Abstract: In the connection zone, the portion of the haptic part connected to the optic part is situated on the edge of the optic part. The optic part consists of a flexible lens which can be folded or rolled upon insertion of the implant into the anterior chamber. The haptic part has a general form of the number 2 and has an upper free end, a bend, and a lower free end. In the connection zone, the connection between the optic part and the haptic part is rigid.

Abstract: Disclosed are tissue implant materials for use in grafting procedures. More particularly non-vascular tissue for use as vascular graft material and a method of vascular grafting using non-vascular tissue is disclosed. The tissue is preferably autologous relative to the recipient of the graft and is conveniently prepared around or on a molding support inserted into a body cavity of the intended recipient of the graft. These tissues and methods are particularly useful in the treatment or prophylaxis of diseased or damaged blood vessels such as in atherosclerosis.

Abstract: An acetabular cup and method of securing the acetabular cup to an acetabulum so as to provide a bearing surface for a head portion of a femur is provided. The acetabular cup is shaped to provide a cementless, press-fit into a reamed acetabulum. The acetabular cup is formed of a body having a sidewall defining a radius from a center point of the annular rim to the sidewall wherein the radius increases in length from the apex to said annular rim. The method of securing the acetabular cup first includes reaming the acetabulum with a reamer having a head with a radius of curvature that is less than the radius from the center point to the annular rim of the acetabular cup.

Abstract: A multi-component stent-graft assembly for repairing a lesion in a blood vessel, preferably a thoracic dissecting aneurysm, the assembly comprising a frame stent that is affixed to the vessel, in the healthy portions of the vessel and extending along the entire lesion of the vessel, and a stent-graft which is affixed against the inside of the frame stent, the stent-graft being located at the desired locations within the affected portion of the vessel no matter the vessel wall is in conditions to retain the stent-graft, because the retention will be provided by the frame stent.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for repairing an anatomical defect, such as a soft tissue and muscle wall defect. The prosthesis is configured to reduce the likelihood that an applied force at the repair site, such as due to intraabdominal pressure or tissue shrinkage, can lead to detrimental effects associated with tension at the anchoring locations between the prosthesis and host tissue and/or contraction of the prosthesis. In this regard, the prosthesis may be configured to limit the amount of tension at the anchoring locations caused by the application of a force or pressure to the prosthesis and/or contraction of the prosthesis. Alternatively, the prosthesis may be configured to compensate for contraction of the prosthesis due to tissue shrinkage at the repair site. The prosthesis may be configured to both limit tension at the anchoring locations and compensate for tissue shrinkage.

Abstract: A modular elongated stent having an overlap region where two modular components fit together, the overlap region being relatively stiff as compared to another more flexible region of the stent when the stent is in an assembled configuration, the stent further comprising a mimic region that has a stiffness essentially equivalent to the stiffness of the overlap region, to provide kink resistance. A stent having such a mimic region or otherwise stiff region and a flexible region may have a transition region between the stiff and flexible regions, such as a bridging material attached to the stent, also to provide kink resistance. A stent may have relatively stiff regions and relatively flexible regions positioned to align the flexible regions with curved regions of a body lumen when deployed within the body lumen.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed is bone or bone tissue supplemented with a therapeutically effective compound and methods for supplementing bone or bone tissue with the therapeutically effective compound.

Abstract: The vision of an eye having an impaired lens is stored with an artificial lens implant. The method involves replacing the lens by a polymerizable material injected into the emptied lens capsule and thereby providing a new lens implant with a predetermined refractive value, while admitting the possibility of controlling and adjusting the refractive value of the eye during the surgical process.

Abstract: A biocompatible tissue implant, as well as methods for making and using such an implant, is provided. Preferably, the tissue implant is bioabsorbable. The tissue implant comprises one or more layers of a bioabsorbable polymeric foam having pores with an open cell structure. The tissue implant also includes a reinforcement component which contributes both to the mechanical and the handling properties of the implant. Preferably, the reinforcement component is bioabsorbable as well. The tissue implant provided can be used in connection with the surgical repair of soft tissue injury, such as injury to the pelvic floor.

Abstract: An actuation system for assisting the operation of the natural heart comprises a framework for interfacing with a natural heart, through the wall of the heart, which includes an internal framework element configured to be positioned within the interior volume of a heart and an external framework element configured to be positioned proximate an exterior surface of the heart. The internal framework is flexibly suspended with respect to the external frame. An actuator system is coupled to the framework and configured to engage an exterior surface of the heart. The actuator system comprises an actuator band extending along a portion of a heart wall exterior surface. The actuator band is selectively movable between an actuated state and a relaxed state and is operable, when in the actuated state, to assume a predetermined shape and thereby indent a portion of the heart wall to effect a reduction in the volume of the heart.

Abstract: A surgical method of repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall, or annulus fibrosus, after surgical incision or pathologic rupture, through the insertion of a collapsible patch through an aperture into the subannular space and causing or allowing the patch to expand into an expanded configuration to bridge the aperture. The technique thereby occludes the aperture from the interior of the vertebral disc and prevents the migration of nucleus pulposus therethrough.

