Abstract: The present invention provides a system for treating a vascular condition, which includes a catheter; a stent coupled to the catheter, the stent including a stent framework; a phenoxy primer coating operably disposed on the stent framework; and a drug-polymer coating disposed on the phenoxy primer coating. The present invention also provides a drug-coated stent and a method of manufacturing a drug-coated stent.

Abstract: A valve repair device and method of repair for the mitral valve of the heart is disclosed. The valve repair device includes a leaflet portion, a muscle portion, and a plurality of chords connecting the leaflet portion to the muscle portion. The valve repair device is attached to the diseased valve by suturing the leaflet portion to the affected leaflet and suturing the muscle portion to the affected muscle. The leaflet portion and muscle portion are constructed of cloth made from expanded polytetraflouroethylene. The chords are sutures also constructed from expanded polytetraflouroethylene. The suture position for the muscle portion is determined by positioning the valve repair device adjacent to a normal marginal chord. The valve repair device may be employed to repair the anterior leaflet or posterior leaflet of the mitral valve.

Abstract: With an object of providing an artificial sphincter for which repeated shape changes are possible, and for which the quantity of shape change is sufficient so as to be used as a substitute for a large natural sphincter, an artificial sphincter 11 that opens and closes, as required, either the anus of a living body or part of the intestine 19 led outside the body is provided, wherein this artificial sphincter 11 comprises a pair of shape memory alloy elements 13 that change reversibly between two opposite shapes upon changes in temperature and hinges 15 that link the shape memory alloy elements 1 together in a cylindrical shape.

Abstract: An apparatus for replacing at least a portion of an intervertebral disc in a spinal column includes: a first member having a first vertebral contact surface for engagement with an endplate of a first vertebral bone in the spinal column, and having a first articulation surface that is defined at least by a concave arc having a radius of curvature A about a first axis substantially perpendicular to an anterior-posterior plane of the spinal column, and by a convex arc having a radius of curvature B about a first axis substantially perpendicular to a lateral plane of the spinal column; and a second member having a second vertebral contact surface for engagement with an endplate of a second vertebral bone in the spinal column, and having a second articulation surface that is defined at least by a convex arc having a radius of curvature C about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the anterior-posterior plane of the spinal column, and by a concave arc having a radius of curvature D about a second axis subst

Abstract: A device for improving fixation and sealing of a prosthetic component when implanted in a body lumen during laparoscopic, endovascular, or open surgical procedures. In one embodiment, the prosthetic component comprises a graft having a hem defining an interior space. Enclosed within the space is an absorbent cord. The cord expands as it comes in contact with body fluids. The expansion due to the absorbed fluids forms a seal closely following the irregular shape of the lumen and improves fixation at the junction of the body lumen and the prosthetic component. Hem and cord arrangement also used to improve fixation of one prosthetic component to another in a modular graft. In another embodiment, an attachment tab has one part affixed to the outer periphery of the graft and another part attached to an area adjacent to the body lumen upon implantation, to resist forces tending to move the implant.

Abstract: A total disc implant (TDI) is provided for total replacement of a spinal disc or discs in a human patient or other mammal, wherein the TDI is designed to maintain a substantially full range of natural motion (ROM) following implantation. The TDI generally comprises, in one preferred form, upper and lower end plates for affixation to adjacent vertebral bodies, with an intervening insert disposed therebetween. The end plates each include elongated part-cylindrical surfaces oriented generally perpendicular to each other, with one of said surfaces extending in an anterior-posterior direction and the other extending in a medial-lateral direction. The intervening insert defines concave upper and lower part-cylindrical seats oriented for respectively engaging these part-cylindrical surfaces, wherein these part-cylindrical seats are defined by offset radii to include a somewhat flattened central base region merging smoothly with upwardly curving radiused sides.

Abstract: The invention concerns a flexible vascular prosthesis comprising a synthetic support impregnated with at least a covalently crosslinked dextran and/or at least a functionalised derivative of covalently crosslinked dextran. The invention also concerns a method for preparing said prosthesis.

Abstract: A prosthesis for scleral expansion includes a central body portion and at least one end portion having a width greater than the width of the central body portion. The end portion therefore inhibits rotation of the prosthesis about a long axis when the prosthesis is implanted within a scleral pocket or tunnel. The other end of the central body portion may have a blunted end portion including grooves for receiving a edge or lip of an incision forming the scleral tunnel to inhibit the prosthesis from sliding within the scleral tunnel. Curvature of the bottom surface of the central body portion may be greater than the curvature of the innermost surface of the scleral tunnel so that contact between the scleral and the bottom surface of the prosthesis is primarily with the end portions.

Abstract: In an artificial heart valve for the replacement of an aortic or a mitral valve, including an annular body, which is provided at its outer circumference with means for mounting the artificial valve in place by surgical procedures and which defines in its interior a blood flow passage in which valve flap elements are pivotally supported so as to open or close the blood flow passage depending on their pivot positions, the annular body includes circumferentially spaced projections extending into the flow passage and being provided at their inner ends with pivot joints on which the valve flap elements are pivotally supported.

