Abstract: A multi-zonal monofocal opthalmic lens comprises an inner zone, an intermediate zone, and an outer zone. The inner zone has a first optical power. The intermediate zone surrounds the inner zone and has a second optical power that is different from the first power by a magnitude that is less than at least about 0.75 Diopter. The outer zone surrounds the intermediate zone and has a third optical power different from the second optical power. In certain embodiments, the third optical power is equal to the first optical power.

Abstract: An approach is disclosed for improving ventricular function of a patient's heart. According to one embodiment, the system includes a pouch that defines a chamber dimensioned and configured to simulate at least a portion of a heart chamber. The pouch has a sidewall portion extending from an inflow annulus and terminating in a closed distal end spaced apart from the inflow annulus. A generally cylindrical outflow portion extends from the sidewall portion of the pouch and terminating in an outflow annulus thereof to provide for flow of fluid from the chamber through the outflow annulus. A valve is operatively associated with the inflow annulus of the pouch to provide for substantially unidirectional flow of fluid through the inflow annulus and into the chamber.

Abstract: A method for helping improve operation of a heart valve includes implanting an apparatus at an annulus of a heart valve, such that one or more leaflets of the patient's heart valve the can move into and out of engagement with a portion of the implanted apparatus and thereby help control blood flow relative to the apparatus and heart valve.

Abstract: The fixator is an apparatus for repairing fractures of the distal radius and wrist. Distal, pivot, distraction, and radial members provide an anatomically contoured, radiolucent apparatus that permits the wrist to move through a substantially normal range of motion. A means for distraction of the bones by the fixator is also provided. The fixator may be affixed to the lower arm and hand by spaced-apart elongate distal mounting pins with lower ends adapted or mounting in the metacarpal bone and by spaced-apart elongate radial mounting pins with lower ends adapted for mounting in the radius.

Abstract: A medical device comprising a plurality of capsules, and a method of administering therapeutic agent to a patient using the same. The capsules further comprise a therapeutic agent and a multilayer polyelectrolyte shell. The medical device is adapted to apply a pressure to the capsules that is greater than or equal to the critical pressure of at least a portion of the capsules, such that therapeutic agent is released from the capsules.

Abstract: A system for the provision of fastening elements during a surgical intervention and a method of surgically removing a bone segment are described. The system comprises a bone plate having openings arranged in a first pattern for receiving fastening elements, as well as a receiving surface having a plurality of openings for temporarily receiving the fastening elements. The openings of the receiving surface are arranged in a second pattern, which is at least in sections identical or similar to the first pattern.

Abstract: Biomaterial including tissues basically obtained from an animal cornea, in particular, from a fish cornea. A cardiac valve (10) which may envisage at least one cusp (15) made with an organic tissue obtained from this particular biomaterial.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device which is used for solidly connecting an acetabular cup shell to bone using at least one screw. According to the invention, the screw passes through a hole housing a ring mounted in the shell of the acetabular cup. The ring is mounted within an aperture of the shell and can be rotated therein about the longitudinal axis of the screw. The ring is a split-ring comprising a non-circular outer profile which co-operates with the non-circular profile of the hole which is disposed in the shell. In this way, when the ring is rotated in the hole and wedged in place therein, it is constricted thereby locking the screw to the shell in the desired position. Alternately the screw can have an enlarged thread adjacent it's head end to expand an internally threaded split-ring.

Abstract: A titanium incudo-stapedial joint prosthesis comprises a body including a generally tubular wall defining a first cavity for receiving a head of a stapes. A generally U-shaped wall is connected to the tubular wall defining a second cavity extending generally perpendicular to the first cavity for receiving an incus. The tubular wall comprises slots to enable the first cavity to be sized to fit the head of the stapes. The general U-shaped wall comprises slots to enable the second cavity to be sized to fit to the incus.

Abstract: An instrument guide and implant holding device is provided which releasably secures an implant to the instrument guide. The device provides a convenient guide for surgeons to perform various operative techniques on the subject bone without the need for separate devices, and allows all these operative techniques to be performed without removing the instrument guide from the dissected area until all operative techniques have been completed. The releasable mechanism allows the surgeon to easily hold the instrument to an implant using a simple press-fit approach, and easily releases from the implant with a minimal amount of force. An embodiment also allows the surgeon to releasably lock the cannula in a given orientation about the centroidal axis of the implant fastener hole.

