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: Intraocular posterior chamber lens for implantation in the capsular sack of the human eye, in which fixation loops which extend semicircularly are atttached to a circular lens body so as to form a single piece with the lens body, the outer circumference of which fixation loops are designed to accomodate the equator of the capsular sack, thereby assuring a stress-free implantation despite radial stretching of the haptic.

Abstract: A posterior chamber ocular implant compatible with treating secondary cataracts by means of a YAG laser beam. A lens (1) has two convex faces (1a, 1b) and spacer members (10) for spacing the posterior capsule away from the posterior face (1b) of the lens. The spacer members project from the bases (11) of the haptics (2) used for fixing the lens in the eye. The lens makes it possible to treat possible secondary cataracts using a YAG laser without running the danger of marking the implant.

Abstract: An external catheter assembly includes a thin elastomeric membrane attachable to the body of a user and provided with a frustoconical projection feathered in wall thickness towards the opening therein. A first, double-backed adhesive strip is attachable to the membrane around the projection to adhesively engage the open end of an elastomeric sleeve and a second adhesive strip conformed to engage the sleeve, the first strip, and the membrane. The other end of the sleeve extends to a flexible collection container which may include a check valve opposing backflow therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical implant designed to prevent mutual contact between vertebrae during flexions of the vertebral column, an implant which consists of an insert (1) shaped and dimensioned so that it can be inserted, in its longitudinal direction, between the vertebral spines (A) of at least two successive vertebrae (V), the said insert comprising or being associated with retaining means (L) designed to hold it in place on the vertebrae, at the same time permitting the mutual separation of the latter.Advantageously, the insert (1) has longitudinal grooves (2, 3) dimensioned to receive, with a certain amount of play, a corresponding vertebral spine (A), and the retaining means are constituted by a ligament (L) passing through transverse pierced holes, preferably two inclined, cross pierces holes (8), in the insert, and interlacing around the vertebral spines (A).Utilization to remove painful complaints of the spinal nerves, in particular sciatica.

Abstract: An improved acetabular cup for use in cement fixation has at least one flat area on its generally hemispherical outer surface. The flat area resists rotation of the cup in the cement mantle after implantation while avoiding concentrations of stress in the mantle.

Abstract: The intraocular implant comprises a lens substrate and a coating layer with an adhesion layer provided therebetween, the adhesion layer comprising a specific compound.

Abstract: A tampon having a single layer wrap of fibers attached together by a powder binder. The wrap is embossed around a tampon pledget. The wrap in one embodiment includes a blend of hydrophobic synthetic fibers and hydrophilic cellulosic fibers laminated together with bonding powder. Another embodiment has only hydrophilic cellulosic fibers laminated together with bonding powder.

Abstract: A surgically implanted device for expanding soft tissues for subsequent use in surgery. The device consists of an envelope portion constructed of a material that is substantially impermeable to extracellular body fluids. A window portion is attached to the envelope and constructed of a material which is readily permeable by extracellular body fluids. An osmotic agent is disposed within the device and induces an osmotic differential across the window portion causing extracellular body fluids to be drawn into the device. As increasing amounts of extracellular fluid are drawn into the device, the material of the envelope expands and subsequently causes the overlying tissue to also expand. A substantially rigid base may be provided to limit the direction of this expansion. The window and osmotic agent may also be incorporated into a remotely positioned fill port. The fill port is connected to the envelope by a conduit which permits the transfer of fluid from the port to expand the envelope.

Abstract: A prosthesis and method for treating gastro esophagus reflux. The prosthesis is a normal C-shaped cushion member, the inside diameter of which is generally larger than the normal outside diameter of the distal esophagus. The C-shaped member is temporarily deformable to a shape adapted for inserting the member into the abdominal cavity through a laparoscopic portal. A shaping spring normally maintains the cushion member in the C-shape and is deformable to permit inserting the C-shaped member through the portal.An optical viewing laparscope is inserted through the abdominal wall of the torso. The prosthesis is temporarily deformed and inserted through a laparoscopic portal in the torso wall. The prosthesis is then positioned around the distal esophagus adjacent the diaphragm.

Abstract: A femoral hip prosthesis and a stem therefor comprising a femur end to be received in the femur and a head end for connection to a hip head, which stem is provided for medial support on the public arch (S.sub.1) with a curved, smooth medial stem support part, is provided for lateral support on the lateral cortex (S.sub.2) with a lateral stem support part, and is provided for lateral support on the greater trochanter (S.sub.3) with a lateral comb-like stem support part located between the lateral stem support part and the head end and comprising a number of combs, the combs connecting onto the lateral side protruding laterally relative thereto, and which stem is provided on the ventral and dorsal sides at the point of the metaphysial portion with at least one groove which consists of groove portions converging in the direction of the head end and enclosing an apex.

Abstract: A urethral magnetic valve for insertion into the urethra of a person suffering from incontinence includes a plastic tube of a diameter suitable for insertion close to the bladder. It forms a valve seat in its distal portion to be normally closed by an elongate valve member of a ferro-magnetic, non-corrosive material. The valve member has a surface corresponding to the valve seat at its proximal end, tapers towards its distal end, and is urged onto the seat by a spring attached at its distal end to the proximal valve end. The spring extends inside the tube and is fastened to the latter at its proximal end; it is so dimensioned that it will keep the valve closed at normal pressure and permit the valve member to be lifted off the seat by overpressure in the bladder. The person wishing to urinate holds a permanent or electro-magnet close to the skin over the pubic area, which attracts and tilts the ferro-magnetic valve member, thereby opening the passage through the tube and through the urethra.

