Abstract: A device for heart valve replacement comprises a valve component having at least two valve leaflets preferably made of pericardium tissue. Each valve leaflet includes at least two tabs. The device further includes a stent component configured to be radially compressible into a compressed state and expandable into a functional state. The stent component comprises a first end, a second end and at least one intermediate section arranged between said first and said second end. The intermediate section has at least two commissural posts generally aligned parallel to an axis spanning from the first end to the second end. The commissural posts are formed in the shape of a wishbone.

Abstract: Medical devices, medical device kits, and related methods of treatment are described. An exemplary medical device comprises a proximal portion having an outer surface defining a thread and an inner surface defining a passageway having a keyed portion, a distal portion providing an atraumatic tip, and a flexible main body extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The medical device can be positioned in contact with a paralyzed vocal cord to cause a desired medialization for treatment of the vocal cord. The flexible main body allows for deflection upon contact and/or interaction with another device passed into the airway of a treated patient.

Abstract: Ureteral stents include a tubular body defining a lumen and have a distal kidney section, a proximal bladder section, and a ureter section between the distal and proximal sections. The tubular body has a first material layer and a stiffening member that extends through at least a portion of a length of the tubular body. The stiffening member has a stiffness characteristic that varies along its length. This enables different portions of the stent to have different stiffness characteristics that preferably are optimized for the location of those portions within the human body. The stiffening member may be at least a second material layer having a second stiffness that is different from a first stiffness of the first material layer, and/or at least one strand of material that is embedded within the first material layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a speech valve for laryngectomy or tracheotomy patients, comprising a cover element, a housing part and a filter, the cover element comprising a piston-shaped closure element and said closure element being connected to the cover element to form one piece therewith. The cover element comprises an elastic material and by deforming at least part of the cover element the closure element closes the speech valve distally of the filter.

Abstract: A stretchable electronic device for artificial skin and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The stretchable electronic device for artificial skin includes a first encapsulation layer, a heater disposed on the first encapsulation layer, a second encapsulation layer disposed on the heater, a first sensor array layer disposed on the second encapsulation layer, and a third encapsulation layer disposed on the first sensor array layer.

Abstract: An implant device having a proximal end and a distal end, and a suturing fixture offset from the proximal end. The suturing fixture has a profile that extends from the surface of the elongate body. For example, the suturing fixture may have the shape of a cone, or the shape of a disc. The implant device may be used for placement within a salivary gland duct.

Abstract: Breast implants including sensor modules and related methods are described herein. Breast implants include those with: a shell configured to be substantially filled with a viscous material; and a plurality of sensor modules attached to the shell and positioned at a distance from each other, each of the plurality of sensor modules oriented to detect one or more analytes in a fluid adjacent to the shell, wherein each of the plurality of sensor modules includes a unique identifier and is configured to utilize energy transmitted from an external source.

Abstract: A modular articulated spacer system provides for screw-based assembly of an articular spacer intended to replace an artificial joint temporarily, whereby the articulated spacer system comprises at least two modules connectable by means of a screw connection, whereby a first module of the articular spacer system comprises a surface for formation of a sliding surface of the joint of the articular spacer and a second module of the articular spacer system comprises a stem for connection to a bone. The modules are connectable by means of the screw connection comprising at last one screw-locking device for each screw connection, whereby the screw-locking device is connected to one of the modules or is provided in the form of the same part as one of the modules.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an assembly for fixing a ligament in bone. The assembly includes a suspension member and an implant having a mechanism for fixedly receiving the suspension member and at least partially suspending the suspension member and the received bone graft within the implant, allowing for bony in-growth. A method of fixing a ligament in bone is also disclosed.

Abstract: An delivery device including an inner tube having an inner tube proximal end region and an inner tube distal end region, the inner tube distal end region comprising a first retaining mechanism; a middle tube having a middle tube distal end region and a middle tube proximal end region and defining a middle tube lumen, the inner tube disposed within the middle tube lumen; and an outer tube having an outer tube proximal end region and an outer tube distal end region and defining an outer tube lumen, the middle tube disposed within the outer tube lumen, the outer tube distal end region comprising a second retaining mechanism; wherein the inner tube is structured and arranged to displace proximally and distally relative to the middle tube, and wherein the outer tube is structured and arranged to displace proximally and distally relative to the middle tube. A method of deploying an endoprosthesis is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of reproducing a biological object includes 3D-imaging the object and generating a mold using a 3D printer; obtaining cells from a donor site on the object; preparing a live cell suspension using the cells from the donor site; forming a scaffold in the mold with collagen and seeding the scaffold with live cells, growing the cells in the mold and curing the collagen; and surgically implanting the object into a living subject, where the cells continue to live in the living subject.

