Abstract: The present invention is a specialized orthopedic implant having an exterior surface for engaging bone. The surface comprises arrayed projections having at least one forward facing facet directed at least in part toward the leading end of the implant and at least one rearward portion directed at least in part toward the opposite trailing end of the implant. Each of the forward facet and rearward portion has a length and a slope. The length of the forward facet is longer than the length of the rearward facet. The slope of the rearward facet is steeper than the slope of the forward facet. The surface projections also have opposed side facets directed generally toward the sides of the implant. The side facets are located between the forward facet and rearward facet and converge toward each other in a direction away from the base of the surface projections. The surface may also include projections having left and right forward side facets and a rearward facet.

Abstract: A process for producing silicone intraocular lenses (IOLs) capable of absorbing blue light. Intraocular lenses so produced block blue light from reaching the retina of an eye implanted with the IOL. By blocking blue light from reaching the retina, the IOL thereby prevents potential damage to the retina.

Abstract: There is described a bio-compatible aqueous slurry for forming a fluid-tight barrier on a surface of a porous implantable article. This aqueous slurry includes a self-aggregating protein comminutate having a substantially uniform particle size, a bio-compatible plasticizer and water. This aqueous slurry is further characterized by having a viscosity of about 8,000 centipoise to about 60,000 centipoise at 25° C. and a pH sufficient to maintain the protein suspended in the slurry.

Abstract: A fastening for fixing an exposed stent (2) to a graft material (1). At least two spaced apart fastenings (7, 8) are used, each fastening has at least one turn and preferably two turns of an elongate flexible fiber through the graft material and around a portion of the stent. Each fastening has a knot (9) which is at least two thumb knots and preferably four thumb knots.

Abstract: An auditory ossicle prosthesis (10) which is fastened to the limb of incus (20) of the human ossicular chain and to the stapes, or is inserted directly into the inner ear, whereby the auditory ossicle prosthesis (10) is made of an elastic material or a material having at least one hinged connection, and whereby the auditory ossicle prosthesis (10), starting at its articulation on the limb of incus (20), largely traces the course of the natural limb of incus (20) to its end or past it, and, angled downward in the region of the level of the natural end of the limb of incus (20), extends to the other endpoint of the auditory ossicle prosthesis (10) on the stapes or at/in the inner ear.

Abstract: A kit for assembly of a modular joint prosthesis (10) includes at least two shank/body elements (22/20) sized for insertion into the shank of the bone and at least two head members (48) sized to replace one bearing surface of the joint. Each shank/body element (22/20) has a collar (58) that has a shallow width and a circular plan view and that is formed to overhang a resected level of the bone. The collar (58) has a male taper on its side wall (64). Each head member (48) has a first geometric axis (52) therethrough and defines a part spherical cavity (49) with a skirt (66) extending about the cavity (49). The skirt (66) provides a female taper for receiving and providing a mechanical connection with the male taper on the side wall (64) of each collar (58). A second axis extends (55) through the skirt (66). The first axis (52) and second axis (55) may be coincident or offset from one another.

Abstract: A prosthesis for large blood vessels includes a main conduit. At least one tract of the main conduit is subdivided into a plurality of smaller conduits located parallel to one another.

Abstract: Systems and methods for repairing annulus defects include at least one blocking member positionable in or adjacent to the annulus defect, at least one attachment portion for securing the blocking member to adjacent tissue, and instruments for placing and engaging the blocking member in and/or adjacent to the annulus defect. The blocking member extends at least partially across the annulus defect for repair of the defect and/or retention of nucleus material, one or more implants, bio-compatible materials or device, and/or other objects positioned in the disc space.

