Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a surgical system and method of use for treating and removing unwanted tissue, preferably from an organ or other internal part of a patient. The system includes a cryosurgical component for first freezing the unwanted living tissue by forming an ice mass which completely encompasses the unwanted living tissue and means for treating the cryogenically-treated tissue and then removing the tissue while it remains in a frozen state. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic device is used to ultrasonically vibrate the cryogenically-treated tissue to break apart the frozen tissue and the frozen broken-up pieces of tissue are removed using a technique, such as an aspiration process.

Abstract: A two part IOL with a generally “L” or “S” shape but featuring straight or curved “V”-shaped structures which can be inserted through a very small opening by flexing the arms of the “V”-shaped structures up to or over each other is described. This IOL may be used in the anterior or posterior chamber of the eye for phakic or aphakic lenses. After insertion of the haptic into the eye, any type of lens may be attached, especially by use of cleats.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a surgical system and method of use for treating and removing unwanted tissue, preferably from an organ or other internal part of a patient. The system includes a cryosurgical component for first freezing the unwanted living tissue by forming an ice mass which completely encompasses the unwanted living tissue and means for treating the cryogenically-treated tissue and then removing the tissue while it remains in a frozen state. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic device is used to ultrasonically vibrate the cryogenically-treated tissue to break apart the frozen tissue and the frozen broken-up pieces of tissue are removed using a technique, such as an aspiration process.

Abstract: A snowboard with a single lateral edge modified and/or a device for modifying a single lateral edge of a snowboard for the purpose of making the snowboard easier to control while learning to traverse snow covered slopes on the snowboard. A single edge of the snowboard is modified such that at least a portion of the edge is provided with a structure having a rounded profile of substantially larger radius of curvature than would result from merely rounding the sharp corners of the edge of the snowboard. The structure is positioned so that an arcuate surface is directed outwardly and downwardly from the edge. The structure of substantially larger radius of curvature can be provided in the form of permanent integrally formed swellings of portions of the snowboard edge, or could be provided by one or more removable members attached to the snowboard edge. The removable members are provided with a clearance which engages the edge, and fasteners to mount the member to the edge.

Abstract: A device for systematically placing a golf ball on a tee and driving the tee into the ground, to thereby tee-up the golf ball, includes a base with a hopper for holding a supply of tees, and an elongate housing movably fitted to the base. A ball silo within the housing holds a supply of golf balls in a vertical array along a longitudinal axis. While maintaining the base on the ground and applying a downward force on a handle at the top of the housing, the housing is moved relative to the base through a selected range of downward movement, defining a stroke. The stroke movement drives a feed assembly and a pick-up arm to deliver a tee into a loaded position in axial alignment with the longitudinal axis below a lowermost ball in the silo. Thereafter, a timing assembly releases the lowermost ball onto the tee and continued downward movement through the stroke exerts pressure on the top of the ball, thereby driving the tee into the ground.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for treating herniated discs involving the preliminary intra annular ultrasonic softening of the herniated disc portions to be removed with a discectomy instrument that suctions and cuts the softened portions of the herniated disc. An ultrasonic probe is inserted into the central region of the disc to soften the desired region. A discectomy instrument is subsequently inserted into the softened portion of the disc and tissue is removed by suctioning the softened tissue portion into the tip of the instrument needle and severing the suctioned portion of the disc within the tip of the needle. The cut material is then aspirated.

Abstract: Collagen-based compositions as adhesives and sealants for medical use and preparation thereof are described. Prior to polymerization, soluble or partially fibrillar collagen monomers in solution are chemically modified with an acylating agent, sulfonating agent or a combination of the foregoing. The collagen compositions prepared accordingly can be used as medical adhesives for bonding soft tissues or be made in to a sealant film for a variety of medical uses such as wound closures and tendon wraps for preventing adhesion formation following surgery.

Abstract: A two piece anterior chamber artificial intraocular lens for treating high myopia conditions by implantation in an eye after extracapsular removal of the natural eye lens is disclosed. The two-piece assembly is inserted through a minimum size incision in the eye. The lens includes a lens body or optic and a separate ring-shaped tension frame therefor containing light masking means for inhibiting light rays directed toward the outer edge portions of the lens body from being scattered thereby toward the retina after the assembled lens has been inserted into the eye. The lens body or optic is generally circular and conveniently made of shape retaining plastic. The optic is generally smaller than the diameter of a pupil dilated for night vision, and is surrounded by a snugly fitting annular opaque or semi-opaque ring or frame having a C-shaped cross section and a peripherally extending fin of the same material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating a patient with visco-surgery, particularly ocular visco-surgery, utilizing a collagen-based viscoelastic solution having a reversibly high viscosity. The invention also relates to collagen-based viscoelastic solutions which further include mucopolysaccarides or growth factors.

Abstract: An eyeglass lens selection system for untrained persons includes a carrier that is slidably mounted in a viewer module. An eye chart faces the viewer module and an elongated arm connects the chart to the viewer module and lens carrier. The carrier is an elongated strip having a plurality of lenses along its length, each of the lenses has a different refractive power. The lenses are molded of polymethyl methacrylate in a one-piece lens/carrier assembly. In use, a prospective purchaser of eyeglasses looks with one eye at the eye chart through an opening in the viewer module and through a single lens on the carrier. The carrier is slidingly moved through the viewer module so that each lens, in turn, is used in viewing the eye chart until a clear image on the chart is obtained. The procedure is repeated for the other eye.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biologically compatible collagenous reaction product comprising ethylenically unsaturated monomerically substituted collagen, the monomeric substituents being essentially free of nitrogen, e.g., methyacrylate, styrene, polyvinyl, ethylene. The collagenous reaction product can be polymerized, e.g., by exposure to UV irradiation, chemical agents or atmospheric oxygen, and molded to form useful medical implant articles. Methods of preparation are also provided.

