Abstract: A contact lens is provided that is capable of being worn by a user. The lens includes a contact lens body having an eye-engaging surface placeable against a surface of an eye and an outer surface. Microphobic features are provided in the lens for eliminating microbes from the eye-engaging surface. Preferably, these microphobic features are chosen from a group consisting of electrical charge inducing agents, magnetic field inducing agents, chemical agents and textural features. In another embodiment of the present invention, a contact lens is provided that can include a reservoir portion capable of holding a performance enhancement agent for enhancing the performance of the lens. The performance enhancement agent can include such thins as sealant solutions, protective agents, therapeutic agents, anti-microbial agents, medications and reduced size transparent portions. In other embodiments, a wide variety of designs, materials and substances are disclosed for use with contact lenses.

Abstract: A stabilizer is disclosed for use with a cochlear implant receiver stimulator having a body portion and an electrode portion implanted subcutaneously adjacent to a body tissue. The stabilizer is provided for stabilizing the position of the implant receiver relative to the body tissue. The stabilizer has a tissue engaging portion for grippingly engaging the body tissue to fixedly position the stabilizer with respect to the body tissue. The stabilizer also includes a coupler portion for fixedly positioning the stabilizer with respect to the receiver stimulator. The tissue engaging portion and coupler portion cooperatively interact with the receiver stimulator and the body tissue to fix the relative position of the body tissue and receiver stimulator.

Abstract: An extra-cochlear hearing aid implant is characterized by a pad having a plurality of electrode prongs that extend therefrom and which are adapted to provide an electrical stimulus to hearing cells within the cochlea. The electrode pad is adapted to be placed onto endosteum overlying the cochlea in an “extended soft surgery” technique. The prongs are configured to pierce the endosteum and extend into the cochlea. In one form, the extra-cochlear hearing aid implant also includes hollow tubules that extend from the pad and which are adapted to supply and withdraw neurotrophic proteins and other materials in a fluid into and from the cochlea, and also to provide electrical stimulus to the hearing cells.

Abstract: A bandage system is provided that is capable of being held by an upstanding snap member attached to a wound site. The bandage system has a snap engaging member for coupling to the snap member. A cushion member is provided that has a wound engaging surface for overlaying the wound site. A pressure exerting base member is coupled to the base member for urging the cushion member into engagement with the wound site.

Abstract: A stabilizer is disclosed for use with a cochlear implant receiver stimulator having a body portion and an electrode portion implanted subcutaneously adjacent to a body tissue. The stabilizer is provided for stabilizing the position of the implant receiver relative to the body tissue. The stabilizer has a tissue engaging portion for grippingly engaging the body tissue to fixedly position the stabilizer with respect to the body tissue. The stabilizer also includes a coupler portion for fixedly positioning the stabilizer with respect to the receiver stimulator. The tissue engaging portion and coupler portion cooperatively interact with the receiver stimulator and the body tissue to fix the relative position of the body tissue and receiver stimulator.

Abstract: A bandage system capable of being held to an upstanding post attached to a wound site is disclosed. The bandage system includes a flexible retainer portion and a cushion portion. The flexible retainer portion includes at least one aperture through which the upstanding post can be inserted for maintaining the bandage system in a position adjacent to the wound site.

Abstract: A contact lens is provided that is capable of being worn by a user. The lens includes a contact lens body having an eye-engaging surface placeable against a surface of an eye and an outer surface. Microphobic features are provided in the lens for eliminating microbes from the eye-engaging surface. Preferably, these microphobic features are chosen from a group consisting of electrical charge inducing agents, magnetic field inducing agents, chemical agents and textural features. In another embodiment of the present invention, a contact lens is provided that can include a reservoir portion capable of holding a performance enhancement agent for enhancing the performance of the lens. The performance enhancement agent can include such thins as sealant solutions, protective agents, therapeutic agents, anti-microbial agents, medications and reduced size transparent portions. In other embodiments, a wide variety of designs, materials and substances are disclosed for use with contact lenses.

Abstract: A contact lens is provided that is capable of being worn by a user. The lens includes a contact lens body having an eye-engaging surface placeable against a surface of an eye and an outer surface. Microphobic features are provided in the lens for eliminating microbes from the eye-engaging surface. Preferably, these microphobic features are chosen from a group consisting of electrical charge inducing agents, magnetic field inducing agents, chemical agents and textural features. In another embodiment of the present invention, a contact lens is provided that can include a reservoir portion capable of holding a performance enhancement agent for enhancing the performance of the lens. The performance enhancement agent can include such thins as sealant solutions, protective agents, therapeutic agents, anti-microbial agents, medications and reduced size transparent portions. In other embodiments, a wide variety of designs, materials and substances are disclosed for use with contact lenses.

Abstract: An intra-cochlear implant is provided for aiding in the hearing of a patient. The implant includes a body portion implantable within an interior of a cochlea of a patient. The body portion has a proximal end, a distal end and a primary axis. A plurality of signal carrying electrodes extends along the body portion. The electrodes have proximal ends and distal ends, with the proximal ends being capable of receiving a signal from a signal generator, and the distal ends being capable of delivering the received signal to an anatomical receptor within a cochlea. At least several of the plurality of electrodes have a nanoelectrode-sized portion. The implant also may include a fluid delivery system of tubules, reservoirs, and pumps for the delivery of chemicals and cells to activate regeneration of neural elements lost during the hearing loss process.

Abstract: An in vivo pathology diagnosis system includes a penetrating device that is at least one of an endoscope sheath and an endoscope, the penetrating device having irrigation and working channels with openings at a distal end chamber of the device. The device is structured for penetrating tissue until the distal end is proximate a target tissue area. A method includes supplying stain to the chamber via the irrigation channels, thereby staining the target tissue area. Pathology of the stained target tissue is performed by viewing such stained tissue through the penetrating device. The viewing may be performed through a selected lens segment of a tissue contact type endoscope or endoscope sheath. A suction channel may be provided for removing material from the chamber, and cauterizing electrodes may be provided as part of the device. Control of in vivo staining may be performed by a computer program.

Abstract: An intra-cochlear implant is provided for aiding in the hearing of a patient. The implant includes a body portion implantable within an interior of a cochlea of a patient. The body portion has a proximal end, a distal end and a primary axis. A plurality of signal carrying electrodes extends along the body portion. The electrodes have proximal ends and distal ends, with the proximal ends being capable of receiving a signal from a signal generator, and the distal ends being capable of delivering the received signal to an anatomical receptor within a cochlea. At least several of the plurality of electrodes have a nanoelectrode-sized portion. The implant also may include a fluid delivery system of tubules, reservoirs, and pumps for the delivery of chemicals and cells to activate regeneration of neural elements lost during the hearing loss process.