Abstract: The present invention relates to a keratoprosthesis or artificial cornea which is designed as a light weight disc resembling a human cornea. The keratoprosthesis is maintained in the eye after surgery and is preferably adapted to reduce complications after surgery such as infection, rejection or necrosis.

Abstract: A flexible ocular insert device adapted for the controlled sustained release of a drug upon insertion into the upper or lower fornix of the eye. The device comprises an elongate body of a polymeric material including two end portions, wherein the body contains a pharmaceutically active ingredient, and wherein the device has a length of at least 8 mm and a maximum diameter not exceeding 1.9 mm. The device is sufficiently flexible to allow it to bend along the curvature of the eye within the upper or lower fornix upon its being positioned so that the longitudinal axis of the device is generally parallel to the transverse diameter of the eyeball, and the device does not extend onto any visible portion of the eyeball. Each of the end portions of the device is tapered towards the extremities of the device.

Abstract: A flexible ocular insert device adapted for the controlled sustained release of an ophthalmic drug into the eye. In one embodiment, the device includes an elongated body of a polymeric material in the form of a rod or tube containing a pharmaceutically active ingredient and with at least two anchoring protrusions extending radially outwardly from the body. The device has a length of at least 8 mm and the diameter of its body portion including the protrusions does not exceed 1.9 mm. The sustained release mechanism may, for example, be by diffusion or by osmosis or bioerosion. The insert device is advantageously inserted into the upper or lower fornix of the eye so as to be independent of movement of the eye by virtue of the fornix anatomy. The protrusions may be of various shapes such as, for example, ribs, screw threads, dimples or bumps, truncated cone-shaped segments or winding braid segments.

Abstract: A flexible ocular insert device adapted for the controlled sustained release of an ophthalmic drug into the eye. In one embodiment, the device includes an elongated body of a polymeric material in the form of a rod or tube containing a pharmaceutically active ingredient and with at least two anchoring protrusions extending radially outwardly from the body. The device has a length of at least 8 mm and the diameter of its body portion including the protrusions does not exceed 1.9 mm. The sustained release mechanism may, for example, be by diffusion or by osmosis or bioerosion. The insert device is advantageously inserted into the upper or lower fornix of the eye so as to be independent of movement of the eye by virtue of the fornix anatomy. The protrusions may be of various shapes such as, for example, ribs, screw threads, dimples or bumps, truncated cone-shaped segments or winding braid segments.

Abstract: A flexible ocular insert device adapted for the controlled sustained release of an ophthalmic drug into the eye. In one embodiment, the device includes an elongated body of a polymeric material in the form of a rod or tube containing a pharmaceutically active ingredient and with at least two anchoring protrusions extending radially outwardly from the body. The device has a length of at least 8 mm and the diameter of its body portion including the protrusions does not exceed 1.9 mm. The sustained release mechanism may, for example, be by diffusion or by osmosis or bioerosion. The insert device is advantageously inserted into the upper or lower fornix of the eye so as to be independent of movement of the eye by virtue of the fornix anatomy. The protrusions may be of various shapes such as, for example, ribs, screw threads, dimples or bumps, truncated cone-shaped segments or winding braid segments.

Abstract: A flexible ocular insert device adapted for the controlled sustained release of an ophthalmic drug into the eye, wherein the device includes an elongated cylindrical shaped body having a length of at least 8 mm and with the diameter of its body portion not exceeding 1.9 mm. The sustained release mechanism may be by diffusion or by osmosis or bioerosion. The insert device is advantageously inserted into the upper or lower fornix of the eye so as to be independent of movement of the eye by virtue of the fornix anatomy. In one embodiment of the invention, an insert device having a length of 8 to 25 mm, to suit eyes of different sizes, was employed for use in the lower fornix and a device having a length of 8 to 35 mm was employed for use in the upper fornix. The present insert device is of a size and configuration such that, upon insertion into the upper or lower fornix, the device remains out of the field of vision so as to be well retained in place and imperceptible by a patient over a prolonged period of use.

Abstract: A probe is provided for collecting mucous tissue samples in vivo particularly from the conjunctiva, the urethra and the cervix. The probe comprises a handle portion and a body portion, which is slotted for scraping tissue into the slots.The tissue sample may then be introduced into an aqueous transport medium comprising sucrose, potassium phosphates, foetal bovine serum, streptomycin, vancomycin and nystatin. The sample may be smeared from the transport medium, with the cells still intact onto a slide, using a cytocentrifuge; and then the smear is assayed for disease, for example disease due to adenovirus, herpes simplex virus or chlamydia.The assay step may include single or multiple immunofluorescent staining.