Abstract: A polymeric tube is positioned on a polymeric mandrel and then laser cut to form an implantable medical device, such as a stent. The assembly and method reduces contamination of the inner surface of the stent, which would be caused if conventional glass or metal mandrels are used, while simultaneously reducing damage to the inner surface of the stent due to the shielding effect of the polymeric mandrel.

Abstract: Bioresorbable scaffolds for bone engineering, such as repair of bone defects, particularly long bone defects, or augmentation of bone length are described. Scaffolds are porous and comprise multiple side channels. In one embodiment, scaffolds are made from layers of micro-filament meshes comprising polycaprolactone (PCL) or a PCL-composite sequentially laid in incremental 60 degrees of rotation to produce a 0/60/120 degree layering pattern, providing for the formation of interconnected pores. The scaffold can comprise a central channel filled, packed or infused with suitable agents such as bioactive agents. Furthermore, the scaffolds are stiff but yet fracture resistant and with sufficient bending, compressive and torsional strength suitable for bone engineering. The slow degradation of the scaffold is sufficient for the 3D matrix to maintain structure integrity and mechanical properties during the remodelling process.

Abstract: A prosthesis including a support structure for enhancing kink and/or crush resistance. The support structure is connected to an outer surface of the prosthesis and includes at least two components, one of which has a lower melting point than the other. The component with the lower melting point is used to connect the support structure to the outer surface of the prosthesis.

Abstract: An implantable digestive organ is provided for the transport of materials through the digestive tract and in one particular application to an artificial large bowel for replacing all or part of a colon. The prosthetic organ of one embodiment includes an outer support structure, an expandable member or members located within the support structure, and a flexible inner member forming a conduit for passage of material. The inner member is located within the outer member and the expandable member(s) is located between the inner member and the support structure. The expandable members are expanded and contracted, or inflated and deflated to provide pumping action that pumps material through the organ. The prosthesis may also include valves or sphincters at its entrance and/or exit points where material moves into and out of the prosthesis. An implantable pump may be included for inflating and deflating the expandable members in a desired sequence.

Abstract: An implant device having a non-conductive base structure with at least two exposed or exterior surfaces wherein at least one of the exposed or exterior surfaces has attained electrical conductivity on at least portions of the surface by an energy exposure wherein portions of the exposed or exterior surfaces are transformed by the energy exposure to attain the electrical conductivity.

Abstract: A radially expandable prosthesis for implantation in a lumen comprises a tubular wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. The tubular wall is provided with cuts to form solid struts which have a thickness and which enables the prosthesis to expand. The solid struts have reservoirs made therethrough in the form of perforating holes for containing a therapeutic agent. The perforating holes each have an inner opening and an outer opening of substantially the same size. The prosthesis, including said perforating holes, has a smooth electrochemically polished surface.

Abstract: Trials for a reverse shoulder system are described. The trials generally include an insert housed within a humeral cup. The insert has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end having a concave recess therein adapted to receive a glenosphere prosthesis. The distal end of the insert includes a shaft, the shaft is substantially housed within the confines of the humeral cup. A distal end of the humeral cup is inserted in a humeral stem.

Abstract: A joint prosthesis system has two implant components and a bearing. One of the implant components has an articulation surface for articulation with the bearing. The other implant component has a mounting surface for supporting the bearing. At least one of the first and second components includes a recess and a stud in the recess. The joint prosthesis also includes an extension mounted on the stud and extending out from the bone-engaging surface to an end. Part of the extension is received in the recess.

Abstract: An osteotomy method includes attaching a patient-specific osteotomy guide to a corresponding surface of a tibia of a patient and making an osteotomy at a patient-specific orientation through a resection slot of the osteotomy guide. The osteotomy guide is removed and first and second faces of the osteotomy are opened to form an implant insertion angle. The first and second faces of the osteotomy are secured at the implant insertion angle and an osteotomy implant having a patient-specific wedge angle that is smaller than the implant insertion angle is implanted. The first and second faces of the osteotomy are brought to the patient-specific wedge angle and in contact with the osteotomy implant.

Abstract: A stent is provided with a coating having a variable drug release rate. The release rate can be greater over a curved or bent segment of a strut network as compared to generally linear segments of the strut network. The coating can have a barrier region that is thicker over the generally linear segments. The coating can have a drug mixed with polymers. The curved or bent segment can have a greater amount of a polymer having relatively high drug permeability as compared to the generally linear segments.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve in combination with a delivery assembly that includes a first elongate component that is movably disposed to a second elongate component. The delivery assembly has a temporary valve location relative to the delivery assembly to which the prosthetic heart valve can be releasably mounted in position and a spaced implantation location relative to the delivery assembly to which the prosthetic heart valve can also be releasably mounted in position. The prosthetic heart valve and delivery assembly combination is configurable with movement of the first elongate component relative to the second elongate component from a delivery state with the prosthetic heart valve mounted in the temporary location to an implantation state with the prosthetic heart valve repositioned from the temporary, location to the implantation location so that the prosthetic heart valve can subsequently be deployed from the implantation location.