Abstract: An intraocular lens for implanting in the posterior chamber of a human eye after an extracapsular extraction, the intraocular lens having adhesive means applied to its backside thereof, said adhesive means being applied either an annulus, around the outer perimeter of backside of the lens, or entirely over the backside of the lens, when implanted against the posterior wall, and has a tendency to effect tissue growth between said posterior wall and the adhesive means for effectively retaining the implanted intraocular lens in place; the adhesive means comprising either a biological glue, formed either as fibrin, comprised of an annular patch, or as a collagen, formed as an annular patch, or as a fibrin containing as an additive ingredient collagen particles, or being impregnated with lyophilized fibronectin, or the adhesive means may comprise a biological glue in the form of mussel glue, for adherence against the backside of the lens, either around its circumferential perimeter, or over the entire backside of

Abstract: A modular hip stem prosthesis including a hip stem with an integral, enlarged shoulder and a neck section mountable to the hip stem. The integral, enlarged shoulder is designed to closely conform to the metaphyseal region to securely mount the hip stem in the end of the femur. The enlarged, shoulder portion of the hip stem is also selectively configured to be fabricated as a separate element so as to allow one of a plurality of distal stems to be mounted to the enlarged shoulder to create the hip stem. The neck section readily adapts the hip stem prosthesis for repair and replacement of the components of the total hip replacement without requiring replacement of the hip stem.

Abstract: An intraocular lens denoted as a YAG dimpled lens or dimpled YAG lens, which includes a barrier rim and a YAG spacer area in a posterior surface of the lens. The barrier rim is 2-4 mm in longitudinal length and the YAG spacer is 3-4 mm in longitudinal length across the surface diameter of an optic of the intraocular lens. The lens optic can be either plano-convex or bi-convex. A cutout for the dimpled YAG spacer is provided which is either a convave or a substantially rectangular geometrical configuration in the posterior surface of the lens. The YAG spacer can also include a trough or a groove geometrical configuration, such as in the configurations of a Maltese cross, a circular trough or groove, or a circular trough or groove with a Maltese cross therein. The barrier rim is 33% to 80% of the total surface are of the posterior surface of the lens.

Abstract: An intraocular hydrogel lens with shape memory swelling in water or in isotonic solution, as is physiologic saline, which is deformed before implantation into a shape suitable for operative insertion, for example, into the shape of a rod, is made, at least in part, from a crosslinked synthetic hydrogel containing acid and/or basic groups.

Abstract: Bicomposite, hydrogel intraocular lenses with one or more haptic portions having a lower water content than the corresponding optic portions, and methods for their manufacture are disclosed. The bicomposite lenses are manufactured by (i) preparing a bicomposite button of hydrogel material containing one or more polymers or copolymers; (ii) lathing the button to produce a dehydrated intraocular lens with an optic and at least one haptic; and (iii) hydrating the lens.

Abstract: In this method an artificial lens is implanted in an eye in which the crystalline portion of the natural lens has been surgically removed through an opening made in the anterior wall of the lens capsule and through a small incision in ocular tissue at the front of the eye. This method utilizes an expansible bag that has a transparent body portion containing a cavity and an entrance opening to the cavity through which filler material can be introduced into the body portion. The body portion of the bag is inserted through the small incision and through said opening in the anterior wall of the lens capsule into a position where at least a portion of the body portion is located within the still-remaining portion of the lens capsule. Then the body portion is distended by introducing filler material through said entrance opening, and the distended body portion is located within the still-remaining portion of the lens capsule in a location adjacent the posterior wall of the capsule.

Abstract: A radiolucent breast implant is comprised of a silicon envelope filled with any biocompatible triglyceride such as peanut oil or sunflower seed oil, or any other material having an effective atomic number of 5.9 which is the effective atomic number of fat, the major component of a human breast. Such a breast implant is radiolucent in that it duplicates the photoelectric interaction of fat which is the major effect producing subject contrast at low radiation levels as used in mammography. A radiolucent breast implant dramatically improves the usefullness of mammography in detecting tumors in patients having breast implants and may also result in a lower radiation dose for each examination.

Abstract: A method for locating on the cornea an optical lens having a preselected geometric shape and power wherein the optical lens is formed of a collagen-hydrogel for promoting epithelial cell growth is shown. The method comprises the steps of: removing from Bowman's membrane over the area of the pupillary zone of the eye a portion of the corneal epithelium; forming on Bowman's membrane a "V" shaped annular groove having a diameter substantially equal to the maximum geometrical dimensions of the optical lens and a preselected depth; dissecting the peripheral edge of the groove forming a wing of corneal tissue having a preselected length; placing the posterior surface of the optical lens on the anterior surface of Bowman's membrane and positioning the outer edge of the optical lens under the corneal wing, and affixing the optical lens to Bowman's membrane over the pupillary zone of the eye to maintain the same on the cornea with the corneal wing overlying the edge of the optical lens.