Abstract: A method for regenerating alveolar bone in which bone tissue is regenerated in the gap between an implant or dental root and alveolar bone, which comprises a procedure consisting of making an incision in the gingiva surrounding an implant or dental root embedded in alveolar bone, blowing a first air into the gap between the implant or dental root and the alveolar bone to remove a portion of infected granulation tissue present in the gap, and irradiating the gap with laser light to degenerate the infected granulation tissue remaining in the gap, followed by blowing a second air containing microparticles having calcium as a constituent thereof and water into the gap to remove the degenerated infected granulation tissue and fill in the gap with the wet microparticles.

Abstract: A prosthetic joint is secured to the bones forming the original joint by utilizing strictly mechanical fasteners, for example, a threaded rod engaging a tapped intramedullary canal. Cross locking members may be provided. The need for bone cement is avoided. The prosthetic joint may be used to replace one end of one bone forming the joint, utilizing the naturally occurring end of the other bone. Alternatively, both bone ends may be replaced with prosthetic joint portions. The decision to replace one or both bone ends may be made mid-surgery. The prosthetic joint portions are secured together utilizing ligament reconstruction members made from portions of the patient's tendons or allograft tendons. A bearing forming the interface between the two joint portions is designed to wear in order to protect the remaining components from wear, and to be easily replaced in relatively simple future surgeries.

Abstract: A convertible nephroureteral catheter is used in the treatment of urinary system complications, particularly on the need for a single surgically delivered device to treat patients who must be seen by an interventional radiologist (IR). In many current procedures, patients need to return to the operating room to remove a previously delivered nephroureteral catheter to exchange this catheter with a fully implanted ureteral stent delivered though the same access site at the flank. The present convertible nephroureteral catheter reduces the need to return for a second surgical procedure. Two weeks after initial implantation, the proximal portion of the convertible nephroureteral catheter extending out from the body may simply be removed. A simple action at the catheter hub allows this proximal portion to be removed, leaving behind the implanted ureteral stent within the patient's urinary system. Other medical procedures, devices, and technologies may benefit from the described convertible catheter.

Abstract: In one aspect, nerve growth inhibition devices are described herein. In some embodiments, a nerve growth inhibition device described herein comprises a tube having a proximal end and a distal end. A matrix material is disposed in the tube, and the matrix material comprises one or more microchannels. The proximal end of the tube comprises an opening operable to receive nerve tissue, the distal end of the tube is sealed, and the microchannels of the matrix material extend from the proximal end of the tube toward the distal end of the tube.

Abstract: Devices and methods for fixating a graft tendon in a bone tunnel for a ligament reconstruction or repair procedure are provided. In general, the described implantable tissue fixation device includes first and second elongate, substantially rigid support members that are discrete elements separated from each other, and at least one flexible member connecting the rigid support members. The tissue fixation device can have changeable dimensions such that it has at least one dimension that is smaller in a delivery configuration than in a deployed configuration. In both delivery and deployed configurations, the first and second rigid support members are positioned in a non-intersecting orientation with respect to one another. A graft retention loop coupled to the tissue fixation device has the graft tendon coupled thereto and extending into the bone tunnel so as affix the graft into the bone.

Abstract: A suspensory fixation device has an elongated anchor member adapted to be transversely situated at the exit of a bone tunnel. A graft supporting loop member formed of a pair of parallel suture limbs extending from a bight portion is suspended transversely from the anchor member and has a loop length which is adjustable so the graft ligament can be supported in the bone tunnel at varying distances from the anchor member. When a graft ligament is attached to the saddle end of the loop member, the length of the loop member may be shortened by simply pulling distally on the pair of limbs at one end of the loop member to pull the graft ligament into the bone tunnel a predetermined distance or until it bottoms out at the floor of the bone tunnel. When tension is applied to the loop member by the graft pulling the loop proximally, the bight portion of the suture automatically locks the graft supporting loop member in place.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for securing soft tissue to a rigid material such as bone. A tissue anchoring device is described that comprises an anchor body and a spreader such that tissue may be captured or compressed between outside surfaces on the anchor and inside surfaces of a bone tunnel to secure the tissue within the tunnel. Methods are described that enable use of the bone anchoring device to secure a tissue graft into the tibial and femoral bones during anterior cruciate ligament (“ACL”) reconstruction.

Abstract: A tympanic construct fabricated from at least one amniotic membrane, at least one chorionic membrane, or at least one amniotic membrane and at least one chorionic membrane obtained from human birth tissue is provided. Methods of preparing a tympanic construct, methods of repairing tympanic membrane defects and surgical sites, as well as kits for the same are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an intralaryngeal prosthesis which is not at risk of getting blocked and which allows the patient to breathe comfortably. For this purpose, the prosthesis comprises a tubular body pierced by a proximal opening and a convex dome-shaped valve (10), the valve being arranged such that: the distal end (15) of the valve forms a rim (16) which covers a portion of the tubular body (2), and such that a space (17) exists between the distal end (15) of the valve and the tubular body (2) such that air can enter the proximal opening (8) of the tubular body through said space (17).