Abstract: Described embodiments are directed toward centrally-opening leaflet prosthetic valve devices having two frames. A leaflet frame is coaxially disposed within a body frame. The body frame has a tubular shape defining a body frame lumen. The leaflet frame has an annular shape defining a plurality of U-shaped portions each defining a base and a plurality of posts. The leaflet frame is located coaxial with and at least substantially within the body frame lumen. A first film is coupled to the body frame and a second film is coupled to and extends across each of the U-shaped portions defining a leaflet having a free edge. At least one of the first film and second film couples the body frame to the leaflet frame. The leaflets are moveable between an open and closed position with the leaflet free edge of each of the leaflets abutting an adjacent leaflet free edge when in the closed position.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant for implantation in a treated area of an intervertebral space between vertebral bodies of a spine is provided. The upper surface and the lower surface of the implant each have a contact area capable of engaging with anatomy in the treated area, and the upper and lower surfaces define a through-hole having an inner surface extending through the spacer body. A first and second sidewalls extend from a front end and a back end, wherein the first and second sidewalls are configured with engagement portions positioned in close proximity to the front end and the back end. The front end and the back end are configured with a threaded hole for receiving an instrument for inserting the intervertebral implant into the intervertebral disc space.

Abstract: An improved holder, system and method for implanting a tissue-type prosthetic heart mitral valve that constricts the commissure posts of the valve and allows the user to detach the handle of the holder prior to withdrawing the holder itself. The ability to remove the handle allows a surgeon greater access to suturing the prosthetic valve to the mitral annulus. The holder may include two relatively movable plates, one of which attaches to the valve sewing on the inflow end of the valve ring and the other which attaches via sutures to the valve commissures on the outflow end. Separation of the plates places the sutures in tension and constricts the commissures. An adjusting member or adapter is interposed between the handle and holder to enable separation of the two plates and removal of the handle. The adjusting member or adapter may be packaged with the valve and holder combination, or may be sold as a separate unit, possibly with the handle, so that prior art holders can be retrofit.

Abstract: A motion-preserving implant device for insertion between two bones is disclosed. The motion-preserving implant includes a first plate for engaging with a first bone and a second plate for engaging with a second bone. An articulation member is positioned between the two plates and a motion-controlling member attached to one or both of the plates. In some embodiments, the motion-controlling member is configured to constrain, dampen, and/or bumper the relative motion between the two plates.

Abstract: A stent includes a main body of a generally tubular shape for insertion into a lumen of a vessel of a living being. The tubular main body includes a substantially biodegradable matrix having collagen IV and laminin that enclose voids within the matrix. The tubular main body also includes a biodegradable strengthening material in contact with the matrix to strengthen the matrix. The tubular main body is essentially saturated with drugs.

Abstract: A spinal disc nucleus replacement including an elastomeric sheath (12) assembled around a rod (14), a portion of the sheath being arranged for sliding along the rod, and a sheath compactor (18) adapted to slide a portion of the sheath along the rod from a first position to a second position, wherein in the first position the sheath is in a non-expanded orientation and in the second position the sheath is in an expanded orientation wherein folds of the sheath expand radially outwards from the rod.

Abstract: A prosthesis is disclosed for placement across an ostium opening from a main body lumen to a branch body lumen. The prosthesis comprises a radially expansible support at one end, a circumferentially extending link at the other end and at least one spiral frond extending axially therebetween.

Abstract: A surgical kit includes an orthopaedic implant, an orthropaedic trial and a bone protector. All three components have bone-contacting surfaces sized and shaped to be placed against a resected bone surface. The orthopaedic implant and trial are thicker than the bone protector. The bone protector has a flat bearing surface while the implant and trial have curved articulating surfaces. In use, the bone protector is temporarily mounted on the resected bone surface to cover and protect the resected bone surface while other bones of the joint are resected. A retractor can be placed against the bone protector and used as a lever to move other bones of the joint for greater access during surgery. The bone protector serves as the fulcrum of the lever and protects the resected bone from damage. The kit, bone protector and method should be useful in minimally invasive total joint arthroplasty.

Abstract: An intervertebral cage for treating degeneration of the spine includes a block, an anchor member with a pivot and two blades secured to the pivot, a device for mounting the pivot to turn relative to the block and a hole in the block, a slot in the block, where the slot shares a common portion with the hole for containing the pivot, and a device for associating the pivot in rotation with the block in the common portion in such a manner that when the pivot is turned, the anchor member takes up a first position in which the blade is fully contained in the slot and a second position in which a portion of the end of the blade emerges from the slot.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a prosthesis for placement at an Os opening from a main body lumen to a branch body lumen. The prosthesis comprises a radially expansible support and a plurality of fronds extending axially from an end of the support. The support is configured to be deployed in at least a portion of the branch body lumen. At least one of the plurality of fronds is extendable into the main body lumen.

Abstract: An acetabular component for a prosthetic hip joint generally consists of an acetabular shell and an acetabular liner. The acetabular liner includes a cup portion and at least one constraining portion. The cup portion has a hemispherical or dome-shape that defines a hemispherical cavity for receiving a femoral head of a femoral component. The constraining portions may include extensions for retaining the femoral head in the cavity of the cup portion. The liner further includes cutout portions between the constraining portions. The acetabular liner is rotatable within the acetabular shell to provide a complete range of motion to the femoral component without fear of impingement, subluxation, or dislocation of the femoral head. The constraining portions may include inclined surfaces to induce rotation of the acetabular liner within the acetabular shell.

