Abstract: A medical device for use within a body lumen that is made from a binary nickel-titanium alloy that remains in its austenitic phase throughout its operational range is disclosed. The medical device, such as an intraluminal stent, is made from superelastic nickel-titanium and may optionally be alloyed with a ternary element. By adding the ternary element and/or through heat treatment, it is possible to lower the phase transformation temperature between the austenitic phase and the martensitic phase of the nickel-titanium alloy. By lowering the phase transformation temperature, the martensite deformation temperature is likewise depressed. It is possible then to depress the martensite deformation temperature below body temperature such that when the device is used in a body lumen for medical treatment, the nickel-titanium device remains completely in the austenitic phase without appearance of stress-induced martensite even if the device is placed under stress.

Abstract: A spinal implant is described in this disclosure. The implant includes first and second pieces separated by a controlled break location. Spinal implant kits having multiple spinal implant pieces derived from a common source also are disclosed.

Abstract: An at least in part cylindrical push-in interbody spinal fusion implant having an expandable height.

Abstract: A size measurer, comprising a main body with a sensor-head not fixed to the main body, so that a main pointer is moved in accordance with the adjustment opposite a range which includes several markers corresponding to the sizes of the available implants, characterised by the fact that it includes a slider fitted separately in relation to the main body, the slider including a first pointer and a second pointer, the first pointer being fitted in a such a way as to be moved, after the sliding of the slider, opposite the said range, and the second slider being moved, after the movement of the slider, opposite the gradations positioned on a fixed area in relation to the main body, the distance between the two points of the slider being such that when the first pointer is opposite the markers corresponding to one of the sizes of the available implants, the second pointer indicates by the gradations the height, in millimetres for example, of the posterior cut to be made in order that the implant is perfectly flush w

Abstract: A prosthetic implant is described for surgical implantation in a hand of a patient comprising an elongate flexible member (24; 32; 51) for passing snugly around a surgically exposed bone (21) of the hand, the elongate flexible member (24; 32; 51) having first and second end portions (25, 27; 35, 36; 54, 55) at opposite ends thereof, the first end portion (25; 35; 54) of the elongate flexible member (24; 32; 51) being provided with slot defining means (26; 34; 56) defining a slot for receipt of the second end portion (27; 36; 55) of the elongate flexible member (24; 32; 51), and locking means (-; -; 65) to secure the second end portion (27; 36; 55) to the first end portion (25; 35; 54) after insertion of the second end portion (27; 36; 55) in the slot.

Abstract: A pseudo arthrosis device may be placed in a disc space to provide support for adjacent vertebrae. The device may have an enclosure formed from a flexible, permeable material. A plurality of elongated members may be packed longitudinally in the enclosure. The elongated members may be compressible and/or flexible. In certain embodiments, elongated members may be solid rods and/or hollow tubes. A plurality of spaced-apart perforations may be formed in solid and hollow elongated members. The enclosure may be placed in an intervertebral space between the adjacent vertebrae such that the elongated members are disposed longitudinally between the adjacent vertebrae. The pseudo arthrosis device may include a tab designed to couple the enclosure to an adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: A lung-assist apparatus includes a tubular housing, a tubular nozzle therein, and a first valve disposed between the housing and nozzle. The housing is implanted across a bifurcation such that the nozzle extends from a first branch communicating with a healthy region of a lung towards a main passage, and terminates proximate a lateral opening in the housing that is disposed within a second branch communicating with a damaged region of the lung. During inhalation, the first valve opens to allow air flow into the first branch, and closes during exhalation to force air through the nozzle, thereby inducing a vacuum for drawing air from the damaged region. A second valve in the second branch opens during exhalation to draw air from the diseased region, and closes during inhalation to prevent air from being drawn into the damaged region.

Abstract: There is disclosed a heart valve prosthesis having a configuration such that blood flow through it has a helical flow pattern such as to substantially reduce or eliminate turbulence and dead flow regions in the blood flow.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stent-graft with a bioabsorbable structure and a permanent graft for luminal support and ‘treatment of arterial fistulas, occlusive disease, and aneurysms. The bioabsorbable structure is formed from braided filaments of materials such as PLA, PLLA, PDLA, and PGA and the graft is formed from materials such as PET, ePTFE, PCU or PU.

Abstract: An anastomosis device may include at least one first element connectible to at least one second element, where at least one first element is frangible. At least one second element may include at least one opening therethrough, where each opening receives a corresponding first element. At least one deflectable tab may extend into at least one opening to engage a corresponding first element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for treating an ostium of a side-branch vessel. The system includes a catheter, a first inflatable member, a stent disposed on the first inflatable member, and a second inflatable member. The first inflatable member is disposed on a distal portion of the catheter, while the second inflatable member is disposed on a proximal portion of the catheter. The first inflatable member is inflated a first time to expand the stent within the side branch. The first inflatable member is then deflated, advanced, and inflated a second time to anchor the system while the second inflatable member is inflated to conform a portion of the stent to the ostium of the side-branch vessel.

