Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and devices for the endovascular repair of cardiac valves, particularly the atrioventricular valves which inhibit back flow of blood from a heart ventricle during contraction. The procedures described herein can be performed with interventional tools, guides and supporting catheters and other equipment introduced to the heart chambers from the patient's arterial or venous vasculature remote from the heart. The interventional tools and other equipment may be introduced percutaneously or may be introduced via a surgical cut down, and then advanced from the remote access site through the vasculature until they reach the heart.

Abstract: A radiation and radiochemically sterilized, multi-component, fiber-reinforced composite, absorbable/disintegratable urinogenital stent, such as an endoureteral stent, with radiomodulated residence time in the biological site of 1 to 10 weeks depending on the high energy radiation dose used for sterilization.

Abstract: Described are implants for placing in a body, tools for delivering the implants, and systems and methods for using implants and tools for placing in a body and more particularly to nasal implants, tools for delivering nasal implants, and systems and methods for using such implants and tools. A tool may include a hand-held implant delivery device that holds, moves, orients, inserts, or shapes an implant. An implant may be a biodegradable, longitudinal implant that may be oriented for implantation by an implant delivery device.

Abstract: A stent for repairing post-anastomasis (e.g., bariatric) surgery leaks is formed by an elongated tube having a proximal flare-shaped flange, an enlarged middle section, and a distal flare-shaped flange, where an exterior surface of the elongated tube is substantially covered with a polymer.

Abstract: An orthotopic artificial bladder endoprosthesis includes a casing made of a PGA fiber fabric; the casing having two first connectors for the connection with the ureters of a patient and a second connector for the connection with the urethra of a patient; a support element being inserted in the casing; the support element being switchable between an extended configuration, in which it supports and maintains in position the casing, and a retracted configuration.

Abstract: In order to solve the problem of providing a speaking valve which is of simple construction and which is inexpensive to produce, a speaking valve (1) is proposed which has a cover part (2), a controller (3), a housing part (5) and a filter (8), wherein the housing part provides a valve seat arranged proximally therein, wherein the controller comprises a closure part (4), and wherein the closure part cooperates with the valve seat when the speaking valve is moved from an open position into a closed position, wherein the cover part is formed at least partially of an elastic material, wherein an at least partial deformation of at least one region of the cover part takes place as a result of the speaking valve being moved from the open position into the closed position, and wherein the filter is arranged on the controller in such a way that the filter can substantially follow the movement of the controller.

Abstract: An organ for transplantation having a kidney, a ureter, and a urinary bladder and an organ structure in which a first ureter, a first urinary bladder, a second ureter and a second urinary bladder are sequentially connected to a kidney can produce urine and excrete the produced urine, and thus is useful for transplantation.

Abstract: There is disclosed an implantable medical stent system, including: a radially expandable stent comprising a filamental structure in a pattern surrounding a bore to form a substantially tubular wall along a length relative to a longitudinal axis; in which the filamental structure includes at least one arcuate 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; in which the filamental structure also includes at least one pair of first and second elongated struts extending from the first and second crown shoulders, respectively; the first and second elongated struts have a region of constant maximum width at an intermediate portion and tapering toward the first and second crown shoulders.

Abstract: A valve insertable into a body lumen includes a body region extending in a distal direction away from a proximal rim. The proximal rim defines an outer perimeter of the valve at a proximal end of the valve. The body region forms a first leaflet and a second leaflet, with the first leaflet in contact with the second leaflet to provide the valve with a closed position. The first leaflet includes a first segment in contact with the proximal rim and a second segment in contact with the second leaflet. The first segment is curved to include a convex exterior surface and a concave interior surface of the valve. The second segment is curved to include a concave exterior surface and a convex interior surface of the valve.

Abstract: A voice prosthesis for mounting in a fistula between trachea and esophagus is provided. The voice prosthesis comprises a tubular body having a lumen, a valve disc and a valve seat. The valve disc and a valve seat are arranged in the lumen of the tubular body, such that the valve disc and the valve seat control the connection through the lumen by interaction between the valve disc and the valve seat. A sealing rim is arranged between the valve disc and the valve seat, such that the interaction between the valve disc and the valve seat is obtained via the rim. A method for manufacturing a voice prosthesis is also provided.

