Abstract: An implantable prosthesis is provided for reconstructing an anatomical feature, such as a breast nipple. The prosthesis may be formed from a biologic and/or synthetic material. The prosthesis may include a body with a shape that is suitable for reconstructing the anatomical feature. A base may be located at an end of the body to facilitate anchoring the prosthesis in position. The prosthesis may be provided with openings that allow fluid flow therethrough, tissue ingrowth, revascularization, neovascularization and/or fat or stem cell deposition. The prosthesis may include a plurality of layers of biocompatible material arranged in a stacked configuration. The layers may be in spaced relation relative to each other and secured or fixed in position to maintain the spacing therebetween. Each layer may have one or more openings extending therethrough. The spaced layer arrangement may provide a desired tactile response and/or natural movement for the prosthesis.

Abstract: Medical devices for positioning a valve in a subject's body, such as a prosthetic heart valve in a subject's heart, are disclosed. The prosthetic heart valve may include a valve assembly, a frame, and a control arm. The prosthetic heart valve may include a commissural post or multiple commissural posts. The prosthetic heart valve may include a positional marker on a control arm. The prosthetic heart valve may include multiple positional markers on one or more control arms. The positional markers can be shapes, characters, or other symbols. The positional markers may themselves be asymmetric. The positional markers may be placed in an asymmetric location on a control arm. The control arm may be asymmetrically shaped.

Abstract: A method of reproducing a biological object includes 3D-imaging the object and generating a mold using a 3D printer; obtaining cells from a donor site on the object; preparing a live cell suspension using the cells from the donor site; forming a scaffold in the mold with collagen and seeding the scaffold with live cells, growing the cells in the mold and curing the collagen; and surgically implanting the object into a living subject, where the cells continue to live in the living subject.

Abstract: A cord can be affixed to an annulus or adjacent tissue using anchors distributed about the cord to anchor respective regions of the cord to the annulus or adjacent tissue. Anchor launchers (which are supported by support arms) launch the anchors to embed them in the annulus or adjacent tissue. Flexible radio-opaque protrusions protrude distally beyond the anchor launchers. Progressive advancement of an anchor launcher in a distal direction beyond a point at which a protrusion makes contact with the annulus or adjacent tissue results in progressive deflection of the protrusion. This deflection can be visualized using fluoroscopy to ensure that the cord is positioned correctly before the anchors are launched. Some embodiments use an open loop of cord, in which case the cord can subsequently be used to constrict the annulus. Other embodiments use a closed loop of cord to prevent expansion of the annulus.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mapping the shape and dimensions of a 3-dimensional body, by applying to the 3-dimensional body a stretchable covering configured and dimensioned such that in its stretched condition it tightly engages and conforms to the shape and dimensions of the 3-dimensional body to be mapped. The stretchable covering carries a plurality of reference devices, such as bands and/or markers which are at know or determinable reference locations in an initial condition of the covering, and which change their locations in the stretched condition of the stretchable covering according to the shape and dimensions of the 3-dimensional body covered thereby. The locations of the markers on the stretchable covering are determined after the stretchable covering has been applied to the 3-dimensional body, and are utilized to produce a map of the shape and dimensions of the 3-dimensional body.

Abstract: A powered exoskeleton includes a leg part and a foot part. The foot part includes a foot bottom plate and a foot bottom plate driving wheel. The foot bottom plate includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other; and the foot bottom plate driving wheel is connected below the leg part. The foot bottom plate is movably connected to the foot bottom plate driving wheel and capable of being turned over relative to the foot bottom plate driving wheel. In the walking mode, the foot bottom plate is turned over till the first surface of the foot bottom plate faces upward and is connected below the foot bottom plate driving wheel; and in the wheeled movement mode, the foot bottom plate is turned over till a second surface of the foot bottom plate faces upward and is connected above the foot bottom plate driving wheel.

Abstract: A full-function artificial organ fitting body comprises a cortex layer and an organ body tissue area. The organ body tissue area comprises a growth area, a differentiation area, a docking area, a branch arterial system, a branch nervous system and a branch venous system. The branch arterial system, the branch nervous system and the branch venous system are distributed in the differentiation area and form a main body three-dimensional skeleton structure with the outer growth area and the middle docking area.

Abstract: A prosthesis may have an articulating component formed via casting and a 3D printed bone anchoring component with a joint-facing side and a bone-facing side. The bone-facing side may have a bone engagement surface with a porous structure with pores selected to facilitate in-growth of the bone into the pores. The bone facing side may further have a surface layer of Titanium Dioxide nanotubes. The joint-facing side may be secured to the articulating component by melting Titanium nanoparticles at a temperature below the melting temperatures of the major constituents of the articulating component and/or the bone anchoring component, such as Cobalt, Chromium, and/or Titanium, so as to avoid significantly modifying the crystalline structures of the articulating component and/or the bone anchoring component. The melting temperature of the Titanium nanoparticles may be about 500° C.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent with a valve assembly disposed therein. A first cuff is positioned on the lumenal or ablumenal surface of the stent. A second cuff is positioned radially outward of the stent and the first cuff. The second cuff may include apertures that allow blood to pass through the second cuff into the spaces between the first and second cuffs. The second cuff may include a proximal edge with a plurality of notches that may be closed to create puckered areas in the second cuff to facilitate the movement of blood in the spaces between the first and second cuffs. The stent may include struts adjacent the second cuff that bow radially inwardly to create additional space for blood to flow in the spaces between the first and second cuffs.

Abstract: A method of reinforcing a biological construct according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, attaching a suture loop/needle construct to a reinforcement material and stitching the reinforcement material to a biological construct to form a reinforced biological construct. The reinforcement material is attached to the suture loop/needle construct prior to approximating the reinforcement material to the biological construct.

