Abstract: This disclosure relates to intervertebral disc prostheses which may have an upper plate, a lower plate, and a mobile core, with the upper surface of the core being in contact with at least a part of the lower surface of the upper plate. In some configurations, limit stops reduce friction while limiting or preventing the movements of the core relative to the lower plate, in translation and in rotation, respectively, along an axis substantially parallel to the lower plate and about an axis substantially perpendicular to the lower plate. Instrumentation for insertion of the prostheses into intervertebral spaces is also described.

Abstract: Prosthetic devices and frames for implantation at a cardiac valve annulus are provided that include an annular frame (having an inflow end and an outflow end) and a plurality of axial frame members that bridge two circumferentially extending rows of angled struts. The axial frame members can include a plurality of axially extending leaflet attachment members and a plurality of axial struts in a 1:1 ratio. Along each of the two rows, the frame can have at least three angled struts between adjacent axial frame members.

Abstract: A transcatheter valve prosthesis and a method for implanting the prosthesis in a heart are disclosed. The prosthesis includes a tubular body a coupled to a prosthetic valve. A fabric may be disposed on an outer surface of the tubular body. The method includes partially deploying the tubular body from a catheter to at position distal of a distal edge of a native valve leaflet, and moving the catheter such that the deployed outflow end portion of the tubular body engages the distal edge of the native valve leaflet and lifts the native valve leaflet in the proximal direction towards an atrial chamber of the heart. Then, the tubular body can be fully deployed such that the native valve leaflet is captured between the outflow end portion and the inflow end portion.

Abstract: The biocompatible lattice structures and implants disclosed herein have an increased or optimized lucency, even when constructed from a metallic material. The lattice structures can also provide an increased or optimized lucency in a material that is not generally considered to be radiolucent. Lucency can include disparity, maximum variation in lucency properties across a structure, or dispersion, minimum variation in lucency properties across a structure. The implants and lattice structures disclosed herein may be optimized for disparity or dispersion in any desired direction. A desired direction with respect to lucency can include the anticipated x-ray viewing direction of an implant in the expected implantation orientation.

Abstract: A multi-stage stent including a stent body and a bio-erodible material is provided. The stent body can be compressed in an initial state and the bio-erodible material can be coupled to the stent body in a configuration that holds the stent body in an expanded first state, following a first stage expansion from the initial state upon deployment of the stent body. Upon erosion of the bio-erodible material the stent body is released from the first state to expand further in a second stage expansion to a second state.

Abstract: An endovascular apparatus is provided for treating the effects of vascular disease including aneurysms and arterial blockages using a percutaneous, minimally invasive technique. In one embodiment the endovascular apparatus includes a tubular sleeve having a cranial end, a first caudal branch, and a second caudal branch such that the tubular sleeve is shaped like an upside down “Y.” The apparatus further includes at least one expandable attachment device attached to the tubular sleeve for securing the endovascular apparatus to an interior wall of a vessel. The at least one expandable attachment device includes a plurality of telescoping segments similar to the telescoping segments of a presentation pointer. Accordingly, during percutaneous insertion of the endovascular apparatus into a patient the attachment device can be collapsed into a small profile.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a spinal intervertebral body fusion device including an adjustable spacer, a first and second pushing piece, and an operative piece. The adjustable spacer includes a first and second supporting plate. The first supporting plate portion is movably installed on the second supporting plate portion. The first and second supporting plate portions form a first and second opening respectively located at two opposite sides of the adjustable spacer. The first pushing piece located at the first opening and is partially clamped by the first and second supporting plate portions. The second pushing piece located at the second opening is partially clamped by the first and second supporting plate portions. The operative piece is movably disposed through the second pushing piece and screwed to the first pushing piece. The operative piece has an annular slot, and the second pushing piece is partially located in the annular slot.

Abstract: The three-dimensional lattice structures disclosed herein have applications including use in medical implants. Some examples of the lattice structure are structural in that they can be used to provide structural support or mechanical spacing. In some examples, the lattice can be configured as a scaffold to support bone or tissue growth. Some examples can use a repeating modified rhombic dodecahedron or radial dodeca-rhombus unit cell. The lattice structures are also capable of providing a lattice structure with anisotropic properties to better suit the lattice for its intended purpose.

Abstract: The invention herein described is an endoprosthesis intended to replace a resected portion of bone and joint. The invention can be non-invasively, manually operated to lengthen a patient's limb both intraoperatively and postoperatively. It includes bone anchoring components for anchoring to a first and second long bone, a joint to replace the function of an orthopedic joint, and a purely mechanical lengthening mechanism which can be located and operated manually by an operator by pressing on skin of a patient without requiring a surgical incision. An alternative embodiment of the invention describes a similar extendable endoprosthesis which is unlocked by an operator by pressing on skin of a patient and the limb is subsequently pulled or pushed by the operator to change its length. The invention does not need or include any magnets, electric motors, electric current, application of heat or a fluid displacement (hydraulic) system.

