Abstract: An artificial intra-ocular lens to be substituted for a natural lens which has been clouded by cataract. The lens is designed to be placed in the capsular bag from which the nucleus and cortex of the clouded lens have been removed. According to the invention the lens has a closed ring (3) extending concentrically about an optic component (2). The ring is connected to the periphery of the optic component (2) by means of two arms (4, 4') each extending circumferentially between the optic component (2) and the circumferential ring (3) and being connected to the periphery of the optic component (2) and to the ring (3) by means of arm ends (6, 6') and (5, 5'), respectively. These arm ends extend in fan-shaped configuration perpendicularly to the periphery of the optic component (2) and to the circumferential ring, respectively. Each arm end (6, 6') connected to the periphery of the optic component (2) is offset by an angle of 15.degree.-20.degree.

Abstract: A posterior-chamber intraocular prosthetic lens includes an optical lens (1) and two diametrically opposite supporting elements (2), each of the supporting elements (2) being shaped as a curvilinear body one of its lateral surfaces being convex and facing with its convex portion (3) in a direction opposite to the lens principal plane, while the other lateral surface of the body is cancave and faces with its concave portion (4) toward the lens (1) principal plane; the ends of the supporting elements (2) are rounded off and face each other, while the supporting elements (2) are spatially turned away from each other with respect to the principal plane of the optical lens.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis having an annular valve body, a pair of leaflet occluders mounted therein for pivoting and translational movement between closed and open positions. Leaflet occluders have mating diametrical edges and arcuate edges which engage the valve body when the leaflets are closed. Generally frustoconical mounting ears extend outwardly from the leaflet edge, adjacent the diametrical edge thereof. The ears are received in recesses formed in the annular body. The recesses have an upper section extending in the direction of blood flow and a downstream section inclined thereto in a direction extending outwardly. The leaflets each have a flat upstream surface and a generally cylindrical downstream surface.

Abstract: An intraocular lens for implantation within an eye after cataract surgery. The intraocular lens has a haptic having an elongated gently curving seating portion having a free end and a weakened portion about which such seating portion pivots. The weakened portion is spaced from the fulcrum formed at the location at which the haptic is anchored to the lens body such that the free end of the seating portion moves toward the lens body in response to compression of the seating portion toward the lens body for facilitating seating thereof, while minimizing the risk of injury to the delicate membranes in the eye by outwardly extending distal portions of the haptics.

Abstract: An instrument (10) for accurately guiding a superior lens haptic (20) into the capsular bag to insure that both the inferior haptic (21) and superior haptic (20) are positioned within the confines of the capsular bag to effect lens centration. The instrument (10) comprises a stainless steel wire shaft (12) having a loop (16) on one end and a handle (14) on the other end. The wire has a diameter of 0.022 in. and the loop has an internal diameter of 0.6 mm and the orientation of the loop is critical. The shaft is bent at a point where it connects to the loop so that the loop, when observed from the handle, is inclined at an angle of 45 degrees to the right from the axis of the shaft and the side of the loop facing the observer is tilted downwardly from the axis of the shaft to an angle of about 45 degrees.

Abstract: A stent for reinforcing a vessel wall is constructed from a single elongated wire. The wire is first bent into a series of tight bends. The wire is then further bent into a sequence of loops that are connected by half hitch junctions and interconnections which are either aligned or spiral around a circumference of the stent. The completed stent forms a cylindrical form which can be expanded from a initial diameter to a larger implanted diameter by application of a radially outward force from a balloon catheter or the like.

Abstract: A flexible hollow organ, especially a vascular prosthesis intended for implantation in the human or animal body parts. The hollow organ includes a flexible prosthetic tube serving for a throughflow of a medium or which consists of such a prosthetic tube. A wall of the prosthetic tube exhibits at least one braided hose of flexible, elastic threads produced as a hollow meshwork. The hose, where provided, imparts to the prosthetic tube an increased resistance against buckling and compression.

Abstract: Intracorneal or epicorneal lens with a plurality of fixation holes spaced about the outer circumference of the lens. The lens can be of a soft material, such as hydrogel, a high refractive index material such as polysulfone, polycarbonate, or polyethylene, or any other material. The lens can also be coated with any suitable material, such as hydrogel or glycosaminoglycan.

Abstract: A soft and elastic intracameral lens, the back surface of which is formed by a continuous rotation-symmetric convex surface and the front surface comprises a central convex surface of sphere or quadric rotation-symmetric body linked on the diameter of 4 to 8 mm, preferably through a rounded transition, to a concave ring surface of a sphere or a toroid, whereas the distance between the concave ring surface and the back surface is 0.05 to 1.5 mm.The intracameral lens according to the invention is manufactured by charging a mold, which has the negative shape of the required front surface of the lens and is provided at the periphery with a sharp edge protruding by 0.05 to 1.5 mm above the end of the peripheral ring surface, with a monomer mixture as high as above the sharp edge to form a continuous convex meniscus and the mold with the monomer mixture is then exposed to polymerization conditions.

Abstract: An intraocular lens of the Fresnel type which is constructed so that the Fresnel surface itself is sealed by the posterior capsule surface to overcome the problems encountered in prior intraocular lenses in which the Fresnel surface is exposed. The Fresnel lens surface is recessed entirely within the posterior surface of the intraocular lens in an open recess to form a space between the posterior face and posterior capsule surface when the intraocular lens is positioned in the eye. The sealed space facilitates the use of a YAG laser for a posterior capsulotomy should posterior capsule opacification occur.

