Abstract: Various embodiments of craniofacial implants, surgical instruments, and techniques are described to provide improved surgical results.

Abstract: An expandable prosthesis having an imageable structure comprising one or more elements visually distinguishable by an external (e.g., radiographic or ultrasonic) imaging system, the structure being located about a first axis that corresponds to a structural feature of the prosthesis that is configured to perform a specific function particular to that axis. The imageable structure is configured to assist in the rotational orientation of the prosthesis during placement within the implantation site. In one embodiment, the prosthesis comprises a venous valve that includes imageable elements or structure, such as a pair of radiopaque markers, that defines the orifice of the valve structure such that the orifice can be oriented with a particular anatomical feature under imaging, such as to align the orifice with the long axis of the vessel.

Abstract: The technology described herein relates to a stent graft and a method of making the stent wherein the stent comprises interconnected struts and is connected to the graft material by applying at least one band of polymer so as to cover at least a portion of at least some of the struts. A stent supported area is created by the stent's attachment to the graft material and the at least one band of polymer is applied so as to leave the majority of the stent supported area uncovered by the at least one band of polymer.

Abstract: A heart valve sizing ring is disclosed. The sizing ring includes an outer ring; and an inner ring configured and arranged to couple to the outer ring. The outer ring and inner ring having a pair of complementary mating surfaces configured and arranged to grip sutures therebetween when coupled together. When coupled around sutures, the assembled ring may be tightened down against the heart valve to test the fit as if the sizing ring were a similarly sized prosthetic heart valve ring. The surgeon can then remove the sizing ring and replace it with a prosthetic ring.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including a plurality of helical tissue anchors and an intracardiac annuloplasty structure defining a plane for placement on a heart valve annulus. The annuloplasty structure includes a plurality of compressible subunits, and a plurality of anchor mounts alternately disposed with respect to the plurality of compressible subunits. Each anchor mount (a) defines at least one opening for passage therethrough of a respective helical tissue anchor, (b) defines a path for passage therethrough of the helical tissue anchor, the path being aligned along an axis that is at a non-zero angle with respect to the plane of the annuloplasty structure, and (c) provides a structural element in the path for corkscrewing a distal portion of the helical tissue anchor therearound. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A medical device includes an expandable element for location in a blood vessel. The expandable element is movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration, at least a part of a longitudinal axis of the expandable element is curved in three-dimensional space. The medical device can be stent deployment device which includes an elongate catheter shaft and an inflatable balloon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heart valve assembly (1000), comprising a frame (1) and a heart valve (100), wherein the frame (1) supports the heart valve (100) or is interconnected thereto, preferably by sewing or sewing alone, the frame (1) comprising at least a first guiding structure (2a) for guiding at least one tension thread (5) for folding and/or unfolding the frame (1) around or along the frame (1), preferably at an outside or an outer circumference of the guiding structure (2a), wherein the heart valve (100), comprises at least two leaflets (101, 101?, 101?); an interconnecting tissue (301) interconnecting the leaflets (101, 101?, 101?) with the frame; wherein the interconnecting tissue (301) or parts thereof, respectively, is interconnected to at least one of the guiding structures (2a, 2b) such that it covers the guiding structure (2a, 2b) or parts thereof at an inner circumference of the guiding structure (2a, 2b) and such that it also covers at least both an upper part (2c) and a lower part

Abstract: Systems and methods for deploying a prosthesis in a tissue region in a hollow body organ or blood vessel provide a first prosthesis and a second prosthesis, each having a prosthetic material and a scaffold that supports the prosthetic material. The first prosthesis has a proximal neck region, and the second prosthesis has an end region. The end region is sized and configured to telescopically fit with the proximal neck region to form a composite prosthesis. The systems and methods manipulate a fastener attachment assembly to implant at least one fastener to secure the composite prosthesis in the tissue region.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes at least one sealing member. The sealing member is adapted to conform to any surface irregularities found on the inner surface of the valve annulus, including any calcium deposits formed on the valve leaflets. The sealing member can be self-expanding or non-expanding. When deployed, the sealing member is adapted to create a blood tight seal between the prosthetic heart valve and the inner surface of the valve annulus thereby minimizing and/or eliminating perivalvular leakage at the implantation site.