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: An expansible ear canal insert for treating TMJ disorders and headaches which acts directly on the TMJ and associated ligament and muscle structures to reduce stress and loads placed on the articulator disc located between the temporal bone and the mandible, as well as supportive muscles and ligaments near the TMJ. The insert is adapted to expand by application of body heat. In the expanded condition, the insert provides support to the TMJ and associated ligament and muscle structures.

Abstract: A lung volume reduction system is disclosed comprising an implantable device adapted to be delivered to a lung airway of a patient in a delivery configuration and to change to a deployed configuration to bend the lung airway. The invention also discloses a method of bending a lung airway of a patient comprising inserting a device into the airway in a delivery configuration and bending the device into a deployed configuration, thereby bending the airway.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the invention is directed to an endoluminal device comprising a stent and a sleeve. In one embodiment, the endoluminal device is implanted in a portion of the gastrointestinal tract. In some embodiments, the stent has a first region and a second region where the first and second regions provide different levels of radial force. In one embodiment, the first region is made from a plurality of first wires having a first diameter and the second region is made from a plurality of second wires having a second diameter which is smaller than the first diameter. In other embodiments, the endoluminal device has at least one engagement mechanism engaging the stent to the sleeve, the endoluminal device to a body lumen, and any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the endoluminal device has a wall with at least one opening therein.

Abstract: This relates to treating airways in a lung to decrease asthmatic symptoms. The also includes steps of measuring a parameter of an airway at a plurality of locations in a lung, identifying at least one treatment site from at least one of the plurality of locations based on the parameter, and applying energy to the treatment site to reduce the ability of the site to narrow.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a ureteral stent, having an elongated tube configured to be inserted into a ureter; a first end having a retainer portion configured to be inserted into a kidney; and a second end configured to be inserted into a bladder, the second end having an anchor portion fluidicly coupled with the first end, the second end having a collapsible wall expandable to a cross-sectional size greater than the cross-sectional size of the ureter; a tube port fluidicly coupled with the first end; and a flapper valve having at least two valve ends coupled to the anchor portion over the port; and a flexible middle portion between the at least two valve ends configured to flex toward the port to cover the port with a predetermined amount of ambient pressure in the bladder and flex away from the port when ambient pressure is lower than the predetermined amount.

Abstract: An implant assembly for introducing and positioning implants within patients may comprise an implant device, an implant, and a sheath. The implant device may include a head, an upper beam, a lower beam, and an implant positioning component. The implant may be disposed between the upper beam and the lower beam and may include a first face engaged with the upper beam and a second face engaged with the lower beam. Additionally, the implant may be at least partially disposed around the implant positioning component. The sheath may be disposed around the implant positioning device and the implant.

Abstract: Devices, systems and/or methods for repairing soft tissue adjacent a repair site. In one embodiment, a repair device includes a plate member and an anchor. The plate member having a periphery, the plate member configured to be positioned along an outer surface of the soft tissue. The anchor includes a base and six legs extending from the base, the six legs extending from the base being moveable to a curled configuration such that the six legs wrap around separate portions of the periphery of the plate member with the soft tissue therebetween. In this manner, the repair device may be anchored to the soft tissue.

Abstract: There is provided a method for controlling a flow of sperms in a uterine tube formed by a uterine tube wall of a patient. The method comprises gently constricting (i.e., without substantially hampering the blood circulation in the uterine tube wall) at least one portion of the uterine tube wall to influence the flow of sperms in the uterine tube, and stimulating the constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the uterine tube wall portion to further influence the flow of sperms in the uterine tube. The method can be used for restricting or stopping the flow of sperms in the uterine tube, or for actively moving the fluid in the uterine tube, with a low risk of injuring the uterine tube.

Abstract: A selectively expandable breast implant and method for tissue expansion are provided herein. The implant includes a flexible shell, an expandable material inside the flexible shell, and a plurality of closed conducting loops within the expandable material. The closed conducting loops absorb energy from a varying magnetic field external to the implant and generate heat, to heat the surrounding expandable material, and the expandable material expands in size based on the amount of heat generated by the closed conducting loops. The expandable material comprises a plurality of expandable microspheres that expands in response to the heat created by the closed conducting loops. The heat induction mechanism enables the closed conducting loops to generate heat for expansion of the expandable material in the implant. The implant can expand uniformly or in areas designated for selective shaping.