Abstract: A sleeve with interior barbs that are designed to grasp a tissue and fix the tissue to a body part such as a bone are described. Optionally, the sleeve exterior surface includes a fastener configured to fix the sleeve relative to the body part. Optionally, the wall of the sleeve includes a plurality of wall holes. Methods of using the barbed sleeve in surgery are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided that includes an implant structure, which includes a contracting mechanism, which includes a rotatable structure, arranged such that rotation of the rotatable structure contracts the implant structure. A longitudinal member is coupled to the contracting mechanism. A tool for rotating the rotatable structure is configured to be guided along the longitudinal member, to engage the rotatable structure, and to rotate the rotatable structure in response to a rotational force applied to the tool. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An expandable mammary tissue implant including a shell having an anterior face and a posterior face, the anterior face having an upper pole portion and a lower pole portion meeting at an apex, and an injection zone for receiving fluid therethrough to inflate the implant. The implant further includes a vertical tether member having first and second ends and a central region therebetween having an aperture therethrough. The central region is coupled to the anterior face of the implant at a location such that the injection zone is positioned within the aperture in the central region. The first and second ends of the vertical tether member are coupled to the posterior face of the implant.

Abstract: An implantable medical stent system, including a radially expandable stent including a filamental structure in a pattern surrounding a bore to form a substantially tubular wall along a length relative to a longitudinal axis; wherein the filamental structure includes at least one actuate crown with a crown peak having a radius of curvature located along a reference axis, and first and second arcuate crown shoulders on first and second sides, respectively, of the reference axis; and wherein the filamental structure also includes at least one pair of adjacent first and second elongated struts extending from the first and second crown shoulders, respectively.

Abstract: The inventive is directed to a haptic for fixation to, and manufacture in conjunction with, an intraocular lens to be implanted in the natural lens capsule of the human eye. The haptic secures the lens in an appropriate position within the natural capsule so as to provide optimal visual acuity through the aphakic lens. The haptic ends are designed to position the lens neutrally, anteriorly or posteriorly within the lens envelope. At the connection point of the ribbon portion to the solid end plate of the haptic, the haptic may be notched to facilitate compressing the lens into its injector for insertion into the eye through an incision in the cornea. Once compressed and passed through the cornea, the implanted lens will be secured by the haptics in the lens capsule once all possible natural lens material and epithelial cells have been removed.

Abstract: A prosthetic aortic valve includes an annular, annulus inflow portion that is designed to reside in or near the patient's native aortic valve annulus, and an annular, aortic outflow portion that is designed to reside in the patient's aorta downstream from at least a portion of the valsalva sinus. The annulus inflow portion and the aortic outflow portion are connected to one another by a plurality of connecting struts that are confined to regions near the commissures of the patient's native aortic valve. The connecting struts are designed to bulge out into the valsalva sinus to help anchor the prosthetic valve in place. The valve is circumferentially collapsible to a relatively small diameter for less-invasive delivery into the patient. The valve circumferentially expands to a larger operational diameter when deployed at the implant site.

Abstract: Systems and methods for medical interventional procedures, including approaches to valve implantation. In one aspect, the methods and systems involve a modular approach to mitral valve therapy.

Abstract: An orthotopic artificial bladder endoprosthesis includes a first portion connectable to a urethra of a patient and a second portion connectable to the ureters of the patient; the first portion including a collapsible cover made of a multi-layered silicone membrane having an external surface and an internal surface both coated with pyrolytic turbostratic carbon; the second portion including a resorbable cap including a fabric of PGA fibers and a frame, coupled with the cap, made using PGA/PLA copolymer; the cover and the cap being connected together along their respective edges, to define an enclosure.

Abstract: A tendon repair implant for treatment of a partial thickness tear in the supraspinatus tendon of the shoulder is provided. The implant may incorporate features of rapid deployment and fixation by arthroscopic means that compliment current procedures; tensile properties that result in desired sharing of anatomical load between the implant and native tendon during rehabilitation; selected porosity and longitudinal pathways for tissue in-growth; sufficient cyclic straining of the implant in the longitudinal direction to promote remodeling of new tissue to tendon-like tissue; and, may include a bioresorbable construction to provide transfer of additional load to new tendon-like tissue and native tendon over time.