Abstract: The present invention includes an intervertebral prosthetic disc, a method for installing a plate into an intervertebral space, and a method for installing a prosthetic disc into an intervertebral space. The intervertebral prosthetic disc can include a superior endplate and an inferior endplate, wherein at least one of the superior endplate and the inferior endplate is adapted to receive a guidewire. In the methods for installing a plate into an intervertebral space and for installing a prosthetic disc into an intervertebral space, a guidewire is used to facilitate installing plates onto vertebral bone endplates.

Abstract: A biocompatible hydrogel comprises a specified content of polyacrylamide and pyrogen-free water. Also disclosed is a method of making the hydrogel and an injectable or implantable endoprosthesis. The hydrogel may also be used to treat a cosmetic or functional defect. Hydrogels specified according to their polyacrylamide content may be used for medical indications, such as an implantable or injectable endoprostheses for mammoplastic reconstruction, implantable or injectable endoprostheses for treating (reflux) oesophagitis, and for body contouring of various body parts.

Abstract: Instrumentation for implanting an intervertebral disc replacement device includes an insertion plate comprising a base, a first mounting element of the base operable to engage a first member of an intervertebral disc replacement device and a second mounting element of the base operable to engage a second member of the intervertebral disc replacement device, the first and second mounting elements cooperating to engage and orient the first and second members of the intervertebral disc replacement device for simultaneous insertion into an intervertebral disc space of a spinal column.

Abstract: Laterally expanding vertebral spacer devices are provided for repairing damaged vertebral discs. The vertebral spacer devices maintain the height of a distracted vertebral disc space while providing stability to the spine. In one form of the invention, a vertebral spacer device is provided with a first arm movably coupled to a second arm. The first and second arms are laterally expandable from a first width for insertion into the disc space to a second width after insertion into the disc space. The first and second arms also define a cavity therebetween for placement of bone growth material.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endoprosthesis for part of the pelvis having at least one base element which can be secured to a resected iliac bone and at least one hip shell attachable at a spacing thereto, with the base element having a first neck which in particular projects at an angle ? from the orthogonal to a planar connection surface and the hip shell having a second neck which in particular projects at an angle ? from its polar axis, with at least one separate intermediate element being provided which can be installed between the first neck and the second neck.

Abstract: A stent is constructed using interconnected links having micro-mechanical latching mechanisms. The micro-mechanical latching elements allow relative rotational movement of interconnected links in one rotational direction but restrict relative rotational movement of the two links in the opposite direction. The micro-mechanical latch surface features are formed using micro-electronic mechanical systems (MEMS) manufacturing methods. The male surface of the latching components contains an array of ridges or protrusions, and the receiving surface contains a matching array of recesses. The array of ridges or protrusions and the corresponding recesses have uniformly dissimilar slopes that result in a substantially greater frictional force in one direction than in the opposite direction. The separation distance between the two surfaces is such that the male latch surface is engaged with the receiving surface recesses in the low stress “locked” state, preventing motion in the undesired direction.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant for insertion between two vertebrae is disclosed. A first part has a first contact surface extending between its two ends a first guide surface extending out from the first contact surface. A second part has a second contact surface extending between its ends, and a second guide surface recessed into the second contact surface. The first guide surface and the second guide surface cooperate so that the first contact surface of the first part can slide relative to the second contact surface of the second part with a translation motion guided by the cooperating structures of the first and second guide surfaces. The height of the intervertebral implant can be altered by shifting the first part and the second part relative to each other by moving the contact surfaces relative to each other by using the cooperating guide surfaces.

Abstract: This invention relates to arthodesis for stabilizing the spine. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an intervertebral spacer formed of a bone material and to methods of treating patients having spinal deformities. The invention provides a spinal implant assembly comprising bone-derived components. The bone-derived components can be formed into modular units that can be assembled to provide a wide variety of implant configurations. In addition, the bone-derived components can form scaffold that can withstand the shear and impact forces necessary to insert the assembled implant into a disc space between adjacent vertebrae. In preferred forms the implants define an open spacer that serves as a depot for receipt of an osteoconductive material. The ostoegenic material is preferably a moldable filler that can form a molded reinforced implant.

Abstract: A graft ligament anchor comprises a ligament engagement member in the form of an expandable elastomeric sleeve of substantially cylindrical shape for disposition in an opening in a bone alongside of a portion of a ligament, and a locking member for disposition in the engagement member . Movement of the locking member in the engagement member causes the locking member to expand the engagement member and thereby urge, the ligament toward a wall of the opening so as to secure the ligament to the wall. A method for attaching a graft ligament to a bone comprises providing an opening in the bone, inserting the ligament and a ligament engagement member in the opening, with the ligament disposed alongside the engagement member, inserting a locking member in the engagement member and moving the locking member to engage the engagement member to urge the engagement member, and the ligament, toward a wall of the opening to secure the ligament to the wall.