2326results about "Eye treatment" patented technology

The present invention relates to a molecular sustained controlled release system constructed by the conjugation of molecules to be released with biodegradable polyester polymer via covalent bond and method for preparation thereof. In accordance with the present invention, the system may be formulated into microspheres, nanoparticles, or films. The molecular release rate from the above system can be regulated to be proportional to the chemical degradation rate of the biodegradable polyester polymers, resulting in near zero order kinetics profile of release without showing a burst effect, Moreover, a high loading efficiency of hydrophilic drugs can be achieved.

An annuloplasty band comprising a sheath, and a generally arcuate stiffening element disposed within the sheath. The stiffening element extends from a first end to a second end, and preferably includes eyelets at its first and second ends adapted to receive sutures to secure the annuloplasty band to a valve annulus. The annuloplasty band preferably has a low profile (e.g., a thickness less than 3 mm). In embodiments intended for mitral valve repair, the eyelets are particularly adapted to receive sutures to secure the annuloplasty band to the antero-lateral trigone and postero-medial trigone. A holder and sizer device useful with the annuloplasty band are also provided.

A toothbrush having a handle portion formed with a neck at one end thereof and extending along a first longitudinal axis. A head section is coupled to the neck. The head section includes a plurality of first cleaning members provided on a first head side thereof which extends outwardly from the first head side generally perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis. The head section further includes a second cleaning member provided on a second head side thereof opposite to the first head side. In order to reliably clean the tongue surface, the second cleaning member includes a plurality of flat-tipped conical-shaped cleaning elements which extend outwardly from the second head side of the head section generally perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis. Alternately, the second cleaning member can include a plurality of grated cleaning elements which extend outwardly from the second head side of the head section generally perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis.

The invention relates to a listening assistance device (1) comprising hearing modules (3) mounted on the ends of the arms of an eyeglass frame (2), said modules being designed to support the eyeglass frame on the ear of the user. The hearing modules also have a formed part (5) which extends into the auditive canal without closing the latter and which includes the sound outlet hole (6) of the module. The modules comprise a speech spectrum frequency response and linear dynamics in order to improve speech intelligibility. This makes it possible to provide a listening assistance device compensating for mild hearing loss that can be produced easily and economically, is more comfortable to use and is not regarded at first sight as a hearing aid by an observer.

An oral care implement with a handle includes a head with a tissue cleanser. The tissue cleanser may be a pad composed of an elastomeric material. The pad is disposed on the head on a surface opposite the tooth cleaning elements. The tissue cleanser may include a plurality of nubs extending for cleaning between the papillae of the tongue. The tissue cleanser may include a plurality of conically shaped nubs. A tissue cleanser can be used to reduce oral malodor problems and remove oral epithelial cells.

The present invention provides a flowable composition suitable for use as a controlled release implant. The flowable composition can be administered into the ocular region of a mammal. The composition includes: (a) a biodegradable, biocompatible thermoplastic polymer that is at least substantially insoluble in aqueous medium, water or body fluid; (b) a biological agent, a metabolite thereof, a biological agently acceptable salt thereof, or a prodrug thereof; and (c) a biocompatible organic liquid, at standard temperature and pressure, in which the thermoplastic polymer is soluble. The present invention also provides methods of medical treatment that include administering the flowable composition into the ocular region of a mammal.

A therapeutic lens for the treatment of an epithelial defect comprises a layer of therapeutic material disposed over the stroma and/or Bowman's membrane to inhibit water flow from the tear liquid to the stroma and/or Bowman's membrane, such that corneal deturgescence can be restored to decrease corneal swelling and light scattering. The layer may cover and protect nerve fibers to decrease pain. The layer may comprise an index of refraction to inhibit light scatter from an anterior surface of the stroma and/or Bowman's membrane. The lens may comprise a curved anterior surface that provides functional vision for the patient when the epithelium regenerates. The layer of therapeutic material can be positioned on the eye in many ways, for example with a spray that is cured to adhere the layer to the exposed surface of the stroma and/or Bowman's membrane.

A lens delivery system having a plunger, an injector body and a nozzle portion connected to the injector body, the nozzle portion having a hinged lid and a hollow body with a lens holding platform formed beneath the hinged lid. The cartridge has an elongated nozzle tube or tip with a bore, the bore communicating with the lens holding platform. The bottom of the bore is rounded, which causes the edges of the lens between the lens haptics to fold upwardly as the lens is pushed down the bore from the platform by the plunger. A removable pin fits into the lid and prevents the lens from moving down the bore of the tip during shipment and storage.

