Abstract: An intraocular lens comprises an optic portion having a peripheral edge and at least two haptics. Each haptic is integrated with the peripheral edge of the optic portion by a corresponding haptic integration region. Also, each haptic comprises a distal segment region and a deformation segment region. The distal segment region has an outer distal length bounded by a proximate endpoint and a distal endpoint on an outer surface of the haptic, and is scribed by a distal segment angle ? of 20° to 30°. The distal segment angle has a segment origin that lies within a radial segment bound by a radial distance 1.5 mm to 1.9 mm from an optic center and a segment angle ? of from 30° to 45° from a vertical axis. The vertical axis extends through the distal endpoint of at least one haptic and the optic center.

Abstract: Devices, methods and kits are described for reducing intraocular pressure. The devices include a support that is implantable within Schlemm's canal and that may restore or maintain at least partial patency of the canal without substantially interfering with transmural or transluminal fluid flow across the canal. The devices utilize the natural drainage process of the eye and may be implanted with minimal trauma to the eye. Kits may include a support and an introducer for implanting the support within Schlemm's canal. Methods may include implanting a support within Schlemm's canal, where the support is capable of restoring or maintaining at least partial patency of the canal without substantial interference with transmural or transluminal fluid flow across the canal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus described herein may utilize activation of an SMP material to install medical devices with respect to a surgical site. Activation of the SMP material may be performed with the use of a triggering force and/or a constraint applied to the SMP material. Activation using a triggering force and/or a constraint may be used to create varied activation rates in an SMP material and may be combined with temperature or other activation stimuli to create the varied activation rates.

Abstract: Accommodating intraocular lens (AIOL) capsules having a continuously variable Diopter strength between a first Diopter strength in a non-compressed state and a second Diopter strength different than its first Diopter strength in a compressed state. The AIOL capsules include an anterior capsule plate, a posterior capsule plate, and a capsule ring for bounding a hermetic cavity filled with a capsule filling. The anterior capsule plate is intended to anteriorly bulge along the human eye's visual axis on application of an axial compression force against the posterior capsule plate from a posterior direction.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to techniques for implantation of a low-profile implantable medical device (IMD) in the body of a patient. In an exemplary embodiment, the low-profile IMD is implanted under the scalp. When the treatment or monitoring site is in or on the head of the patient, the low-profile IMD can be implanted under the scalp proximate to the treatment or monitoring site. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a method that includes making an incision in the scalp of a head of a patient to create a scalp flap, exposing a skull beneath the scalp flap, creating a pocket between the scalp and the skull, and placing at least a portion of a low-profile IMD in the pocket. The low-profile IMD may include a plurality of modules, covered in part by a flexible overmold.

Abstract: Methods of repairing the mitral valve and reducing mitral regurgitation. One method includes securing a first tissue anchor to a position on a posterior portion of the annular tissue of the mitral valve and a second tissue anchor to a position on an anterior portion of the annular tissue of the mitral valve. At least one tensile member spans between the first and second tissue anchors and across the orifice of the mitral valve. When tension is applied to the at least one tensile member, the posterior portion of the annular tissue is pulled toward the anterior portion.

Abstract: A foldable intraocular lens for providing vision contains an optic body that includes an optical zone and a peripheral zone entirely surrounding the optical zone. The optic body has an anterior face, a substantially opposing posterior face, an optic edge, and an optical axis. The anterior face comprises a central face, a peripheral face, and a recessed annular face therebetween that is disposed posterior to the peripheral face. The intraocular lens further comprises at least one haptic that is integrally formed with the peripheral zone. The haptic comprises a distal posterior face, a proximal posterior face, and a step edge disposed at a boundary therebetween. The haptic further comprises a side edge disposed between the optic edge and the step edge. The proximal posterior face and the posterior face of the optic body form a continuous surface. An edge corner is formed by the intersection of the continuous surface with the optic edge, the side edge, and the step edge.

Abstract: A surgical procedure is carried out on any suitable hollow organ, such as a gall bladder located beneath an abdominal wall. In a first step of the procedure the hollow organ is inflated by air or water through an inflation line so that the organ swells up. A scalpel is then used to create an incision in the abdominal wall. Sutures are then inserted through the opening and these are used to pull up the inflated organ to the opening. The inflated organ is now presented to the opening and a laparascopic procedure is carried out on the organ. A number of medical devices may be employed to perform the procedure for example a scalpel, an introducer device, an instrument access device, an insufflator, a camera device, and various surgical instruments.

Abstract: A method is provided for implanting an accommodating intraocular lens system in a capsular bag of an eye. The method includes providing the accommodating intraocular lens having an anterior viewing element and a posterior viewing element. The anterior viewing element has a width in a range between approximately 4.5 millimeters and approximately 6.5 millimeters. The method further includes forming an opening in an anterior portion of the capsular bag. The opening has a minimum width not less than approximately 4 millimeters and has a maximum width not greater than approximately 6.0 millimeters. The method further includes placing the accommodating intraocular lens system within the capsular bag. The capsular bag overlaps at least a portion of the anterior viewing element and defines an overlap region with a width in a range between approximately 0.1 millimeters and approximately 0.75 millimeters.