Abstract: A vascular prosthesis comprising a first layer having a predetermined first porosity and a second layer having a predetermined second porosity, wherein the first layer and the second layer are each made of first and second electrospun polymer fibers.

Abstract: This invention relates to a trackable medical tool for use in image guided surgery in which the drive shaft rotates about the tracking post.

Abstract: A locking device is provided for securing a rod in a receiving part, in particular a polyaxial bone screw. The locking device has a sleeve-type element with a cylindrical outer face and is dimensioned such that the element is displaceable between the legs of the receiving part. The element has an inner thread for receiving an inner screw. An outer nut can be screwed on to an outer thread of the legs to fix the element. The element acts on a pressure element provided in the receiving part to fix the position of the head of the polyaxial bone screw and the inner screw acts on the rod to fix it. The element is preferably provided with slits. During screwing in of the inner screw, the element splays out against the outer nut and thus effectively prevents loosening or detaching.

Abstract: A small cannulated bone screw is provided having an optimized combination of strength, cannula size and thread depth. A set of such strong and small size screws is also provided where the smallest sizes can have one performance ratio emphasized over another, and the larger sizes can have the emphasis reversed. In particular, the smallest screws optimize the combination of their strength and cannula size with the larger screws optimizing the combination of their strength and thread depth. In any event, each of the screws in the set has an optimized combination of strength, cannula size and thread depth throughout the full range of screw sizes in the set, e.g. 3.0 mm to 7.5 mm major diameters.

Abstract: A device and method for installing an anchor in a bone of a patient which employs an anchor body having expandable side walls in a tapered shape with retention members on their external surfaces, and an expansion member within the anchor body which is pulled to an engaged position. While in the engaged position the expansion member presses on the inside of the side walls to expand them outwardly to engage the retention members with the bone walls. The side walls have containment ring sections at their distal ends for retaining the expansion member inside the anchor body. The expansion member may be formed as a conical plug with a central aperture and tab recesses on its underside for insertion of an elongated scissors-type instrument with movable prongs that engage into the tab recesses of the expansion plug.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant for contact with adjacent vertebral bodies is provided. The implant includes a first carrier plate including a front edge, a middle, a rear edge, and a concave, crowned joint surface comprising a lowest point. The implant further includes a second carrier plate including a front edge, a middle, a rear edge, a center line extending between said front edge and said rear edge, and a convex, crowned joint surface comprising a highest point. The joint surfaces are positioned flatly in contact with one another and are configured to support the carrier plates pivotably with respect to one another. The highest and lowest points of the joint surfaces are positioned between the rear edges and the middles of the carrier plates. The convex joint surface projects farther away from the second carrier plate at its end facing the rear edge than at its end facing the front edge.

Abstract: A graft ligament for cross-pinning in a bone tunnel, the ligament comprising a tendon having first, second and third portions in series along the length thereof. The first and third portions are provided with cross-sectional thicknesses less than the cross-sectional thickness of the second portion. The tendon first and third portions are folded over and attached to the second portion to provide a graft ligament having a substantially uniform thickness along the length thereof.

Abstract: An intraocular lens system for correcting vision in the eye, including a first lens adapted to be inserted into the eye substantially along the main optical axis and a second lens adapted to be inserted into the eye substantially along the main optical axis, spaced from and in series with the first lens, such that the first and second lenses form a teledioptic lens system.

Abstract: An abdominal aortic aneurysm device having an anchoring portion with attached bifurcated legs for increasing the column strength thereof. The bifurcated legs comprise staggered stents so that nesting is possible during delivery.

Abstract: A spinal plate comprises a body portion and at least one locking mechanism for engaging the body portion. The body portion is made of a radiolucent material, such as a polymer or polyether ether ketone (PEEK), and includes a plurality of bone screw openings for receiving a plurality of bone screws, such as bone screws. The at least one locking mechanism is for securing at least one of the plurality of bone screws when received into the body portion.