An intraocular lens injector plunger having a blunt, rounded tip offset from the centerline of the plunger rod. The offset tip assures that the tip is biased downward against the bottom of the cartridge bore. Such a downward bias helps prevent the tip from riding up over the IOL and being folded within the IOL. The offset also helps prevent the haptics of the IOL from becoming trapped between the plunger rod and the cartridge bore, thereby damaging the haptics and/or preventing the IOL from being advanced down the bore.

An oral care implement including a handle and a head with a tongue cleanser. The tongue cleanser has at least one ridge which is at least as wide as it is high. In one preferred construction, the ridges are shaped so as to define a concave surface facing generally toward the handle. The ridges also preferably include aligned segments from front to back that are oriented at different angular positions.

A protective article formed of a laminate between at least a layer of a liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable barrier, and at least a layer of a stretchable or elastomeric, nonwoven fiber web is described. The barrier is reinforced at least on one side by the nonwoven fiber web, which remains elastic after being bonded to the barrier layer. The elasticity of both barrier and bonded fiber layers simulate the flexibility of natural or synthetic latex or other polymer films. The nonwoven fiber web includes at least about 75% of individual fibers with a length of over about 1 mm, and the fibers are substantially continuous. A second nonwoven web, a second barrier layer, or both may be attached to the exterior side of the breathable barrier. An elastomeric material coating, such as either a nature or synthetic latex or other polymers, may be applied over at least a portion of the article to provide for additional protection.

Disclosed is the use of a mist of a pharmaceutical composition for ophthalmic delivery of a protein or peptide active pharmaceutical ingredient, a related method of treatment and a device useful in implementing the use and method. Disclosed is also the use of a mist for ophthalmic delivery of a pharmaceutical composition including a highly irritating penetration enhancer and an ophthalmically acceptable carrier, a related method of treatment and a device useful in implementing the use and method. Disclosed is also a device for ophthalmic administration configured to direct a mist of a pharmaceutical composition to the eye only when the eye is open. Disclosed is also a self-sterilizing device for ophthalmic administration. Disclosed is also a device and a method for increasing the bioavailability of an ophthalmically administered API in a pharmaceutical composition.

An apparatus and methods for delivering ocular implants or microimplants. The apparatus is ergonomically designed for ease of use, and a simple manual depression of an actuator produces proportional movement of a linkage causing the implant or microimplant to be ejected through a cannula disposed at the desired location in the eye. Small gauge cannulas are provided for self-sealing methods of delivery.

Provided is an apparatus for driving an artificial retina using a medium-range power transmission technique. The apparatus can wirelessly transmit power to an artificial retina circuit within a medium range of about 1 m using resonance between a first coil equipped around a user's waist and a second coil implanted in a user's eye. Thus, it is possible to solve the difficulty of implanting a coil in a lens, provide convenience to a user by eliminating the necessity of artificial glasses, and stably supply power to the artificial retina circuit. In addition, it is possible to remarkably lessen the difficulty in connecting the second coil with the artificial retina circuit in an eye.

The present invention provides a medical device, preferably an ophthalmic device, more preferably a contact lens, which comprises a core material and a biocompatible LbL coating non-covalently attached to said core material. The biocompatible LbL coating comprises at least one charge/non-charge bilayer, wherein said charge/non-charge bilayer is composed of, in no particular order, one layer of a charged polymeric material and one layer of a non-charged polymeric material which is capable of being non-covalently bond to the charged polymeric material.

The present disclosure relates to novel sustained-release intraocular drug delivery systems and improvements in the treatment of retinopathies. In particular, fibronectin scaffold domain proteins that selectively inhibit VEGFR-2 are contemplated.

Method and systems for accessing a Eustachian tube of a patient are disclosed. The system includes a guide configured for passing into a nasal passage of the patient to position a distal tip of the catheter at or near a Eustachian tube, the guide having distal tip with a bend having an angle between 30 and 90 degrees; and a guidewire configured to pass through the guide into the Eustachian tube.

