Abstract: Described embodiments are directed toward centrally-opening leaflet prosthetic valve devices having synthetic leaflets that are configured to promote and encourage tissue ingrowth thereon and/or therein. The leaflets are coupled to a leaflet frame to form a prosthetic valve suitable for use in biological anatomy.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes medical devices comprising implantable expandable implants, such as stent-grafts. Such devices can comprise a constraining line. The constraining line can surround the proximal end of the expandable implant, and assist in positioning and deployment of the expandable implant within the body of the patient.

Abstract: Provided are a water electrolysis method and a water electrolysis device in which mixing of the generated hydrogen and oxygen is greatly reduced and which have a high electrolysis efficiency, while being simplified in structure. In the water electrolysis method and water electrolysis device, water is electrolyzed by supplying water to the cathode side of an electrolytic membrane including a solid polymer membrane provided with a catalyst layer on a surface thereof and creating a potential difference between both surfaces of the electrolytic membrane. The temperature-controlled water is supplied only to the cathode side of the electrolytic membrane, while controlling the difference in pressure between both surfaces of the electrolytic membrane to 50 kPa or less.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a fluoropolymer article having a high surface roughness and high coarseness which comprises the following steps: a) forming a paste comprising a fluoropolymer into a paste-formed fluoropolymer product at a temperature lower than 50° C., b) densifying the paste-formed product, and c) stretching the densified paste-formed fluoropolymer product in at least one direction. The present invention further relates to a fluoropolymer article obtainable by a process according to the invention. The present invention furthermore relates to a fiber comprising, or consisting of, a fluoropolymer having a surface roughness expressed as a peak to valley distance (Rt) greater than 10 micrometer and/or an average surface roughness (Ra) greater than 1.5 micrometer. The present invention furthermore relates to a membrane comprising, or consisting of, a fluoropolymer having a coarseness index ?/EBP of at least 0.

Abstract: Tissue anchoring devices in the form of microanchors that partially penetrate tissue, thereby avoiding full thickness penetration of the tissue, yet are secure enough to enable reliable device fixation and easy removal of the device while maintaining normal GI tract functions.

Abstract: Water impermeable, air permeable membrane assemblies are described herein. In some embodiments, the assemblies include a polymer membrane and at least one support structure. Certain assemblies are configured to provide an acoustic impedance having phase angle of +45 degrees to ?45 over a frequency range of 50 to 20,000 Hz.

Abstract: Glaucoma treatment devices are disclosed. In various example, the glaucoma treatment devices include multiple microporous layers arranged together to form a microporous body configured to help facilitate evacuation of fluid from a fluid-filled body cavity, and reabsorption of the evacuated aqueous humor by the body through tissue surrounding the glaucoma treatment device. In some examples, the glaucoma treatment device includes one or more portions configured to resist cellular ingrowth, and one or more portions configured to permit cellular ingrowth.

Abstract: The present disclosure is flexible and stretchable conductive articles that include a printed circuit and a stretchable substrate. The printed circuit contains an electrically conductive trace. The electrically conductive trace may be positioned on the surface of or be imbibed into the pores through the thickness of a synthetic polymer membrane. The synthetic polymer membrane is compressed in the x-y direction such that buckling of the membrane occurs in the z-direction. Additionally, the synthetic polymer membrane may be porous or non-porous. In some embodiments, the synthetic polymer membrane is microporous. The printed circuit may be discontinuously bonded to the stretchable substrate. Advantageously, the flexible, conductive articles retain conductive performance over a range of stretch. In some embodiments, the conductive articles have negligible resistance change when stretched up to 50% strain. The printed circuits may be integrated into garments, such as smart apparel or other wearable technology.

Abstract: Various aspects of the instant disclosure relate to flow devices including filters and occluders for modifying flow in body conduits such as blood vessels. In some examples, such devices include a support structure and a flow media coupled to the support structure. The medical device generally further includes one or more capture features. In some examples, the capture features are coupled to the support structure at one or more of the proximal and distal ends of the support structure. In various examples, the capture features facilitate retrograde and antegrade deployment of the medical device and retrograde and antegrade capture of the medical device.

