Abstract: An intravascular support device includes a support or reshaper wire, a proximal anchor and a distal anchor. The support wire engages a vessel wall to change the shape of tissue adjacent the vessel in which the intravascular support is placed. The anchors and support wire are designed such that the vessel in which the support is placed remains open and can be accessed by other devices if necessary. The device provides a minimal metal surface area to blood flowing within the vessel to limit the creation of thrombosis. The anchors can be locked in place to secure the support within the vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vertebral body placeholder having a cylindrical inner body (14), which can be telescopically inserted into a coaxially arranged, sleeve-shaped outer body (16). A detent device that works in one direction is arranged between the inner body (14) and the outer body (16). A number of detent projections (22) are arranged in succession in an axial direction and form a row (20) of detent projections. A number of detent notches (26) are arranged in succession in an axial direction while corresponding to the row (20) of detent projections. Said detent notches form a row (24) of detent notches that completely or partially accommodate the row (20) of detent projections. The invention also relates to a method for assembling said vertebral body placeholder. The aim of the invention is to create a vertebral body placeholder whose overall height can be easily and reliably adjusted, particularly, during implantation.

Abstract: One embodiment of a hollow spinal spacer (10) includes a curved anterior wall (11) having opposite ends (12, 13), a posterior wall (15) having opposite ends (16, 17), two lateral walls (20, 21), each integrally connected between the opposite ends (12, 13, 16, 17) of the anterior (11) and posterior (15) walls to define a chamber (30). The walls (11, 15, 20, 21) include a superior face (35) and an inferior face (40). The superior face (35) defines a first opening (36) in communication with the chamber (30) and includes a first vertebral engaging surface (37). The inferior face (40) defines a second opening (41) in communication with the chamber (30) and includes a second vertebral engaging surface (42).

Abstract: A rotation-symmetrical articulation chamber is formed in the shaft head of an endoprosthesis. An axial articulation member is disposed in this chamber. The articulation member axis and the axis of rotation are perpendicular relative to each other. A joint neck can be pivoted about the axis of rotation and the articulation member axis at any selected angle of inclination or rotation. Clamping surfaces that are disposed at an angle to the axis of rotation are rotation-symmetrical or planar and interact with articulation surfaces of the articulation member that can also be rotation-symmetrical.

Abstract: A medical apparatus and method for remodeling a mitral valve annulus adjacent to the coronary sinus includes an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end. The elongate body is movable from a first, flexible configuration for transluminal delivery to at least a portion of the coronary sinus to a second configuration for remodeling the mitral valve annulus.

Abstract: A system and method for installing a shoulder prosthesis. The method includes removing the original humeral head and shaping the proximal end of the humerus with one or more implements to prepare the humerus to receive the shoulder prosthesis.

Abstract: A preserved vessel isolated from a human umbilical cord or placenta and lyophilized for use as an allograft which improves blood supply to human tissue without antigenicity.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating a medical device having at least one porous layer include providing a medical device having at least one alloy and removing at least one component of the alloy to form the porous layer. Although methods may be used to make stent devices with porous layers, any other suitable medical device may be made having one or more porous layers. An alloy may include any suitable combination of metals and sometimes a combination of metal and non-metal. In some embodiments, one or more of the most electrochemically active component(s) of an alloy are removed by the dissolving (or “dealloying”) process, to leave a porous matrix behind. The porous matrix layer may then be infused with one or more therapeutic agents for enhancing treatment of a patient.

Abstract: Artificial intervertebral disc, comprising a nucleus of flexible material with the shape of a flattened body, with a lower and an upper side connected by a lateral surface, having a rounded-preferably circular or ellipsoid-shape, around which at least substantially radially oriented windings of a traction-resistant fibre have been applied. The fibres have a tensile strength of at least 1 GPa and a modulus of at least 10 GPa.

Abstract: A spinal spacer 300 for engagement between vertebrae is provided which includes a body 301 formed of a bone composition. The body 301 includes a first end 311, an opposite second 315 end, a superior face 335 defining a superior vertebral engaging surface 337 and an inferior face 338 defining an inferior vertebral engaging surface 340. At least one of the vertebral engaging surfaces defines a set of migration resistance grooves 350. Each of the grooves 350 includes a first face 355 defining an angle of no more than about 90 degrees relative to the engaging surface 340 and a second opposing sloped face 360. The first and second faces 355, 360 define an arcuate pocket 370 therebetween for trapping vertebral bone to resist migration of the spacer 300. In one embodiment, the grooves 350 are arranged in series in that all of the second faces 360 slope in the same direction.

