Abstract: A novel active contact lens system configured to allow the wearer to alter the corrective features of the contact lens by means of a biasing force. The biasing force can, for example, be different eye drop solutions having different pH levels.

Abstract: A surgical procedure is described for the restoration of eyelid function in individuals suffering from ptosis or upper eyelid droop syndrome that makes a patient unable to voluntarily fully raise an eyelid. The surgical procedure includes implantation and suturing of eye drop (pH) activated and actuated fibrous contractile and expansive artificial muscles such as pH active hydrogels of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) artificial muscles that are surgically implanted and sutured under the superior palpebral conjunctiva in a serpentine parallel configuration with respect to the tarsal (meibomian) glands of the upper eyelid and anchored to the tissues of superior fornix.

Abstract: A switch, such as an electromechanical or optical switch, whose state is responsive to temperature history, for example temperature excursions above or below a critical temperature. An element of the sensor made from shape memory alloy changes shape when exposed, even temporarily, to temperatures above the Austenitic start temperature As or below the Martensite start temperature Ms of the shape memory alloy sensor element. The shape change of the SMA element causes the sensor to change between two readily distinguishable states. The sensor can include a one-way stop element that creates a persistent indication of the temperature history. The switch also has built-in stops allowing the sensor to be manufactured and stored at temperatures above the Austenitic temperature without causing the indication of an over-temperature event, before the actual use.

Abstract: An implantable, miniature pump assembly having a flexible elastic bladder actuating assembly. The bladder, in the non-flexed state, has an elongated, substantially rectangular profile, with a predetermined internal volume or capacity. Influent and effluent conduits extend in opposite directions from respective end portions of the bladder. Each of the conduits include one way valves disposed therein to limit fluid flow to a single direction into and through the bladder. Contraction and expansion of the bladder by means of energy harvested from the dynamic environment in which it is implanted in response to ambient random dynamic motion creates alternating pressure and vacuum within the bladder, alternately drawing fluid into the bladder through the influent conduit, and forcing fluid from the bladder via the effluent conduit.

Abstract: Soft, multi-fingered resilient robotic fingers for selectively assisting heart ventricles or other organ to produce internal pressure and to pump blood, in synchrony with the systolic contraction of the ventricle or organ, as well as providing arrhythmia control of a beating heart. The apparatus is electrically-controlled and implantable. The plurality of soft fingers monitor and gently squeeze the heart (systole) or organ to enhance blood circulation and assist the heart or organ. The soft fingers work in harmony, by means of a micro-processor controlled solenoid or other linear robotic actuators such as metal-hydride actuators or polymeric artificial muscles, and a resilient body or a spring, to close once the solenoid is powered to retract away from the heart or organ when the solenoid is not powered. Monitoring electrodes can be affixed to the soft fingers. The power supply for the implanted device can be transcutaneously rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a user-friendly, soft and resilient, biomimetic (mimicking biological entities) lower limb support outfits that can be worn externally by people to improve and enhance lower limb, legs and knees performance in sports, daily dynamic activities and medical rehabilitation/physical therapy. More specifically, the present invention relates to an outfit, which allows a portion of the upper limb's quasi-static weight and dynamic weight due to impact forces to be excluded from being transmitted to the lower limb, legs, quadriceps and hamstrings muscles and knees by directly transmitting them to the ankles, footwear and/or the ground, through soft elastic columnar quasi-legs that are equipped with smart biomimetic materials such as shape memory materials and artificial muscles such as synthetic and/or ionic polymeric muscles and provide lower limb support function by buckling and bending in accordance with the dynamic maneuvering of the user.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a user-friendly, soft and resilient, biomimetic (mimicking biological entities) lower limb support outfits that can be worn externally by people to improve and enhance lower limb, legs and knees performance in sports, daily dynamic activities and medical rehabilitation/physical therapy. More specifically, the present invention relates to an outfit, which allows a portion of the upper limb's quasi-static weight and dynamic weight due to impact forces to be excluded from being transmitted to the lower limb, legs, quadriceps and hamstrings muscles and knees by directly transmitting them to the ankles, footwear and/or the ground, through soft elastic columnar quasi-legs that are equipped with smart biomimetic materials such as shape memory materials and artificial muscles such as synthetic and/or ionic polymeric muscles and provide lower limb support function by buckling and bending in accordance with the dynamic maneuvering of the user.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a user-friendly, soft and resilient, biomimetic (mimicking biological entities) back pack weight support and mobility enhancement system that can function like a caddie and can be worn externally by people carrying a back pack to improve and enhance shoulder, back, upper body, abdomen, waist, hips, lower limb, legs, knees, calves, quadriceps and hamstrings muscles performance in all dynamic activities while carrying a back pack.