Abstract: A tendon repair implant for treatment of a partial thickness tear in the supraspinatus tendon of the shoulder is provided. The implant may incorporate features of rapid deployment and fixation by arthroscopic means that compliment current procedures; tensile properties that result in desired sharing of anatomical load between the implant and native tendon during rehabilitation; selected porosity and longitudinal pathways for tissue in-growth; sufficient cyclic straining of the implant in the longitudinal direction to promote remodeling of new tissue to tendon-like tissue; and, may include a bioresorbable construction to provide transfer of additional load to new tendon-like tissue and native tendon over time.

Abstract: A prosthetic element enables the stapes footplate to be connected to the foot of a middle ear ossicular prosthesis. The prosthetic connection element is of biocompatible material and forms part of the foot or is connected or connectable to this latter, and includes a body provided with a flat surface intended to rest on the footplate and having an area sufficient to prevent reabsorption of the footplate osseous tissue as a result of the pressure which the ossicular prosthesis exerts on the footplate. The prosthetic element includes at least two pointed projections projecting from the flat surface and to penetrate the footplate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to an intraocular lens system having a plurality of haptics for use with an optic. In general, the haptics are adapted to move independently in response to forces associated with a ciliary muscle and/or zonules of an eye when implanted. The optic may be releasably secured to the system using, for example, a plurality of optic securing arms. Alternatively, the optic may be fused to the haptics, which may project radially outward from the optic. A restraining arm may be included to limit movement of the haptics during accommodation and/or disaccommodation. Clamping members may be included for securing the system to a capsular bag of the eye. Methods of implanting the intraocular lens system into the eye are also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a nasal valve condition including surgically forming an access path to create a pocket on a side of the patient's nose. The pocket is positioned between a soft tissue layer and opposing surfaces of upper and lower cartilages of the nose. The pocket spans a junction between the upper and lower cartilages. An implant is placed through the access path into the pocket with a length oriented to span the junction. A delivery system for placement of the implant includes a surgical tool for forming the access path and for delivering the implant into the access path.

Abstract: A joint and method for producing a joint in an endovascular graft. In one embodiment, a flap of a flexible material portion of an endovascular graft is folded about a portion of an expandable member to form a loop portion. The flap is secured in the loop configuration so that tensile force on the expandable member is transferred into a shear force on the fixed portion of the flap.

Abstract: A stent for use in a medical procedure having opposing sets of curved apices, where the curved section of one set of apices has a radius of curvature that is greater than the curved section of the other set of apices. One or more such stents may be attached to a graft material for use in endovascular treatment of, for example, aneurysm, thoracic dissection, or other body vessel condition.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis is provided having a membrane which holds a flowable substance. The membrane is separated into a first chamber and a second chamber with the first and second chambers being fluidly coupled via an orifice. The orifice has a size which may be adjusted by the user after implanting the prosthesis into the patient.

Abstract: A middle ear ossicle prosthesis in which the component for ossicular attachment comprises a surface bearing a plurality of discrete projections facing the ossicle to which it is attached which minimize total contact between the prosthesis and the ossicle. The prosthesis may comprise a loop forming a partial circle for encircling an ossicle, a piston for transmitting vibrations from the loop to the inner ear, and a rod solidly connecting the loop to the piston. The loop may have an upwardly turned end to facilitate placement of the loop over the ossicle. The projections may be provided in one row, two rows, or may be otherwise arrayed, and may be dissimilar from one another in configuration and dimensions.

Abstract: An intraocular lens designed to separate and prevent fibrosis of the anterior capsular rim with the posterior capsule where it surrounds the optic.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for controlled loading of a reconstructed human or animal tissue during the healing phase, comprising an anchor element (10) for implanting in a first bone (50), at least one connecting element (20), and one retaining element (30) for the at least one connecting element (20) on a second bone (40). The anchor element (10) and/or the connecting element (20) and/or the retaining element (30) are made of self-dissolving bioresorbable material.

Abstract: A ureteral stent comprising a short renal coil made of a pliable material and a wick portion made of a material having a hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity different from that of the renal coil and extending from a ureteropelvic junction to a bladder so as to assist in the transfer of urine out of a kidney and into the bladder and to improve patient comfort. Due to increased hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity, wick may be significantly smaller in diameter than renal coil, resulting in less reflux of urine into the kidney and further decreasing patient discomfort. The stent may further comprise one or more couplers between the renal coil and wick portion, and the wick portion may comprise a sheath surrounding an elastic core to prevent kinking and enhance the ability of the wick portion to move with the patient. A method of ureteral stent placement is also disclosed.