Abstract: A method of implanting a prosthetic valve in a stenosed aortic valve via a catheterization technique. A balloon catheter is advanced into a patient's vasculature and a balloon is expanded within the stenosed aortic valve to push aside the calcified leaflets. The prosthetic valve is then introduced into a patient's vasculature through an 18 French arterial introducer. After advancement through the femoral artery and aorta, the prosthetic valve is radially expanded for implantation in the dilated aortic valve. The prosthetic valve includes a compressible and expandable frame and a valvular structure made with pericardial tissue. The prosthetic valve further includes an internal cover fastened to an internal surface of the frame between an inlet end of the frame and the valvular structure.

Abstract: Basal thumb joint implant has a head with a smooth, generally hemispherical, medio-proximally directed, articulating surface, and a generally abrupt, distally directed, truncation thereto; and a stem attached to the head, which arises from the truncation of the head and includes at least one of the following features: A) a general angle of attachment to the head which is acute in relation to the truncation of the head; B) a flanged cross-sectional stem profile; C) an inwardly curved stem; D) an eccentric head attachment site for the stem. The implant may be one-piece or modular in construction.

Abstract: A nonmodular tibial prosthesis having a retainer for a modular bearing on the superior surface of a tibial base, a nonmodular primary bearing directly molded to the base, and a mechanical release member mounted on the tibial base in contact with the nonmodular primary bearing. The release member includes a wedge portion with a superiorly posteriorly inclined face, and is designed to be driven anteriorly upon actuation so as to force the primary bearing off of the tibial base, after which the primary bearing and release member are removed and replaced with a modular bearing.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve for implantation in a stenosed aortic valve. The prosthetic valve includes a compressible and expandable frame formed with intersecting metallic bars and a valvular structure made with pericardial tissue. The frame is compressible for delivery into a patient's vasculature through an 18 F (5.7 mm) arterial introducer using a catheterization technique. The bars of the frame preferably have a diameter in the range of 0.1 to 0.6 mm for providing the frame with sufficient radial strength to resist the recoil force exerted by the stenosed aortic valve after implantation. The prosthetic valve includes an internal cover made with pericardial tissue. The internal cover is fastened to an internal surface of the frame between an inlet end of the frame and the valvular structure for preventing regurgitation.

Abstract: An acetabular reaming system is disclosed of the type having a driver and a tool held together by a quick-release coupling mechanism. The tool (10) has a hollow body (12) defining a domed shape with a rotational axis (14), an apex (16) aligned with the axis (14) and a hemispherical wall (18) extending from the apex (16) to an equatorial rim (20) spaced 90 degrees from the axis (14). The rim (20) has an edge (22) visible to the user that indicates the position of the tool (10) relative to the bone. A first plurality of cutting sites (24) is arrayed along the body (12) and a second plurality of cutting sites (28) is arrayed circumferentially along the edge (22). Preferably, the first plurality of cutting sites (24) present raised first teeth (30, 130, 230, 330) having a profile selected from continuous squared (30), continuous rounded (130), discontinuous squared (230) and tongued (330) profiles.

Abstract: A stent comprises a serpentine band. The serpentine band has alternating peaks and troughs. A first set of peaks and troughs define an envelope of generally increasing longitudinal extent in a distal direction and a second set of peaks and troughs define an envelope of generally increasing longitudinal extent in a proximal direction.

Abstract: An artificial disc having a pair of opposing baseplates, for seating against opposing vertebral bone surfaces, separated by a ball and socket joint that includes a ball compression locked to a post extending from one of the baseplates. The ball is captured within a curvate socket formed in a peak of a convex structure attached to the other of the baseplates. The socket is formed by opposing curvate surfaces, one on the convex structure and one on the other of the baseplates. While the ball angulates freely in the socket, the rotation of the ball in the socket has a limited range due to interference between a ball bearing and curvate recesses on the convex structure and the ball. The ball and socket joint therefore permits the baseplates to rotate relative to one another through a limited range and also angulate relative to one another.

Abstract: Partially encapsulated stents are made using strips and bands of covering material. In one embodiment ringed stents are placed over an inner ePTFE tube (e.g., supported on a mandrel) and are covered by a series of longitudinal strips. A series of spaced apart ePTFE circumferential bands can then be placed over the top of the longitudinal strips and ringed stents; alternatively bands alone or strips alone may be employed. All of the components of the structure are then laminated to the inner ePTFE tube to capture the stent. By selecting the size and position of the ePTFE bands, it is possible to leave critical parts of the stent unencapsulated to facilitate flexibility and expansion. The longitudinal strips can be woven about the stent and later laminated into position to provide an anti-compression function as well as overall structural stability. Although a single stent can be used, these approaches lend themselves to use of a plurality of individual ring stents spaced apart along the inner ePTFE tube.

