Abstract: Implantable devices useful for creating bony fusion particularly in intervetebral spinal fusion. The device is formed of bone and has an at least partially demineralized portion between two rigid bone portions creating an area of flexibility. In one application, the area of flexibility may be used to move the device between a reduced size insertion configuration and an expanded implanted configuration. In another use, the area of flexibility may be useful to dampen shock applied to the implant. A method is also disclosed for making the implants and inserting the implants into an intervertebral disc space to promote interbody fusion.

Abstract: The present invention provides an endoluminal prosthesis for deployment in a body lumen of a patient body, the prosthesis comprising a tubular fabric liner and a radially expandable frame supporting the liner. A plurality of imagable bodies are attached to the liner, the imagable bodies providing a sharp contrast so as to define a pattern which indicates the prosthesis position when the prosthesis is imaged within the patient body. Preferably, each imagable body comprises a plate having first and second opposed major surfaces and a passage therebetween to facilitate stitching the imagable body to the liner. Advantageously, the imagable bodies can be aligned with the openings of a perforate frame structure so that at least some of the imagable bodies are visible through associated openings, but need not actually be attached to the frame directly.

Abstract: A prosthetic bone filler including ceramic granules for use in a living body, the ceramic granules being bonded to each other with a polymeric substance, and having ventilation pores produced as a result of the presence of gaps between the adjacent granules. The prosthetic bone filler is produced by adding the polymeric substance in two portions to the ceramic granules. In addition to good flexibility, the prosthetic bone filler exhibits excellent bio-compatibility.

Abstract: This invention provides molded, biodegradable porous polymeric implant materials having a pore size distribution throughout the material which is substantially uniform. These materials can be molded into implants of any desired size and shape without loss of uniformity of pore size distribution. The implants are useful as biodegradable scaffolds for cell growth in healing of tissue defects. When manufactured to have an aspect ratio greater than about 3, the implants can be further hand-shaped to fit the defect into which they are placed and the desired shape for the regrown tissue.

Abstract: A stent is disclosed which comprises generally of ring having, in the preferred embodiment, crossties that have flexibility by having at least one bend. The rings themselves have predetermined stress-relieving points to predispose, by stress relief, particular segments of each ring to bend upon application of an expansion force such as by a balloon or by other means. In the preferred embodiment, the individual rings have notches, reducing the cross-sectional areas at particular locations adjacent reversing bends such that upon radial expansion, bending occurs at these reduced cross-sectional areas to prevent stress from accumulating at the reversing bends.

Abstract: A multiple-sided medical device comprises a closed frame of a single piece of wire or other resilient material and having a series of bends and interconnecting sides. The device has both a flat configuration and a second, folded configuration that comprises a self-expanding stent. The stent is pushed from a delivery catheter into the lumen of a duct or vessel. One or more barbs are attached to the frame of the device for anchoring or to connect additional frames. A covering of fabric or other flexible material such as DACRON, PTFE, or collagen, is sutured or attached to the frame to form an occlusion device, a stent graft, or an artificial valve such as for correcting incompetent veins in the lower legs and feet. A partial, triangular-shaped covering over the lumen of the device allows the valve to open with normal blood flow and close to retrograde flow.

Abstract: A medical implant, tubing and method to provide enhanced X-ray detection intensity in catheters, stents, vascular grafts or other tubular implants. In one aspect the medical implant includes a visually transparent radiopaque polymer and a filler material having a radiopaque component.

Abstract: A urological implant, in particular a vascular wall support for the urinary tract, is provided with a substantially tubular, inherently stable carrier, a spacer film bonded to the carrier surface, and an inhibitor film of a glycosamino glycan bonded to the spacer film.

Abstract: The present invention provides modular intraluminal tubular prostheses, particularly stents and stent-grafts, for the treatment of disease conditions, particularly aneurysms. Modular sections of the prostheses, or “prosthetic modules,” may be selectively combined to form a composite prosthesis having characteristics which are tailored to the specific requirements of the patient. Each prosthetic module preferably includes one or more standard interface ends for engaging another module, the module/module interface typically comprising ends which overlap and/or lock within a predetermined axial range. Advantageously, the axial length, cross-section, perimeter, resilient expansive force, axial flexibility, liner permeability, liner extensibility, radial conformability, liner/tubal wall sealing and anchoring, and other prosthetic characteristics may be varied along the axis of the composite prosthesis, and also along the axis of each prosthetic module.

