Abstract: A surgical sizer for creating a tissue pocket for an implantable medical device may include a replica of the device and a (preferably ergonomic) handle portion, optionally with marking features that facilitate marking the tissue for precise implant placement and alignment.

Abstract: Surgical introducers aid surgeons in the implantation of medical devices. The introducer provides support and an even distribution of force for ease of insertion and prevention of damage to the medical device while protecting the tissue into which the device is implanted. A representative embodiment includes or consists of a locking device, a pair of forceps, a specially configured and/or angled head with a seat for the device to be implanted, and a gripping area.

Abstract: A system for refilling the drug reservoir of an implanted drug pump device may facilitate wireless data exchange between the refill system and the implanted device, e.g., to verify proper drug selection prior to commencement of the refill process. Via the wireless link, the drug pump device and refill system can exchange data such as, for example, refill information (including, e.g., a type of drug), a drug pump device history, a drug dosage log, and/or a drug-delivery protocol. Further, the refill system can facilitate reprogramming the implanted device wirelessly.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a drug-delivery device includes one or more reservoirs that may each contain a therapeutic agent for delivery to a patient.

Abstract: A surgical sizer for creating a tissue pocket for an implantable medical device may include a replica of the device and a (preferably ergonomic) handle portion, optionally with marking features that facilitate marking the tissue for precise implant placement and alignment.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a tool is employed in filling a drug-delivery device. The tool may include, for example, a needle that is admitted through a fill port of the drug-delivery device.

Abstract: An implantable device has an outer shell that includes an aperture through the housing of the device and, spanning the aperture, a membrane structure permeable to gas but not to liquid. In this way, excess gas may be vented from the device. The membrane and aperture are designed to discourage or even prevent tissue ingrowth.

Abstract: Predictive healthcare systems utilize the signal produced by physiological and, in some embodiments, environmental sensors to infer, computationally, a physiological parameter of the patient. The physiological sensors may include a vibro-acoustic sensor in contact with a patient over at least the frequency band 0.001 Hz to 40 kHz and a bio-electric sensor. The physiological parameter may be the magnitude or existence of an internal process, such as blood flow; the presence of a biomarker; or the existence or likelihood of a disease. In some embodiments, the computational inference is based on additional data such as the patient's position and orientation and/or historical health information of the patient.

Abstract: Advances in filling apparatus, handheld tools, surgical techniques and intraoperative biometry for implanting and adjusting an accommodative liquid lens are disclosed. The lens may be attached to or retained within a handheld surgical tool, which can be fluidly connectable to a filling console to fill the lens with a liquid. In various embodiments, a filling console facilitates aspirating liquid out of the lens in order to ensure the absence of residual bubbles and filling of the lens with fluid during surgery, as well as during post-operative adjustments to the lens. Actuated by the surgeon, the filling console can aspirate fluid from the lens and inject fluid into the lens following insertion thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments of method of manufacturing an implantable pump, including providing an upper layer comprising a dome structure for housing a drug chamber and a cannula in fluid communication with the drug chamber, providing a middle deflection layer adjacent the drug chamber, providing a bottom layer comprising electrolysis electrodes, and bonding the upper layer, middle deflection layer, and bottom layer to form the pump.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention utilize a closed-loop feedback control system to ensure accurate drug delivery. This control system may, for example, utilize a flow sensor to measure the volume of delivery and an intelligent control algorithm to anticipate and compensate for overdoses and underdoses. Feedback control systems in accordance herewith can be applied to any piston- or plunger-driven pump system utilizing sensors that measure flow directly or indirectly. In some embodiments, adjustments are made during a “priming” stage when liquid is pumped through the internal fluid path but does not exit the pump.

Abstract: In various embodiments, implants including reservoirs, such as intraocular lenses, feature flexible membranes and valves integrated therewith, the valves having apertures that are normally closed.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an implantable pump includes a cannula. The pump (e.g., the cannula thereof) may include, for example, flow sensors, pressure sensors, filters, and/or other components.

Abstract: A removable material is deposited or otherwise applied to a flat substrate surface in a pattern corresponding to desired corrugations in a membrane, e.g., a deflection diaphragm. The applied material serves as a scaffold for a polymeric material, which is applied thereover, and following cure or hardening, the polymeric material is removed to form a finished corrugated membrane.

Abstract: Fluid-filled accommodating intraocular lenses include components enabling the lens to effectively respond to the eye's natural accommodation process, thereby allowing the patient to visualize over a range of focal distances with minimal complications. Internal components may include, for example, a rigid member that alters optical power of the lens and/or a spanning member extending across the lens that affects the response to accommodative action and/or to filling, or overfilling, of the lens with an optical fluid. Various combinations of internal and external components may be implanted in distinct successive steps or during separate operations to minimize complications and incision size.

Abstract: In various embodiments, high-viscosity fluids are utilized to fill implantable reservoirs while filling accuracy is improved via elimination of dead space and/or utilization of pushing fluids to urge the high-viscosity fluid into the implantable reservoir.

Abstract: Advances in filling apparatus, handheld tools, surgical techniques and intraoperative biometry for implanting and adjusting an accommodative liquid lens are disclosed. The lens may be attached to or retained within a handheld surgical tool, which can be fluidly connectable to a filling console to fill the lens with a liquid. In various embodiments, a filling console facilitates aspirating liquid out of the lens in order to ensure the absence of residual bubbles and filling of the lens with fluid during surgery, as well as during post-operative adjustments to the lens. Actuated by the surgeon, the filling console can aspirate fluid from the lens and inject fluid into the lens following insertion thereof.

Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens has a central chamber with an optical axis extending through a vision-correcting optical zone and a peripheral region at least partially surrounding the optical zone but not interfering with light passing therethrough. At least one peripheral chamber surrounds the central chamber at least partially and functions as a storage reservoir for optical fluid, receiving excess fluid when the central chamber is compressed. Within each peripheral chamber (if there is more than one), a shape-retention member resists collapse of the peripheral chamber in response to external force.

Abstract: The lens geometry and power of an intraocular lens is optimized to provide both distance and near vision correction for a patient. The optimization may be based on one or more measured accommodation-related parameters and one or more estimated accommodation-related parameters. An accommodative amplitude may be predicted based on the measured and estimated accommodation-related parameters, and the optimized the intraocular lens geometry and power established based thereon.