Abstract: A method for implanting a medical set in a human blood vessel, the medical set comprising a prosthesis adapted to be introduced in the vessel, the prosthesis having a first end and a second end, and being adapted to be disposed against an inner wall of the vessel at least at one of the ends, the prosthesis comprising a tubular sleeve and a strap adapted to be disposed against the vessel at a location adjacent one of the ends of the tubular sleeve, the strap having a hemostatic covering for reducing any blood leakage at the location of the strap.

Abstract: An expandable tubular device is used as a stent for implantation in the lumen of a body duct, such as a blood vessel in particular, in order to ensure a passage therein, said device consisting of an assembly of tubular elements aligned along a common longitudinal axis and successively joined together in pairs by a plurality of linking members, each tubular element consisting of a strip forming a zigzag corrugation defining bent extreme portions which are successively connected together in pairs in opposite directions by rectilinear intermediate portions, the thickness (e) of said strip forming each of the above-mentions tubular elements (1), measured radially relative to said tubular element, being greater than the width 1 of this strip in said bent portions (2).

Abstract: A prosthetic joint and related placement method are provided for cemented fixation to a prepared patient bone, with a cement layer and mantle of controlled, predetermined thickness. The prosthetic component such as a tibial or femoral component for a knee prosthesis includes an attachment surface bounded by a flow restrictor wall which cooperates with the attachment surface to define an open-sided cavity for receiving a quantity of bone cement. An intruder tool is provided to form a shallow recess in the prepared patient bone for mating seated reception of the flow restrictor wall on the prosthetic component. In one form, the prosthetic component and the intruder tool may be adjustable to fit patient bones of different size.

Abstract: After surgical removal of the natural lens, a capsular equatorial ring may be implanted in the opened capsular bag of the eye in order to extend radially the equator of the capsular bag. Surprisingly, with a sharp edged formation of the junctions between the outer circumference and end faces of the ring, or with an axially wide outer circumferential surface, the probability of postoperative migrations of subcapsular epithelium cells on the capsular bag is significantly reduced.

Abstract: A mobile bearing knee prosthesis in which the tibial component includes an upstanding post and a cap provided at an upper end thereof. The cap includes a lip extending laterally outward from the post to give the cap a generally oval shape with a major axis in the A/P direction and a minor axis in the M/L direction. The meniscal insert includes an undercut cavity elongated in the A/P direction in which the post is received. The undercut cavity has a length allowing substantial movement of the post therealong in the A/P direction, and a width allowing only a minor movement of the post in the M/L direction. The insert also includes an upper cutout extending around an upper portion of the cavity which receives therein an adjacent portion of the lip.

Abstract: A method of protecting a spinal area of a patient includes the step of positioning a sheet of collagen membrane material so as to surround at least a portion of a patient's spinal chord. The sheet of collagen membrane preferably includes at least one barrier layer with a smooth face to inhibit cell adhesion and act as a barrier to prevent passage of cells therethrough. When surgery involves placement of s vertebrae replacement material between vertebrae, the collagen membrane material can be positioned so as to surround at least a portion of the vertebrae replacement material.

Abstract: A pressure compensation device for a prosthetic substitute of a eustachian tube has an outer part and an inner part. The outer part serves for the admission of air from the outside and has a freely accessible area laterally surrounded by skin. Further, the outer part is provided with a seat for receiving a filter. This filter is accessible from the outside and keeps away coarse dirt and water. The outer part and the inner part are interconnected by a first tube. The inner part has a sealed housing divided into two chambers, namely an outer chamber communicating with the first tube and an inner chamber. These chambers are separated by either a fine filter or by a pressure compensation membrane to assure a germ tight separation. The inner chamber is connected with a second tube ending in a middle ear.

Abstract: Wrist prosthesis with a carpus element (2) to be implanted in the metacarpal bones, a radial element (1) to be fixed on the bone of the forearm, and, arranged between these, a transverse axis articulation (3) whose proximal part (9) is connected to the radial element (1). According to the invention, the proximal part (9) of the transverse axis articulation (3) is available in two embodiments, the first of which is rigid per se and the second of which comprises a further articulation (25, 28), and that [sic] both embodiments of the proximal part (9) of the transverse axis articulation (3) are connected or can be connected releasably to the radial element (1) and to the distal part (18) of the transverse axis articulation (3).

Abstract: A method for preparing vascular valves from submucosal tissue is described. Both bicuspid and tricuspid valve constructs are described. The bicuspid constructs can be formed with or without a supporting stent. The tricuspid constructs are formed by fixing submucosal tissue to a supporting stent, folding the submucosal tissue, and forming the valve commissures from the folded submucosal tissue by cutting along the folds. The artificial vascular valves are useful for replacing damaged or diseased valves of a warm-blooded vertebrate.

Abstract: A prosthesis for the knee articulation is provided which has a femoral implant having two condyles which are of convex shape, each having a variable radius, and a tibial implant having two cavities, each of which interacts with a respective one of the condyles. In its posterior region, the internal condyle has a spherical prominence which projects from the contact plane of the internal condyle and is intended to interact with a spherical cap hollowed into the posterior region of the internal cavity of the tibial implant.