Abstract: An adjustable intraocular lens system is provided by detachably attaching a secondary intraocular lens having a thin, contact lens-type optic onto a primary intraocular lens that has previously been implanted into an individual's eye. The preliminary intraocular lenses have two or more shallow, narrow slits formed adjacent the optical peripheries thereof. These slits may be formed in or through the preliminary intraocular lens optic itself or outside the optic in tabs, in haptic attachment regions or in plate-type haptics. The associated secondary intraocular lens optics are formed having two or more insertion tabs extending radially from the optical peripheries thereof. The secondary intraocular insertion tabs are shaped and located to penetrate corresponding ones of the primary intraocular lens slits and have wedge-shaped free end regions to facilitate slit insertion. The secondary intraocular lens provides a required power correction to the primary intraocular lens to which it is attached.

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 stent-graft fabricated from a thin-walled, high strength material provides for a more durable and lower profile endoprosthesis. The stent-graft comprises one or more stent segments covered with a fabric formed by the weaving, knitting or braiding of a biocompatible, high tensile strength, abrasion resistant, highly durable yarn such as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. The one or more stent segments may be balloon expandable or self-expanding. The fabric may be attached to the stent segments utilizing any number of known materials and techniques.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to implantable medical device assemblies. The assemblies are primarily used to introduce and deposit implantable medical devices in the vasculatures of implant recipients. The principle implantable medical device used in the assembly is an expandable element in the form of an endovascular device. The expandable element is maintained in a compacted configuration during introduction of the device into the vasculature with a confinement means. The expandable element is released from the confinement means at an implantation site with a control line. The control line has high tensile strength, high modulus, structural rigidity, and low compressibility. These features of the control line provide a practitioner with tactile feedback of the release of the expandable element from the confinement means. The tactile feedback is present during the entire deployment of the expandable element.

Abstract: The present invention embodies delivery systems and methods for delivering modular endovascular graft devices that allow one portion of the repair device to be deployed while maintaining control of the other portions. The delivery systems are simpler to use, easier to manufacture and facilitate better packing of the repair device.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to thermography and, in particular, to a method of using infrared thermography to monitor physiological and molecular events that elicit a thermogenic response in animals (including humans), plants, tissues, cells and cell-free systems. The present method can be used for screening, identifying, and ranking drug candidates for multiple diseases, disorders and conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a minimally invasive, comprehensive same-day diagnosis and treatment method to remove tumor and ablate margins in breast cancer patients, comprising disease diagnosis by MRI and touch preparation cytology, followed by tumor removal and ablation of tumor margins.

Abstract: An ocular device that can more safely and effectively perform all functions needed of a retinal prosthesis with electronic components that are placed outside the wall of an eye, are powered wirelessly provided by an external power source, and which provide a patient with a view determined by natural motion of the eye and triggered by natural incident light converging at the retina. In one aspect, the invention is an externally powered, light-activated, sub-retinal prosthesis in which natural light entering the eye conveys visual details to the sub-retinal prosthesis, while wireless radiofrequency transmission provides the power needed to stimulate the retina, which would be insufficient if it were obtained from the intensity of incoming light alone.

Abstract: A system for removing perspiration from a residual limb inserted in a prosthesis comprising an nonporous prosthesis socket, a porous thin sheath adjacent the socket, a nonporous liner adjacent the sheath, an osmotic membrane adjacent the liner allowing water vapor to pass from the limb but preventing liquid from passing to the limb, a nonporous seal that prevents air leakage between the residual limb and the socket; and, a vacuum source to reduce the pressure in a space between the limb and socket. A method of removing perspiration from a residual limb in a prosthesis.

Abstract: Method embodiments to implant a stimulation lead in a patient's sacrum to deliver neurostimulation therapy can reduce patient surgical complications, reduce patient recovery time, and reduce healthcare costs. A method embodiment begins by inserting a needle posterior to the sacrum through an entry point. The needle is guided into a foramen along an insertion path to a desired location. The insertion path is dilated with a dilator to a diameter sufficient for inserting a stimulation lead. The needle is removed from the insertion path. The stimulation lead is inserted to the desired location. The dilator is removed from the insertion path. Additionally if the clinician desires to separately anchor the stimulation lead, an incision is created through the entry point from an epidermis to a fascia layer. The stimulation lead is anchored to the fascia layer.

Abstract: A process for performing lumbar laminectomy is characterized by leaving the muscles intact along the base of spinous process and posterior faces of detached portions of lamina, facet joints, and transverse processes of at least one of adjacent superior and inferior vertebrae to preserve the blood flow to the detached portions and, thus, to create a living peace of bone used as fusion material between the bases of the transverse processes of the superior and inferior vertebrae.