Abstract: A component, e.g. a prosthetic ball and socket joint like an acetabular cup of a prosthetic joint, having a male or female location feature in a surface thereof for mutual interfit with a fixing member of a fixing assembly for securing the fixing member to the surface of the component and optionally for securing the component to a second component by means of a fixing screw.

Abstract: A stent comprises a flexible tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a passageway extending from said proximal end toward said distal end. A first generally straight tube segment extends from the proximal end while a first generally curved segment extends from an end region of the first generally straight tube segment disposed away from the proximal end of the stent. A second generally straight tube segment extends from an end region of the first curved segment away from the first generally straight tube segment and is arranged at an acute angle relative to the first generally straight tube segment. A second generally curved tube segment extends from one end of the second generally straight tube segment and includes a channel on an exterior surface of the second generally curved tube segment.

Abstract: A stent comprises a flexible tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a passageway extending from said proximal end toward said distal end. A first generally straight tube segment extends from the proximal end while a first generally curved segment extends from an end region of the first generally straight tube segment disposed away from the proximal end of the stent. A second generally straight tube segment extends from an end region of the first curved segment away from the first generally straight tube segment and is arranged at an acute angle relative to the first generally straight tube segment. A second generally curved tube segment extends from one end of the second generally straight tube segment and includes a channel on an exterior surface of the second generally curved tube segment.

Abstract: An expandable prosthetic device and method of delivery that allows the initial placement of multiple guidewires into selected target sites. The prosthesis includes a main body device. This main body device has a separate side branch guidewire lumen that passes through the main body device and through a side opening in the main body device. As the main body device is advanced, the side opening is self guided (by the side branch guidewire) and self-aligns to the side branch vessel ostium. The main body device is then deployed, leaving the side branch guidewire in place. A side branch device is then advanced along the side branch guidewire through the main body device, through the side wall opening and into the native side branch vessel. The side branch device can then be deployed to engage the main body device and the native side branch vessel.

Abstract: An expandable prosthetic device and method of delivery that allows the initial placement of multiple guidewires into selected target sites. The prosthesis includes a main body device. This main body device has a separate side branch guidewire lumen that passes through the main body device and through a side opening in the main body device. As the main body device is advanced, the side opening is self guided (by the side branch guidewire) and self-aligns to the side branch vessel ostium. The main body device is then deployed, leaving the side branch guidewire in place. A side branch device is then advanced along the side branch guidewire through the main body device, through the side wall opening and into the native side branch vessel. The side branch device can then be deployed to engage the main body device and the native side branch vessel.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implanting in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen. The invention provides for an intravascular stent having a plurality of cylindrical rings connected by undulating links. The stent has a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet has adequate vessel wall coverage and radial strength sufficient to hold open an artery or other body lumen. The stent can be compressed or crimped onto a catheter to a very low profile since the peaks that are adjacent the curved portion of the undulating link are shorter than other peaks in the same cylindrical ring to prevent overlap yet still achieve a very low profile, tightly crimped stent onto a catheter.

Abstract: A bone screw, which can be a pedicle screw, is generally tulip-shaped. A bore in the bottom of the tulip permits a threaded shaft to be partially inserted into the open interior of the tulip. A seat is formed on the threaded shaft and receives the bottom of the tulip, and prevents the threaded shaft from being inserted too far into the tulip. A saddle is positioned in the interior of the tulip and receives the end of the threaded shaft on one end and can include a trough on its opposite face which can receive a rod that connects together two or more such assemblies. A retaining screw threads into the upper interior surface of the tulip to hold the subcomponents together.

Abstract: A radially expandable, endovascular stent designed for placement at a site of vascular injury, for inhibiting restenosis at the site, a method of using, and a method of making the stent. The stent includes a radially expandable body formed of one or more metallic filaments and a liquid-infusible mechanical anchoring layer attached to or formed in outer surface of the filaments. A drug coating in the stent is composed of a substantially polymer-free composition of an anti-restenosis drug, and has a substratum infused in the anchoring layer and a substantially continuous surface stratum of drug that is brought into direct contact with the vessel walls at the vascular site. Thus, the rate of release of the anti-restenosis drug from the surface stratum into said vascular site is determined solely by the composition of said drug coating.

Abstract: A kit for implanting in a duct, which includes a tubular endoprosthesis and a prosthetic valve is disclosed. The prosthetic valve includes a carrier frame that is radially deformable in elastic manner relative to a central axis of the tubular endoprosthesis between a deployed, implanted position, and a folded, implanting position. The carrier frame is urged elastically towards its deployed position. A flexible shutter is connected to the carrier frame. The shutter is deformable between an obstruction position in which it is extended transversely, and a release position in which it is contracted transversely under to allow a fluid to flow through the carrier frame. The carrier frame also includes an integrated centripetal compressing mechanism for centripetally compressing the carrier frame towards folded position.

Abstract: A stent for placement in a body lumen is fabricated by forming a tube having an un-deployed diameter sized for the tube to be placed on a deployment balloon and advanced through a body lumen to a deployment site. The tube is expandable upon inflation of the balloon to an enlarged diameter sized for the tube to be retained within the lumen at the site upon deflation and withdrawal of the balloon. The tube has a stent axis extending between first and second axial ends of the tube. The tube has an exterior surface and an interior surface. The tube is polished to polish the exterior surface to a smooth surface finish and with at least a portion of the interior surface having a rough surface finish rougher than the surface finish of the exterior surface.

