Abstract: Contact lenses are described that include particles of polymer fiber mat incorporated into a polymer lens wherein the polymer fiber mat is formed by electrospinning a prepolymer solution. Methods for making the contact lenses with improved oxygen permeability are also described. Methods for making the contact lens with optional therapeutic drug delivery and refractive correction are also described.

Abstract: A minimally invasive spinous process fixation system includes dual rigid spinous clamps, each configured to articulate axially along a cylindrical shaft, and together configured to enclose and clamp around the adjacent or superior spinous process by means of opposing and swiveling spherical contact heads with spiked spinous contact faces. The spinous clamps are lockable when desired compression is achieved. A pedicle clamp has right and left clamp bodies for enveloping pre-existing pedicle rods. Each of the right and left clamp bodies includes upper and lower rigid metal plates supporting medial and lateral swivel cups. The upper and lower medial swivel cups engage and clamp about a connecting rod extending from the spinous clamp, and the upper and lower lateral swivel cups engage and clamp about one of the pedicle rods. A channel through the upper and lower metal plates accepts a locking screw to simultaneously tighten and fix the swivel cups in place about the connecting rod and the pedicle rod.

Abstract: A sanitary disposable urine device is provided. The device includes an inner ring and outer ring each having a top surface and opposing bottom surface. The outer ring is substantially concentric with the inner ring and may be offset. At least one of the top surfaces of the inner and outer rings conforms to a body contour of a user's perineum. The device further includes a hand holder coupled to the bottom surface of the inner ring, the hand holder having an opening configured to match to the inner ring. The device also includes a fluid containing bag having an open end attached to the hand holder such that fluid flows through the inner ring and the opening of the hand holder into the fluid containing bag during usage. The device also includes an inner bag inside the fluid containing bag for containing an absorbent material and an outer sealable bag to secure the device after use.

Abstract: A prone positioning device is described for supporting the chest and head of a patient in a prone position during a medical procedure. The device allows medical personnel to view the face of the patient while the patient is in the prone position by means of a reflective surface disposed in a cavity in the device beneath the patient's face.

Abstract: A needle safety guard device adapted to attach to a liquid container is provided. The device includes a disk-shaped shield having a medial opening connected with a radial opening between two radial edges. The device also includes a substantially U-shaped holder having two sidewalls coupled substantially perpendicular to the disk-shaped shield along the two radial edges, and a top cover connecting to the two sidewalls and extending from the shield above the radial opening. The U-shaped holder includes a wedged protrusion and a curved protrusion extending from each of the two sidewalls, the curved protrusion being between the top cover and the wedged protrusion for blocking a cap of the liquid container from moving toward the medial opening.

Abstract: Novel tools, accessories and methods for fixing a patient's upper and lower jaws together with flexible straps are disclosed. The tools are intended to either allow placement of a flexible strap to bind items to the teeth, or for using a flexible strap to fasten the upper and lower jaw into place, among other purposes. These accessories include a washer with a ratchet head for mounting on a bone screw, a bone screw with integrated ratchet head, dental blocks for use with the bone screws and washers, a flexible strap provided with a dissection tip for forcing the strap through tissue, and combinations thereof, and tools for inserting flexible straps through the gums, among other tools and accessories.

Abstract: A sanitary disposable urine device is provided. The device includes an inner ring and outer ring each having a top surface and opposing bottom surface. The outer ring is substantially concentric with the inner ring and may be offset. At least one of the top surfaces of the inner and outer rings conforms to a body contour of a user's perineum. The device further includes a hand holder coupled to the bottom surface of the inner ring, the hand holder having an opening configured to match to the inner ring. The device also includes a fluid containing bag having an open end attached to the hand holder such that fluid flows through the inner ring and the opening of the hand holder into the fluid containing bag during usage. The device also includes an inner bag inside the fluid containing bag for containing an absorbent material and an outer sealable bag to secure the device after use.

Abstract: Contact lenses are described that include particles of polymer fiber mat incorporated into a polymer lens wherein the polymer fiber mat is formed by electrospinning a prepolymer solution. Methods for making the contact lenses with improved oxygen permeability are also described. Methods for making the contact lens with optional therapeutic drug delivery and refractive correction are also described.

Abstract: A positioning device is described for supporting the chest and head of a patient in a desired position during a medical procedure. The device includes removable inserts that allow the device to be adjusted to fit the size of the patient's head and torso.

Abstract: A sanitary disposable urine device is provided that includes an inner ring and outer ring each having a top surface and opposing bottom surface. The outer ring is substantially concentric with the inner ring and may be offset. At least one of the top surfaces of the inner and outer rings conforms to a body contour of a user's perineum. The device includes a hand holder coupled to the bottom surface of the inner ring, the hand holder having an opening configured to match to the inner ring. The device includes a fluid containing bag having an open end attached to the hand holder such that fluid flows through the inner ring and the opening of the hand holder into the fluid containing bag during usage. The device includes an inner bag inside the fluid containing bag having an absorbent material and an outer sealable bag to secure the device after use.

