Abstract: The invention provides mandrels for producing elastomeric components such as mammary implants. Specifically, the invention provides mandrels that include a mold, a shaft attached to the mold, and a drip retainer attached to the shaft. The drip retainers disclosed herein are configured to catch and contain fluids (e.g., elastomeric compounds dispersed in solvents) that run and/or drip off the mold and shaft, and to retain such fluids when the dipping mandrel is inverted. The invention also provides drip retainers that can catch and contain fluids (e.g., elastomeric compounds dispersed in solvents) when attached to a dipping mandrel, and can retain the fluids upon inversion of the dipping mandrel.

Abstract: A prostatic tissue expander and method for treating benign prostatic hypertrophy comprising a flexible catheter having a distensible tissue expansion balloon, an inflatable Foley balloon at the distal end, a urine lumen, balloon inflation lumens and valves at the ends of the balloon inflation lumens for maintaining balloon inflation.

Abstract: An implantable injection port consists of a very low profile housing with virtually no residual volume while maintaining a large target area for the needle.

Abstract: A connector device for elastomeric conduits includes a connector having a mechanism to allow attachment to a device to be connected to the conduit. The connector includes a frusto-conical barb leading to a shoulder separated by a necked in region. A mating annular clamp includes an inner bore having surfaces that mate with the shoulder and an inwardly projecting annular ring that traps a conduit between the clamp and the neck and barb of the connector. The connector may be mirrored with a like connector to provide a mechanism to attach two conduits rather than a device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shaped permeable polymeric material including a hydrophobic portion and a hydrophilic portion, wherein the material is crosslinked. This material is prepared by a method including the steps preparing a crosslinkable composition having a hydrophobic portion and a hydrophilic portion; placing the crosslinkable composition in a mold; gelling the crosslinkable composition to form a shaped gelled polymeric composition comprising a hydrophobic portion, a hydrophilic portion, and a liquid portion; and exchanging the liquid portion with an exchange liquid to form the permeable polymeric material. Preferably this material is used in a blood gas sensor.

Abstract: A mold assembly for making an ocular device such as a contact lens, an intraocular lens or a lens blank has three pieces which include a sleeve, a first mold segment and a second mold segment. The first mold segment includes a peripheral skirt which extends away from a mold cavity and which terminates in an end portion which is in interference fit engagement with the sleeve for establishing a leak-resistant fluid seal.

Abstract: An assembly for molding an ocular lens blank which may be lathed into a contact lens or intraocular lens includes a sleeve, and a first and second mold segment placed within the sleeve. After a lens blank is molded in a space between the two segments and the sleeve, the two segments are removed from the sleeve and the second mold segment then functions as a holder for the lens blank during a lathing operation. The second mold segment has an outer cylindrical surface for gripping by a collet, and also has an internal frustoconical recess for a mounting pin, and thus can be used with a variety of lathes known to the optical industry.

Abstract: A penile implant includes an elongated member for implantation in the penis that is in fluid communication with a reservoir. The member includes an enclosure having a pressurizable chamber section such that the member is transformable between a flaccid and an erect state and a pump for transferring fluid from the reservoir to the pressurizable chamber. The pump has a valve portion made of a deformable material such that when the valve portion is deformed, fluid flows from the pressurizable chamber to the reservoir making the member flaccid. The valve portion is surrounded by a cushioning material to protect the valve portion from being accidentally deformed, permitting fluid to flow from the pressurizable chamber back to the reservoir.

Abstract: A valve for use in a fluid fillable device includes a main body portion movable from a fluid position to a curled fluid sealing position. The main body portion includes a sealing section made of an elastomeric material and having a passage portion defining a passage for receiving a fill tube. The passage portion is flanked on opposing sides by first and second portions of elastomeric material. The passage portion is in a stretched state relative to the first and second portions, such that the passage portion curls along the passage when the fill tube is removed.

Abstract: A penile prosthesis which is adapted for surgical implantation includes a pair of fluid fillable prosthetic members and a fluid reservoir containing a supply of the fluid. A pump pumps fluid from the reservoir to the prosthetic members. The pump includes a valving section which is fluidly connected with the reservoir and the prosthetic members, and a pumping section for pumping the fluid from the reservoir to the prosthetic members. The valving section includes a deformable housing with a supply inlet passage fluidly connected to the reservoir and two outlet passages, each outlet passage fluidly connected to a corresponding prosthetic member. Each passage has a check valve for directing the flow of fluid from the reservoir, through the pumping section and into the prosthetic members. When the valving section is manually deformed, the check valves are placed in an inoperable state permitting flow of the fluid from the prosthetic member, through the pumping section, and back into the reservoir.

Abstract: A connector device fluidly connects first and second sections of a highly elastic, highly compressible tubing of an implantable device such as an implantable penile prosthesis. The connector device includes a rigid connector component having a longitudinal main body with a fluid passage extending between first and second ends. The outer surface of the connector component includes a center surface section and first and second frusto-conical surfaces disposed at the first and second ends. The frusto-conical surfaces increase in diameter towards the center section, until the frusto-conical surfaces are larger in diameter than the center section. The tubing elastically engages the frusto-conical surfaces and a clamp surrounds the tubing preventing the tubing from "creeping" off the frusto-conical surfaces.