Abstract: The present invention reduces pain and improves function long-term in persons with back pain using electrical stimulation in the back. This approach involves an electrical stimulation device including at least one electrode adapted for insertion within an animal body with back pain and at least one pulse generator operatively coupled with the at least one electrode, wherein the pulse generator delivers electrical stimulation activating at least a nerve innervating at least a paraspinal muscle in a back of the animal body for pain relief.

Abstract: A system and method of using a lead introduced to a subject proximate to a region of pain is contemplated to deliver pain relief without the need for multiple needle insertions or electrical stimulation. The three-dimensional lead may include spring-like characteristics and/or coils to translate mechanical energy into the therapy.

Abstract: A method is disclosed which involves the steps of (a) reacting a polysiloxane prepolymer having reactive functional end groups with a non-free radical polymerizable reactive end-capping agent; and (b) reacting the reaction product of step (a) with a free radical polymerizable reactive end-capping agent.

Abstract: Systems, methods, computer readable media and articles of manufacture consistent with innovations herein are directed to gesture based user interaction, user interface and/or other features. According to one illustrative implementation, for example, an illustrative operating system may comprise an input program using images from one or more cameras to analyze and interpret user gestures, may (in some implementations) involve an operating system based on Linux kernel with access to local disks and files, and/or may include or involve a graphical user interface outputting the cursor corresponding to user gestures and providing a uniquely designed interaction between the gestures and content. Additional aspects for interacting with other/multiple devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed which involves the steps of (a) reacting a polysiloxane prepolymer having reactive functional end groups with a non-free radical polymerizable reactive end-capping agent; and (b) reacting the reaction product of step (a) with a free radical polymerizable reactive end-capping agent.

Abstract: A method of preparing a water extractable silicon-containing biomedical device is disclosed. The method involves curing a monomer mixture comprising one or more silicon-containing biomedical device-forming monomers in the presence of a diluent to produce a silicon-containing biomedical device; wherein the diluent comprises a boric acid ester of a C1 to C8 monohydric alcohol.

Abstract: A method of preparing a water extractable silicon-containing biomedical device is disclosed. The method involves curing a monomer mixture comprising one or more silicon-containing biomedical device-forming monomers in the presence of a diluent to produce a silicon-containing biomedical device; wherein the diluent comprises a boric acid ester of a C1 to C8 monohydric alcohol.

Abstract: A polymerizable monomer mixture containing one or more silicon-containing biomedical device-forming monomers and a diluent; wherein the diluent comprises a boric acid ester of a monohydric alcohol is disclosed.

Abstract: Packaging systems for storing ophthalmic devices such as contact lenses and to methods for packaging such ophthalmic devices with solutions to improve the comfort of the lenses during wear are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are biomedical devices having a hydrophilic coating on a portion of a surface thereof, the biomedical device comprising: (a) a biomedical device obtained from a polymerization product of a monomeric mixture comprising (i) a polymerizable monomer containing a boronic acid moiety and an electron withdrawing moiety; and (ii) a biomedical device-forming comonomer; and (b) a hydrophilic reactive polymer having complementary reactive functionalities along the polymer chain, wherein the complementary reactive functionalities along the polymer chain of the hydrophilic reactive polymer of (b) bind with the boronic acid moieties of the biomedical device of (a), thereby producing a biocompatible coating which can be removed and re-applied to restore the surface properties of the biomedical device to substantially as-new condition. Methods for treating the biomedical device are also disclosed.

Abstract: Crosslink agents used to copolymerize at least one hydrophilic monomer with at least one lens monomer typically used to prepare polymeric materials for ophthalmic lenses. The crosslink agents have a relatively high selectivity for the hydrophilic monomer and limited reactivity with the crosslink agent used to polymerize the lens monomer. Accordingly, the invention is also directed to a hydrophilic crosslinked polymer that comprises at least two monomeric units and at least two different crosslink units. The use of the dual crosslink system provides an improved means to control the final chemical, physical and structural characteristics of the resulting polymer.