Abstract: A delivery system and device for re-lining bodily vessels. A stent is attached to a distal end of a tubular lining made of biocompatible material and loaded into a hollow atraumatic tip. A semi-rigid shaft connects the atraumatic tip to a stopper and runs through the center of the tubular lining. The proximal end of the tubular lining is attached to a sliding hub. Optionally, a balloon is positioned near the stent in fluid communication with the shaft. The assembled device is introduced into a bodily vessel following an endarterectomy or atherectomy procedure. The atraumatic tip is delivered to a predetermined location and upon reaching that destination, the stent is released from the tip to expand against the vessel wall. If a balloon is utilized, it is inflated to ensure that the stent is fully deployed within the vessel. The balloon is then deflated arid the tip and shaft are pulled through the expanded stent and tubular lining.

Abstract: A method for implanting cells onto a prosthesis includes the steps of: (a) providing a prosthesis including a porous tube, where at least 25% of the pores on the inner surface of the tube have diameters of more than about 40 &mgr;m, at least 25% of the pores on the outer surface of the tube have diameters of less than about 30 &mgr;m, and the tube includes a substantially continuous layer of a biocompatible material; (b) contacting the prosthesis with a suspension of cells; and (c) providing a pressure differential between the inner surface and the outer surface, whereby the cells are retained in the pores of the inner surface. A method for obtaining an endothelial cell culture from a blood sample involved:(a) obtaining a sample for mononuclear cells from a blood sample; and (b) culturing the sample of mononuclear cells, without further cell separation, on a cell adhesive polymer-coated solid support in the presence of endothelial growth factors.

Abstract: A prosthesis for the replacement of a diseased or traumatized facet of a mammalian vertebra includes a surface that articulates with another prosthetic facet or a natural facet, a portion that replaces at least a bony portion of the diseased or traumatized spine facet which is to be replaced, and an element to attach the prosthesis to the vertebra in a manner that does not require attachment to or abutment against the posterior arch. A method of installing the prosthesis includes the steps of resecting at least a portion of a facet and attaching the prosthesis in a manner that does not require attachment or abutment against the posterior arch.

Abstract: An intravascular stent having struts which overlap, at least partially, when the stent is compressed. The overlapping struts allow the stent to be crimped to a smaller initial delivery diameter than may be achieved with non-overlapping designs for given metal density. The stent has a reduced delivery diameter which allows for the construction of reduced profile stent-delivery systems, which thereby allow for the stenting of smaller vessels than has heretofore been possible.

Abstract: A stent, in particular a coronary stent, for implantation in the region of vessel branchings, comprising a tubular casing with a proximal and a distal end, wherein in the implanted condition the proximal end is arranged in proximal relationship with the vessel branching and the distal end is arranged in distal relationship with the vessel branching, and at least one branching portion, which is arranged at the periphery of the casing and which is provided to open a passage into the branching-off branch of the vessel and which in the implanted condition is arranged in the region of the vessel branching, wherein the branching portion includes at least one first support element, which is provided for supporting the vessel transition and which can be pivoted substantially radially out of the peripheral surface and which extends from a first direction into the branching portion, and wherein the branching portion includes at least one second support element, which is provided for supporting the vessel transition and

Abstract: A novel biomedical material, which is characterized by coating a genetically engineered CBD-RGD peptide layer on the surface of a biomedical material consisting of PU to improve the attachment of tissue cells, such as fibroblasts, epithelial cells and endothelial cells. A modified artificial vessel is also disclosed, wherein the adherence of endothelial cells is enhanced by coating a genetically engineered CBD-RGD containing peptide layer on the inner surface of the artificial vessels pre-modified by cross-linked gelatin, and the adhering capacity and activation of platelets is reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a prosthesis configuration and method for treating acquired flatfoot. The assembly includes a longitudinal piece extending into two foot bones. The piece is positioned such that a maximum force, in the piece, is a tension force when the foot is under a standing load. The piece may be a flexible cable, for example.

Abstract: Inguinal hernia correcting prosthesis having an upper layer and a lower layer connected to each other by a flexible band, the flexible band having a first end fixed to the upper layer next to a recess provided on an edge of the upper layer, and a second end fixed next to a hole provided in the lower layer and connected by a cut to an external edge of the lower layer, the hole being axially aligned with the band and the recess.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis has a medial condyle (1) and a lateral condyle (5), the running surfaces (2) of which and the counter-surfaces A, B of which that lie on a tibia platform (3) are sections of spherical surfaces with radii R1, R2, with their center M1′ and M2′ forming in their vertical projection onto the counter-surfaces A, B the points M1, M2. The lateral counter-surface B belongs to a lateral meniscus part (7) which, guided on a plane (13) of the tibia platform, is pivotal with the point M2 on a circular arc with radius R3 about the point M1, with the radius R3 corresponding to the distance a of the centers M1′, M2′.