Abstract: An aortic graft device (10) is provided with a graft portion (12) integrally fixed to a corrugated trunk portion (14). A fixing ring (16) is provided between the graft and trunk portions. The trunk portion (14) can be averted into the graft portion, leaving the fixing ring (16) at an extremity of the device for suturing purposes. The fixing ring (16) is preferably made from a relatively stiff material such as a compressed foam or rubber like material, which provides a relatively solid component for a surgeon to hold during suturing and which can provide a strong support for sutures.

Abstract: An intra-annular mounting frame for an aortic valve having native aortic cusps is provided which includes a frame body with native leaflet reorienting curvatures and interconnecting points; the curvatures shaped to be received inside the valve below the native aortic cusps and to reorient the native aortic cusps within the aortic valve, where each of the curvatures extends concavely upward from a reference latitudinal plane tangential to each curvature's base.

Abstract: Methods of treating coronary and peripheral artery disease in diabetic patients with bioresorbable polymer stents are described. The stents may include everolimus.

Abstract: A polymeric heart valve is disclosed including: a valve body having a central axis having a body fluid pathway extending along the central axis from an inflow end to an outflow end; a flexible stent disposed about an outer circumference of the body and including at least three flexible stent posts each extending in the axial direction to a tip; and at least three flexible leaflets extending from the stent, each of the leaflets having an attached edge defining an attachment curve along the stent extending between a respective pair of stent posts.

Abstract: A method is provided of controlling a pump including a electrical motor coupled to a rotor which carries first and second impellers at opposite ends thereof. The method includes: (a) driving the rotor using the motor, so as to circulate fluid from the first impeller through a first fluid circuit, the second impeller, a second fluid circuit, and back to the first impeller; (b) determining a resistance of the first fluid circuit, based on a first motor parameter which is a function of electrical power delivered to the motor; (c) determining a flow rate through the first fluid circuit based on a second motor parameter which is a function of electrical power delivered to the motor; and (d) varying at least one operational parameter of the pump so as to maintain a predetermined relationship between the flow rate and the resistance of the first fluid circuit.

Abstract: An artificial-blood-vessel connector includes: a connector portion which includes a first cylindrical body portion where a male threaded portion and a flat surface portion where the male threaded portion is not formed are alternately formed along a circumferential direction of an outer peripheral surface, and a second cylindrical body portion to be fitted inside an artificial blood vessel; a ferrule which includes a cylindrical portion to be fitted on an outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical body portion by way of the artificial blood vessel by being made to slide linearly on a surface of the artificial blood vessel, and a pawl plate portion in contact with the flat surface portion of the first cylindrical body portion; and a nut threadedly engageable with the male threaded portion of the first cylindrical body portion in a state where the nut covers the ferrule.

Abstract: A biocompatible prosthetic device comprising a thin low friction spacer for location to overlie a bone member in an interpositional location between opposed bone joint articular surfaces. The prosthesis is preferably a thin spacer with at least one low friction surface, the spacer being adapted for location about a bone member in an interpositional location between opposed bone joint articular surfaces preferably about a margin of articular cartilage of a bone member's condyle, preferably without any modification of the articular surface of the condyle. One preferred use of a prosthesis is in a human temporomandibular joint as a thin cap-like member fitted closely over the mandibular condyle to be disposed intermediate of the mandibular condyle and the mandibular fossa of the temporomandibular joint.

Abstract: A balloon expandable anchor for a medical device. The anchor barb is contained within the device compacted delivery profile and is balloon expanded to rest outside of the expanded device profile.

Abstract: A medical fixation device having a device attachment portion, a compression bearing portion and a barb portion. The barb portion is separated from a device constraining means by the incorporation of the compression bearing portion.

Abstract: Disclosed are liquid cast biodegradable arterial stents and methods for preparing liquid cast biodegradable arterial stents. The typically includes a biodegradable polymer and may include an agent for treating neointimal hyperplasia.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis configured for deployment within a native heart valve. The heart valve prosthesis includes a tubular stent and a prosthetic valve component disposed within and secured to the stent. In addition, at least two positioning elements are coupled to a distal end of the stent to position and anchor the prosthesis within the native heart valve. Each positioning element transforms from a compressed configuration in which the positioning elements distally extend from the distal end of the stent to a deployed configuration in which the positioning elements proximally extend from the distal end of the stent. Each positioning element includes at least one U-shaped or V-shaped support arm that bends radially outward and then towards an outer surface of the stent such that it translates more than ninety degrees from the compressed configuration. Each positioning element may include an outer support arm and an inner support arm.