Abstract: A tibial prosthesis assembly can comprise a tibial tray and a tibial insert. The tibial tray can have an inferior bone engaging surface, a superior surface, and a first retaining feature. The tibial insert can have an inferior tray engaging surface, a superior bearing surface, and a second retaining feature. The first and second retaining features can cooperate to inhibit substantial lift-off of the tibial insert away from the superior surface of the tibial tray while permitting a predetermined amount of rotation of the tibial insert around the superior surface in an assembled position.

Abstract: A bone fusion device provides stability to bones during a bone fusion period. The bones include, for example, the vertebrae of a spinal column. The bone fusion device comprises one or more extendable tabs attached to the bone fusion device by associated rotating means. The bone fusion device is preferably inserted by using an arthroscopic surgical procedure. During arthroscopic insertion of the device, the tabs are pre-configured for compactness. In this compact configuration, the tabs are preferably deposed along and/or within an exterior surface of the bone fusion device. After the bone fusion device has been positioned between the bones, one or more tab(s) are extended. In the preferred embodiment, the position of each tab is related to a positioning element and extending blocks. Typically, the tabs advantageously position and brace the bone fusion device in the confined space between the bones until the bones have fused.

Abstract: A shoulder joint repair prosthesis (12, 14) comprises a support structure which comprises anchorage points (24) which are in the installed configuration positioned adjacent positions of the anatomical tendinous insertion points of the tendons related to the joint. A securing clamp (30) arrangement connects to the anchorage points with direct rigid connection devices (32), the securing clamp arrangement having a surface area larger than the direct connection devices, the securing clamp arrangement being arranged to clamp the tendons between the securing clamp arrangement and the underlying surface area and providing a fixed gap between clamp and underlying connecting areas to trap any attached bony fragments.

Abstract: A coating of blue-black or black zirconium of uniform and controlled thickness on a zirconium or zirconium alloy material is accomplished through the treatment of an amorphous zirconium or zirconium alloy substrate, which may have an altered surface roughness. The treatment of amorphous zirconium or zirconium alloy substrates includes oxidation of the substrates. A zirconium coating of uniform and controlled thickness is especially useful in various applications because the uniformly thick zirconium surface of controlled depth provide a barrier against implant corrosion caused by ionization of the metal substrates.

Abstract: A augmented glenoid implant assembly for use in performing shoulder arthroplasty is provided. The augmented glenoid implant assembly is used for cooperation with the glenoid fossa of a scapula. The implant assembly includes a first component for attachment to the scapula. The first component defines a support surface for cooperation with the glenoid fossa, a second surface positioned adjacent a buttress formed in the glenoid fossa and an assembly surface. The implant assembly also includes a second component removably secured to the first component. The second component includes an assembly face of the second component. The assembly surface of the second component is in close approximation to the assembly surface of the first component. The second component further includes an articulating surface opposed to the assembly surface.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices usable in the repair of a bone defect are described. A portion of a bone defect is covered with a multilayered membrane that includes a reinforcing layer. A member of the reinforcing member is fastened to an area of bone and soft tissue is secured about the membrane. The membrane facilitates healing of the defect. One membrane comprises a plurality of layers that includes a binding layer and a PTFE layer which has a textured surface and a substantially smooth surface. The textured surface provides a top surface of the membrane and the substantially smooth surface contacts bone.

Abstract: Spinal implants are disclosed. One spinal implant includes a support body, an articulating element, a blocking member and a motion limiting member. The support body includes a superior end surface and a lower end surface having teeth. In between the superior end surface and the lower end surface is a recess formed in a sidewall of the support body for receiving the articulating element. The blocking member can be received in the recess to prevent inadvertent back-out of the articulating element from within the recess. The articulating element can articulate in one or more directions, thereby allowing articulation of the spinal implant into a desired position within a disc space.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-expanding medical implant for placement within a lumen of a patient. The implant comprises a woven or non-woven structure having a substantially tubular configuration, and is designed to be low-profile such that it is deliverable with a small diameter catheter. The implant has a high recoverability and desired mechanical properties.

Abstract: A unit cell for use in a medical device, such as a stent, is disclosed along with a description of a stent formed from a plurality of unit cells and for use in the treatment of restenosis or other vascular narrowing. The unit cell is designed and configured for uniform radial expansion with minimal axial shortening and recoil, and is selectively variable in flexibility and expendability.