Abstract: Injectable collagen-based compositions can be used in methods to fill a lens capsular sac, following lens extraction procedures, to form a new intraocular lens. Purified soluble or partially fibrillar collagen may be modified with acylating agents, sulfonating agents or combinations thereof to form a clear, transparent collagen composition having indices of refraction between about 1.2 to 1.6. The modified collagen may injected into a lens capsular sac to form an intraocular lens (IOL) in situ. The IOL is clear, transparent, resistant to epithelialization and is capable of accommodation. The collagen-based IOL produced by the method of the present invention may remain in its original viscous liquid state or may be polymerized into a soft gel. The collagen-based IOL may be used to replace diseased or natural lens to treat cataracts, presbyopia, myopia and hyperopia.

Abstract: A detachable eyeglass assembly for a visored headgear includes a clip for removable attachment to the visor. The clip is adopted to extend from one side edge to the other side edge of the visor perpendicular to the wearer's frontal line of vision, and the visor is gripped or frictionally retained at it opposite side edges by the clip. An eyeglass member having a transparent portion connects to the clip by pivot means so as to be able to tilt up out of the user's line of vision. The length of the clips between the ends that grasp the side edges of the visor, is adjustable whereby the distance between the sunglass member and the user's eyes is selectable. The detachable sunglass assembly is useable on a variety of visored headgear.

Abstract: An improved tip for use with a device for disintegrating tissue located in a predominantly liquid environment. The tip is connected to an oscillation generator, which results in ultrasonic oscillating movement along the tip axis. When placed within the posterior capsule of an eye, the tip causes the tissue of the natural lens in close proximity to disintegrate. The tip has an elongated curved portion having a convex front surface, a concave rear surface and a rear-facing end surface. The elongated curve of the tip and the rear facing end surface allow easy access to all areas of the capsular bag, some of which were relatively unreachable with known ultrasonic tips.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for bonding soft tissues. The method comprises the steps of (a) applying a polymerizable collagen composition onto at least portion of a surface of at least one of a first tissue and a second tissue, (b) exposing the polymerizable collagen composition to an initiator so as to initiate polymerization of the polymerizable collagen composition and (c) contacting the first tissue and the second tissue so that the exposed polymerizable collagen composition forms a bond between the first tissue and the second tissue.

Abstract: Production of a chemically modified, crosslinkable, telopeptide-containing, naturally crosslinked, solubilized collagen from tissue obtained from a sole human donor, for implanting in the same donor, by chemically modifying the tissue, e.g. by acylation and/or esterification, to form an autoimplantable, crosslinkable, telopeptide-containing, naturally crosslinked, collagen product, as a completely solubilized collagen solution, optionally of high index of refraction for correcting sight or as a partially solubilized collagen suspension; and use of the product for altering the condition of in situ tissue of the same human donor by autoimplantation, such as by crosslinking the product to form an implant device, by placing an effective amount of the product at the tissue site and crosslinking the product in situ, or by partially crosslinking the product and placing an effective amount thereof at the tissue site and optionally further crosslinking the product in situ.

Abstract: Collagen-based compositions as adhesives and sealants for medical use and preparation thereof are described. Prior to polymerization, soluble or partially fibrillar collagen monomers in solution are chemically modified with an acylating agent, sulfonating agent or a combination of the foregoing. The collagen compositions prepared accordingly can be used as medical adhesives for bonding soft tissues or be made in to a sealant film for a variety of medical uses such as wound closures and tendon wraps for preventing adhesion formation following surgery.

Abstract: A sunglass assembly for attachment to a headgear includes mounting means for removable attachment to the front of the headgear at a visor, brim or the like. A pair of parallel rail means attach to the mounting means and extend in the direction of the wearer's frontal line of vision. A sunglass member has a tinted transparent portion for viewing therethrough, is connected to slides which frictionally and slidingly engage the rail means. The sunglass member is pivotably attached to the slides and is able to translate along the rails toward and away from the user and to tilt up out of the user's line of vision.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biologically compatible collagenous reaction product comprising ethylenically unsaturated or polymeric substituted collagen, the monomeric substituents being essentially free of nitrogen, e.g., methacrylate, styrene, polyvinyl, ethylene. The collagenous reaction product can be polymerized, e.g., by exposure to UV irradiation, chemical agents or atmospheric oxygen, and molded to form useful medical implant articles. Methods of preparation are also provided.

Abstract: An injector formed of a slotted tube is partially inserted via its front end in a minimum size eye incision to inject a temporarily folded intraocular lens having opposed haptics extending from its periphery, into the eye without stressing the incision. Holding and locking mechanisms serve to fold the lens into the tube rear end with the haptics protruding from the tube slot so as not to be jammed in the tube, and to unfold the lens out of the tube front end in the eye for release, all in controlled manner, and so as to avoid patient trauma from stress on the incision or contact of the unfolding lens with the inner wall of the cornea or other eye parts.