Abstract: An intervertebral spacer device having a pair of opposing plates for seating against opposing vertebral bone surfaces, separated by at least one spring mechanism. The preferred spring mechanism is at least one spirally slotted belleville washer having radially spaced concentric grooves. In a preferred embodiment there is a single such belleville washer which is modified to mount onto a ball-shaped head. The lower plate of this embodiment includes a post extending upwardly from the inner surface of the plate, the post including a ball-shaped head. The modified belleville washer can be rotatably mounted to the head such that the wider portion of the washer seats against the upper plate.

Abstract: An improved total disc replacement system and related methods, wherein a pair of anchor plates, each adapted to engage a vertebral body, and a translating internal member are provided. The translating internal member boasts the ability to move or translate between the anchor plates without compromising the conformity of the interface between the translating internal member and the anchor plates. In a significant aspect, the anchor plates may be locked in place relative to one another after implantation to effect fusion between the vertebral bodies.

Abstract: A modular keel or stem for use as a tibial implant has a central stem portion including a tongue-like coupling portion for insertion into a grooved portion in a bone contacting portion of a tibial baseplate. The modular keel or stem may also include a pair of anti-rotation fins or ribs which extend medially and posteriorly on the medial side and laterally and posteriorly on the lateral side. Proximal portions of the ribs or fins may engage receptacles in the bone contacting of the tibial baseplate. A locking element is provided for engaging the keel or stem coupling portion and the baseplate after the coupling portion of the keel is inserted into the groove to prevent the disassembly the keel from the baseplate. In one embodiment, the baseplate is capable of being inserted in a direction offset from the anterior-posterior direction, such as a medial-lateral direction, after the keel has been implanted. A polymeric bearing insert is provided for placement onto the baseplate in a standard manner.

Abstract: A corpectomy device has an inner member telescopingly disposed in an outer member so that the inner member is movable in an axial direction. The inner and outer members are hollow, defining a chamber, and include apertures in communication with the chamber. A locking clip engages the inner and outer members to fix the position of the inner member with respect to the outer member. The longitudinal dimension of the device is adjustable by distracting the inner member so that the inner member extends from the outer member and moving the locking clip from an unlocked position to a locked position.

Abstract: Instrumentation for implanting an artificial intervertebral disc includes static trials and a dynamic trial for determining the appropriate size of disc to be implanted, static trial holders for manipulating the static trials, inserter/impactors for inserting and removing the static trials and for inserting the artificial intervertebral discs, repositioners/extractors for repositioning and extracting the static trials or the artificial intervertebral discs, and a leveler for setting the proper position of the artificial intervertebral disc. Methods for using the same are also disclosed. Features for artificial intervertebral discs and intervertebral spacer devices useful for manipulation by the instrumentation are also disclosed.

Abstract: An artificial intervertebral disc having a pair of opposing plate members for seating against opposing vertebral bone surfaces, separated by a spring mechanism. The preferred spring mechanism is at least one spirally slotted belleville washer having radially extending grooves. One plate member has a centrally located ball-shaped protrusion that is rotatably coupled in a central socket in the narrow end of the belleville washer, and the wide end of the belleville washer is held against the other plate member by a shield with rivets. Therefore, the disc assembly will not come apart under tension loads applied to the plate members, and the location of the ball joint coupling provides the disc assembly with a centroid of motion that is centrally located between the vertebral bone surfaces, both causing the disc assembly to behave similarly in these respects to a healthy natural intervertebral disc.

Abstract: A heart valve assembly includes a base including a multi-lobular annular shape within a plane, a valve member or other annular body including a multi-lobular shape complementary to the shape of the base, and cooperating connectors on the base and the annular body for connecting the annular body to the base. The base includes an anchoring ring, and a flexible cuff for attaching the base to a biological annulus. The base and the annular body include guides for aligning their multi-lobular shapes, e.g., visual, tactile, or other markers, or tethers that extend from the base that are slidable through the annular body. During use, the base is attached to a biological annulus, the annular body is directed adjacent the annulus, oriented such that the multi-lobular shape of the annular body valve member is aligned with the base, and the annular body is attached to the base.

Abstract: A stentless bioprosthetic valve includes at least one piece of biocompatible material comprising a bi-leaflet conduit having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end defines a first annulus for suturing to the valve annulus. The conduit includes first and second leaflets that mimic the native leaflets and extend between the conduit ends. The distal end defines a second annulus at which the first and second leaflets terminate. The conduit further includes first and second pairs of prosthetic chordae projecting from the leaflets at the second annulus. One of the first pair of prosthetic chordae extends from the first leaflet and has a distal end for suturing to a papillary muscle and the other of the first pair of prosthetic chordae extends from the first leaflet and has a distal end for suturing to another papillary muscles.

Abstract: Instruments and methods for distracting an intervertebral space and inserting and impacting artificial intervertebral discs. A wedge distractor employing opposing ramps through which an inserter/impactor holding an artificial intervertebral disc is admitted, the passage of which through the distractor results in distraction of the intervertebral space simultaneous with insertion of the artificial intervertebral disc. A method of distracting an intervertebral space comprising the steps of inserting a distractor having opposing ramped surfaces into an intervertebral space and inserting an inserter/impactor holding an artificial intervertebral disc between the opposing ramped surfaces of the distractor to insert/impact the artificial intervertebral disc in the intervertebral space. A system for distracting an intervertebral space employing a wedge distractor, inserter/impactor and artificial intervertebral implant.

