Abstract: The invention relates to an endoprosthesis (1), in particular a vascular stent or a heart stent, comprising at least one body (3) part. At least one area (5,6) of an outer surface, preferably the whole outer surface, of the at least one body part (3) is provided with thrombogenic fibers (2). The invention further relates to methods of manufacturing endoprostheses (1).

Abstract: An annuloplasty system is provided which comprises an annuloplasty ring assembly (2), at least one sensor (8) and an external monitor (5) or a prompting device. The annuloplasty ring assembly (2) has an interface adapted to establish an operative connection with a manipulator. The manipulator is utilized for manipulating the annuloplasty ring assembly (2). The sensor (8) is configured to detect regurgitation (13, 34). The external monitor (5) or the prompting device is adapted to provide, e.g. display, information based on the detected regurgitation (13, 34).

Abstract: An adjustable annuloplasty device comprising a tube having a basically annular shape or adopted to be brought into an annular shape. At least one portion, preferably three portions, of an outer wall or the whole outer wall of the tube is more rigid than opposite portion(s) of an inner wall or the whole inner wall. The inner wall is arranged nearer to an inside area defined by the annular shape than the outer wall. The inner wall is adapted to be displaced inwardly at least along less rigid portion(s) of the circumference upon actuation by at least one actuation element while the outer wall remains basically constant.

Abstract: An adjustable annuloplasty device (1) which comprises a tubular, longitudinally extending cage (2) having a basically annular shape or being adapted to be brought into an annular shape upon release from a delivery device (3). The annuloplasty device additionally comprises a separate, tubular, longitudinally extending base (4) having at least a part of the basically annular shape of the cage (2) or being adapted to be brought into at least partially into the annular shape of the cage (2) upon release from a delivery device. The tubular cage (2) is attachable to the base (4) and the base (4) is flexible such that the annular shape of the base (4) is adjustable.

Abstract: An adjustable annuloplasty ring assembly (10) comprises a support ring (30), an adjustable ring (32) nested at least partly within the support ring, and at least one deployable pressing element (34) for deforming the adjustable ring using the support ring (30) as support. Plural pressing elements (34) may be used at different positions around rings. Each pressing element (34) may have a variable extents of deployment, to vary the extent of deformation of the adjustable ring at the position of the pressing element. Each pressing element may comprise a deflectable blade (40), and the state of the blade may be retained by a ratchet (50). The pressing elements may be operated in a predetermined controlled sequence.

Abstract: An annuloplasty system is provided, which comprises an annuloplasty ring assembly, at least one sensor and an external monitor or a prompting device. The annuloplasty ring assembly has an interface adapted to establish an operative connection with a manipulator. The manipulator is utilized for manipulating said annuloplasty ring assembly. The sensor is configured to detect regurgitation. The external monitor or the prompting device is adapted to provide, e.g. display, information based on said detected regurgitation.

Abstract: A medical device including an artificial contractile structure, which may be advantageously used to assist the functioning of a hollow organ, is provided. The medical device includes an artificial contractile structure including at least one contractile element adapted to contract an organ in such a way that the contractile element is in a resting or in an activated position; at least one actuator designed to activate the contractile structure; and at least one source of energy for powering the actuator. The actuator includes an electromotor and a transmission element linking the electromotor to the contractile element, the transmission element being configured to transmit to the contractile element a force induced by the electromotor.

Abstract: A medical device including an artificial contractile structure, which may be advantageously used to assist the functioning of a hollow organ, is provided. The medical device includes an artificial contractile structure including at least one contractile element adapted to contract an organ in such a way that the contractile element is in a resting or in an activated position; at least one actuator designed to activate the contractile structure; and at least one source of energy for powering the actuator. The actuator includes an electromotor and a transmission element linking the electromotor to the contractile element, the transmission element being configured to transmit to the contractile element a force induced by the electromotor.

Abstract: An adjustable annuloplasty device (1) comprising a tube (2) having a basically annular shape or adopted to be brought into an annular shape. At least one portion, preferably three portions, of an outer wall (3) or the whole outer wall of the tube (2) is more rigid than opposite portion(s) of an inner wall (4) or the whole inner wall (4). The inner wall is arranged nearer to an inside (5) area defined by the annular shape than the outer wall (3). The inner wall (4) is adapted to be displaced inwardly at least along less rigid portion(s) of the circumference upon actuation by at least one actuation element (10) while the outer wall (4) remains basically constant.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an actuating device for actuating a mechanical adjustment element of surgical implant, said mechanical adjustment element allowing to modify the functional shape and/or the functional size of the surgical implant when actuated, said actuating device comprising transmission means linked with one end to the mechanical adjustment element and able to move the mechanical adjustment element when said transmission means are actuated, connecting means (7) mounted on the other end of the transmission means and able to actuate the transmission means, said connecting means (7) comprising coupling means and driving means (24) comprising complementary shaped coupling means, said driving means (24) being designed to be removable and fitted into the coupling means for moving the mechanical adjustment element by driving into movement a movable part of the connecting means (7).

Abstract: An adjustable annuloplasty ring assembly (10) comprises a support ring (30), an adjustable ring (32) nested at least partly within the support ring, and at least one deployable pressing element (34) for deforming the adjustable ring using the support ring (30) as support. Plural pressing elements (34) may be used at different positions around rings. Each pressing element (34) may have a variable extents of deployment, to vary the extent of deformation of the adjustable ring at the position of the pressing element. Each pressing element may comprise a deflectable blade (40), and the state of the blade may be retained by a ratchet (50). The pressing elements may be operated in a predetermined controlled sequence.

