Abstract: A system and method for monitoring eye blink mechanics is disclosed herein. One or more sensors mounted on an eyeglass frame may record blink mechanics over an extended period of time, typically longer than can be observed by a doctor during the course of a clinical examination, using camera imaging or infrared reflection. The system and method for monitoring eye blink mechanics provides a simultaneous record of blink rate and drying of the tear film, and may also monitor completeness of the individual blink process. Recorded data may be downloaded to a data processing system for analysis, the results of which are used to indicate treatment for DES, DBM, and other blink related pathologies. The system may also provide treatment through feedback based on real-time measurements by training the patient to correct dysfunctional blink mechanics as they are occurring.

Abstract: A parallax error correcting system is disclosed herein. In one embodiment the system may comprise a smart lens consisting of a liquid crystal layer that may be made opaque, and that may become partially cleared when touched. In another embodiment the system may comprise a manually-operated device that may be positioned over the glasses frame of a wearer to determine the optical center of corrective lenses and prevent parallax error. The device may further comprise a central opening that may be manipulated by an eye care professional based on feedback given by the wearer, and a means for attaching the device to the glasses frame or lenses to prevent reading errors. The system may further comprise an electronic interface and a software application, to provide for additional features and accuracy of readings.

Abstract: The heated forceps for Meibomian gland expression disclosed herein may comprise, at least, a forceps and a heating element. The treatment of Meibomian gland dysfunction is benefited by the application of heat to the Meibomian glands during therapeutic manual expression of meibum. The heated forceps for Meibomian gland expression are intended to supply such heat during the manual expression process so as to improve the efficacy of such treatments. The forceps may comprise any appropriate forceps known in the art, and the heating element may be removably attached to the forceps for ease of use and maintenance. In this way the forceps may also be made disposable, while the heating element is reusable.

Abstract: The biological material gathering device disclosed herein is designed for non-invasive isolation of biological material from an eye, eyelid, or periocular. The device uses a plurality of adhesive beads engaged on a microfiber bundle to harvest biological materials from an individual without the need for penetrating or invasive methods. Such biological materials may then be processed and examined to determine the etiology of pathologies or malignancies affecting the individual. The biological material gathering device preferably comprises a tonometer tip base and housing for use in commonly-available ophthalmological examination devices. The present invention may further comprise video imaging capability so as to register the precise and relative locations of harvested biological materials for later reference. Finally, the biological material gathering device disclosed herein may be made available in kit form for clinical use.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for directly stimulating tissues, particularly muscle tissues, to modulate muscle contractions (i.e. provide reanimation of the muscle or to suppress undesired muscle contractions). Reanimation of muscles may be desired when damage to the brain, nervous system or neuromuscular junctions have occurred, causing a muscle tissue to lack sufficient motor control. Suppression of muscle contractions may be desired in situations of pathologically hyperactive muscles, such as in conditions of muscle spasm (e.g. blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm) or muscle dystonia. Direct stimulation is achieved by delivering a chemical agent directly to the muscle tissue, particularly the motor end plate, bypassing the nerves and neuromuscular junctions which may be damaged or diseased. Implanted hybrid chemical and electromagnetic stimulation devices can modulate muscle contraction in response to signals from a controller.

Abstract: An optically controlled microfluidic chip is provided for administering a fluid to a neuronal site. The chip is made of at least one unit or pixel, each of which constitutively emits fluid in the dark, and reduces emission of fluid in response to light. The individual pixels are capable of being individually controlled, thereby translating a spatial pattern of incident light into a spatial pattern of neuronal stimulation. Each pixel contains a housing, an aperture in the housing, and a reservoir containing fluid that is connected to the aperture. The aperture is designed to allow continuous emission of fluid from the reservoir through the aperture when the pixel is in the dark. Each pixel also includes an optical control, which reduces the emission of fluid from the reservoir through the aperture in response to light.

