Abstract: An ophthalmic lens having a size, shape, and composition adapted to be supported by the human eye in the optical path of the eye as an intraocular, contact, or corneal implant lens, includes a biocompatible lens body having a size and shape adapted to be supported by a human eye in the optical path of the eye. An optical portion of the lens body has anterior and posterior surfaces and a grooved portion defining a modified Fresnel or echelon lens pattern in at least one of the anterior and posterior surfaces. The modified echelon lens pattern includes annular zones that are configured so that at least some of the annular zones exhibit optical characteristics that vary circumferentially in order to at least partially correct for astigmatism.

Abstract: An artificial knee joint includes two hinge members connected together by a bearing, and detachable dovetail couplings which connect the hinge members to rods that are inserted respectively in the bony cavities of the femoral and tibial bones.

Abstract: In a cardiac valve prosthesis, the journal pins, by which the closing body is supported to be swiveled in the valve ring, are received in through holes of the valve ring and can be moved into different positions in these through holes. Thereby, the journal pins are subjected to a circumfluent blood streams, reducing the danger of thrombi being formed at the supporting areas.

Abstract: A prosthesis having a stump-receiving socket and a plurality of inflatable bladders with a means for the user to vary the pressures therein. The inflatable bladders each include a relatively soft, flexible membrane made of a suitable material such as polyurethane. The membranes are shaped to meet the anatomical characteristic of the wearer. Those membranes located adjacent the weight-bearing portions of the stump will provide a relatively soft uniform surface to support the stump. For those locations near the weight-bearing portions of the stump that should not be subjected to pressures, the adjacent bladder areas are non-inflatable and, therefore, not force inducing. The static pressures in the various bladders are independent of each other and may be regulated by the user.

Abstract: A sleeve member (1) for enclosing and being fixed to a body part, such as an amputation stump, has a substantially frusto-conical shape with the truncated end thereof completely closed and at least slightly rounded and is made of an airtight material. The sleeve member (1) is characterized in that it substantially is made of an elastic material, at least the distal portion thereof exhibiting such anisotropy with regard to the elasticity that it has a relatively high elasticity in a radial direction and is substantially inelastic axially.

Abstract: An artificial gland for implantation in the human body and comprising a medicament reservoir intended for being filled with a medicament solution by the aid of a syringe said reservoir, via a passage, being connected with a casing the wall of which casing is completely or partly comprised of a semipermeable membrane that causes changes of pressure by osmosis for delivery of a medicament.

Abstract: A kerato-prosthesis for transcorneal implantation which comprises an optical part consisting of a biocompatible clear material in the shape of a small cylindrical frustum, and a supporting haptic part in the shape of a small disk which is drilled at the center and is made up of an alloplastic, biocompatible, synthetic, porous or of the closed cell type, which cannot be reabsorbed and is capable of allowing the growth of human tissues inside, both parts being connected to each other respectively at the points corresponding to a portion of the lateral surface of said small cylinder and of the inner peripheral edge of said hole, and a process for manufacturing said kerato-prosthesis.

Abstract: The stem is formed in the distal zone with a hollow and a longitudinal slot. The hollow is increasingly offset medially from the stem axis in the proximal direction while the slot is disposed in a plane defined by the longitudinal axis of the stem and neck axis. The stem has a resilience which increases distally within the distal zone to accommodate re-operation procedures while resisting lateral loadings imposed via the femoral head.

Abstract: The femoral head prosthesis has a straight fixing stem for implantation in a femur which is provided with a longitudinal bore which extends along the axis of the stem. The stem can be slid along a centering rod previously positioned within a surgically prepared bone cavity of the femur to guide the stem into a bone cement bed. The centering rod is initially put in place with a cavity barrier followed by placement of the bone cement bed. After initial curing of the bone cement, the rod can be disengaged from the cavity barrier and removed from the stem.

Abstract: The turns of the self-tapping screwthread formed on the outside surface of the metal hemispherical shell have front portions of constant thickness which extend over one third of the cross sectional length of the thread turn. The remainder of the thread turns is wedge-shaped. The shape of the thread turns facilitates the cutting in of the screw thread when the hemispherical shell is being implanted.