Abstract: A minimally invasive spinous process fixation system includes dual rigid spinous clamps, each configured to articulate axially along a cylindrical shaft, and together configured to enclose and clamp around the adjacent or superior spinous process by means of opposing and swiveling spherical contact heads with spiked spinous contact faces. The spinous clamps are lockable when desired compression is achieved. A pedicle clamp has right and left clamp bodies for enveloping pre-existing pedicle rods. Each of the right and left clamp bodies includes upper and lower rigid metal plates supporting medial and lateral swivel cups. The upper and lower medial swivel cups engage and clamp about a connecting rod extending from the spinous clamp, and the upper and lower lateral swivel cups engage and clamp about one of the pedicle rods. A channel through the upper and lower metal plates accepts a locking screw to simultaneously tighten and fix the swivel cups in place about the connecting rod and the pedicle rod.

Abstract: A prone positioning device is described for supporting the chest and head of a patient in a prone position during a medical procedure. The device allows medical personnel to view the face of the patient while the patient is in the prone position by means of a reflective surface disposed in a cavity in the device beneath the patient's face.

Abstract: A needle safety guard device adapted to attach to a liquid container is provided. The device includes a disk-shaped shield having a medial opening connected with a radial opening between two radial edges. The device also includes a substantially U-shaped holder having two sidewalls coupled substantially perpendicular to the disk-shaped shield along the two radial edges, and a top cover connecting to the two sidewalls and extending from the shield above the radial opening. The U-shaped holder includes a wedged protrusion and a curved protrusion extending from each of the two sidewalls, the curved protrusion being between the top cover and the wedged protrusion for blocking a cap of the liquid container from moving toward the medial opening.

Abstract: A needle safety guard device adapted to attach to a liquid container is provided. The device includes a disk-shaped shield having a medial opening connected with a radial opening between two radial edges. The device also includes a substantially U-shaped holder having two sidewalls coupled substantially perpendicular to the disk-shaped shield along the two radial edges, and a top cover connecting to the two sidewalls and extending from the shield above the radial opening. The U-shaped holder includes a wedged protrusion and a curved protrusion extending from each of the two sidewalls, the curved protrusion being between the top cover and the wedged protrusion for blocking a cap of the liquid container from moving toward the medial opening.

Abstract: A needle safety guard device adapted to attach to a liquid container is provided. The device includes a disk-shaped shield having a medial opening connected with a radial opening between two radial edges. The device also includes a substantially U-shaped holder having two sidewalls coupled substantially perpendicular to the disk-shaped shield along the two radial edges, and a top cover connecting to the two sidewalls and extending from the shield above the radial opening. The U-shaped holder includes a wedged protrusion and a curved protrusion extending from each of the two sidewalls, the curved protrusion being between the top cover and the wedged protrusion for blocking a cap of the liquid container from moving toward the medial opening.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fixing a patient's jaw by using arcuate arch bars which are fastened to both the upper and lower teeth using a plurality of zip ties. The arch bars are provided with bores and zip ties are passed through these bores and fastened to the patient's teeth. Each arch bar is provided with interarch receptacles which receive and engage a zip tie. The receptacles are rotatable and are generally aligned between the upper and lower arch bars. Additional zip ties with opposed teeth are passed through the upper and lower pairs of arch bar receptacles and tightened to fix the lower jar to the upper jaw.

Abstract: Electrospun fibers are utilized to improve the mechanical characteristics of a contact lens reducing the weight and mechanical strength of the polymers from which the lenses are typically formed. Electrospun fibers are also utilized as a drug delivery system, both through direct use in the eye and by inclusion of the fibers in a contact lens. The fibers are loaded with therapeutic drugs by a variety of methods and processed by coating and cross-linking the fibers.

Abstract: A sanitary disposable urine device is provided that includes an inner ring and outer ring each having a top surface and opposing bottom surface. The outer ring is substantially concentric with the inner ring and may be offset. At least one of the top surfaces of the inner and outer rings conforms to a body contour of a user's perineum. The device includes a hand holder coupled to the bottom surface of the inner ring, the hand holder having an opening configured to match to the inner ring. The device includes a fluid containing bag having an open end attached to the hand holder such that fluid flows through the inner ring and the opening of the hand holder into the fluid containing bag during usage. The device includes an inner bag inside the fluid containing bag having an absorbent material and an outer sealable bag to secure the device after use.

Abstract: A needle safety guard device adapted to attach to a liquid container is provided. The device includes a disk-shaped shield having a medial opening connected with a radial opening between two radial edges. The device also includes a substantially U-shaped holder having two sidewalls coupled substantially perpendicular to the disk-shaped shield along the two radial edges, and a top cover connecting to the two sidewalls and extending from the shield above the radial opening. The U-shaped holder includes a wedged protrusion and a curved protrusion extending from each of the two sidewalls, the curved protrusion being between the top cover and the wedged protrusion for blocking a cap of the liquid container from moving toward the medial opening.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fixing a patient's jaw by using arcuate arch bars which are fastened to both the upper and lower teeth using a plurality of zip ties. The arch bars are provided with bores and zip ties are passed through these bores and fastened to the patient's teeth. Each arch bar is provided with interarch receptacles which receive and engage a zip tie. The receptacles are rotatable and are generally aligned between the upper and lower arch bars. Additional zip ties with opposed teeth are passed through the upper and lower pairs of arch bar receptacles and tightened to fix the lower jar to the upper jaw.