Abstract: A nanotube mat is provided with an array of conduits to support, direct growth, select or interface one or more biological cells or cell processes. The carbon nanotube mat provides mechanical stability, is biocompatible, will support cell growth, can desirably be derivatized with growth factors, molecules, nutrients, inhibitory factors, ligands, transduction molecules or morphogenic factors, and would allow the formation of conduits to guide cells and cell extensions to be hosted or grown. The conduits could take any size or shape to support, direct growth, select or interface one or more cells or processes. In general the conduits could be channels, discontinuous channels, tapered channels or walls. The nanotube mat could be used to interface biological cells with other cells, tissue or structures that have electrical, mechanical, magnetic means, or optical means. The nanotube mat could also incorporate chemicals, analytes, drugs, lips, carbohydrates, secretory products or the like.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for administering a fluid to a neuronal site. The device comprises a reservoir, an aperture in fluid connection to the reservoir, and electrical means for moving to the fluid to or through the aperture. The electrical means may take the form of electroosmotic force, piezoelectric movement of a diaphragm or electrolysis of a solution. The electrical means may be external to the host, implanted in the host or may be photodiodes activated by light, particularly where the neuronal site is associated with the retina.

Abstract: A method for repairing a retinal system of an eye, using bucky paper on which a plurality of retina pigment epithelial cells and/or iris pigment epithelial cells and/or stem cells is deposited, either randomly or in a selected cell pattern. The cell-covered bucky paper is positioned in a sub-retinal space to transfer cells to this space and thereby restore the retina to its normal functioning, where retinal damage or degeneration, such as macular degeneration, has occurred.

Abstract: An interface for selective excitation or sensing of neural cells in a biological neural network is provided. The interface includes a membrane with a number of channels passing through the membrane. Each channel has at least one electrode within it. Neural cells in the biological neural network grow or migrate into the channels, thereby coming into close proximity to the electrodes. Once one or more neural cells have grown or migrated into a channel, a voltage applied to the electrode within the channel selectively excites the neural cell (or cells) in that channel. The excitation of these neural cell(s) will then transmit throughout the neural network (i.e. cells and axons) that is associated with the neural cell(s) stimulated in the channel.

Abstract: An optically controlled microfluidic chip is provided for administering a fluid to a neuronal site. The chip is made of at least one unit or pixel, each of which constitutively emits fluid in the dark, and reduces emission of fluid in response to light. The individual pixels are capable of being individually controlled, thereby translating a spatial pattern of incident light into a spatial pattern of neuronal stimulation. Each pixel contains a housing, an aperture in the housing, and a reservoir containing fluid that is connected to the aperture. The aperture is designed to allow continuous emission of fluid from the reservoir through the aperture when the pixel is in the dark. Each pixel also includes an optical control, which reduces the emission of fluid from the reservoir through the aperture in response to light.

Abstract: The invention provides microfabricated devices and methods for directing the growth of a cell process to form an artificial synapse. The devices are called artificial synapse chips. The artificial synapse comprises a nanofabricated aperture (about 50–100 nm in size) that connects the cell process to a chemical or electrical means of neuronal excitation. Such an aperture width mimics the length scales of a natural synapse and thus emphasizes the localized spatial relationship between a neuron and a stimulation source. The invention further provides devices and methods for regenerating a nerve fiber into an electrode. The invention thus provides a regeneration electrode that uses a novel neural interface for stimulation and that uses novel surface methods for directing neuronal growth making possible in vivo connection of the devices to neural circuitry in a retina and other anatomical locations.

Abstract: A retinal implant is provided that uses an artificial biocompatible material as a support material on which retinal pigment epithelial cells, iris pigment epithelial cells, and/or stem cells can be deposited either in situ or in vivo. The support material has a surface topology that is rough to promote cell adhesion, has surface pits to allow pigment cells to grow into, and has pores to allow for proper diffusion of materials. The support material serves as a substrate for cell growth and as a patch for damaged basement membrane (Bruch's membrane). This cell-coated membrane or pigment cell-enriched membrane is surgically positioned in the sub-retinal space to rescue or restore photoreceptor cell function that may be damaged or threatened by degenerative diseases of the eye, such as age-related macular degeneration.

