Abstract: A bioanalogic implantable ophthalmic lens (“BIOL”) capable of replacing the natural crystalline lens (NCL) in its various essential functions after the NCL having been removed and BIOL implanted into the posterior eye chamber and placed into the capsular bag vacated from the NCL. At least the posterior surface of the lens has a convex shape and is made from a transparent flexible hydrogel material. At least the anterior and posterior optical surfaces are defined by rotation of one or more conic sections along the main optical axis and the surfaces defined by the rotation will include a plane perpendicular to the axis and conical surface symmetrical by the axis. A hydrogel implantable ophthalmic lens whose optical parameters can be optimized and/or customized by a controlled absorption of electromagnetic radiation resulting in a change of the refractive index of the irradiated hydrogel.

Abstract: A cervical dilator including a stem comprising a partly or fully dehydrated hydrogel comprising a water-insoluble synthetic hydrophilic polymer capable of radial expansion due to absorption of water from a bodily fluid. The cervical dilator softens and ripens the cervical tissue and expands the cervical canal by a combined action of radial hydrogel stem expansion and osmotic withdrawal of water from the tissue. The osmotic withdrawal is caused by at least one osmotically active compound, such as a water-soluble salt, a polyelectrolyte, or a mixture thereof, wherein the at least one osmotically active compound is dispersed in the hydrogel. The cervical dilator may also include a non-toxic plasticizer of the hydrogel, such as water.

Abstract: A cervical dilator including a stem comprising a partly or fully dehydrated hydrogel comprising a water-insoluble synthetic hydrophilic polymer capable of radial expansion due to absorption of water from a bodily fluid. The cervical dilator softens and ripens the cervical tissue and expands the cervical canal by a combined action of radial hydrogel stem expansion and osmotic withdrawal of water from the tissue. The osmotic withdrawal is caused by at least one osmotically active compound, such as a water-soluble salt, a polyelectrolyte, or a mixture thereof, wherein the at least one osmotically active compound is dispersed in the hydrogel. The cervical dilator may also include a non-toxic plasticizer of the hydrogel, such as water.

Abstract: A bioanalogic implantable ophthalmic lens (“BIOL”) capable of replacing the natural crystalline lens (NCL) in its various essential functions after the NCL having been removed and BIOL implanted into the posterior eye chamber and placed into the capsular bag vacated from the NCL. At least the posterior surface of the lens has a convex shape and is made from a transparent flexible hydrogel material. At least the anterior and posterior optical surfaces are defined by rotation of one or more conic sections along the main optical axis and the surfaces defined by the rotation will include a plane perpendicular to the axis and conical surface symmetrical by the axis.

Abstract: Artificial lenses and methods for optimizing vision in an eye of a patient comprising the steps of determining a target optical configuration including the optimum defocus and aberrations that the patients' eye should have in order to match or approximate the original optical configuration of the patient; determining the refractive change of the patient's eye required to achieve the optical configuration best corresponding to target optical configuration for the patient; and implementing the selected refractive change to achieve the target optical configuration.

Abstract: A cervical dilator including a stem comprising a partly or fully dehydrated hydrogel comprising a water-insoluble synthetic hydrophilic polymer capable of radial expansion due to absorption of water from a bodily fluid. The cervical dilator softens and ripens the cervical tissue and expands the cervical canal by a combined action of radial hydrogel stem expansion and osmotic withdrawal of water from the tissue. The osmotic withdrawal is caused by at least one osmotically active compound, such as a water-soluble salt, a polyelectrolyte, or a mixture thereof, wherein the at least one osmotically active compound is dispersed in the hydrogel. The cervical dilator may also include a non-toxic plasticizer of the hydrogel, such as water.

