Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides a biocompatible polymer composition suitable for making intraocular lenses, especially posterior chamber phakic lenses, that includes a hydrogel having an equilibrium water content of less than about 55 wt. %. The hydrogel has a refractive index greater than about 1.41 and a sodium ion flux between about 16 to about 20 ?eq-mm/hr/cm2.

Abstract: A novel lifting tool suitable for lifting rooted trees and the like from the ground at least includes the following: a least one main boom; at least one outrigger coupled to a first end of the main boom; at least one mounting member coupled to a second end of the main boom, the mounting member adapted to couple the main boom to a lifting force machine; and at least one set of tongs coupled to the main boom, the tongs adapted to clamp a tree or the like to be lifted around at least a portion of the periphery of the tree or the like, and lift the tree or the like when the main boom is lifted. The tongs are located along the main boom at a position to multiply the force input by the lifting force machine.

Abstract: Contour-matching, aspheric lenticules are disclosed for implantation in a subject's cornea to correcting refractive errors. The lenticules include a photoablatable anterior surface and a posterior surface having an aspheric profile that can substantially match the asphericity exhibited by the corneal stromal surface, on which the lenticule is placed. The posterior surface can have a generally concave shape while the anterior surface can have a generally convex shape, though other shapes can also be utilized in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the asphericity of the lenticule's posterior surface can differ from an asphericity exhibited by the corneal stromal surface by less than about 50%, or preferably by less than about 20%.

Abstract: A system for controlling the residual moisture in pre-cured binder coated glass fibers. The moisture of the binder coated glass fibers is measured after the process water is extracted in a collection box. Based on the level of moisture found in the coated glass fibers, adjustments are made to the process upstream of the moisture measurements. The adjustments include, but are not limited to, adjusting the amount of water used to make the binder composition; adjusting the amount of heat applied to the binder composition as it is applied to the glass fibers and adjusting the vacuum conditions used to extract the process water from the binder coated glass fibers. Control of the residual moisture in the precured binder coated glass fibers helps ensure proper curing of the binder during the subsequent curing step.

Abstract: A system for curing a binders applied to glass fibers is disclosed. The curing of the binder is accomplished by passing the binder coated glass fibers through a curing oven having one or more temperature zones. The temperature of the binder coated glass fibers is monitored and the temperature in the curing oven is adjusted to ensure proper heating of the glass fibers thereby ensuring uniform curing of the binder composition. Temperature measurements are made either as the product traverses the oven or as the cured product exits the curing oven. The invention is particularly useful for curing acrylic thermoset binders and formaldehyde-free binders.

Abstract: A method for controlling at least one process parameter while processing a molten glass is provided. The method includes: measuring an electrical resistance of the molten glass to obtain an electrical resistance measurement; and adjusting at least one process parameter based on the electrical resistance measurement.

Abstract: Foldable intraocular lenses having a reduced risk of posterior capsule opacification are disclosed. The foldable intraocular lenses have optics that are prepared such that their surface is glassy and their bulk is rubbery.

Abstract: A system and method for determining performance characteristics of loan portfolios. The system and method employs a delinquency rate analysis to perform a valuation of a portfolio using a new statistic obtained by integrating the age effects with the delinquency rates. A fictitious vintage of loans known as a proxy vintage is created from historical industry data and the calculated average delinquency rate is assigned at all the ages. A portfolio's credit performance is then evaluated by combining the distribution of the variance of age with the historical vintage information. An equivalent base delinquency rate of a vintage is generated as a derived delinquency rate the portfolio would have had at a base age. Finally, an age adjusted delinquency rate is determined which is a weighted average of the equivalent base rates of all the vintages in a portfolio.

Abstract: Disclosed are soft, high refractive index, acrylic materials having an elongation of at least 150%. These materials, especially useful as intraocular lens materials, contain an aryl acrylic hydrophobic monomer as the single principal device-forming monomer. In addition to their use as intraocular lens materials, the present materials are also suitable for use in other ophthalmic or otorhinolaryngological devices, such as contact lenses, keratoprostheses, corneal inlays or rings; otological ventilation tubes and nasal implants.