Abstract: An atrioventricular prosthesis device is provided. The device includes a frame at least partially defining and enclosing a central cavity, the frame having a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a middle portion connected therebetween. The device further includes a valve construct formed, at least in part, from a cell growth scaffold, at least partially disposed within the central cavity defined by the frame. The valve construct includes: an annular portion defining an aperture and being connected to the frame for positioning the valve construct within the central cavity of the frame, and a plurality of leaflets extending longitudinally and radially inward from the annular portion. The frame and valve construct are transitionable to a deployed state, in which a diameter of at least a portion of the frame and the valve construct substantially conform to a diameter of a tricuspid and/or mitral valve opening.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for improving airflow within an airway. One example embodiment includes a method for treating a subject. The method includes (1) placing an expandable object into one or more airways of the bronchial tree of the subject, (2) expanding the expandable object within at least one of the one or more airways such that at least a portion of a wall of the one or more airways is expanded, and (3) placing a stent in the airway such that a portion of the stent is adjacent to the portion of the wall of the one or more expanded airways.

Abstract: A stent includes wavy-line pattern bodies having a wavy-line pattern and arranged side-by-side in an axial direction LD, and coiled elements arranged between the wavy-line pattern bodies adjacent and extending in a spiral manner around an axis. All apices on opposite sides of the wavy-line pattern of the wavy-line pattern bodies that are adjacent are connected by way of the coiled element. When viewing in a radial direction RD, a circular direction CD of the wavy-line pattern bodies is inclined with respect to the radial direction RD, and a winding direction of one of the coiled elements located at one side in the axial direction LD with respect to the wavy-line pattern bodies and a winding direction of one other of the coiled elements located at the other side in the axial direction LD are opposite.

Abstract: A modular heart valve prosthesis includes a first heart valve device and a second heart valve device. The first heart valve device includes a first valve support including a first prosthetic valve disposed within the valve support, and an anchoring frame surrounding the first valve support and coupled to the first valve support. The first prosthetic valve includes synthetic fabric leaflets having a first thickness. The second heart valve device includes a second valve support including a second prosthetic valve disposed within the second valve support. The second prosthetic valve includes tissue leaflets having a second thickness, wherein the second thickness is greater than the first thickness. In a first configuration, the second heart valve device is separate from the first heart valve device, and in a second configuration, the second heart valve device is disposed within the first valve support of the first heart valve device.

Abstract: Apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve, including: a replacement valve adapted to be delivered endovascularly to a vicinity of the heart valve; an expandable anchor adapted to be delivered endovascularly to the vicinity of the heart valve; and a lock mechanism configured to maintain a minimum amount of anchor expansion. The invention also includes a method for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. In some embodiments the method includes the steps of: endovascularly delivering a replacement valve and an expandable anchor to a vicinity of the heart valve; expanding the anchor to a deployed configuration; and locking the anchor in the deployed configuration.

Abstract: A humeral prosthetic head has a non-spherical articulation surface coupled with an intermediate component connecting the head and the humerus, the intermediate component connected to the epiphysis, metaphysis, or diaphysis, or to one or more additional components connected to the humerus. The intermediate portion provides for axial and angular offset of the head with respect to a connection to the humerus, using a curvilinear tapered engagement.

Abstract: A method and system for femoral condylar resection arthroplasty (FCRA) of the knee, which preserves the undamaged meniscus, whether by arthroscopy or arthrotomy, and only replaces the damaged area of the femoral condyle. In one embodiment, both the distal and posterior femoral condyle are replaced with a two piece femoral two-piece distal and posterior femoral condyle component. This two piece component has a metal piece and a plastic piece removably attached in a tongue and groove arrangement. This arrangement allows the plastic piece to be removed when converting the FCRA into a unicompartmental arthroplasty.

Abstract: A stent body having a frame having a plurality of openings. A first cover overlies and is attached to the frame to cover a first portion of the frame and has a free floating end unattached to the frame. A second cover overlies and is attached to the frame to cover a second portion of the frame, the second cover having a free floating end unattached to the frame. The first cover overlaps a first region of the second cover.

Abstract: A method and device to correctly orient an intracranial occlusion device, such as a stent having differential porosity, with respect to desired areas of greater or lesser blood flow (e.g., branch vessels and aneurysms, respectively), said device being particularly adapted for use in treating aneurysms in intracranial or other tortuous vasculature. An intravascular device comprising a delivery catheter having a hub and angular lumen capable of constraining a pusher wire within a packaging catheter to deploy said stent in an orientation wherein the area of least porosity abuts the aneurysm, and area of maximal porosity permits blood flow to a branch or other vessel. A method of using same.

Abstract: A glenoid component for securement to a glenoid surface of a scapula comprises a body portion having a first surface adapted to contact the glenoid surface of a scapula and a second surface configured to receive the head portion of a humerus. The glenoid component further includes an anchor peg for penetrating the glenoid surface of the scapula so as to secure the body portion to the glenoid surface of the scapula. The anchor peg includes a cylindrical shaft extending from the first surface of the body portion and a fin secured to and extending outwardly from the cylindrical shaft. The glenoid component further includes a feature that prevents rotation of the glenoid component.

Abstract: A radially expandable, tubular stent, includes a first section having a first crush resistance force and a second section have a second crush resistance force, wherein the first crush resistance force is less than the second crush resistance force. The first section is connected to the second section to form a tube, connection of the first and second sections extending in an axial direction of the tube.