Abstract: This invention provides a new method of preparing intraocular lenses for implantation which comprises folding, stretching, rolling, compressing or otherwise reconfiguring the lens to reduce the profile of the lens in at least one dimension and dehydrating the lens in that shape. The thus prepared artificial intraocular lens may be surgically implanted in the eye through a small incision where it will be rehydrated in situ.

Abstract: A centrally apertured vertically slidable pedestal supports a foldable intraocular lens implant in predetermined orientation. A blade tipped arm, axially oriented with respect to the pedestal, is protrudable from within the pedestal in diametric orientation with the supported intraocular lens implant upon downward movement of the pedestal. By contacting diametrically opposed sides of the intraocular lens implant with the jaws of forceps followed by downward movement of the pedestal to protrude the blade tip of the arm, the intraocular lens implant becomes folded within the grasp of the forceps and ready for implantation.

Abstract: Overlapping two piece intraocular lens for successive insertion of the two pieces through a minimum size incision into the eye for assembly therein to form the two piece lens for implantation in the eye, including a lens body and a separate ring shaped collapsible filament, tension frame therefor containing light-masking material to inhibit light rays directed toward the lens body outer edge portions from being scattered thereby toward the retina after the assembled overlapping two piece lens has been implanted in the eye.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved prosthetic toe joint adapted for replacement of a human toe joint which includes at least one one-piece member for implantation into the bone of the joint. The implant has a concave articulating surface which articulates against another one-piece component having a mating convex surface or against a mating convex bone surface. This one part component is provided with a flexible hinge section at the junction of its stem and the enlarged head portions. The hinge section is formed from a section of the stem which extends laterally outwardly on both sides of the stem portion adjacent the junction with the head. The laterally enlarged section is provided with a longitudinal channel extending through its midsection to form a hinge. Each of the one-piece components is preferably molded of a flexible elastomeric, physiologically inert material, for example medical grade silicone rubber.

Abstract: A system and method for folding a soft, plastic intraocular lens (IOL) for use by surgeons as a replacement for a person's cataractic lens. The lens is placed on a jig. The surgeon inserts a pair of forceps into a hollow soft plastic tube which is stretched by opening the forceps. The stretch plastic tube is placed over the lens while the surgeon releases the forceps and folds the tube about the lens thereby folding the lens within the stretched hollow tube. The folded lens and tube is inserted through a suitable incision within the eye and the lens allowed to unfold. The hollow tube is removed and the lens positioned as determined by the surgeon.

Abstract: A vitreous body prosthesis device comprises a thin-walled inflatable balloon made of silicone rubber. The balloon is provided with means for stabilizing and fixing the balloon within an eye to be treated. The balloon is provided with an inflow tube made of silicone rubber, the inflow tube being in fluid-tight communication with the interior of the balloon. The inflow tube leads to a bulb through which fluid can be introduced into, and removed from, the tube, whereby the degree of inflation of the balloon can be controlled, thereby gently forcing the thin-walled balloon against the retinal surface of the eye. A stabilizing tube may be provided, in which case it is in fluid communication with aqueous humor in the eye, and in fluid-tight communication with a silicone rubber drainage tube of an aqueous humor drainage device, which functions both as an anchoring object for the tubes and as a means of controlling eye pressure.

Abstract: The intraocular implant has a solid, non-inflatable, non-expandable, transparent optic member and an annular inflatable haptic member coupled to and circumferentially surrounding the outer periphery of the optic.

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 are 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.

Abstract: An intraocular lens that provides accommodation in direct response to contraction and relaxation of the ciliary body. The lens includes a first component having fixed refractive power and a second component having varying refractive power, the components being relatively movable towards each other as the ciliary body contracts to increase the total refractive power of the lens.

Abstract: A method of replacing a human or animal lens is disclosed, along with a tool for use in such procedure and a flexible lens for use as an implant or transplant. The procedure includes the use of a horizontal capsulotomy incision to allow for the removal of the lens from the lens capsule without destruction or removal of any portion of the capsule. No sutures or other unnatural materials are required. A special tool for use in this procedure is disclosed which includes saucer-shaped gripping members which can grip and loosen the lens from the lens capsule and keep the capsule open during the transplant. The implanted lens, which may be of a soft material having a variable focus, is formed from an inert, non-toxic material. When a natural lens or a flexible artificial lens is utilized in the procedure, the natural constriction and relaxation of the ciliary muscles allows for the variation of the focus of the lens in a manner which closely approximates that of the original natural lens.