Abstract: The disclosure includes methods and systems for making orthopedic connections where there is unique adjustability to the connection. Illustratively, one embodiment provides a connecting assembly for connecting a plurality of orthopedic components. Such connecting assemblies can include a first orthopedic component that provides a female bore. Additionally the assembly can include a second orthopedic component that can be or include a male-type connecting member that is positionable in the bore of the first orthopedic component. In one preferred form, the male-type connecting member will be a quasi-spherical member. The quasi-spherical member can include a textured outer surface, e.g., for contacting one or more walls or surfaces in the bore in a fashion that removeably locks or helps to removeably lock or fix the quasi-spherical member in the bore.

Abstract: In one representative embodiment, a prosthetic valve assembly for replacing a native heart valve comprises a radially expandable and compressible support structure, the support structure comprising an annular frame having a lumen extending from an inflow end to an outflow end, the support structure further comprising an annular sealing member extending radially inwardly into the lumen of the frame and having an inner peripheral portion defining an orifice, and a radially expandable and compressible valve component, the valve component comprising an annular frame and a valve structure supported inside of the frame for permitting the flow blood through the valve component in one direction and blocking the flow of blood in the opposite direction, wherein the valve component is configured to expand within the orifice of the sealing member and engage the inner peripheral portion of the sealing member when radially expanded.

Abstract: A spinal implant configured for positioning within a space between adjacent vertebral bodies includes first and second bone screws and a body. The body includes a back surface having first and second openings for receiving the first and second screws. The first and second openings are configured for orientation towards opposing vertebral bodies. The body further includes first and second side surfaces extending from opposing ends of the back surface and first and second end surfaces extending from respective first and second side surfaces, wherein the ends of the first and second end surfaces meet and define an atraumatic nose. A first angle is formed between the first side surface and the first end surface that is different than a second angle that is formed between the second side surface and the first end surface. A method using same is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elongate guide element (22) for guiding an implant (1) along a tunnel (17) in a bone (12, 14) and for securing the implant within the tunnel. One exemplary guide element comprises: first end and second ends (24, 26); a pair of support apertures (42) for receiving a support element (3) for the implant, the support apertures being spaced apart in a direction along a main longitudinal axis (28); a saddle (46) extending transverse to the longitudinal axis, one of the pair of support apertures being disposed between the saddle and the first end and the other between the saddle and the second end. The support element extends through one of the pair of support apertures, at least partly around the saddle and then through the other aperture. The guide element has a generally planar bone facing surface (48) and a second opposite surface (50).

Abstract: An intravascular device configured to treat an aneurysm that includes a support structure including metal struts configured to be positioned in a body lumen and defining a central fluid passage that extends axially along the support structure, and a knitted mesh cover disposed over an exterior thereof and across a radial arc and along a length of the support structure sufficient to exceed an opening of an aneurysm to be treated, and the cover includes a polymer fiber having a diameter of at least 40 nanometers to 30 microns and apertures therethrough, the apertures being sized to prevent blood from passing through the device to prevent further expansion of the aneurysm. Devices including apertures that are at least 20 microns and sized to minimize or prevent an aneurysm-filling material from exiting the aneurysm through the knitted mesh cover and support structure, and methods of stenting, are also encompassed.

Abstract: Methods of providing a stent assembly that includes a stent jacket formed from an expansible mesh structure having apertures and that includes a fiber having a diameter of about 7 micrometers and about 40 micrometers, and an expansible stent operatively associated with the stent jacket. The method further comprises administering to the subject an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) eluted from the stent assembly.

Abstract: A talar implant system and method in one embodiment includes an articulation component with an articulating surface extending upwardly from a first plane and configured to articulate with a tibial component, and a distal portion for implanting in a bone, the distal portion having a longitudinal axis and configured to be rigidly coupled with respect to the first plane at any angular position selected from a range of angular positions within a second plane perpendicular to the first plane.

Abstract: The multi-material stent includes a renal portion and a bladder portion with respective, different hardness. A valve is disposed within the stent to guide liquid from the renal portion of the stent to the bladder portion of the stent. The present invention relates towards systems and method for stents. More particularly, the invention relates to a stent designed to increase patient comfort by minimizing irritation and reflux through the use of a stent that incorporates one or more flexible elements, which may involve materials with varying degrees of hardness, and a valve disposed therein.

Abstract: An interspinous implant is provided. The interspinous implant can include a first member having a first end and a second end. At least one of the first end and the second end can include a mating portion. The interspinous implant can also include a second member, which can have a first end, a second end and at least one receiving portion formed adjacent to at least one of the first end and the second end. The at least one receiving portion can receive the mating portion to couple the first member to the second member at a desired orientation. The interspinous implant can also include a first extension, which can be substantially opposite the mating portion, and adapted to engage a spinous process. The interspinous implant can comprise a second extension, which can be substantially opposite the at least one receiving portion, and adapted to engage a second process.

Abstract: A soft buckling linear actuator is described, including: a plurality of substantially parallel bucklable, elastic structural components each having its longest dimension along a first axis; and a plurality of secondary structural components each disposed between and bridging two adjacent bucklable, elastic structural components; wherein every two adjacent bucklable, elastic structural components and the secondary structural components in-between define a layer comprising a plurality of cells each capable of being connected with a fluid inflation or deflation source; the secondary structural components from two adjacent layers are not aligned along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; and the secondary structural components are configured not to buckle, the bucklable, elastic structural components are configured to buckle along the second axis to generate a linear force, upon the inflation or deflation of the cells. Methods of actuation using the same are also described.