Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved coatings and coating methods for medical devices.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve for treatment of a diseased heart valve having native anterior and posterior leaflets that move between an open configuration and a closed position to regulate blood flow through the heart valve during a cardiac cycle of a heart. The prosthetic heart valve having a crescent shaped stent, at least one prosthetic leaflet mounted on an inner surface of the stent, and at least one prong structure coupling a portion of the at least one prosthetic leaflet to a lower ventricular portion of the stent frame. The prosthetic heart valve further having systems for anchoring the upper flared portion of the stent to a posterior portion of the native valve annulus.

Abstract: A caped stent providing a cover having a single attachment point and an overlappable free end providing better conformity to target vessels than existing covered stents in which the stent covering is affixed throughout such stent.

Abstract: There is provided a tibial component comprising: a tibial tray with an inferior side; and a support member connected to the inferior side of the tibial tray, the support member having a stem portion, the support member further comprising at least one opening. In one embodiment, the at least one opening is constructed and arranged to receive a sawblade or an osteotome. In another embodiment, the at least one opening is comprised of solid material but is radio-lucent. In yet another embodiment, the at least one opening is comprised of solid material and is frangible.

Abstract: Methods for suturing tissue by forming a locking loop of suture material. In particular, method of using a suture passer to arthroscopically create a locking loop of suture in difficult to access tissues. As used herein a locking loop of suture is a loop of suture that is passed through a tissue from a first side to a second side of the tissue; one or more of the legs of the loop extending from the first side are passed through the tissue to the second side of the tissue and are then passed through the loop, and the loop is cinched to tighten closed over the one or more legs. The resulting locking loops stitches are extremely strong and distribute the stresses across the tissue in a desirable manner.

Abstract: In one of its aspects, the present invention relates to an endovascular prosthesis. The endovascular prosthesis includes a first expandable portion expandable from a first, unexpanded state to a second, expanded state to urge the first expandable portion against a vascular lumen and a retractable leaf portion attached to the first expandable portion. The retractable leaf portion comprises at least one spine portion and a plurality of rib portions attached to the spine portion. Longitudinally adjacent pairs of rib portions are free of interconnecting struts. The endovascular prosthesis that can be unsheathed and re-sheathed for repositioning of the endovascular prosthesis prior to final deployment thereof. There is also described a delivery device that that is particularly well suited to delivering the present endovascular prosthesis through tortuous vasculature in the body.

Abstract: The present application is directed to the field of surgical implants useful in orthopedic surgery. In one aspect, the present application provides a novel, preshaped allograft or xenograft bone tendon (BT) or bone tendon bone graft (BTB) having at least a portion of the tendon that is wider than the bone blocks. Such preshaped grafts allow for more efficacious surgeries and reduced surgical time.

Abstract: A medical device for implantation in a hip joint comprising: a first part adapted to be fixated to the femoral bone of the patient; and a second part rotatably connected to the first part by means of a connecting member. The first part comprises a bowl-shaped inner contacting surface portion adapted to receive a bowl-shaped outer contacting surface portion of the second part such that the second part is rotatable, relative to the first part, around a point of rotation formed by the connecting member. The second part comprises a bowl-shaped inner surface adapted to receive a ball-shaped portion of a prosthetic replacement for the caput femur. The inner contacting surface comprises at least one extending portion extending beyond the equator line and being adapted to clasp the ball-shaped portion of the prosthetic replacement for the caput femur.

Abstract: Gluteal implants and gluteal implant systems are described herein, as are methods of manufacturing and implanting the same. In certain embodiments, the gluteal implant includes a body having a convex upper surface, a concave lower surface, and an edge, the edge being formed by the intersection between the convex upper surface and the concave lower surface. The body can take on various shapes, including a truncated ovoid shape, a truncated approximate ovoid shape, a truncated substantially ovoid shape, a truncated ellipsoid shape, a truncated approximate ellipsoid shape, or a truncated substantially ellipsoid shape, among others. In certain embodiments, the gluteal implant system includes first and second gluteal implants that have the same or different shaped bodies. In certain, the gluteal implants and gluteal implant systems are implanted in a buttock.

Abstract: There is provided a tibial component comprising: a tibial tray with an inferior side; and a support member connected to the inferior side of the tibial tray, the support member having a stem portion, the support member further comprising at least one opening. In one embodiment, the at least one opening is constructed and arranged to receive a sawblade or an osteotome. In another embodiment, the at least one opening is comprised of solid material but is radio-lucent. In yet another embodiment, the at least one opening is comprised of solid material and is frangible.