Apparatus and methods for encoding sensory input information into patterns of pulses and message multiplexing. In one implementation, the patterns of pulses are polychronous (time-locked by not necessary synchronous), and a retinal prosthetic encodes the input signal into the polychronous patterns for delivery via stimulating electrodes. Different polychronous patterns simultaneously encode different sensory signals; (such as different features of the image), thus providing for message multiplexing. Increasing data transmission capacity allows for a reduction in the number of electrodes required for data transmission. In one implementation, an adaptive feedback mechanism is employed to facilitate encoder operation. In another aspect, a computer vision system is described.

Disclosed is a flexible insert (100) for placement on the human eye, comprising a light source (110) in said insert such that light emitted from the light source is shielded from the human eye upon correct placement of the insert on the human eye, a light-responsive material (120) placed in the light path of the light source, said light-responsive material emitting light upon stimulation by the light from said light source, the intensity of said stimulated emission being sensitive to a chemical interaction of the light-sensitive material with an analyte of interest, a photodetector (130) for detecting the light emitted by the light-responsive material; and a transmitter (140) coupled to the photodetector for transmitting a photodetector reading. The insert may be used in conjunction with a reader for automated monitoring of an analyte of interest such as glucose in the tear fluid of its wearer.

An ocular device that can more safely and effectively perform all functions needed of a retinal prosthesis with electronic components that are placed outside the wall of an eye, are powered wirelessly provided by an external power source, and which provide a patient with a view determined by natural motion of the eye and triggered by natural incident light converging at the retina. In one aspect, the invention is an externally powered, light-activated, sub-retinal prosthesis in which natural light entering the eye conveys visual details to the sub-retinal prosthesis, while wireless radiofrequency transmission provides the power needed to stimulate the retina, which would be insufficient if it were obtained from the intensity of incoming light alone.

In one aspect, the invention provides vision prosthesis systems. Exemplary vision prosthesis systems of the invention comprise a light energy generator operably connected to a wearable head piece comprising a device for directing light energy produced by the light energy generator onto a mammalian retina, wherein the light energy generator is tuned to emit light energy of sufficient power to modulate neural activity in the retina. In another aspect, the invention provides methods for irradiating neurons in the retina of the mammalian eye by directing light energy produced by a light energy generator onto a mammalian retina. The methods of the invention may be used to directly modulate the activity of retinal neurons or to introduce molecules into retinal cells.

An intraocular camera for retinal prostheses may include an optical imaging system comprising a set of optical elements for forming an image of the external world on an image sensor array, wherein the optical elements and the image sensor array may be enclosed in an implantable biocompatible housing that may employ haptic elements for stabilization within the eye. The set of optical elements may be designed to have a short focal length and to provide adequate resolution images that can be transformed into a set of stimulation signals applied to a pixellated microstimulator array. Transmission of the signals from the intraocular camera to a microstimulator driver circuit may be accomplished either by a wired or wireless communication device. Power and control signals may be provided to the intraocular camera by a wired or wireless communication device, or optically by means of ambient illumination or an optical beam.

An intravitreal injection device for administering a pharmacological agent formulation to an intravitreal compartment of an eye, comprising (i) a nozzle member having an internal formulation chamber that is adapted to receive and contain the pharmacological agent formulation therein, (ii) a microneedle having a first end that is in communication with the nozzle member and a second ejection end, (iii) and piercing depth limiter means for limiting the penetration depth of the microneedle into the eye, the microneedle piercing depth limiter means including guide means for positioning the limiter means and guiding the microneedle.

The present invention provides an energy delivery device for use with a medical treatment system for the more efficacious treatment of patients during laser surgery which limits the number of uses or prevents reuse of the energy delivery device after a certain threshold limit has been reached. The energy delivery device comprises a diffusing optical fiber and a memory device having data programmed therein and being operatively connected to an energy generator the optical fiber includes a temperature sensor for generating a temperature signal in a closed loop manner. The data stored in the memory device includes a multiplicity of use parameters, usage limits, usage counts, and count limits all relating to the properties of the medical treatment system. The use parameters may include an elapsed time, a total treatment time, and a number of treatment sites. A main processor is also included for calculating a temperature from the temperature signal and for updating the use parameters in response to data received by the main processor. The main processor is also used to compare the use parameters to their corresponding usage limits. The main processor can create and increment a usage count when at least one of the use parameters exceeds its corresponding usage limit. Thereafter, the main processor compares the usage count to the count limit and disables the energy delivery device when the usage count exceeds a predetermined count limit.

