesses, or of different thicknesses in different areas. The reinforcement member can also be formed with ribs, rings or grooves at various areas of the reinforcement member to enhance flexibility or rigidity. The reinforced mammary implant prevents capsular contracture due to scar tissue formation after implantation and thus maintains a desired profile and softness of the implanted prosthesis.

Abstract: To minimize trauma after surgery, a clamp is employed to sealingly engage specially configured coupling rings mounted on the adhesive faceplate and the collection pouch, respectively. Each of the coupling rings includes a radially extending annular projection. The circular clamp is designed to surround the coupling rings and receive the projections within an annular recess. The projections and recess have oppositely oriented camming surfaces which cooperates to draw the coupling rings toward each other as the clamp is tightened. The clamp is locked by a toggle clasp connected by a living hinge, a pin and socket arrangement, a serrated clasp or a change purse type clasp. An adaptor can be employed so that the clamp can be used with a pouch with a conventionally configured coupling ring.

Abstract: An implantable intraocular lens assembly composed of a first member having an annular form, an outer periphery and an inner periphery delimiting an opening, and a second member of transparent material having at least one curved surface and an outer periphery. The two members are maintained separated from one another prior to implantation.The lens assembly is implanted by first implanting the first member separately and then, after implantation of the first member, implanting the second member so that the outer periphery of the second member engages the inner periphery of the first member.

Abstract: A silicon chip device composed of a large array of densely packed microphotodiodes is implanted between the inner and outer retina layers, in patients with vision-deficient eyes suffering from retinal dysfunction, to allow for useful formed vision. The photoactive surface of each photodiode, with its silicon deposited or etched electrode, point towards the incident light. The device produces an amplitude-modulated current to stimulate the inner retinal layer. The device is intrinsically inert due to its doped silicon substrate nature.

Abstract: A thin plate patello-femoral-tibial resurfacing prosthesis is described. The patellar component is a metallic shell which is designed to be as thin as possible so as to retain maximum natural bone thickness and hence strength. The metallic patellar component articulates with a plastic insert in a metallic femoral component. The tibial bearing area of the femoral component is metallic for articulation with a plastic proximal tibial prosthesis.

Abstract: An acetabular prosthesis assembly for implantation into a prepared acetabulum has a generally hemispherically-shaped cup. The cup has a substantially hemispherically-shaped inner surface and a substantially hemispherically-shaped outer surface defining a wall therebetween. The wall has a plurality of generally circular apertures therein for receiving a bone screw. The wall surrounding each aperture has a bevelled surface extending toward the outer surface followed by a generally cylindrical surface extending from the bevelled surface to the outer surface of the cup. The generally cylindrical surface of each aperture is threaded with threads of predetermined diameter and pitch. A bone screw has a first screw thread having a pitch and diameter for engagement with the thread of the cylindrical surface on the cup and a second screw thread having a major diameter and a pitch greater than the predetermined diameter and pitch of the cylindrical surface.

Abstract: An instrument to be used during ocular surgery for the rapid closure of anterior segment openings and the control of expulsive choroidal hemorrhage and the resulting damage caused by this complication. The instrument is to be positioned over the anterior ocular surface of the eye at the first indication of hemorrhage or "posterior pressure". One or more dimples located on the upper surface of the instrument allows the insertion of a elongated member for holding the instrument in place while maintaining the intraocular pressure. An opening is also present which allows a surgeon to insert sutures into the underlying eye while the instrument is in place and also aids in the movement of the instrument about the anterior ocular surface of the eye by insertion of a probe or forceps. The instrument is transparent, allowing the surgeon to visually monitor the intraocular events.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for below-the-elbow amputees having a cuff, a stem, a housing, two hook-like fingers, an elastic band for holding the fingers together, and a brace. The fingers are pivotally mounted on a housing that is secured to the amputee's upper arm with the brace. The stem, which also contains a cam, is rotationally mounted within the housing and is secured to the cuff, which fits over the amputee's stump. By rotating the cammed stem between the fingers with the lower arm, the amputee can open and close the fingers.

Abstract: An intraocular lens, in 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 and 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: An optical component such as an intra-ocular implant or contact lens for correcting sight has an aspherical surface in at least the central part of at least one side. The parameters of this surface are chosen so that for the optical system comprising the optical component and an associated eye model the object proximity curve is a specific shape.

Abstract: A composite metal/plastic patellar prosthesis for implantation in the human body to replace the articulating surface of the patella is provided. The prosthesis includes a polymeric articulating surface portion and a metal backing having an anterior surface adapted to be attached to the posterior surface of a resected patella, and a dome or conically shaped posterior surface to which the polymeric articulating surface portion is heat and pressure molded. The metal backing portion has at least one aperture extending therethrough which has a greater cross-sectional area on the anterior side than on the posterior side into which an anchoring peg integral with the antrior surface of the polymeric articulating surface portion is molded. The metal and plastic components of the composite are coextensive in size and shape.

Abstract: Presented is an endoprosthesis for the partial replacement of the joint head of a human bone, in particular of the thigh bone, that includes a first spherical segment whose diameter corresponds to the upper part of the natural joint head. Serving for anchoring the endoprosthesis in the human bone is an anchoring part that adjoins the first spherical segment and that is constructed as a second spherical segment that is capable of being anchored in a corresponding spherical recess in the bone.

Abstract: Lenses and methods of lens attachment are disclosed which provide for highly effective, e.g., secure, attachment of the lens to the patient's cornea. Lenses are configured which are particularly adapted to be overlaid with corneal tissue to protect the lenses from forces parallel to the radial axis of the lens and generally parallel to the anterior surface of the lens optic.

Abstract: An artificial ankle system which is mounted within an artificial foot, such as a S.A.C.H. foot, with the ankle system comprising upper and lower plates, having a pair of spaced apart solid compressible members known as bonded rubber springs, which are attached to the upper and lower plates via gluing or the like, the rubber spring and plate system boltingly attached to the lower portion of the foot, and attached to a prosthesis to the upper prosthetic portion of the leg. This system further provides at least a posterior strap member secured around the upper and lower plate, the strap member serving as a means for compressing the posterior rubber spring to a certain degree, so that it is pre-compressed while being utilized in static or standing position, but allowing the rubber spring to also function in tension or elongation to a predetermined point. There may be further included an anterior strap, which likewise would compress the anterior spring as a strap that is fitted around the upper and lower plates.