Abstract: Devices, systems and/or methods for repairing soft tissue, such as, a lacerated tendon. A repair device includes a frame having a tubular structure with a longitudinal length and struts at least partially defining the tubular structure. The frame includes a first portion and a second portion with an intermediate portion therebetween, each extending along the longitudinal length. The intermediate portion is configured to substantially maintain a fixed position and is configured to be positioned over first and second ends of the lacerated tendon to substantially maintain the first end abutted against the second end. The first portion and the second portion of the frame are configured to be positioned over separate portions of the tendon and configured to move and elongate along a length of the respective first portion and second portion of the frame as the portions of the tendon elongate.

Abstract: A tubular conduit comprising: a tubular portion made from a flexible material. There is an external helical formation extending around the exterior of, and parallel to the axis of, the tubular portion and defining a first region of the tubular portion. The external helical formation is for supporting the tubular portion. There is also an internal helical formation, protruding inwardly of the interior of the tubular portion and extending parallel to the axis of the tubular portion and defining a second region of the tubular portion. The internal helical formation is for imparting helical flow on fluid passing through the tubular portion. The first region does not extend throughout the second region.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for repair of a ligament and/or tendon in a patient comprising applying a patch to said ligament or tendon, wherein the patch is flexible, and bio-compatible and comprises a support layer and a matrix layer.

Abstract: Methods and devices for at least partially occluding an airway of a lung is disclosed. The method includes deploying a catheter into the airway such that a balloon at a distal end of the catheter is positioned proximate a tissue wall that defines the airway, and inflating the balloon to cause pressure to be applied on a portion of the tissue wall. The method may also include deflating the balloon to cause the portion of the tissue wall to be drawn radially inward to at least partially occlude the airway.

Abstract: The disclosure describes implantable bioprosthesis and constructs having an implantable woven ribbon with at least one integrated suture.

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: Devices, systems and/or methods for repairing a lacerated tendon or ligament adjacent a repair site. In one embodiment, a repair device includes an elongated flexible structure and multiple anchors, the multiple anchors pre-positioned with the elongated flexible structure. The repair device may be coupled to the tendon or ligament at the repair site with a delivery device. The repair device may be pre-positioned in a cartridge such that the cartridge is loaded into the delivery device. The lacerated tendon or ligament is positioned within a cradle portion of the delivery device such that the tendon is positioned between the cradle portion and the cartridge that holds the repair device. The delivery device may then be triggered to actuate and drive the repair device from the cartridge to couple to the lacerated tendon or ligament. In this manner, the repair device may be anchored to the lacerated tendon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a knee spacer for temporary replacement of an artificial knee joint, whereby the knee spacer comprises a tibial component and a femoral component as separate components, which can be moved with respect to each other when inserted in a patient, and whereby the tibial component and the femoral component each comprise at least one running surface by means of which the tibial component and the femoral component can be placed against each other such as to be mobile in their patient-inserted state, and the tibial component comprises an anchoring surface that is arranged opposite to the running surface side and is provided for connecting the tibial component to the tibia by means of a bone cement, and the femoral component to comprise an anchoring surface that is arranged opposite to the running surface side and is provided for connecting the femoral component to the femur, whereby the tibial component and the femoral component each comprise at least two recesses that extend from the anchori

Abstract: Systems and methods for preparing a tissue repair construct for a ligament reconstruction procedure using a reinforced whip-stitching are provided. The described techniques include passing a needle having suture tails attached thereto through a first surface of a graft at an origin point so that a portion of the suture tails exits on a second, opposite surface of the graft while a terminal length of the suture tails is maintained on the first surface of the graft. Multiple suture loops are formed by repeatedly passing the needle with the suture tails around opposite sides of the graft and through the first surface of the graft at subsequent entry points spaced apart along a length of the graft. Each loop is formed so that the construct is reinforced by having a terminal length of each of the suture tails disposed between the first surface of the graft and the loop.