Abstract: The symptoms of congenital heart failure are addressed in this surgical procedure for mounting a patch in the ventricle of the heart to reduce ventricular volume. Placement of the patch is facilitated by palpating a beating heart to identify akinetic, although normal appearing, tissue. An apical patch having an oval configuration facilitates return of the heart to a normal apical shape which enhances muscle fiber efficiency and a normal writhing pumping action. An inferior patch having a triangular configuration can also be used. The patches include a semi-rigid ring, and a circumferential rim to address bleeding. Patch placement is further enhanced by creating a Fontan-type neck and use of pledged sutures. Intraoperative vascularization and valve replacement is easily accommodated. Increased injection fraction, reduced muscle stress, improved myocardial protection, and ease of accurate patch placement are all achieved with this procedure.

Abstract: A device to provide body fluid flow control in the form of a valve to be located within a duct or passageway. The device is controlled through pressure above a preselected threshold. Bulk resilience about a passageway in a valve body provides the mechanism for controlled flow. One-way valve operation may be provided through a flap or through a pressure differential on the valve body depending upon the direction of flow. A frame structure positioned within a resilient seal includes longitudinally elongated elements which may be of spring material, malleable material or heat recoverable material so as to accomplish an initial insertion state and an expanded anchoring state. A valve support transitions between the resilient seal portion and the valve body to insure that the states do not change the threshold opening pressure. Insertion devices may be employed to position and actuate a change of state of the frame in the body duct or passageway.

Abstract: Implant (10) having a shaft which is adapted in use to be embedded in bone tissue and which has an outer surface provided with a circumferentially-oriented roughness. The circumferentially-oriented roughness has first and second axial sections (19, 21) with each section comprising a series of circumferentially-oriented peaks which have a crest and which are axially spaced apart by troughs. The axial spacing (d) between the crests of adjacent peaks in the first axial section (19) is less than the axial spacing (3d) between the crests of adjacent peaks in the second axial section (21). Although the axial spacing between the crests of adjacent peaks in the first and second axial sections of circumferentially-oriented roughness differs, the first and second axial sections of circumferentially-oriented roughness are adapted in use to provide the same or substantially the same pitch.

Abstract: A stem-like bone implant includes longitudinal structural members and tension cables that provide curvature control and support, and rigidity against bending and buckling. The longitudinal structural members and tension cables may become an integral part of a composite regenerated bone having a substantially increased strength over natural bone. The flexibility of the implant is controlled by specifically varying the structural geometry of certain portions of the implant, and by adjusting the tension in the tension cables before, during and after the implantation operation to thereby adjust the stiffness of the implant. The tension cables may be adjusted to produce asymmetric or non-uniform levels of tension in the longitudinal structural members.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for joining flexible polymer workpieces using light energy. These methods, referred to as laser welding, can be used to join thermoplastic or thermoset polymers. The laser welding method of the invention is applicable to the creation or repair of any article requiring the bonding of two flexible polymer components or a flexible polymer component and an inflexible polymer component.

Abstract: The present invention provides an implant for use in fusing adjacent bony structures. The implant comprises at least one structural member combined with at least one flexible planar member to retain the at least one structural member to form the implant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a prosthesis. At least a portion of the prosthesis is made from a ceramic that is treated with ion implantation, which causes a controllable, bilateral compressive stress of the ceramic. A diamond-like-coating (DLC) can be coated on the ceramic and in the same chamber as the ion implantation. After treating by ion implantation and coating with DLC, the ceramic will be strengthened and have a low coefficient of friction and thereby be made much less likely to fracture under load.

Abstract: The invention relates to removable, essentially cylindrical implants which are characterized in that they can be reduced in diameter and are wrapped once or several times at one or more levels by one or more elastic, thin wire-shaped structure(s) (2a, 2b) which include(s) a catch device (3a, 3b) at least on one end thereof.

Abstract: A vertebral implant for interposition between two vertebral endplates comprises a first endplate assembly for engaging a first vertebral endplate, a second endplate assembly for engaging a second vertebral endplate, and a first flexible core component interposed between the first and second endplate assemblies. The first flexible core component comprises first and second end portions. The first end portion is coupled to the first endplate assembly to prevent translation of the first end portion with respect to the first endplate assembly, and the second end portion is pivotable with respect to the second endplate assembly.

Abstract: A middle ear prosthesis comprises a one piece disk shaped prosthesis including a generally circular malleable body including a bore. The body engages a tympanic membrane and the bore receives a head of a stapes when implanted in a middle ear. More particularly, the middle ear prosthesis comprises a body comprising an annular head, a collar, and a plurality of radially extending members connecting the head to the collar. The head engages a tympanic membrane and the collar receives a head of a stapes when implanted in a middle ear.