Abstract: A device for forming a fluid lens when immersed in a liquid medium. The device includes a semipermeable transparent sheath defining a fully enclosed cavity and having a plurality of pores for permitting a liquid to flow into the cavity, and a hydrophilic polymer array disposed in the cavity, presenting a pressure differential across the sheath when the sheath is immersed in the liquid medium for causing liquid medium to flow into the cavity and to hydrate the array, causing the array to expand and to completely fill the cavity, thereby causing the sheath to expand and to assume a defined lenticular shape, wherein the hydrated array assumes a shape having an outer contour defined by the expanded sheath and constitutes a fluid lens.

Abstract: A method of implanting an artificial lens within an eye. The method includes providing a collapsible lens mold comprised of a transparent, flexible sheath which defines a cavity bounded by opposite anterior and posterior portions of the sheath. The sheath portions are each preformed so that the cavity has a predetermined lenticular shape when the cavity is filled with a flowable material. The mold further includes a tubule connected to the sheath and communicating with the cavity for providing a conduit for a flowable material to be injected into the cavity. The mold is inserted in a collapsed condition into an eye so that the tubule is accessible to a tool for injecting a flowable material into the cavity. A lenticular material is provided which has a first state in which the material is flowable and a second state in which the material is shape retaining and has a desired refractive index. The material changes from the first state to the second state under conditions extant within the eye.

Abstract: A system for the controlled delivery of a desired agent to a fluid environment. A semipermeable container defines a fully enclosed cavity and is imperforate except for a plurality of pores for permitting fluid to flow from the fluid environment into the cavity. A quantity of a molecular complex is positioned in the cavity. The molecular complex comprises a macromolecule that is non-diffusable with respect to the container and a desired agent complexed to the macromolecule, the agent being capable of dissociating from the macromolecule over time. The pores of the container have a larger size in relation to the agent and the container is so constructed as to permit unimpeded passage of the agent through the pores. The concentration of the agent within the cavity is controlled by the equilibrium between the molecular complex and the agent within the cavity and the active agent is deliverable by the system to the fluid environment exclusively through the plurality of pores.

Abstract: A system for the controlled delivery of a physiologically active agent to a fluid environment having a semipermeable sheath with a plurality of pores, the sheath being imperforate except for the plurality of pores and defining a fully enclosed cavity for holding a physiologically active agent. A physiologically active agent is contained in the fully enclosed cavity for delivery to a fluid environment, with the plurality of pores being of a size to permit both the flow of fluid from the fluid environment through the semipermeable sheath into the cavity and the flow of fluid and physiologically active agent in solution out of the cavity into the fluid environment whereby the physiologically active agent is delivered from the semipermeable sheath exclusively through the plurality of pores.

Abstract: A lens having a semipermeable transparent sheath with opposite anterior and posterior portions joined at their edges and forming a closed interior space between themselves. A body of liquid is provided within the sheath and fills the interior space and constitutes an optical lens whose anterior and posterior surfaces are bounded by the anterior and posterior portions of the sheath, respectively, thus defining the anterior and posterior surfaces of the lens. A substance is provided in the body of liquid for producing within the interior space a concentration which is greater than the concentration of a liquid medium in association with which the lens is to be used, in consequence of which when the lens is in contact with such medium, the interior space will be kept filled with liquid under the influence of osmosis which causes the flow of liquid from the exterior of the sheath to the interior thereof whenever the interior space is less than full thereby maintaining the shape of the lens.