Abstract: A dilation apparatus comprises an elongate member and a dilation assembly that is slidable along the elongate member. The dilation assembly comprises a platform and an inflatable dilator. The platform and the elongate member cooperate to absorb inflation forces from the dilator directed toward the longitudinal axis of the elongate member, such that the dilation forces are exerted against tissue asymmetrically relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member. The dilation apparatus may be used to dilate the ethmoid infundibulum in a human patient. Various devices may be used to maintain the dilated state of an ethmoid infundibulum, including a wedge, a mesh, and a tether. An illuminator may be configured to reach around an uncinate process, retract the uncinate process, and then illuminate the ethmoid infundibulum to provide improved visualization of the ethmoid infundibulum.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an auricular implant, comprising an auricular base and a supporting member. The auricular base has a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, wherein the first side thereof is disposed with a position unit. The supporting member having a thickness and a recess, wherein the position unit of the auricular base is disposed in the recess of the supporting member to adhere the supporting member to the first side of the auricular base for forming a stereoscopic disk-like structure.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an anti-migratory stent comprising a tubular structure having an exterior surface and a plurality of protrusions provided on the exterior surface. The plurality of protrusions includes a first set of protrusions and a second set of protrusions. Each of the first and second set of protrusions includes a base and an apex. The apex of each of the first set of protrusions is offset from the base of the first set of protrusions in a direction opposite a direction of offset of the apex of each of the second set of protrusions from the base of the second set of protrusions.

Abstract: A tibial insert includes a base and a post extending from the base along a longitudinal axis. The post has a medial surface, a lateral surface, and a height along the longitudinal axis. The medial surface has a medial section, and the lateral surface has a lateral section oriented substantially parallel to the medial section. The medial section and the lateral section each have a width in a substantially anterior-posterior direction that is sufficient to enable varus/valgus constraint over a flexion/extension range from extension to about 90 to 120 degrees of flexion when the tibial insert is mated with a femoral component.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example implantable medical device may include a stent having a first configuration and a second expanded configuration. The stent may define a plurality of nodes. The stent may have a cover member disposed adjacent the nodes. The cover member may be configured to cover at least some of the nodes when the stent is in the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A polymeric liner for joint implants includes at least one friction reducing member and at least one body member. The friction reducing member is made of a polymeric matrix which contains a polymeric material and at least one nanotube nanoparticle having a volume concentration of between 5%-99% v/v (volume per volume). The body member is formed of at least a polymeric material. The friction reducing member and the body member are conjoined preferably by compression molding or any other method of coupling such as mold injection, 3D printing, adhesion or any other suitable method can be applied. A method produces the polymeric.

Abstract: A prosthesis for implantation in an animal or human subject, said prosthesis comprising a first component for attaching to a radius bone in use and a s second component for attaching to an ulna bone in use, the prosthesis further comprising a linkage for linking the first and second components substantially rigidly with respect to one another in use. Preferably the prosthesis is configured to allow the linkage to move relative to the first and/or second components and be retained substantially rigidly at a selected position in normal use, such that the first and second components can be retained substantially rigidly relative to one another in normal use.

Abstract: An implant that facilitates the fusion of a first bone part with a second bone part includes an implant body that extends between the first bone part and the second bone part. The implant body includes a first portion that fits within a first receiving aperture in the first bone part, and the implant body includes a second portion that fits within a second receiving aperture in the second bone part. At least one of the first portion and the second portion can be made of bone. Additionally, at least the second portion is formed to have a non-circular cross-sectional shape to inhibit relative motion between the bone parts and the implant body.

Abstract: A Y-Lock tracheal stent system consisting of a stent device, for emplacement in the larynx, and a stent delivery system. A method for employing the stent delivery system to emplace the stent device.

Abstract: A prosthesis and a method of controlling flow through a bodily lumen are provided. The prosthesis includes a body having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen extending therethrough. The prosthesis also includes a first valve and a second valve operably connected to the body. The first valve has a proximal portion, a distal portion, a distal end extending distally relative to the proximal portion of the body and a lumen extending through the first valve. The first valve is closed in the absence of a second and third pressure that are greater than a first pressure. The second valve has a proximal portion, a distal portion, a distal end extending distally relative to a proximal portion of the body and a lumen extending through the second valve, the distal end of the first valve extending distal to the distal end of the second valve.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for use with a blood vessel of a subject, including a stent (20) configured to be placed in the blood vessel. The stent includes at least first (32), second (34), and third (36) strut portions disposed along the stent. The first and second strut portions are coupled to one another at a first junction (37A) that facilitates bending of the first and second strut portions with respect to one another. The second and third strut portions are coupled to one another at a second junction (37B) that facilitates bending of the second and third strut portions with respect to one another. At least one electrode (22) is disposed on at least an outer surface of the stent. Other applications are also described.