Abstract: A medical device and system capable of providing on-demand delivery of biologically active material to a body lumen patient, and a method of making such medical device. A first coating layer comprising a biologically active material and optionally a polymeric material is disposed on the surface of the medical device. A second coating layer comprising magnetic particles and a polymeric material is disposed on the first coating layer. The second coating layer, which is substantially free of a biologically active material, protects the biologically active material prior to delivery. The system includes the medical device and a source of energy, such as an electromagnetic or mechanical vibrational energy. When the patient is exposed to the energy source, the magnetic particles move out of the second coating layer and create channels therein through which the biologically active material can be released.

Abstract: Tibial component (10) of a knee-joint endoprosthesis with a flat tibial bearing surface (11), a bearing body (12) that is slidably seated thereon and comprises two concave bearing dishes (13) in which a femoral component can be movably seated, and with a rotational guide means that guides the rotation of the bearing body (12) on the tibial bearing surface (11) about an axis (14) perpendicular thereto. The guide means comprises a bearing post (15) in the form of a regular cylinder that stands upright on the tibial bearing surface (11) and has at least one projection (16, 17) extending radially outward. The bearing post so constructed can be inserted into a post receptacle (19) that is formed on the underside of the bearing body (12) with a receiving groove (20) corresponding to the post projection (16, 17). The at least one post projection (16, 17) extending radially outward is spaced apart from the free end (24) of the post.

Abstract: Methods and systems for minimally invasive replacement of a valve. The system includes a collapsible valve and anchoring structure, devices and methods for expanding the valve anchoring structure, adhesive means to seal the valve to the surrounding tissue, a catheter-based valve sizing and delivery system, native valve removal means, and a temporary valve and filter assembly to facilitate removal of debris material. The valve assembly comprises a valve and anchoring structure for the valve, dimensioned to fit substantially within the valve sinus.

Abstract: A vibration-absorbing device for an artificial lower limb includes a knee-connecting tube attached to a prosthetic knee unit, an ankle-connecting member attached to a prosthetic foot and ankle unit, and an upright connecting rod having an upper end disposed movably within the tube, and a lower end connected fixedly to the ankle-connecting member. A coiled compression spring is sleeved on the connecting rod between the knee unit and the foot and ankle unit so as to bias the connecting rod to move downwardly relative to the tube to a predetermined position, thereby retarding movement of the connecting rod in an axial direction of the tube. A cushion member is made of a resilient material, is sleeved on the ankle-connecting member, and is disposed within the tube so as to retard movement of the connecting rod in a transverse direction of the tube.

Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens is disclosed that provides vision accommodation in response to contraction of an eye's ciliary muscle. The intraocular lens includes a deformable elastic dynamic lens having a non-accommodating surface curvature and a lens-shaping member having flexible portions in contact with peripheral edge regions of the dynamic lens for enabling compressive deformation thereof for changing the lens surface curvature to achieve accommodation. The intraocular lens also includes an elastically flexible coil member mounted around the lens-shaping member flexible portions. A first lens-supporting member has a proximal end region that engages the flexible coil member and a second lens-supporting member has a proximal end region connected to the lens-shaping member.

Abstract: A fixation screw, graft ligament anchor assembly, and method for fastening a graft ligament in a bone tunnel. The screw comprises an elongated shank having a distal end and a proximal end, and a central axis extending from the distal end to the proximal end. Screw threads are disposed on the shank and extend from the distal end to the proximal end. The proximal end defines an end plane disposed transversely to the axis and at an angle thereto other than a normal angle.

Abstract: A system for repairing an intervertebral disc by delivering and curing a biomaterial in situ within the disc. The system includes both a device, having an insertable balloon and related lumen, controls and adapters, as well as an in situ curable biomaterial (and related biomaterial delivery means). The system can allow the doctor to determine a suitable endpoint for biomaterial delivery, by controlling distraction and/or biomaterial delivery pressure, and in turn, to deliver a desired quantity of biomaterial to the balloon in order to achieve improved polymer cure and implant characteristics. Also provided is a related method for repairing an intervertebral disc by using such a system to deliver and cure the biomaterial in situ. The system can be used to implant a prosthetic total disc, or a prosthetic disc nucleus in a manner that leaves the surrounding disc tissue substantially intact.

Abstract: A device for repairing a heart valve comprises an implantation instrument. The implantation instrument comprises a first support ring, and a second support ring connected to said first support ring to form a coiled configuration. The first support ring is configured to abut one side of the valve and the second support ring is configured to abut an opposite side of the valve to thereby trap a portion of the valve tissue therebetween. The device further comprises an annuloplasty implant adapted to be attached to the heart valve annulus in order to reshape the annulus and allow the leaflets to open and close properly. The annuloplasty implant is connected to the implantation instrument for insertion to the annulus.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for placement in hollow tubular organs is described alongwith an instrument for deploying the said prosthesis. On radial compaction, the prosthesis has a low profile, allowing introduction into the body with a deployment instrument of low calibre. The prosthesis has a longitudinal strut to provide longitudinal support. One or more, outwardly biased, flexible curvilinear members with good shape-memory, symmetrically attached to the leading end of the prosthesis help unroll the prosthesis during deployment. Magnetized wires or powder may be attached to the prosthesis to facilitate this process and provide in addition radial elasticity to the prosthesis. The prosthesis may have tubular extensions to allow the treating lesions that involve the parent tubular organ and its branches. Alternatively, the prosthesis may be provided with apertures which can be widened in vivo. For implantation in branches, the prosthesis may be provided with a flange at its trailing end.