Abstract: An intraocular lens (IOL) assembly for correcting myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism is provided. The intraocular lens assembly comprises a lens extending along an optical axis between an anterior optical surface and a posterior optical surface. The IOL has a circumferential edge disposed about the optical axis at a junction of anterior and posterior optical surfaces with N haptics, where N is an integer greater than 1. Each haptic extends from an associated portion of the circumferential edge and along an associated haptic axis and extends between end portions joined to the lens at the circumferential edge. Each of the haptics includes M footplates extending symmetrically about its associated haptic axis, where M may be an integer greater than 0. The resultant vaulted structure provides an intraocular lens assembly that, when implanted in the eye, allows accommodation.

Abstract: A stent is provided for an endoprosthesis having a main body portion and two leg portions, particularly suitable for treatment of an abdominal aortic aneurism. The stent includes barbs that are twisted and shaped set to point radially outward. Each barb, as formed, points substantially perpendicular relative to the longitudinal axis of the stent, even when in a non-deployed configuration. The motion to move the barb into a deployed configuration for gripping tissue is a twisting motion which moves the barb from being substantially aligned with the circumference of the stent to extending radially outwards from the stent.

Abstract: An ocular implant having a first spine; a second spine; a first strut extending in an axial direction Z between the first spine and the second spine; a second strut extending in an axial direction Z between the first spine and the second spine; wherein an angular dimension ? of a first edge of each strut undulates as the strut extends in the axial direction Z between the first spine and the second spine; and wherein a radius r of an outer surface of each strut remains substantially constant as the strut extends the axial direction Z between the first spine and the second spine.

Abstract: An expandable stent comprised of a plurality of helical segments is disclosed. In one embodiment, the stent is generally cylindrical in shape having a cylindrical axis, and comprises a first and second set of helical segments. The helical segments in the first set are substantially parallel and have a first pitch forming a first helical angle with respect to the cylindrical axis. The helical segments in the second set are also generally parallel to each other and form a second pitch that differs from the first pitch, thereby forming a second helical angle with respect to the cylindrical axis. In an alternative embodiment, the stent comprises one set of helical segments and a plurality of circumferential elements that are joined together by the helical segments to form a plurality of cylindrical elements which are joined together to form a stent body. The stent may also have endzones.

Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens includes an optic portion a haptic portion and a backstop. The optic portion of the lens includes an actuator that deflects a lens element to alter the optical power of the lens responsive to forces applied to the haptic portion of the lens by contraction of the ciliary muscles. Forces applied to the haptic portion may result in fluid displacements from or to the haptic portion from the actuator. The backstop provides support to the haptic so that bulk translation of the haptic is prevented in response to the forces applied by the capsular sac.

Abstract: A catheter-based annuloplasty system for use in repairing a heart valve having leaflets and a valve annulus, includes a delivery catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, and an expandable stent disposed on the distal end of the catheter. An adjustable annuloplasty ring is disposed on the expandable stent and is configured to expand and contract in response to expansion and contraction of the stent.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for locking self-expanding modular stent components together using an eversible extension on the male component. The male component is deployed partially within the female component, and with the eversible extension eversed over the male component.

Abstract: A set formed of a scleral buckle and an encircling band is provided for use in connection with retinal detachment surgery to enable the implantation of both the scleral buckle and encircling band free of any suture. A self-assembling scleral buckle-encircling band combination is secured in place by surface scleral tunnels operative as belt loops to enable the securing of a scleral buckle and encircling band on the eyeball to exert an intended indentation effect for treatment of retinal detachment.

Abstract: After a vitreous gel of an eyeball is liquefied, a choroid is exposed; a vitreous humor is sucked to decrease a pressure in a vitreous body; a pocket is formed in the choroid; and then an implant is inserted into the pocket.

Abstract: A hand prosthesis includes a chassis and a finger prosthesis articulated to the chassis. A first drive is located in the chassis and is coupled via a force transmission unit to the finger prosthesis for moving the finger prosthesis about a first swiveling axis relative to the chassis. A second drive is located within the finger prosthesis and moves the finger prosthesis about a second swiveling axis relative to the chassis and relative to the first swiveling axis.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee joint assembly includes a femoral component that engages a femur and at least one bearing that supports articulation of the femoral component thereon. Also, the assembly includes a tibial tray that engages a tibia and that supports the bearing. A ligament link coupling component is included on the femoral component or the tibial tray. The ligament link coupling component is operable to couple to a ligament link to couple the ligament link to the femoral component or the tibial tray. Moreover, the assembly includes an opening included on the other of the femoral component or the tibial tray. The ligament link is received in the opening to bypass the other of the femoral component or the tibial tray to operably couple to the respective one of the femur or the tibia.