Abstract: A preloaded intraocular lens injection device includes a retainer for releasably holding an IOL in an unstressed state. The retainer and IOL are removably attached to an injector body and are sealed in the same package for delivery to a surgeon. In an alternate embodiment, the retainer and IOL are coupled together and sealed in one package and the injector body is sealed in a separate package with the surgeon attaching the retainer to the injector body at the time of surgery. To deliver the IOL through the injector body, the retainer is removed from the injector body causing the IOL to release from the retainer and become located in an unstressed state in the injector body. A compressor is moved to the closed position to compress the IOL, the injector tip is inserted through a small incision in an eye and a plunger is advanced to push the IOL through and out the injector body tip and into an eye.

Abstract: A stent includes annular units arranged in the axial direction of the stent, wherein each of the annular units includes a plurality of annular elements so arranged as to surround the stent axis, the adjacent annular elements being joined to each other through a joint, and the adjacent annular units are interconnected at their joints by at least one link. The annular elements in each annular unit are so arranged that one of the adjacent pair of annular elements is located on the proximal end side in the axial direction of the stent relative to the other of the adjacent pair of annular elements, end portions of each annular unit are projected zigzag, and the zigzag projected end portion of one annular unit is in the state of penetrating into the adjacent annular unit. The joints in each annular unit are substantially parallel to the stent axis.

Abstract: A femoral component is provided for use in a knee joint prosthesis. The femoral component may be configured to provide one or more desirable kinematic relationships with a tibial component and/or patella so as to mimic the flexion and extension motion of a natural knee joint. The femoral component may be configured so that the patella follows a substantially circular pathway during knee flexion and extension. The femoral component may be configured so that the patella follows a curved patellar path during flexion and extension, and the curved patellar path has an origin located anterior and proximal to the geometrical center axis of the knee. The femoral component may be configured so that the patella follows a curved patellar path that lies in a plane which is parallel to and offset from a plane that extends through the center of the femoral head of a femur and is perpendicular to the geometric center axis of the knee.

Abstract: A stent comprises a plurality of axially spaced serpentine bands. Each serpentine band has a proximal and distal end and consists of a plurality of interconnected struts. The struts are of substantially the same length. Serpentine bands which are adjacent one another are connected one to the other. The stent further comprises a plurality of wishbone connectors. Each wishbone connector connects two serpentine bands which are adjacent one another. The wishbone connectors have an elongate portion which is disposed between the two serpentine bands and does not overlap longitudinally with either of the two serpentine bands. The elongate portion has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end has two legs extending therefrom to one of the two serpentine bands and the distal end has two legs extending therefrom to the other of the two serpentine bands. At least one wishbone connector connects serpentine bands which are adjacent one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to connective tissue substitute implant and method of preparation thereof. The implant is essentially composed of two bone anchors joined at the proximal ends by matrix layers and/or filaments coated by supplementary biocompatible matrix coating layer which can contain living stem cells isolated from injured connective tissue.

Abstract: A stent in the form of a thin-walled, multi-cellular tubular structure is provided. The tubular structure has a longitudinal axis and the stent includes a plurality of circumferential sets of strut members. Each set of the strut members is longitudinally displaced from each other and connected to each other by longitudinally extending links. Each set of the strut members forms a closed and cylindrical portion of the stent. Further, each set of the strut members includes a plurality of connected curve sections and diagonal sections. The sets of the strut members further include end sets of strut members located at each end of the stent and central sets of strut members located between the end sets of the strut members.

Abstract: The present invention relates to connective tissue substitute implant and method of preparation thereof. The implant is essentially composed of two bone anchors joined at the proximal ends by matrix layers and/or filaments coated by supplementary biocompatible matrix coating layer which can contain living stem cells isolated from injured connective tissue.

Abstract: A mitral annuloplasty ring that has an outward and an upward posterior bow. The ring defines a closed, modified oval shape with a minor-major axis dimension ratio of between about 3.3:4 to 4:4. The ring is made of a material that will substantially resist distortion when subjected to the stress imparted thereon when the ring is implanted in the mitral valve annulus of an operating human heart. As a result, the annuloplasty ring corrects for pathologies associated with mitral valve prolapse, or Barlow's syndrome, in which the leaflets tend to be elongated or floppy.

Abstract: An intervertebral cage includes a thin main wall having two return parts at opposite ends of the wall. The wall has an approximately constant thickness. The return parts are extended by facing end parts having a gap between them. The wall, the return parts and end parts delimit an inner cavity. The gap extends parallel to the wall and has a length between 50% and 100% of the cavity length. The gap length is preferably between 70% to 90% of the cavity length.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering prostheses to body lumens, such as stents and grafts to blood vessels, utilize a delivery device which carries one or more linearized elements. The linearized elements assume non-linear configurations, particularly helical configurations, when advanced and released from the delivery device. By selectively controlling the length and/or number of elements delivered from the delivery device, extended and disseminated disease within the body lumens may be effectively treated.