Abstract: An artificial joint implant in use with a bone and including a three dimensional shaped body have an exterior configured and joint defining face. An annular shaped recess is formed within a seating location of the implant for securing the body over a sectioned end of the bone. A stem extends from the body inwardly within the bone and exhibits at least one support for engaging an inner bone surface and in order to maintain the implant in secured fashion to the bone.

Abstract: A hip prosthesis is provided for insertion into a femur. In one exemplary embodiment, the hip prosthesis includes a stem having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis. This stem may include anterior and posterior locking surfaces which diverge away from the longitudinal axis. A shank portion may extend distally from the anterior and posterior locking surfaces and converge at an angle distally toward the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biological or artificial valve prosthesis (4, 5) for use in the human or animal body for replacement of an organ valve or a vessel valve, in particular a cardiac valve prosthesis or venous valve prosthesis, with a stent (8) or without a stent, with a supporting valve framework, with at least one valve (7) and with at least one conductor loop (2) that forms the inductance of an electrical resonance circuit. In order to provide a simple and inexpensive valve prosthesis that can be viewed in the MR imaging technique and is also easy to implant, the invention proposes that the at least one conductor loop (2) forms the valve framework and/or the valve (7) or supporting areas of the valve framework and/or supporting areas of the valve (7).

Abstract: A stent prosthesis for vascular surgery for inserting into an artery, particularly for bridging a vascular enlargement in the area of the aortic arch, comprising a tubular flexible and radially expandable stent body, on which at least one tear-proof long thread is attached in a fixed manner at a point of attachment on the outer peripheral surface of the stent body in the front portion thereof The thread can be recognized under x-ray radiation and has a free thread length of a number of decimeters and, starting from the point of attachment, is exposed outside the stent body so that the stent body, while following the thread, can be passed into the artery and can be placed, by means of the thread, in position inside the artery and can be subsequently fixed to the vascular wall.

Abstract: Suturing elements for connecting a vascular prosthesis to a blood vessel include an internal, substantially annular body intended to be received in the blood vessel in addition to an external annular body intended to lie clampingly on an outer wall of the blood vessel at least practically at the location of the internal annular body. At least one of the two annular bodies is provided with suturing members which grip in the vessel wall so as to effect an adequate fixation of at least the internal annular body. The device for use with such suturing elements and a vascular prosthesis which is provided on at least one of its outer ends with at least a part of such suturing elements are disclosed. Different embodiments of such prostheses together form a modular vascular prosthesis system. A side vessel of a thus supported blood vessel can be preserved using branch elements.

Abstract: Laminoplasty plates are engageable to at least one portion of a divided lamina to maintain a desired spacing relative to the spinal canal. The laminoplasty plates include a spacer portion having a first end and a second end that spans a gap formed by at least one of a divided lamina portion. The laminoplasty plates can include a lamina engagement portion at one end for engagement with the divided lamina portion.

Abstract: A pre-assembled orthopaedic implant adapted for improved gas sterilization. The implant includes a first component adapted for assembly with a second component such that a mating surface of the first component is in close proximity with a mating surface of the second component. At least one gas conduit associated with the mating surface of the first component facilitates a sterilizing gas to penetrate into and dissipate from the interface defined by the mating surfaces.

Abstract: An intervertebral spacer device may include first and second plates, each having inner and outer surfaces thereof, the plates may be disposed in a spaced apart relationship such that the inner surfaces face toward one another, and the outer surfaces face away from one another, the first plate including a retaining wall extending outwardly from the inner surface of the first plate; and a belleville washer, having narrow and wide ends thereof, may be disposed with said wide end contacting said inner surface of said first plate within said retaining wall, such that a compressive load applied to the outer surfaces of said plates is counteracted by said belleville washer, said belleville washer including a plurality of radially spaced concentric groove.

Abstract: A pedicle screw is provided to be inserted into and fixed to a pedicle of a spinal disease patient, and more particularly, a pedicle screw in which a screw thread of a clamp screw is formed to have dents and protrusions with trapezoid cross-sections so as to form a predetermined gap with a screw thread of a fixing unit having dents and protrusions with rectangular cross-sections when the clamp screw is combined with the fixing unit, and the screw thread of the clamp screw has different pitches to disperse an external impact so as to further firmly combine the clamp screw with the fixing unit.

Abstract: A valve prosthesis device is disclosed suitable for implantation in body ducts. The device comprises a support stent adapted to be initially crimped in a narrow configuration for catheterization through the body duct to a target location and adapted to be deployed to a deployed state in the target location, and a valve assembly comprising a flexible conduit having an inlet end and an outlet, made of pliant material providing collapsible slack portions of the conduit at the outlet. When flow is allowed to pass through the valve prosthesis device from the inlet to the outlet the valve assembly is kept in an open position, whereas a reverse flow is prevented. The device is configured so that retrograde flow will be altered from laminar flow and directed towards the leaflets to effect closing. The device can be deployed in a native heart valve position using a deployment catheter.