Abstract: An intercalary prosthesis spans a space in the shaft of a long bone between native proximal and distal ends of the long bone. The intercalary prosthesis has first and second intercalary segments connected to proximal and distal stem components. The stem components are implanted in the proximal and distal ends of the long bone. One of the intercalary segments has a male dovetail and the other has a female dovetail. The male and female dovetails are positioned to allow the male dovetail to be moved into the female dovetail in a direction other than the proximal-distal direction. The intercalary segments can thus be connected after the segments have been implanted without damaging the soft tissue at the native bone through distraction. The intercalary segments and stem components are provided as part of a kit. The method of implanting the intercalary prosthesis is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved intraocular lens (42) is provided which more closely mimics the accommodation and focusing of the eye's natural lens. The lens (42) comprises an optic (44) and a flexible, resilient optic positioning element (46) which includes an anterior section (48), a posterior section (50), a bight (56), in cross-section, joining the anterior and posterior sections, and a haptic arm (58) extending between the optic (44) and the optic positioning element (46). The lens (42) may optionally include a posterior optic (44a) coupled to the optic positioning element (46). The optic positioning element (46) is formed of unitary construction. The anterior (48) and posterior (50) sections are configured for yieldable engagement with the anterior (52) and posterior (54) walls of the eye capsule (30), respectively.

Abstract: A tissue connection device is provided for use on a patient at a treatment site. The device comprises an elongate member having a distal end and a proximal end. The elongate member has a first, substantially linear configuration during delivery through an elongate delivery device, wherein the first configuration is sufficient to allow said member to be delivered percutaneously into the patient to the treatment site. The elongate member has a second, substantially circular configuration when said member disengages from the delivery device, wherein the second configuration is sufficient to support tissue at the treatment site. The elongate member in the second configuration defines a single ring.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for distracting a spinal disc space and supporting adjacent vertebrae are provided. Trial instruments are insertable into the disc space to determine a desired disc space height and to select a corresponding implant. Implants can be also be self-distracting and the implant providing the desired disc space height can be implanted in the spinal disc space.

Abstract: A clip device for hemostasis includes an introducing tube (outer sheath) insertable into a body cavity. An operating wire is slidably inserted into an inner sheath, which in turn is separately advanceable and retractable within the outer sheath (introducing tube). The operating wire has a distal end portion and a retainer attached to the distal end portion of the operating wire. The clip device further includes a clip having a proximal end portion and at least three arm portions extending from the proximal end portion and provided with a tendency to open. A first retainer is attached to the distal end of the clip and is matingly received by a second retainer provided on the operating wire. A clip sliding ring is provided for closing the arm portions of the clip. Methods for delivering the clip and for causing hemostasis are also provided.

Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens is provided that having optical parameters that are altered in-situ using forces applied by the ciliary muscles, in which a lens body carries an actuator separating two fluid-filled chambers having either the same index of diffraction or different indices of refraction, actuation of the actuator changing the relative volumes of fluid within an optic element of the lens and altering the optical power of the lens.

Abstract: An endoluminal stent composed of a plurality of circumferential expansion elements arrayed to form the circumference of the stent and extending along the longitudinal axis of the stent, and a plurality of interconnecting members that interconnect adjacent pairs of circumferential expansion elements, the interconnecting members joining struts of adjacent pairs of interconnecting members at approximate mid-points of the struts.

Abstract: An intraocular lens arrangement having positive or negative lens with a frame that extends from the lens to provide diametrically opposed upper and lower frame sections. A first lens linkage has its first end attached to the upper frame section with at least two points of contact with the upper frame section. A second lens linkage has its first end attached to the lower frame section with at least two points of contact with the lower frame section. A second end of said first lens linkage and a second end of the second lens linkage are attached to a sulcus or zonule member to provide relatively large movement of the lens with a small movement of the ciliary muscle during accomodation response of the eye, and wherein the movements during the accommodation response are along the optical axis of the eye and are controlled in order to improve the image on the retina of objects viewed by the eye over a wide range of distances. The lens is preferably a positive lens with the appropriate frame.

Abstract: In an insertion instrument for a three-piece intervertebral implant that includes an upper part that can be placed against a vertebra, a lower part that can be placed against the adjacent vertebra, and a pivot element that can be inserted between these two parts, the instrument having two arms, disposed side by side and supported pivotably relative to one another on one end, which at their free ends each have one retention device for the upper part and lower part, respectively, of the intervertebral implant, it is proposed that a longitudinal guide for the pivot element is disposed in one of the arms.

Abstract: There are provided an artificial joint device that can realize an artificial limb enabling twisting motion without a drive source, and when with the drive source, reduce the size and costs of the device, and a parallel linkage that can realize the device. The linkage connects a foot portion and a mounting plate spaced from each other. A fixed link has one end fixed to the plate, and the other end connected to the foot portion via a ball joint, making the angle of the fixed link relative to the foot portion changeable in any direction. Expansible links extend between the foot portion and the plate in an expansible/contractible manner and each have opposite ends connected to the plate and the foot portion via respective upper and lower ball joints, making respective angles thereof relative to the foot portion and the plate changeable in any direction.

