Fziomed, Inc.

Mdr Group, Inc.

Ioptex Inc.

Other

Meddev Corporation

Aulode Llc.

John M Blackmore

Herbert E Schwartz

Mark D Allen

Phillip E Pennell

William G Oppelt

Allen Chandler Young

Richard P Jobe

Stephanie M Cortese

Timothy Bittner

Ronald F Haynes

Greg Graham

Provided herein are embodiments of a weighted eyelid closure device for use in treating lagophthalmos. In accordance with an embodiment, the device can be implanted by an oculoplastic surgeon into a patient's eyelid, to treat lagophthalmos. The device's weight can then be adjusted later by the surgeon, if necessary, without requiring removal of the entire device. For example, if it is discovered that an implanted device is too heavy or too light after it has been implanted within the patient's eyelid, the load of the device can be adjusted by modifying the previous load. Alternatively, a new load having the desired weight can be implanted.

Adjustable weighted eyelid closure devices and methods

The present invention relates to improved methods for making and using bioadhesive, bioresorbable, anti-adhesion compositions made of intermacromolecular complexes of carboxyl-containing polysaccharides, polyethers, polyacids, polyalkylene oxides, multivalent cations and/or polycations. The polymers are associated with each other, and are then either dried into membranes or sponges, or are used as fluids or microspheres. Bioresorbable, bioadhesive, anti-adhesion compositions are useful in surgery to prevent the formation and reformation of post-surgical adhesions. The compositions are designed to breakdown in-vivo, and thus be removed from the body. Membranes are inserted during surgery either dry or optionally after conditioning in aqueous solutions. The anti-adhesion, bioadhesive, bioresorptive, antithrombogenic and physical properties of such membranes and gels can be varied as needed by carefully adjusting the pH and/or cation content of the polymer casting solutions, polyacid composition, the polyalkylene oxide composition, or by conditioning the membranes prior to surgical use. Multi-layered membranes can be made and used to provide further control over the physical and biological properties of antiadhesion membranes. Membranes and gels can be used concurrently. Antiadhesion compositions may also be used to lubricate tissues and/or medical instruments, and/or deliver drugs to the surgical site and release them locally.

Compositions of polyacids and polyethers and methods for their use in reducing adhesions

A device for inserting a substantially square sheet of flexible material through a laparoscopic cannula into an abdominal cavity. The device is an elongate, generally cylindrical member having a proximal end and a distal end and a body portion therebetween. A pair of tines is rigidly affixed to the distal end of the body portion with a slot separating the tines. A handle is affixed to the proximal end of the body portion. The slot defined between the pair of tines is dimensioned to accommodate the sheet thickness therewithin. In a preferred use, the sheet of material is inserted between the tines with diagonal corners of the sheet within the slot. The free corners of the sheet are drawn together with one hand and the handle of the device is rotated to wrap the sheet around the exterior surface of the two tines. The distal end of the body portion is then inserted into a laparoscopic cannula and advanced therethrough with a twisting motion until the distal end of the device emerges from the cannula positioned within the abdominal cavity. At this point, the device is slightly withdrawn to dislodge the film from the receptacle at the base of the tines and the sheet unwinds from around the tines, effectively unfolding the sheet within the target cavity. The sheet is finally released from the slot between the tines when the device is withdrawn from the cannula; the sheet remaining within the abdominal cavity.

Laparoscopic insertion and deployment device

The present invention relates to improved methods for making and using-bioadhesive, bioresorbable, anti-adhesion compositions made of intermacromolecular complexes of carboxyl-containing polysaccharides and polyethers, and to the resulting compositions. The polymers are associated with each other, and are then either dried or are used as fluids. Bioresorbable, bioadhesive, anti-adhesion compositions are useful in surgery to prevent the formation of post-surgical adhesions. The compositions are designed to breakdown in-vivo, and thus be removed from the body. Membranes are inserted during surgery either dry or optionally after conditioning in aqueous solutions. The anti-adhesion, bioadhesive, bioresorptive, antithrombogenic and physical properties of such membranes can be varied as needed by carefully adjusting the pH of the polymer casting solutions, polysaccharide composition, the polyether composition, or by conditioning the membranes prior to surgical use. Bi- or multi-layered membranes can be made and used to provide further control over the physical and biological properties of antiadhesion membranes. Antiadhesion compositions may also be used to deliver drugs to the surgical site and release them locally.