Abstract: Correction of eye refractive errors like presbyopia, hyperopia, myopia, and astigmatism using either pre-tensioned or transcutaneously energized artificial muscle implants to change the axial length and anterior curvatures of the eye globe by bringing the retina/macula region to coincide with the focal point. The implants are scleral constrictor bands, segments or ribs for inducing accommodation of a few diopters, to correct refractive errors on demand or automatically. The implant comprises an active sphinctering band encircling the sclera, implanted under the conjunctiva and under the extraocular muscles to uniformly constrict the eye globe, to induce active temporary myopia (hyperopia) by increasing(decreasing) the length and curvature of the globe. Multiple and specially designed constrictor bands enable surgeons to correct astigmatism.

Abstract: Discussed is a method and apparatus of correcting retinal detachments by heat-shrinking a specially designed scleral band equipped with a snap-on custom-made buckle for scleral indentation over the retinal tear region. The heat shrink band is made from a heat shrink material such as a polymer or an alloy and is equipped with a custom-made buckle to perfectly fit the topological geometry of the retinal detachment region over the underlying choroid and the sclera, the conjunctiva and within the Tenon's space wherein the band is heat shrunk to create a perfect buckle over the retinal tear region to reattach the retina to the choroid and cause absorption of the subretinal fluid. Conventional, laser, microwave, Joule or radio-frequency (RF) heating means are also discussed.

Abstract: Surgical correction of presbyopia and hyperopia by a circularly distributed assembly of mini-bridges implanted between the interior surfaces of the ciliary muscle and the exterior surface of the lens capsule, for augmenting the transmission of the contraction force of the ciliary muscle/zonule assembly to the lens capsule. The lens is symmetrically squeezed by mini-bridges acting in concert with the ciliary muscle thus changing the curvature of the lens. The mini-bridges are composite synthetic muscles comprising either passive biocompatible mini-bridges made with polymeric gels, silicone polymers or a composite, electromagnetically or mechanically deployable mini-bridges, inflatable balloons or synthetic muscles. The surgical procedure comprises using a ciliary muscle relaxant to stretch the lens/zonules/ciliary muscle assembly.

Abstract: An anti-snoring piercing in the form of specially designed thin mesh-like symmetric structure resembling a pair of wings connected symmetrically by means of a middle bar-like bridge. A middle bar-like bridge is mounted under the uvula while the two symmetric wing parts are placed over the soft palate and pierced on the soft palate in the mouth to provide stiffness to uvula-soft palate assembly and thus prevent snoring. A stiffening member is attached to the uvula by means of at least one piercing post with a backing or with an adhesive. Each of these embodiments stiffens the uvula and prevents snoring.

Abstract: A switch, such as an electromechanical or optical switch, whose state is responsive to temperature history, for example temperature excursions above or below a critical temperature. An element of the sensor made from shape memory alloy changes shape when exposed, even temporarily, to temperatures above the Austenitic start temperature As or below the Martensite start temperature Ms of the shape memory alloy sensor element. The shape change of the SMA element causes the sensor to change between two readily distinguishable states. The sensor can include a one-way stop element that creates a persistent indication of the temperature history. The switch also has built-in stops allowing the sensor to be manufactured and stored at temperatures above the Austenitic temperature without causing the indication of an over-temperature event, before the actual use.