An improvement on the structure of electric nose suction-washer consists of a body for grip and for casing a motor mechanism. At the tip of the body are the suctioning and washing units of the motor mechanism for sucking nasal fluid or washing the nasal cavity. Therein, the body is cylindrical at a suitable place of which is a droplet shaped protrusion for easy gripping. Inside a bottom of the body encases the battery case where a spring plate exists for ease of replacing batteries and for forming power connection to the motor mechanism. The inner wall of the battery case is a plurality of vertical ridges for positioning and fastening the battery case.

Embodiments of the invention include coated medical devices that can elute one or more bioactive agents within the body, and methods for producing the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of forming a coated medical device including depositing a coated composition onto a medical device having a roughened segment and a smooth segment. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of forming a coated implantable medical device including depositing a coated composition onto a medical device having a body segment and a piercing segment. In an embodiment, the invention includes a medical device, a coated composition provided on the substrate surface, the composition including a bioactive agent and a polymer. The medical device includes an uncoated component wherein the edge of the coated composition is within 0.5 mm of the uncoated component. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for disposing a coated composition on a medical device with an ultrasonically atomized spray stream including moving a spray stream in a pattern having a plurality of transverse sweeps and a plurality of longitudinal movements.

The present technology relates to an apparatus for intraocular injection comprising a plate adapted for being brought into contact with an eye and a guide operable to guide a needle into the interior of an eye, characterized in that it comprises means for displacing a superficial layer (1) of the eye over an underlying layer (2) of the eye as the plate is brought into contact with the eye before the needle is guided into the interior of the eye.

An intraocular lens (IOL) inserter and method of use ensure that an artificial intraocular lens is controllably ejected from a cartridge and into a patient's eye by using successive, predefined detent positions. One embodiment has a distal pivotal portion that can be pivoted to a desired angle as a mover advances the IOL into the eye. A detent controls the motion of the mover. In one embodiment, the detent includes a longitudinally extending component with a plurality of stair steps, so that a face of each stair step engages the housing at each different predefined detent position. Other embodiments include at least one orifice in the housing, so that when the orifice is aligned with a pin or protrusion, it engages the orifice to define a detent step. Another embodiment includes a spring-loaded collar that biases a pin into a predefined detent step.

A protective helmet apparatus of modular construction to be worn by anesthetized patients for facial support during surgery. The helmet apparatus is assembled using one of a plurality of interchangeable, substantially transparent helmet casings, which are removably attachable to a plurality of dismountable facial cushions providing even support to the facial surface of a patient. The removable facial cushions are dimensioned on and interior surface to accommodate different sized facial structures of different patients to yield maximum pressure diffusion on the face and chin of the patient and are replaceable when worn. The exterior surface of the facial cushions are dimensioned for cooperative engagement with the interior surface of the helmet casing. A plurality of different facial cushions and helmet casings are modular in design and dimension to be interchangeable with each other thus providing accommodate the broad differences in facial structure and size of patients using them for surgery. The cushions may be marked with printed or color coded indicia to designate size. A view of the patients eyes and surrounding area is afforded through in line ocular apertures extending around a front surface area and up at least one sidewall. The ocular aperture is in line with a cushion ocular aperture when the cushion is engaged with the casing thereby allowing a view of the patent eye and surrounding face through the ocular aperture from the side of the device. Additional utility is provided by variable elevation above a registered engagement with a mount which also may provide a mirrored surface to reflect the patent facial features for viewing by upright doctors and operating staff. An optional integral heating element aids in temperature control of the patient's head during surgery.

The invention relates to a device for inserting deformable intraocular lenses. Said device comprises a housing (1) for receiving an intraocular lens in an elastically deformed state, a cannula (3), and an advancing mechanism (4-10) for transporting the intraocular lens through the cannula (3) into an eye. The injector is suitable for a two-stage working method wherein one person prepares the injector and another person injects the intraocular lens into the eye. Furthermore, the advancing mechanism is embodied in such a way that the intraocular lens can be transported into the cannula (3) by means of a translatory actuating movement on an actuating head (9), and the intraocular lens can be ejected from the cannula (3) by means of a rotatory actuating movement on a pivoting part (10).