Abstract: A valve repair system, preferably including an annuloplasty prosthesis and a holder for the prosthesis. The holder includes a first component having a central opening, a circumferential surface and an outwardly extending member. The annuloplasty prosthesis is located adjacent to the circumferential surface, above the outwardly extending member. The holder further includes a second component movable upwardly relative to the first holder component and includes a rigid penetrating member extending downward from the second component into the prosthesis, holding it adjacent the circumferential surface. The holder also includes a suturing guide for assisting a physician in valve repair surgery, which may be a cuttable suture extending across the central opening along a path approximating a desired line of leaflet coaption. The cuttable suture may additionally secure the first and second components to one another.

Abstract: A close-ended residual limb suspension liner includes a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a center portion extending between the distal and proximal portions. An outer surface of the liner includes at least one peripheral profile portion having an undulating wall thickness comprising a plurality of projections arranged in a pattern.

Abstract: A spinal implant is inserted between adjacent vertebrae to function as an disk prosthesis. The prosthesis has two plates fastened to adjacent vertebrae facing each other. The facing sides of the plates each have a depending skirt formed as concentric arcs of about 90 degrees. The skirts are either bowed or tapered in the axial direction. A protrusion is centrally located between the arcs on one plate and a depression is centrally located between the arcs of the other plate. The plates are oriented to each other with the concentric arcs of each interrupted skirt at 90 degrees and the protrusion is engaged in the depression. The plates are then rotated about 90 degrees and the opposed arcs of one plate interlock with the opposed arcs of the other plate to prevent separation in the axial direction.

Abstract: A stent comprises a plurality of serpentine circumferential bands, and a plurality of connector columns. Each connector column is located between two adjacent circumferential bands and comprises one or more connector struts. Each connector strut is connected at one end to one serpentine circumferential band and at another end to another serpentine circumferential band. The number of connectors per connector column decreases from the first free end of the stent to the second free end of the stent.

Abstract: A spinal fixation assembly is provided including a fusion cage with posterior, anterior, superior, and inferior faces, and a plate having at least one aperture for receiving a bone screw and having a mating element adapted to slidably engage and mate to the anterior face of the fusion cage. The cage is adapted to be positioned between adjacent vertebrae, and the plate is effective to mate to the cage and to receive one or more bone screws to fasten the plate and secure the fusion cage to the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: An endovascular graft system used to repair aneurysms in arteries which bifurcate such as the aorta which bifurcates at the aortoiliac junction. The graft system includes two legs, each defining a lumen. Each leg comprises an aortic stent, a graft component and an iliac stent. The graft component is affixed at one end to the aortic stent and at the other end to the iliac stent. Each leg of the graft system is preferably a mirror image of the other with the exception of the aortic stents. The graft component of each leg includes a means for allowing in situ adjustment of the length of the leg to accommodate the different sizes required for different patients.

Abstract: A stent for treatment of a body lumen through which a flow is effected on either side of a sphincter, said stent comprising one or more windings and having an inner core substantially covered by an outer core and including a first segment, a second segment, and a connecting member disposed between the segments. When the stent is positioned within a patient's urinary system, the first segment and second segments are located on either side of the external sphincter to inhibit migration of the stent while not interfering with the normal functioning of the sphincter. The outer coating comprises an absorbable material that provides temporary structural support to the stent. After absorption of substantially all the outer coating of the stent, the remaining relatively compliant inner core facilitates easy removal by the patient by pulling a portion of the stent that extends outside the patient's body for this purpose.

Abstract: A delivery system includes a sheath and a handle. The handle includes: a slide shaft having a threaded outer surface; and a hub assembly coupled to the sheath. The hub assembly includes: an inner slider having a thread tooth pivot support; a thread tooth pivotably mounted to the thread tooth pivot support; and a sleeve having a thread tooth press member pressing on the thread tooth, where motion of the sleeve relative to the inner slider pivots the thread tooth on the thread tooth pivot support to engage and disengage the hub assembly with the threaded outer surface.

Abstract: A cross link system provides stability to spinal rods by maintaining a set distance between the rods. The cross link has a bar with connectors on each end formed with grooves that engage each of the spinal rods. Each of the connectors has a cam that can be manipulated to obstruct the groove and provide a friction fit between the spinal rod and the cross link. The cams have locking nuts that prevent disengagement of the cam and rod. The bar has two shafts interconnected by a bifurcated pin with upstanding ends, a piston is located between the upstanding ends and diverts shear forces along the longitudinal axis of the bar.

Abstract: A tubular graft/stent includes a tubular sheath (10) having at intervals along its length a plurality of ring-like rigid members (11), which are attached to the sheath around their respective circumferences and are made of a shape memory material, so that when the members (11) change shape the sheath (10) adopts a new cross section in conformity with them along its whole length. The members may be discontinuous to allow the adoption of a contracted shape in the martensitic phase and an expanded shape in the austenitic phase. A graft may also have a side tube (14) which can be inverted so as to be housed within the sheath.