Abstract: There is provided a tibial component comprising: a tibial tray with an inferior side; and a support member connected to the inferior side of the tibial tray, the support member having a stem portion, the support member further comprising at least one opening. In one embodiment, the at least one opening is constructed and arranged to receive a sawblade or an osteotome. In another embodiment, the at least one opening is comprised of solid material but is radio-lucent. In yet another embodiment, the at least one opening is comprised of solid material and is frangible.

Abstract: A walking assistance method may include receiving at least one abnormal gait type selected from a plurality of abnormal gait types, and differently controlling a walking assistance apparatus based on the at least one abnormal gait type. Therefore, the walking assistance method may effectively assist various types of abnormal gaits.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic device includes a coaption portion, paddles, and clasps. The paddles are extendable from a folded closed position to an open position. A clasp is attached to each of the paddles. Each clasp has a fixed arm attached to the inner portion of the paddle and a moveable arm having a barbed portion. A hinge portion connects the fixed arm to the moveable arm. A cover wraps around at least a portion of the moveable arm of the clasp. At least one actuation suture is attached to the cover.

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: The disclosure includes methods and systems for making orthopedic connections where there is unique adjustability to the connection. Illustratively, one embodiment provides a connecting assembly for connecting a plurality of orthopedic components. Such connecting assemblies can include a first orthopedic component that provides a female bore. Additionally, the assembly can include a second orthopedic component that can be or include a male-type connecting member that is positionable in the bore of the first orthopedic component. In one preferred form, the male-type connecting member will be a quasi-spherical member. The quasi-spherical member can include a textured outer surface, e.g., for contacting one or more walls or surfaces in the bore in a fashion that removably locks or helps to removably lock or fix the quasi-spherical member in the bore.

Abstract: A portable human exoskeleton system includes a pelvis module, a leg module and a foot module. The pelvis module includes a bendable member and a pelvis module connector. The foot module includes a foot module connector. The leg module includes: a femur module detachably coupled to the pelvis module connector; a tibia module detachably coupled to the foot module connector; and a knee joint component having at least two linkages with different lengths wherein each linkage is pivotally coupled to the femur module and the tibia module. Weight above the hip of the user is exerted on the pelvis module, and transferred to the leg module and the foot module. The exoskeleton system is easily disassembled and carried, and can be worn inside attire without affecting appearance of the user.

Abstract: A method and system for femoral condylar resection arthroplasty of the knee, which preserves the undamaged meniscus, whether by arthroscopy arthrotomy, and only replaces the damaged area of the femoral condyle. In one embodiment, only the distal femoral condyle is replaced and the posterior femoral condyle remains intact. In another embodiment, both the distal and posterior femoral condyle are replaced. The method and system include placing an intercondylar insert between articular surfaces of a distal femoral condyle and a tibial plateau with the knee in extension. The method and system also includes a box retractor having four right angle blades, two for medial structures and two for lateral structures. The blades are at two depths, shallow and deep. The components of the system are preferably of plastic material. The method and system preserve the meniscus on top of the tibial plateau.

Abstract: A method and system for femoral condylar resection arthroplasty of the knee, which preserves the undamaged meniscus on top of the tibial plateau, whether by arthroscopy or arthrotomy, and only replaces the damaged area of the femoral condyle. In one embodiment, only the distal femoral condyle is replaced and the posterior femoral condyle remains intact. In another embodiment, both the distal and posterior femoral condyle are replaced. The method and system include providing a combined, one-piece Intra-condylar insert and distal femoral cutting block, and placing the intercondylar insert between articular surfaces of a distal femoral condyle and a tibial plateau with the knee in extension. The method and system also includes a box retractor having four right angle blades, two for medial structures and two for lateral structures. The blades are at two depths, shallow and deep. The components of the system are preferably of plastic material.

Abstract: Augments for implantation of an orthopedic implant device in a bone. A distal end of an outer portion of the augment can have a shape that is configured to generally conform to the shape of a metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction of an intramedullary canal of the bone. Further, a proximal end of the outer portion of the augment has a shape that is configured to generally conform to a shape of the metaphyseal region of the intramedullary canal. Additionally, the shape of the outer portion at the distal end can be separated from the shape of the outer portion at the proximal end by a distance that is approximately equal to the distance between the metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction and the metaphyseal region of the intramedullary canal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes an intramedullary osteosynthesis or arthrodesis implant including a central body, a first pair of legs extending from the central body to a pair of leg tips, and a second pair of legs extending from the central body, in a direction opposite the first pair of legs, to a pair of leg tips such that the central body, first pair of legs and second pair of legs are positioned alongside a longitudinal axis.