Abstract: A variety of new ways can be used for associating antimicrobial elemental metal with a medical article. The associated antimicrobial metal reduces the risk of infection associated with the medical use of the medical article. New medical articles are produced by some of these new approaches. Some of the methods involve ways of adjusting the dissociation rate of associated elemental metal such that desired degrees of antimicrobial activity can be achieved over selected periods of time.

Abstract: The invention relates to an intravascular stent wherein the intravascular stent has its inner surface treated to promote the migration of endothelial cells onto the inner surface of the intravascular stent. Particularly, the inner surface of the intravascular stent includes at least one groove. Methods for manufacturing an intravascular stent are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a process for producing a natural implant for tissue of a human or animal body, the body's own cells are multiplied and/or differentiated on a cell base using a culture medium to form the implant.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed for filling prostheses for implantation into human soft tissue. The compositions comprise at least one nonionic surfactant, such as a polysorbate, which can be provided to fill a physiologically compatible shell or containment sac of the prosthesis. The liquid compositions of the present invention have a relatively high viscosity and are quickly absorbed from body tissues, metabolized and excreted with no known adverse effect. The compositions can be injected into the physiologically compatible shell either before, during or after the surgical implantation procedure.

Abstract: A porous three-dimensional bone grafting matrix is provided which is biodegradable. The matrix is preferably formed from mineralized collagen where the mineral comprises particulate calcium phosphate immobilized in the matrix and having a particle size of 5 microns or less.

Abstract: A method for treating a body vessel using a stent formed from filaments of titanium or titanium alloys such as Ti—13Zr—13Nb.

Abstract: The invention concerns a prosthesis obturating device to obturate a hernial canal comprising, a part (1) made of sheet material for extending through the hernial canal and being characterized in that this first part is extended, at its end that is to be adjacent to the hernial cavity, inside this hernial cavity, by a second part, also made of sheet material and for covering the internal orifice of the hernial canal.

Abstract: Methods for utilizing a device for blocking (e.g., embolizing) the side branches of an anatomical passageway under endoscopic guidance. The device comprises an elongate catheter body having a side branch blocking apparatus, such as an embolization catheter, disposed therein and further incorporating an endoscope (e.g., an angioscope). The incorporated endoscope is useable to a) visually locate side branches which emanate from the anatomical passageway and b) visually observe the operation of the side branch blocking apparatus. Disclosed are methods for performing in situ embolization of the side branches of a vein, under angioscopic visualization. The endoscopic component of the device may also be utilized to visually observe the use and/or effect of one or more separate device, such as valvulotome(s) used for cutting venous valves located within the lumen of a vein.

Abstract: Solid free-form fabrication (SFF) methods are used to manufacture devices for allowing tissue regeneration and for seeding and implanting cells to form organ and structural components, which can additionally provide controlled release of bioactive agents, wherein the matrix is characterized by a network of lumens functionally equivalent to the naturally occurring vasculature of the tissue formed by the implanted cells, and which can be lined with endothelial cells and coupled to blood vessels at the time of implantation to form a vascular network throughout the matrix. The SFF methods can be adapted for use with a variety of polymeric, inorganic and composite materials to create structures with defined compositions, strengths, and densities, using computer aided design (CAD). Examples of SFF methods include stereo-lithography (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), ballistic particle manufacturing (BPM), fusion deposition modeling (FDM), and three dimensional printing (3DP).

Abstract: A stent having long-term antithrombogenicity and radiopacity whose location and geometry can be radiographically confirmed is provided. The production method is also provided. The stent of the invention has an antithrombogenic agent covalently bonded on it surface, and the antithrombogenic agent is immobilized onto the stent surface through coupling agent having at least two amino groups and a crosslinking agent having at least two aldehyde and/or epoxy groups. The stent of the invention also has a radiopaque metal plated on at least a part thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to coated stents and the method of making them. A stent that is substantially radiolucent is at least partially coated with a radiopaque layer that makes the stent visible under X-ray or fluoroscopy. A protective layer is coated on the stent and the radiopaque layer to protect both from scratches, flaking, and galvanic corrosion, and to improve both blood and bio-compatability.