Abstract: A bioanalogic implantable ophthalmic lens (“BIOL”) capable of replacing the natural crystalline lens (NCL) in its various essential functions after the NCL having been removed and BIOL implanted into the posterior eye chamber and placed into the capsular bag vacated from the NCL. At least the posterior surface of the lens has a convex shape and is made from a transparent flexible hydrogel material. At least the anterior and posterior optical surfaces are defined by rotation of one or more conic sections along the main optical axis and the surfaces defined by the rotation will include a plane perpendicular to the axis and conical surface symmetrical by the axis. A hydrogel implantable ophthalmic lens whose optical parameters can be optimized and/or customized by a controlled absorption of electromagnetic radiation resulting in a change of the refractive index of the irradiated hydrogel.

Abstract: A bioanalogic implantable ophthalmic lens (“BIOL”) capable of replacing the natural crystalline lens (NCL) in its various essential functions after the NCL having been removed and BIOL implanted into the posterior eye chamber and placed into the capsular bag vacated from the NCL. At least the posterior surface of the lens has a convex shape and is made from a transparent flexible hydrogel material. At least the anterior and posterior optical surfaces are defined by rotation of one or more conic sections along the main optical axis and the surfaces defined by the rotation will include a plane perpendicular to the axis and conical surface symmetrical by the axis. A hydrogel implantable ophthalmic lens whose optical parameters can be optimized and/or customized by a controlled absorption of electromagnetic radiation resulting in a change of the refractive index of the irradiated hydrogel.

Abstract: Artificial lenses and methods for optimizing vision in an eye of a patient comprising the steps of determining a target optical configuration including the optimum defocus and aberrations that the patients' eye should have in order to match or approximate the original optical configuration of the patient; determining the refractive change of the patient's eye required to achieve the optical configuration best corresponding to target optical configuration for the patient; and implementing the selected refractive change to achieve the target optical configuration.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a sterile, dehydrated acellular implant, which during its rehydration by water or bodily fluids displays anisotropic expansion and can act as a substrate for adhesion, migration and growth of live cells. Collagen structures of the transplant are at least partially denatured through the action of heat or organic solvents, such as lower aliphatic alcohols and ketones, which simultaneously act as preservative and sterilization agents, especially for certain types of viruses. The implant is sterilized by radiation while in an substantially dehydrated state, preferably by accelerated electrons. The transplant can be derived from various animal tissues, especially mammalian tissues, such as human or porcine tissues. The tissues suitable for the invention can be, for example, skin, placenta, pericardium, peritoneum, intestinal wall, tendon, blood vessel, etc.

Abstract: A bioanalogic implantable ophthalmic lens (“BIOL”) capable of replacing the natural crystalline lens (NCL) in its various essential functions after the NCL having been removed and BIOL implanted into the posterior eye chamber and placed into the capsular bag vacated from the NCL. At least the posterior surface of the lens has a convex shape and is made from a transparent flexible hydrogel material. At least the anterior and posterior optical surfaces are defined by rotation of one or more conic sections along the main optical axis and the surfaces defined by the rotation will include a plane perpendicular to the axis and conical surface symmetrical by the axis. A hydrogel implantable ophthalmic lens whose optical parameters can be optimized and/or customized by a controlled absorption of electromagnetic radiation resulting in a change of the refractive index of the irradiated hydrogel.

Abstract: A bioanalogic implantable ophthalmic lens (“BIOL”) capable of replacing the natural crystalline lens (NCL) in its various essential functions after the NCL having been removed and BIOL implanted into the posterior eye chamber and placed into the capsular bag vacated from the NCL. At least the posterior surface of the lens has a convex shape and is made from a transparent flexible hydrogel material. At least the anterior and posterior optical surfaces are defined by rotation of one or more conic sections along the main optical axis and the surfaces defined by the rotation will include a plane perpendicular to the axis and conical surface symmetrical by the axis.