Abstract: An interface for selective excitation or sensing of neural cells in a biological neural network is provided. The interface includes a membrane with a number of channels passing through the membrane. Each channel has at least one electrode within it. Neural cells in the biological neural network grow or migrate into the channels, thereby coming into close proximity to the electrodes. Once one or more neural cells have grown or migrated into a channel, a voltage applied to the electrode within the channel selectively excites the neural cell(s) in that channel. The excitation of these neural cell(s) will then transmit throughout the neural network (i.e. cells and axons) that is associated with the neural cell(s) stimulated in the channel. An alternative interface provides cell excitation via an array of electrically conductive pillars on a substrate. The pillars have electrically insulated sides and exposed top surfaces, to provide selective cell excitation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for modifying membranous tissue, growing cells on modified membranous tissue, and for transplantation of modified tissues and modified tissues with attached cells are provided. In particular, the invention provides methods and apparatus for modifying membranous tissue such as lens capsule tissue and inner limiting membrane tissue, for growing cells such as iris pigment epithelial (IPE) cells and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells on modified membranous tissue, and for modifying membranous tissue and growing cells on biodegradable polymer substrates. A method of modifying membranous tissues comprises depositing micropatterns of biomolecules onto membranous tissue with a contacting surface such as a stamp; other methods include mechanical ablation, photoablation, ion beam ablation, and modification of membranous tissues via the action of proteolytic enzymes.

Abstract: An ocular implant is provided with a substrate and a membranous tissue layer secured to the substrate. Cells such as IPE cells, RPE cells and stem cells are attached on the surface of the membranous tissue layer either in situ or in vivo through cells transplantation. The cells are separated into regions on the surface by creating a pattern on the surface enclosing regions for receiving the cells. The substrate is a bioabsorbable and/or polymeric substrate. Examples of membranous tissue layer are lens capsule, inner limiting membrane, corneal tissue, Bruch's membrane tissue, amniotic membrane tissue, serosal membrane tissue, mucosal membrane tissue and neurological tissue. The membranous tissue layer could have a micropattern of biomolecules. A microfluidic network could be placed onto the microfabricated membranous tissue layer.

Abstract: An interface for selective excitation or sensing of neural cells in a biological neural network is provided. The interface includes a membrane with a number of channels passing through the membrane. Each channel has at least one electrode within it. Neural cells in the biological neural network grow or migrate into the channels, thereby coming into close proximity to the electrodes.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for administering a fluid to a neuronal site. The device comprises a reservoir, an aperture in fluid connection to the reservoir, and electrical means for moving to the fluid to or through the aperture. The electrical means may take the form of electroosmotic force, piezoelectric movement of a diaphragm or electrolysis of a solution. The electrical means may be external to the host, implanted in the host or may be photodiodes activated by light, particularly where the neuronal site is associated with the retina.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method and means for molecularly patterning a surface to promote the patterned attachment of a target adherent. In some preferred embodiments the target adherent is a biological cell, but it can more generally be a biological or chemical species for which attachment at specific sites is desired. The method generally involves using a stamp to microcontact print a first type of molecule on the surface. With the stamp remaining in situ, the process then involves fluidic patterning of a second type of molecule through selected openings defined by selected recesses in the stamp and the surface itself. The second type of molecule should have an adhesion property relative to the target adherent that is complementary to that of the first type of molecule. The stamp is removed only after both the first and second types of molecules have been transferred to the surface.

Abstract: Method and system for processing light signals received by the eye of a human or other animal, where the eye may be compromised or non-functioning. Incident light is received at first and second pixels in a photodetector array and provides a pixel electrical signal representing the received light. Each of an array of carbon nanotube (CNT) towers is connected to a pixel, has a first tower end penetrating a retinal active layer of the animal and has a second tower end positioned to receive to receive and transport the pixel electrical signal to the retinal active layer. The CNT tower may be coated with a biologically active substance or chemically modified to promote neurite connections with the tower. The photoreceptor array can be provide with a signal altering mechanism that alters at least one of light intensity and wavelength intensity sensed by a first pixel relative to a second pixel, to correct for one or more selected eye problems.