Abstract: A sensor provides a persistent indication that it has been exposed to temperatures below a certain critical temperature for a predetermined time period. An element of the sensor made from shape memory alloy changes shape when exposed, even temporarily, to temperatures below the Austenitic start temperature As and well into Martensite finish temperature Mf off the shape memory alloy. The shape change of the SMA element causes the sensor to change between two readily distinguishable states. The sensor includes a one-way stop element that creates a persistent indication of the temperature history, allowing the sensor to be manufactured and stored at temperatures above the Austenitic temperature without causing the indication of an over-temperature event.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic device, which can be triggered by the proximity of bioelectric fields, or by the motion of charges and ions. The triggered element of the device can be controlled between the two states: on and off. From this point of view it can be considered a switch. However, the triggered element can also attain all the intermediate states between the on and off states, according to the intensity of the external stimuli. From this point of view it can be considered a sensor, since its response is directly related to the sensed stimulus.

Abstract: A sensor provides a persistent indication that it has been exposed to temperatures below a certain critical temperature for a predetermined time period. An element of the sensor made from shape memory alloy changes shape when exposed, even temporarily, to temperatures below the Austenitic start temperature As and well into Martensite finish temperature Mf off the shape memory alloy. The shape change of the SMA element causes the sensor to change between two readily distinguishable states. The sensor includes a one-way stop element that creates a persistent indication of the temperature history, allowing the sensor to be manufactured and stored at temperatures above the Austenitic temperature without causing the indication of an over-temperature event.

Abstract: Novel electrically active ionic polymer metal composite materials and novel methods of manufacturing them by means of a series of innovative chemical processes of first chemically depositing none noble metal salt cations inside a cationic polymer molecular network followed by chemical reduction of the said none noble metal salt cations to generate reduced none noble metal particles deposited inside the polymeric molecular network followed by a second electro or chemo deposition and plating of a noble metal inside and on the surfaces of the reduced none noble metallic particles in the said polymer molecular network to protect the first said none noble metal particles from oxidation, corrosion and chemical degradation for prolonged sensing and actuation applications of the said novel ionic polymer metal composite material which generates an electrical signal with mechanical deformation and undergoes mechanical deformation if an electric field is imposed on it.

Abstract: Implantable, pressure adjustable diaphragm pump systems which are scalable and are characterized by a common type of actuating mechanism. The pumps may be inductively and transcutaneously powered via adjacent, mutually inductive electromagnetic coils. Alternatively the pumps may be effectively “self” powered using a synthetic muscle attached to a local bending or twisting force. The pumps may be used in a range of applications from mechanical applications to medical applications such as intraocular pressure control for glaucoma patients, bodily fluid drainage control, and drug delivery systems. These pump systems each include a pumping chamber having an anterior end attached to an implantable influent conduit. In the case of an ocular pressure control device, the influent conduit is inserted into the anterior chamber of the eye.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of optical switching wherein the output ends of input optical channels 142 are held by and movable by actuator arm 108 of a conventional computer disk drive assembly and the input ends of output optical channels 144 are held by and movable by the disk 102 of the assembly. Fixed supports 120 and 136 stabilize the input and output optical channels prior to entry into the optical switch 100. A high resolution voice coil motor receives the switching signal and moves the actuator arm which in turn moves the input optical channels to align them with the selected output channels. Disk 102 is preferably partially rotatable by a disk motor so that the output optical channels are movable and switching speed can be increased. A linear embodiment operates in an equivalent manner with a linearly movable disk and linear actuator arm. An alternative embodiment operates with two or more voice coil motor driven actuator arms, without the use of a disk.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a sensing element mounted with a body. The sensing element comprises a portion made with a shape memory alloy. The sensing element mounts with the body, fixedly at two ends. The fixed mounting at one end, however, is configured so that it can be converted to allow a moveable relationship between the body and the sensing element. While the mounting is fixed, the sensing element is prevented from indicating temperature deviations, and the apparatus can be stored and handled freely. After the mounting is converted to provide a moveable relationship, however, a temporary temperature excursion can cause the SMA portion to contract, providing a discernible change in the relationship between the sensing element and the body.