Abstract: The intraocular lens includes a lens body having a haptic for supporting the lens body in a human eye. The haptic includes a surrounding portion adapted to engage the tissue of a human eye and which extends at least 360.degree. around the axis of the lens body at a position spaced outward from the periphery thereof. The haptic comprises a single haptic member in one embodiment and a plurality of haptic members in another embodiment each comprising an inner connecting portion having its inner end joined to the periphery of the lens body and extending outward and then around or partially around the axis of the lens body forming the surrounding portion and having an outer portion with an outer end portion. In the case of a single haptic member the haptic member overlaps itself. In the case of a plurality of haptic members each, each haptic member has an outer portion with its outer end portion which overlaps an adjacent portion of another haptic member.

Abstract: An intraocular lens includes an optic for implantation in a human eye and first and second fixation members attached to the optic for supporting the optic from the capsular bag of the eye, each of the fixation members having inner and outer legs. The inner legs extend radially outwardly and circumferentially from first and second attachment sites on the optic to intermeidate portions of the fixation members. Each of the outer legs extend along an arc from the intermediate portion of the fixation member to a distal end portion of the fixation member.

Abstract: The optical portion of a prosthetic cornea fabricated from a relatively inert, transparent, substantially rigid material is shaped to provide a correction factor consistent with the requirements of a selected patient. During implantation a receptacle for receiving the optical portion of the prosthetic cornea is formed by excising a portion of the living cornea. A stromal pocket is formed into the posterior one-third of the stroma of the living cornea receiver and an attachment portion of the prosthetic cornea is secured within the stromal pocket. The attachment portion extends outwardly from the optical portion, and apertures through the attachment portion serve to promote the transfer of nutrients and other fluids and gases as well as allowing normal fibrous tissue growth which aids in anchoring the prosthetic cornea in place over the long term. The apertures may optionally also be employed to facilitate the use of sutures during the implantation process.

Abstract: A tissue expander device comprising a thin expandable cover and a concave base is disclosed. Together, the cover and the base form an envelope with a cambered interior chamber concave on the base and convex on the cover. The volume of the envelope is adjusted by introducing fluid into the chamber. As the device is inflated, the radius of curvature of the cambered base is gradually increased until the base becomes substantially planar when the device is fully inflated. Since the concave base becomes planar when the device is fully inflated, the surface of the device contacting the thin overlying skin is smooth and continuous thus reducing erosion of the skin flap by the edge of the base.

Abstract: A deformable intraocular lens includes first and second plastic lens members connected to each other adjacent their peripheral edges so as to provide a cavity therebetween. The connection is realized by means of a U-shaped flange on the first member forming an inwardly facing groove that receives therein an outwardly extending flange on the second member. The U-shaped flange has a pair of angularly spaced entrance slots through which the flange on the second member is inserted. A biasing arrangement is disclosed for urging the lens members into an expanded relation. The amount of biasing force is correlated with the capability of the natural lens capsule of a human eye so that the intraocular lens can be substituted for the cataractous natural lens. Thereafter, the muscular action exerted on the natural capsule will cause my intraocular lens to flatten and thereby change the focusing thereof. Either or both of the lens members may vary in thickness to provide an additional amount of refractive correction.

Abstract: A liquid chamber (3) arranged in the bottom of the socket cavity (2) is latitudinally sealed by the engaging ball head (4) of the femoral prosthesis shaft. The ball head (4) of the hip joint prosthesis is supported hydrostatically by the liquid chamber (3) filled with synovia and sealed by the ball head following a deformation of the elastic sealing edge (5). By means of the hydrostatic support, the friction moment increases only a little when the load becomes higher and approaches a constant value which is considerably lower than in conventional hip joint sockets.

Abstract: An intraocular lens made of a hydrogel material, preferably having about 60% water content, and defining a central, preferably bi-convex, optical portion and two oppositely situated, integrally formed, elongate, tapered fixation elements and a method for implanting same.

Abstract: A "MAMMARY PROSTHESIS", including a perforated lamina (10) made of an inert nd flexible material, having a thickness not exceeding 1.0 mm and showing, when flattened, the approximate shape of an annular sector, with an extension of about 180.degree. to about 220.degree., the inner diameter and the flexibility of the lamina in annular sector being sized in order to allow that, with the insertion of the prosthesis between the mammary gland and the datached skin, the lamina (10) will assume a substantially frustoconical shape having a slightly convex side surface and with the inner peripheral edge surrounding the mammary areola at a certain distance, the ends of the inner peripheral edge of the lamina (10) being close to each other, in such a way to occupy one of the positions adjoining and overlapping one another and the extreme edges of the lamina remaining angularly spaced apart.

Abstract: The intraocular prosthetic lens comprises an optical lens and two diametrally opposite loop-shaped support elements. Each of the support elements is made up of two mutually intersecting arches which are fastened together with the optical lens through one of their ends. The ends of the arches adjoining the optical lens are straight-line and are set at an angle of 105 to 115 degrees to each other. The ratio of the radius of curvature of the free curvilinear ends of the arches to a maximum overall length of the intraocular prosthetic lens lies within 0.16 and 0.21.

Abstract: A lens implant for insertion in the posterior chamber of human eye following an extra-capsular removal of the natural lens of the eye comprises a lens 1 of polymethyl methacrylate with two similar integral holding loops 2, which are flexible and resilient. Each loop 2 has a relatively stiff radial portion 3 followed by more flexible portions 5, 6 and 7 of varying curvatures. The free end 8 of each loop lies radially outwardly from the portion 5 of the other loop and the loops are so shaped that when the ends 8 are squeezed inwards into contact with the portion 5, the two loops 2 together form a substantially circular ring surrounding the lens concentrically. This facilitates insertion of the lens through an incision into the eye and, after insertion, the loops spring outwards again and engage either the anterior capsular flaps remaining after removal of the natural lens or the ciliary sulcus to hold the lens in position in the eye.