Abstract: Disclosed are soft, high refractive index, acrylic materials having an elongation of at least 150%. These materials, especially useful as intraocular lens materials, contain an aryl acrylic hydrophobic monomer as the single principal device-forming monomer. In addition to their use as intraocular lens materials, the present materials are also suitable for use in other ophthalmic or otorhinolaryngological devices, such as contact lenses, keratoprostheses, corneal inlays or rings; otological ventilation tubes and nasal implants.

Abstract: Disclosed are soft, high refractive index, acrylic materials having an elongation of at least 150%. These materials, especially useful as intraocular lens materials, contain an aryl acrylic hydrophobic monomer as the single principal device-forming monomer. In addition to their use as intraocular lens materials, the present materials are also suitable for use in other ophthalmic or otorhinolaryngological devices, such as contact lenses, keratoprostheses, corneal inlays or rings; otological ventilation tubes and nasal implants.

Abstract: A method of selecting an intraocular lens material for toric lenses is disclosed. The method comprises determining the tack of the material.

Abstract: A method of selecting an intraocular lens material for reducing the risk of posterior capsule opacification is disclosed. The method comprises determining the tack of the material.

Abstract: A device for processing samples, particularly biological samples, comprising a support retaining member forming a substantially sealed support cell provided with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet for the introduction and removal, respectively, of fluids used in processing a sample. In addition, an automated apparatus and method are used with the support cell for processing samples supported on solid supports.

Abstract: High refractive index copolymers suitable for use in ophthalmic devices are disclosed. The copolymers comprise a) two or more monomers of the structure: wherein: X is H or CH3; m is 0-10; Y is nothing, O, S, or NR wherein R is H, CH3, CnH2n+1(n=1-10), iso-OC3H7, C6H5, or CH2C6H5; Ar is any aromatic ring which can be unsubstituted or substituted with H, CH3, C2H5, n-C3H7, iso-C3H7, OCH3, C6H11, Cl, Br, C6H5, or CH2C6H5; a crosslinking monomer having a plurality of polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups, and b) a total of about 5 mole % or less of one or more monomers of the structure: wherein: X is H or CH3; W is —CH3 or (CH2═C(—X)—C(═O)—); and n is such that the weight average molecular weight is approximately 600-1000 if W is —CH3 and approximately 400-1000 if W is (CH2═C(—X)—C(═O)—).

Abstract: A method of selecting an intraocular lens material for toric lenses is disclosed. The method comprises determining the tack of the material.

Abstract: The invention relates to heat-settable reaction resin systems with low stress properties which assume a low-shrinkage characteristic when prefabricated elastomer particles are incorporated. The total volume shrinkage of the resin formulations produced by the use according to the invention is approximately 35% lower than shrinkage in formulations without elastomer particles.

Abstract: A method of selecting an intraocular lens material for reducing the risk of posterior capsule opacification is disclosed. The method comprises determining the tack of the material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a support retaining member (216) for use in processing a sample supported on a support (6), the member (216) being such than when assembled together with a support (6) it forms a support cell, the support cell comprising a substantially sealed chamber, the chamber being provided with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet for the introduction and removal respectively of fluids used in processing the sample.

Abstract: Improved soft, foldable acrylic lens materials which are particularly suited for use as IOLs, but which are also useful as other ophthalmic devices, such as contact lenses, keratoprostheses, and corneal rings or inlays, are disclosed. These materials contain only two principal components: one aryl acrylic hydrophobic monomer and one hydrophilic monomer. The materials of the present invention are copolymers comprising at least about 90% by weight of the two principal monomeric components; provided that the amount of the hydrophilic component is not greater than that of the aryl acrylic hydrophobic component. The remainder of the material comprises up to 10% by weight of one or more additional components, such as cross-linking, UV-light absorbing, and blue-light absorbing components.The aryl acrylic hydrophobic monomers suitable for use in the materials of the present invention have the formula ##STR1## wherein: X is H or CH.sub.3 ;m is 0-6;Y is nothing, O, S, or NR, wherein R is H, CH.sub.3, C.sub.n H.sub.