Bioresorbable compositions of carboxypolysaccharide polyether

The present invention relates to improved methods for making and using bioadhesive, bioresorbable, anti-adhesion compositions made of intermacromolecular complexes of carboxyl-containing polysaccharides and polyethers, and to the resulting compositions. The polymers are associated with each other, and are then either dried or are used as fluids. Bioresorbable, bioadhesive, anti-adhesion compositions are useful in surgery to prevent the formation of post-surgical adhesions. The compositions are designed to breakdown in-vivo, and thus be removed from the body. Membranes are inserted during surgery either dry or optionally after conditioning in aqueous solutions. The anti-adhesion, bioadhesive, bioresorptive, antithrombogenic and physical properties of such membranes can be varied as needed by carefully adjusting the pH of the polymer casting solutions, polysaccharide composition, the polyether composition, or by conditioning the membranes prior to surgical use. Bi- or multi-layered membranes can be made and used to provide further control over the physical and biological properties of antiadhesion membranes. Antiadhesion compositions may also be used to deliver drugs to the surgical site and release them locally.

An exercising apparatus and method for exercising the hands and forearms. The apparatus includes an outer frame having spaced first and second outer handles, and an inner frame coupled to the outer frame for reciprocal movement between the outer handles and having first and second inner handles. The first outer handle and first inner handle define a first gripping member, and the second outer handle and second inner handle define a second gripping member. The gripping members are each engageable by a hand for selectively moving the inner handle toward the outer handle and resisting movement of the inner handle away from the outer handle. The method includes the steps of providing an exerciser, grasping the first outer handle and the first inner handle with a first hand and the second outer handle and the second inner handle with a second hand, and moving the inner frame between the outer handles.

Isometric hand exercising system

An eyelid weighting system for the treatment of lagophthalmos. The weighting system includes a weight body having a concave first surface with a radius of curvature substantially conforming to the curvature of the eyeball and a second surface spaced from the first surface. First and second major edges join the first and second surfaces and a pair of side edges extend between the first and second major edges.

Eyelid weighting system

This invention relates to an improved viscoelastic fluid or gel for use in general surgery and also more specifically in spine and neurosurgery and also in surgery dealing with reproductive organs. The invention encompasses the method of delivering to a surgical wound an implant composition having up to about a 21/2% by weight of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and at least about a 0.5% by weight polyethylene oxide (PEO) in a physiologically acceptable mixture.

Viscoelastic fluid for use in spine and general surgery and other

This invention relates to an improved viscoelastic fluid or gel for use in surgery and other therapies which consists of polyethylene oxide in selected concentrations not to exceed approximately 15% (15,000 ppm), contained in a physiologic balanced salt solution. The PEO may also be used in conjunction with viscosity enhancers which also act as heat stabilizers such as methylcellulose and its derivatives, polyvinyl pyrrolidone of polyvinyl alcohol or in conjunction with elasticizes such as low molecular weight polyethylene glycols or polypropylene glycols or in conjunction with gelation modifiers. These mixtures may be modified to increase retention time in the body by crosslinking with the use of material like dimethyl urea. The invention encompasses the novel method of protecting and lubricating the corneal tissues during surgery with uses of different concentrations of the same solution introduced simultaneously to protect the inner cornea while periodically irrigating the outer cornea, all without obscuring the surgeon's view of the site. This invention also prevents the development of wound adhesion and has many utilizations in orthopedics.

Viscoelastic fluid for use in surgery and other therapies and method of

This invention relates to an improved viscoelastic fluid or gel for use in surgery and other therapies which consists of polyethylene oxide in selected concentrations not to exceed approximately 15% (15,000 ppm), contained in a physiologic balanced salt solution. The PEO may also be used in conjunction with viscosity enhancers which also act as heat stabilizers such as methyl cellulose and its derivatives, polyvinyl pyrrolidone or polyvinyl, alcohol or in conjunction with elasticizers such as low molecular weight polyethylene glycols or polypropylene glycols or in conjunction with gelation modifiers. These mixtures may be modified to increase retention time in the body by crosslinking with the use of materials like dimethylol urea. The invention encompasses the novel method of protecting and lubricating the corneal tissues during surgery with uses of different concentrations of the same solution introduced simultaneously to protect the inner cornea while periodically irrigating the outer cornea, all without obscuring the surgeon's view of the site. This invention also prevents the development of wound adhesion and has many utilizations in orthopedics.

A corrective lens for the in-tact natural lens of the eye which utilizes an optical body formed of a material which is compatable with the tissue of the eye. The optical body is positioned against the natural lens of the eye and is held in place immediately adjacent the natural lens of the eye.

Corrective lens for the natural lens of the eye

An intraocular lens utilizing an optical portion and having at least one appendage with a first end portion connected to the optical portion. A second end portion of the appendage is intended for contacting the periphery of the eye. The terminus of the second end portion of the appendage includes a spacer which is positioned between the terminus of the appendage and the iris. An intermediate portion of the appendage connects the first and second end portions of the appendage.

Growing community of inventors

Redwood City, CA, United States of America

John M Blackmore