Abstract: A catheter package and method of use which serve to straighten a curved catheter shaft. The straightening of the catheter shaft may be accomplished by passing the shaft through a pathway that bends the catheter in the opposite direction of the curvature imparted to the catheter shaft. The catheter shaft pathway may incorporate various shaped bumps, ridges, pins or rollers or other features which assist in straightening the shaft.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes treatment of the vasculature of a patient with an expandable implant. The implant is constrained to a reduced delivery diameter for delivery within the vasculature by at least one sleeve. The implant can be constrained to other diameters, such as an intermediate diameter. The sleeves can be expanded, allowing for expansion of the diameter of the expandable implant, by disengaging a coupling member from the sleeve or sleeves from outside of the body of the patient. The expandable implant can comprise a steering line or lines which facilitate bending and steering of the expandable implant through the vasculature of a patient.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to composite membranes having: increased volume of the microporous polymer structure relative to the total volume of the PEM; decreased permeance and thus increased selectivity; and lower ionomer content. An increased amount of polymers of the microporous polymer structure is mixed with a low equivalent weight ionomer (e.g., <460 cc/mole eq) to obtain a composite material having at least two distinct materials. Various embodiments provide a composite membrane comprising a microporous polymer structure that occupies from 13 vol % to 65 vol % of a total volume of the composite membrane, and an ionomer impregnated in the microporous polymer structure. The acid content of the composite membrane is 1.2 meq/cc to 3.5 meq/cc, and/or the thickness of the composite membrane is less than 17 microns. The selectivity of the composite membrane is greater than 0.05 MPa/mV, based on proton conductance and hydrogen permeance.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods that include device for chordae tendineae repair. The device may include a flexible cord having a first end and a second end; and a helical wire configured to attach to one of the first end and the second end of the flexible cord and anchor the flexible cord to a leaflet of a heart valve; and a capture device having a channel and configured to clamp the leaflet of the heart valve and deliver the flexible cord through the channel to anchor the helical wire to the leaflet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for occluding an anatomical aperture, such as an atrial septal defect (ASD) or a patent foramen ovale (PFO). The occluder includes two sides connected by a central tube. In some embodiments, the occluder is formed from filaments that are joined together to define a substantially cylindrical form with openings defining struts. Upon the application of force, the struts deform into loops. The loops may be of various shapes, sizes, and configurations, and, in at least some embodiments, the loops have rounded peripheries. The occluder further includes a catch system that maintains its deployed state in vivo. When the occluder is deployed in vivo, the two sides are disposed on opposite sides of the septal tissue surrounding the aperture and the catch system is engaged so that the occluder closes the aperture.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems and methods that include a self-expanding endoprosthesis having a reduced configuration and a deployed configuration. The self-expanding endoprosthesis may include a self-expanding stent element having an enlarged diameter and a graft component attached to at least a portion of the self-expanding stent element and having an enlarged diameter less than the enlarged diameter of the self-expanding stent element in the deployed configuration.

Abstract: A stent graft including a stent having a wall having at least one opening, an outer surface, and an inner surface and a covering of a composite material having a least one expanded fluoropolymer membrane and an elastomer is provided. The cover can be used to cover the outer and/or the inner surface of the stent. The expanded fluoropolymer membrane contains serpentine fibrils. In exemplary embodiments, the fluoropolymer is polytetrafluoroethylene. The composite material may be axially and/or circumferentially wrapped around the stent. The composite material is fold-free throughout its operating diameter range and exhibits a sharp increase in stiffness at a predetermined diameter. The stent graft can be designed to have a stop point in either a radial or axial direction. The stent graft can advantageously be implanted undersized with respect to a nominal diameter without having material infolding.

Abstract: A carrier for a storage bag is disclosed. The carrier includes a base and a lid that define an interior region in a closed configuration. The base and lid are configured to retain the storage bag and tubes of the storage bag within the interior region in the closed configuration. A distance between the base and lid in the closed configuration is adaptable between a contacting position and a floating position to allow for maximum contact of the storage bag with the base and the lid.

Abstract: Glaucoma treatment devices are disclosed. In various example, the glaucoma treatment devices include a body and a fluid conduit that are configured to help facilitate evacuation of fluid from a fluid-filled body cavity, and reabsorption of the evacuated aqueous humor by the body through tissue surrounding the glaucoma treatment device. In some examples, the glaucoma treatment device is configured such that a flow resistance through the fluid conduit can be modified post-operatively one or more times.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices for connecting tissue layers, such as for connecting a gallbladder and a portion of a gastrointestinal tract to create an anastomosis, include a tubular structure having a plurality of apposition portions, a central region, and a covering material. The devices are endoscopically deployable and may include open cells or undulating edges that facilitate a secure connection between the tissue structures.

Abstract: An implantable therapy delivery device that includes a porous pouch and a cell encapsulation device configured to fit inside the porous pouch. The porous pouch may include a bio-absorbable material and/or a vascularization promotor, and the porous pouch may be packaged separately from the cell encapsulation device.