Abstract: A medical device including artificial contractile structures generally devised to be used in the medical field. Such structures may be advantageously used to assist the functioning of an organ. The medical device includes an artificial contractile structure having at least two contractile elements (100) adapted to contract an organ, in such way that each of the contractile elements (100) can be in a resting or in an activated position, independently of the position of each other, the activated position being defined with the contractile element (100) constricting the organ and the resting position being defined with the contractile element (100) not constricting the organ, and at least one actuator designed to activate the contractile structure. Each contractile element (100) is connected to an adjacent contractile element (100), while remaining flexible one with respect to the other.

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring system for repairing an atrioventricular cardiac valve includes an external support ring (2), an inner adjustable ring (4), a sliding pushing element (6) mounted between the external and inner rings (2, 4), and actuating element designed to control the pushing element (6). The pushing element (6) is designed, when actuated by the actuating element, to slide between the external ring (2) and the inner ring (4) and to press on the inner ring (4) by using the external ring (2) as a support, in such a way that a precise part of the inner ring (4) is deformed without modifying the perimeter of the inner ring (4).

Abstract: The present invention concerns an actuating device for actuating a mechanical adjustment element of surgical implant, said mechanical adjustment element allowing to modify the functional shape and/or the functional size of the surgical implant when actuated, said actuating device comprising transmission means linked with one end to the mechanical adjustment element and able to move the mechanical adjustment element when said transmission means are actuated, connecting means (7) mounted on the other end of the transmission means and able to actuate the transmission means, said connecting means (7) comprising coupling means and driving means (24) comprising complementary shaped coupling means, said driving means (24) being designed to be removable and fitted into the coupling means for moving the mechanical adjustment element by driving into movement a movable part of the connecting means (7).

Abstract: An artificial contractile structure generally devised to be used in the medical field to assist the functioning of an organ, includes a support (2) and one or more fibers (5) fixed thereto. The fibers are made of a contractile material which can be activated by an activator so as to provide the structure in a rest or activated position, the activated position being defined with fibers of reduced length compared to their length in the rest position. The structure is adapted to be placed around a hollow part of an organ to be contracted. The fibers are distributed along the support in order to be able to reduce the volume of the hollow part, when the fibers are contracted. The fibers and the activator are designed so that the temperature of fluids or tissues surrounding the organ does not increase above 40° C., preferably 39° C., and more preferably 38° C.

Abstract: A medical device including artificial contractile structures generally devised to be used in the medical field. Such structures may be advantageously used to assist the functioning of an organ. The medical device includes an artificial contractile structure having at least two contractile elements (100) adapted to contract an organ, in such way that each of the contractile elements (100) can be in a resting or in an activated position, independently of the position of each other, the activated position being defined with the contractile element (100) constricting the organ and the resting position being defined with the contractile element (100) not constricting the organ, and at least one actuator designed to activate the contractile structure. Each contractile element (100) is connected to an adjacent contractile element (100), while remaining flexible one with respect to the other.

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring system for repairing an atrioventricular cardiac valve includes an external support ring (2), an inner adjustable ring (4), a sliding pushing element (6) mounted between the external and inner rings (2, 4), and actuating element designed to control the pushing element (6). The pushing element (6) is designed, when actuated by the actuating element, to slide between the external ring (2) and the inner ring (4) and to press on the inner ring (4) by using the external ring (2) as a support, in such a way that a precise part of the inner ring (4) is deformed without modifying the perimeter of the inner ring (4).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device including an artificial contractile structure which may be advantageously used to assist the functioning of a hollow organ. The medical device includes an artificial contractile structure including at least one contractile element (100) adapted to contract an organ, in such way that the contractile element (100) is in a resting or in an activated position, at least one actuator designed to activate the contractile structure, and at least one source of energy for powering the actuator. The ratio “current which is needed to maintain the contractile element in its activated position/current which is needed to change the position of the contractile element” is less than 1/500, preferably less than 1/800, and more preferably less than 1/1000.

Abstract: An artificial contractile structure generally devised to be used in the medical field to assist the functioning of an organ, includes a support (2) and one or more fibers (5) fixed thereto. The fibers are made of a contractile material which can be activated by an activator so as to provide the structure in a rest or activated position, the activated position being defined with fibers of reduced length compared to their length in the rest position. The structure is adapted to be placed around a hollow part of an organ to be contracted. The fibers are distributed along the support in order to be able to reduce the volume of the hollow part, when the fibers are contracted. The fibers and the activator are designed so that the temperature of fluids or tissues surrounding the organ does not increase above 40° C., preferably 39° C., and more preferably 38° C.

Abstract: Artificial contractile tissue including a structure (b,f) and several fibers (a,g) of variable length which are fixed at their ends to the structure (b,f). The fibers (a,g) are made of a contractile material which can be activated by an activator in such a way as to provide a tissue in a rest or in an activated position, the rest position being defined with non-rectilinear fibers (a,g) and the activated position being defined with fibers (a,g) of reduced length; the transition from the rest towards the activated position or vice-versa being defined by a fiber movement along a lateral direction which is perpendicular with respect to the fiber length.