Abstract: A secondary battery is provided for cycling between a charged and a discharged state, the secondary battery including a battery enclosure, an electrode assembly, carrier ions, a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte within the battery enclosure, and a set of electrode constraints. The set of electrode constraints includes a primary constraint system having first and second primary growth constraints and at least one primary connecting member, the first and second primary growth constraints separated from each other in the longitudinal direction, wherein the primary constraint array restrains growth of the electrode assembly in the longitudinal direction such that any increase in the Feret diameter of the electrode assembly in the longitudinal direction over 20 consecutive cycles of the secondary battery is less than 20%.

Abstract: An improved self-centering phakic refractive lens is disclosed. The lens floats freely in the posterior chamber of the eye and corrects vision of the patient but also prevents buildup of intraocular pressure, cataract induction and iris pigment dispersion. The lens comprises an optical body, haptic members which extend outward from the optical body, and a small hole in the approximate center of the optical body for the purpose of allowing aqueous humor to flow through that hole. The lens is designed such that its posterior surface conforms to the shape of the anterior surface of the patient's natural crystalline lens.

Abstract: An improved self-centering phakic refractive lens is disclosed. The lens floats freely in the posterior chamber of the eye and corrects vision of the patient but also prevents buildup of intraocular pressure, cataract induction and iris pigment dispersion. The lens comprises an optical body, haptic members which extend outward from the optical body, and a small hole in the approximate center of the optical body for the purpose of allowing aqueous humor to flow through that hole. The lens is designed such that its posterior surface conforms to the shape of the anterior surface of the patient's natural crystalline lens.

Abstract: An improved self-centering phakic refractive lens is disclosed. The lens floats freely in the posterior chamber of the eye and corrects vision of the patient but also prevents buildup of intraocular pressure, cataract induction and iris pigment dispersion. The lens comprises an optical body, haptic members which extend outward from the optical body, and a small hole in the approximate center of the optical body for the purpose of allowing aqueous humor to flow through that hole. The lens is designed such that its posterior surface conforms to the shape of the anterior surface of the patient's natural crystalline lens.

Abstract: Intraocular lenses containing a photochromic agent, are disclosed. Specifically, the foldable intraocular lens of the present invention comprises an optic body made from a crosslinked material comprising at least one monomer, a crosslinker, a UV absorber, and a photochromic agent which has a maximum absorption peak of about 400-500 nm in its excited state. The lens has a glass transition temperature of about 37° C. or lower. Methods for making these intraocular lenses are also taught.

Abstract: An accommodative intraocular lens system for treating presbyopic is disclosed. The system includes a first lens having negative optic power adapted for placement in the posterior chamber of the eye and capable of moving forward and back along the optic axis; and a second lens having a positive optic power which is implanted within the capsular bag. The second lens can be the natural crystalline lens of the eye. The position of the first lens, forward or back relative to the second lens, focuses the eye for seeing distant or close-in objects.

Abstract: A method of forming an ophthalmic lens, such as an intraocular lens, from a hydrophobic acrylic polymer is disclosed. In this method, a pre-polymer gel is formed form the hydrophobic acrylic polymer, at least the optical portion of the lens is formed from the gel using a fused silica mold, and the lens is solvent extracted such that it remains transparent and substantially without glistenings in an aqueous medium.

Abstract: Phakic refractive lens (PRL) for correcting myopia or hyperopia are disclosed. The lens is implanted in the posterior chamber of the eye, with no permanent point of fixation, such that it floats between the patient's iris and natural lens. The lens corrects refractive errors in the eye, while maintaining the fluid dynamics of the eye and not causing stress or damage to eye structures. The lenses are made from a flexible material (such as those having a hardness of from about 20 to about 50 Shore A), having a specific gravity of from about 0.9 to about 1.2 g/cm3, and have a mass per unit area of from about 0.03 to about 0.30 mg/mm2. The method for using those lenses and surgical kits including those lenses are also disclosed.

Abstract: Ophthalmic devices suitable for implantation into the eye through small incisions are disclosed. These devices are made from a composition comprising crystalline or semi-crystalline polymeric materials which have a glass transition temperature (Tg) of from about −100° C. to about 20° C., a melting point temperature (Tm) of from about 0° C. to about 37° C., and wherein Tg for the material is lower than Tm for the composition. Disclosed devices include intraocular lenses, corneal inlays, ocular drug delivery devices and implants for reducing intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients; intraocular lenses are preferred.

Abstract: A method of preparing phakic intraocular lenses from hydrophobic materials is described. In this process, the lens is tested to determine whether it can float submerged in an aqueous medium. If it cannot (e.g., if it remains on top of the aqueous medium), the lens is surface treated (for example, by vacuum UV or corona discharge processes) to increase its wetting ability (e.g., to reduce its hydrophobicity). The lenses prepared by this process are also described.

Abstract: A method for treating presbyopia using a scleral insert is described. The scleral insert is prepared from either (or both) of two specific classes of polymeric materials having both viscous and elastic properties. The first class of polymeric materials has a glass transition temperature (Tg) at or below human body temperature (37° C.). The second class of polymeric materials has a melting temperature (Tm) at or below human body temperature (37° C.). The implant is stored in a frozen, rigid, elongated state prior to insertion in to the eye. Once it is placed on or within the sclera the insert responds to the increase in temperature, due to the surrounding physiochemical environment whereby it becomes soft and expands to reach its final shape. This implant can be inserted in to the eye through a much smaller incision than is used with conventional scleral implant techniques.

Abstract: Ophthalmic devices suitable for implantation into the eye through small incisions are disclosed. These devices are made from a composition comprising crystalline or semi-crystalline polymeric materials which have a glass transition temperature (Tg) of from about −100° C. to about 20° C., a melting point temperature (Tm) of from about 0° C. to about 37° C., and wherein Tg for the material is lower than Tm for the composition. Disclosed devices include intraocular lenses, corneal inlays, ocular drug delivery devices and implants for reducing intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients; intraocular lenses are preferred.

Abstract: A method of preparing phakic intraocular lenses from hydrophobic materials is described. In this process, the lens is tested to determine whether it can float submerged in an aqueous medium. If it cannot (e.g., if it remains on top of the aqueous medium), the lens is surface treated (for example, by vacuum UV or corona discharge processes) to increase its wetting ability (e.g., to reduce its hydrophobicity). The lenses prepared by this process are also described.

Abstract: An ocular plug design and method of insertion is described for the treatment of dry eye. This ocular plug is a narrow rod-like cylinder of appropriate diameter, which is tapered at one end, for insertion into an ocular channel. The plug is prepared from either (or both) of two specific classes of polymeric materials having both viscous and elastic properties. The first class of polymeric materials have a glass transition temperature (Tg) at or below human body temperature (37° C.). The second class of polymeric materials have a melting temperature (Tm) at or below human body temperature (37° C.). The plug is stored in a frozen, rigid, elongated state prior to insertion into an ocular channel. Once inserted into an ocular channel, the smart plug responds to an increase in temperature, due to the surrounding physiochemical environment, whereby it becomes soft and the plug subsequently expands to adapt to the size and shape of the patient's punctum or canaliculum.