Abstract: An artificial intervertebral disc having a pair of opposing plate members for seating against opposing vertebral bone surfaces, separated by a ball joint coupling. One plate member has a centrally located ball-shaped protrusion that is rotatably coupled in a central socket in a cone-shaped protrusion on the other plate member. Thereby, the plate members are angulatable with respect to one another. Further, the disc assembly will not come apart under tension loads applied to the plate members, and the location of the ball joint coupling provides the disc assembly with a stationary centroid of motion that is centrally located between the vertebral bone surfaces, both causing the disc assembly to behave similarly in these respects to a healthy natural intervertebral disc.

Abstract: To prevent intimal hyperplasia within a dialysis graft, a flexible tube comprising the dialysis graft is coated interiorly before placement with an anticarcinogen or mitosis-inhibiting agent for preventing cell division. The graft can also be irradiated with light energy by directing light into the lumen of the tube that has been grafted in place, thereby preventing or reducing dialysis graft intimal hyperplasia and reducing inflammation. The light source can be a light emitting diode (LED) or a chemical light source, i.e., a chemiluminescent substance for producing cool light energy within the graft to prevent or reduce the symptoms of GIH. When phototherapy is used, the body is exposed to light radiation at the site of the graft in sufficient amount to prevent undesired cell proliferation within the vessels, the graft, or surrounding tissue where the invention is used without detectable damage to body tissue.

Abstract: The invention concerns an implant forming an intraocular lens comprising a central optical part, a globally circular outline, at least partly made of a flexible material and a haptic part, at said optical part periphery, made at least partially of a rigid material. Said implant has a single-piece structure. The implant rigid material is a shape modified by at least one process selected among chemical reactions and polymerisation reactions of the starting flexible material, for example based on PMMA-PHMA, cross-linked by adding a multifunctional agent such as diethyleneglycol dimethacrylate.

Abstract: A valve assembly (10) has a support ring (20) and a valve body (30). The valve body (30) is supported by the ring (20) and comprises an annular body portion (31) that is rotatably engageable with the support ring (20). The annular body portion (30) supports a plurality of leaflets (32) that are moveable relative to each other and the annular body portion (30) between: a closed position and an open position upon changes in pressure differential across the valve assembly (10).

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis and method of implanting the prosthesis are disclosed. A valve is mounted within a support apparatus that is deformable between a first condition and a second condition. The prosthesis has a cross-sectional dimension in the second condition that is less than a cross-sectional dimension of the supported valve when in first condition. The prosthesis can be implanted into a patient's heart, such as during a direct vision procedure through a tubular implantation apparatus that maintains the prosthesis in its second condition until discharged from the tubular apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides self-expanding or otherwise expandable artificial valve prostheses for deployment within a bodily passageway, such as a vessel or duct of a patient. The valve prostheses include a support structure having an outer frame and supporting a valve leaflet.

Abstract: A modular knee prosthesis includes a femoral stem having a proximal end portion. A femoral component includes a first engagement portion defined thereon wherein the femoral stem is selectively attachable to the first engagement portion of the femoral component. A connecting member includes a first end selectively attachable to the first engagement portion of the femoral component and includes a second engagement portion defined on a second end wherein the femoral stem is selectively attachable to the second engagement portion of the connecting member.

Abstract: Articulating diamond-surfaced spinal implants are disclosed. Materials which may be used to make the spinal implants and manufacturing and finishing techniques for making the implants are also disclosed.

Abstract: Instrumentation for implanting an artificial intervertebral disc includes static trials and a dynamic trial for determining the appropriate size of disc to be implanted, static trial holders for manipulating the static trials, inserter/impactors for inserting and removing the static trials and for inserting the artificial intervertebral discs, repositioners/extractors for repositioning and extracting the static trials or the artificial intervertebral discs, and a leveler for setting the proper position of the artificial intervertebral disc. Methods for using the same are also disclosed. Features for artificial intervertebral discs and intervertebral spacer devices useful for manipulation by the instrumentation are also disclosed.

Abstract: A femoral prosthesis including a stem for insertion in a femoral canal and a shoulder and/or neck portion characterized by a proximal sleeve having an outer circumferential wall and comprising two or more proximal sleeve components, each of which provides part of the circumferential outer surface of the sleeve, and means for securing the proximal sleeve components in position at the proximal end of the stem.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a self-expanding stent for implantation into a body lumen, such as an artery. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common longitudinal stent axis and interconnected by a plurality of interconnecting members placed on the stent in a collinear arrangement such as to create at least one continuous spine which extends along the length of the stent. The invention is also directed to a stent delivery system for implantation of a stent in a vessel which includes an outer tubular member having a restraining sheath and an inner tubular member having a distal end which has a compressed stent mounted thereto. The proximal end of the inner tubular member is connected to a housing assembly which prevents the inner tubular member from moving when the outer tubular member is retracted to deploy the stent.