Abstract: An optical copolymer comprising: a constituent derived from a sulfated lens monomer of general formula I [PG-R1—NHC(Y)S—R2]n—R3??I PG is a polymerizable group selected from the group consisting of vinyl, acryloyl, acryoyloxy, methacryoyl and methacryoyloxy; acrylamido and methacrylamido; Y is oxygen or sulfur; and n is 2, 3 or 4. Also, R1 is an organic group of one to eight carbon atoms and optionally with one or more oxygen atoms or an aromatic ring. R2 is a bond or an organic group of one to six carbon atoms. R3 is a bond, an organic group of one to ten carbons atoms, carbon, oxygen, sulfur or a disulfide; and a lens monomer. The sulfated lens monomer is derived from a first component of formula, PG-R1—NC(Y), and a polythiol of formula, R3—[R2—SH]n.

Abstract: Biomedical devices such as silicone hydrogels formed from a polymerization product of a mixture comprising (a) a siloxane-containing homopolymer which has only one thio carbonyl thio fragment of a reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent; and (b) one or more biomedical device-forming comonomers are disclosed.

Abstract: Novel polymers for biomedical use, especially rigid gas permeable contact lenses that are based on bulky side-chain siloxane cross linkers. The siloxanes, either alone, or as copolymers with bulky and non-bulky mono-functional polymerizable siloxanes, fluoro monomers, such as hexafluoroisopropyl methacrylate, and hydrophilic monomers, result in transparent, high oxygen permeable polymers possessing excellent lathing and milling characteristics.

Abstract: Novel crosslink agents are described that provide for the copolymerization of at least one hydrophilic monomer with at least one lens monomer typically used to prepare materials for ophthalmic lenses. The new crosslink agents have a relatively high selectivity for the hydrophilic monomer and limited reactivity with the crosslink agent used to polymerize the lens monomer.

Abstract: Novel polymers for biomedical use, especially rigid gas permeable contact lenses that are based on bulky side-chain siloxane cross linkers. The siloxanes, either alone, or as copolymers with bulky and non-bulky mono-functional polymerizable siloxanes, fluoro monomers, such as hexafluoroisopropyl methacrylate, and hydrophilic monomers, result in transparent, high oxygen permeable polymers possessing excellent lathing and milling characteristics.

Abstract: Biomedical devices such as contact lenses formed from a polymerization product of a mixture comprising (a) a random copolymer comprising hydrophilic units and hydrophobic units, wherein the random copolymer has at least one thio carbonyl thio fragment of a reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (“RAFT”) agent are disclosed.

Abstract: Biomedical devices such as silicone hydrogels formed from a polymerization product of a mixture comprising (a) a siloxane-containing homopolymer which has only one thio carbonyl thio fragment of a reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent; and (b) one or more biomedical device-forming comonomers are disclosed.

Abstract: Crosslink agents used to copolymerize at least one hydrophilic monomer with at least one lens monomer typically used to prepare polymeric materials for ophthalmic lenses. The crosslink agents have a relatively high selectivity for the hydrophilic monomer and limited reactivity with the crosslink agent used to polymerize the lens monomer. Accordingly, the invention is also directed to a hydrophilic crosslinked polymer that comprises at least two monomeric units and at least two different crosslink units. The use of the dual crosslink system provides an improved means to control the final chemical, physical and structural characteristics of the resulting polymer.

Abstract: Crosslink agents used to copolymerize at least one hydrophilic monomer with at least one lens monomer typically used to prepare polymeric materials for ophthalmic lenses. The crosslink agents have a relatively high selectivity for the hydrophilic monomer and limited reactivity with the crosslink agent used to polymerize the lens monomer. Accordingly, the invention is also directed to a hydrophilic crosslinked polymer that comprises at least two monomeric units and at least two different crosslink units. The use of the dual crosslink system provides an improved means to control the final chemical, physical and structural characteristics of the resulting polymer.