Abstract: There is disclosed a manipulation and storage tool for receiving and manipulating a partially dehydrated intervertebral disk. Manipulation and storage tool is configured to receive the disk and manipulate it into a smaller overall size and subsequently insert it into a temporary storage or sleeve device for later use. Manipulation and storage tool generally includes a manipulation assembly which is movably mounted with respect to a guide assembly. The guide assembly includes a throughbore and a slot for receiving the disk into the throughbore as well as a sleeve holder mounted at a distal end designed to retain a storage device or sleeve into which the manipulated disk is inserted. The manipulation assembly generally includes a drive member having an elongated shaft movably mounted within the bore of the guide assembly and at least one manipulation member for pin positioned adjacent the slot to manipulate the implant in response to movement of the drive member relative to the guide assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for reducing intraocular pressure, thereby to treat glaucoma and other disorders. The systems of the present invention include a shunt insertable across the clear cornea and a delivery device for inserting the shunt in the transcorneal position. The shunt has a body with a head at one end and a foot at the opposite end, and a channel therethrough permitting the passage of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to the external surface of the cornea. A removable filter is positioned within the channel to regulate aqueous humor outflow and to resist the incursion of microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention is a prosthetic for replacement of at least a part of the nucleus of a intravertebral disc. The prosthetic device is composed of at least two essentially parallel soft layers of an elastically deformable hydrogel and at least one rigid layer, the rigid layer having less compressibility than the soft layers, being adjacent to the soft layers, parallel to them, and firmly attached to them. In some embodiments, the soft layers have the same thickness and composition. Typically, the prosthesis has more than one rigid layer and these rigid layers have the same thickness and composition. The number of soft layers is usually one more than the number of rigid layers, with, e.g., at least three soft layers.

Abstract: The present invention is a prosthetic for replacement of at least a part of the nucleus of a intravertebral disc. The prosthetic device is composed of at least two essentially parallel soft layers of an elastically deformable hydrogel and at least one rigid layer, the rigid layer having less compressibility than the soft layers, being adjacent to the soft layers, parallel to them, and firmly attached to them. In some embodiments, the soft layers have the same thickness and composition. Typically, the prosthesis has more than one rigid layer and these rigid layers have the same thickness and composition. The number of soft layers is usually one more than the number of rigid layers, with, e.g., at least three soft layers.

Abstract: The present invention is a prosthetic for replacement of at least a part of the nucleus of a intravertebral disc. The prosthetic device is composed of at least two essentially parallel soft layers of an elastically deformable hydrogel and at least one rigid layer, the rigid layer having less compressibility than the soft layers, being adjacent to the soft layers, parallel to them, and firmly attached to them. In some embodiments, the soft layers have the same thickness and composition. Typically, the prosthesis has more than one rigid layer and these rigid layers have the same thickness and composition. The number of soft layers is usually one more than the number of rigid layers, with, e.g., at least three soft layers.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for reducing intraocular pressure, thereby to treat glaucoma and other disorders. The systems of the present invention include a shunt insertable across the clear cornea and a delivery device for inserting the shunt in the transcorneal position. The shunt has a body with a head at one end and a foot at the opposite end, and a channel therethrough permitting the passage of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to the external surface of the cornea. A removable filter is positioned within the channel to regulate aqueous humor outflow and to resist the incursion of microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention is a prosthetic for replacement of at least a part of the nucleus of a intravertebral disc. The prosthetic device is composed of at least two essentially parallel soft layers of an elastically deformable hydrogel and at least one rigid layer, the rigid layer having less compressibility than the soft layers, being adjacent to the soft layers, parallel to them, and firmly attached to them. In some embodiments, the soft layers have the same thickness and composition. Typically, the prosthesis has more than one rigid layer and these rigid layers have the same thickness and composition. The number of soft layers is usually one more than the number of rigid layers, with, e.g., at least three soft layers.

Abstract: The present invention is a spinal nucleus implant for replacement of at least a portion of nucleus pulposus tissue removed from a spinal disc of a living vertebrate to restore function of the spinal disc and related vertebral joint. The implant is an anisotropically swellable, biomimetic xerogel plastic, having a two phase structure with a hydrophobic phase having high crystallinity and low water content and with hydrophilic phase having low crystallinity and high water content and having a negatively charged lubricious surface. The xerogel plastic is capable of rehydration and of osmotic movement of liquid therethrough in response to osmotic pressure change to thereby increase and decrease liquid content in its hydrated state. The present invention also relates to surgical implant procedures utilizing this spinal nucleus implant.