Abstract: An accommodating lens assembly having an optical axis and being adapted to be implanted in a posterior chamber of an eye having a capsular unit located therein. The assembly includes a rigid haptics element adapted to secure the assembly within the posterior chamber outside said capsular unit. The element is transparent at least in a region around the axis. The assembly further includes a resilient body adapted to operate as a lens having a curved surface when pressed up against the region of the haptics element by an axial force applied thereto by the capsular unit. A change in this force causes a change in a radius of curvature for the curved surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stent for use in a bifurcated body lumen having a main branch and a side branch. The stent comprises a radially expandable generally tubular stent body having proximal and distal opposing ends with a body wall having a surface extending therebetween. The surface has a geometrical configuration defining a first pattern, and the first pattern has first pattern struts and connectors arranged in a predetermined configuration. The stent also comprises a branch portion comprised of a second pattern, wherein the branch portion is at least partially detachable from the stent body.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for performing a coronary artery bypass graft on a beating heart under thoracoscopic visualization without opening the chest wall. At least one small opening is formed in the patient's chest, a target artery for an arterial blood supply is located, instruments are introduced through one or more small openings formed in the patient's chest to prepare the target artery for fluid connection to the coronary artery, and instruments are introduced through one or more small openings formed in the patient's chest to connect the target artery to the coronary artery distal from a stenosis. In a preferred embodiment, a minimal left anterior intercostal thoracotomy provides access to form an anastomosis between the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) and the left anterior descending artery (LAD) while thoracoscopic viewing facilitates harvesting the LIMA.

Abstract: A method of treatment of congestive heart failure comprises the steps of introducing an aortic occlusion catheter through a patient's peripheral artery, the aortic occlusion catheter having an occluding member movable from a collapsed position to an expanded position; positioning the occluding member in the patient's ascending aorta; moving the occluding member from the collapsed shape to the expanded shape after the positioning step; introducing cardioplegic fluid into the patient's coronary blood vessels to arrest the patient's heart; maintaining circulation of oxygenated blood through the patient's arterial system; and reshaping an outer wall of the patient's heart while the heart is arrested so as to reduce the transverse dimension of the left ventricle.

Abstract: A modular elongated stent having an overlap region where two modular components fit together, the overlap region being relatively stiff as compared to another more flexible region of the stent when the stent is in an assembled configuration, the stent further comprising a mimic region that has a stiffness essentially equivalent to the stiffness of the overlap region, to provide kink resistance. A stent having such a mimic region or otherwise stiff region and a flexible region may have a transition region between the stiff and flexible regions, such as a bridging material attached to the stent, also to provide kink resistance. A stent may have relatively stiff regions and relatively flexible regions positioned to align the flexible regions with curved regions of a body lumen when deployed within the body lumen.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fixation of a soft tissue graft. The apparatus may include a member having a first surface and a second surface. Each of the surfaces extend a distance relative to one another. A member is operable to resist movement of the apparatus relative to an anatomical portion. An interference member may be provided to fixedly associate the apparatus with the anatomical structure.

Abstract: A non-invasive method for determining the articular point of a joint is disclosed. The method uses a surgical navigation system having a stereoscopic cameras which tracks the positions of infrared emitting or reflecting markers attached to appendages on either side of the joint. A movable marker is used to palpate known landmarks on the appendages to determine their positions. The appendages are moved to determine the trajectories of the landmarks relative to the joint. Positional information from the cameras is fed to a data processing system with resident software which uses the positional information and trajectories to mathematically determine the position of the joint articular point according to the laws of kinematics.

Abstract: An auditory ossicles prosthesis mountable with its one end on a hammer grip of a human auditory ossicies chain and with its another end on a raising bracket of the human auditory ossicles chain or insertable directly into an inner ear, wherein the auditory ossicles prosthesis has a prosthesis element, and an at least one joint integrated in the prosthesis element.

Abstract: An artificial functional spinal unit is provided comprising, generally, an expandable artificial intervertebral implant that can be placed via a posterior surgical approach and used in conjunction with one or more artificial facet joints to provide an anatomically correct range of motion. Expandable artificial intervertebral implants in both lordotic and non-lordotic designs are disclosed, as well as lordotic and non-lordotic expandable cages for both PLIF (posterior lumber interbody fusion) and TLIF (transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion) procedures. The expandable implants may have various shapes, such as round, square, rectangular, banana-shaped, kidney-shaped, or other similar shapes.

Abstract: A convex spinal fusion interbody space device includes spaced apart superior and inferior abutment surfaces which are effectively medially convex. The peak of such convexity is displaced anteriorly of a central plane through the device. The spacer device has a height which is greater than the width of the device. The spacer device is implanted between a pair of adjacent vertebrae by insertion in a tipped-over orientation and then reoriented to an upright orientation for engagement by facing surfaces of the vertebrae. Fusion promoting bone material is packed between the vertebrae and about and within the spacer device subsequent to implantation.

Abstract: A device for treatment of mitral annulus dilatation comprises an elongate body having two states. In a first of these states the elongate body is insertable into the coronary sinus and has a shape adapting to the shape of the coronary sinus. When positioned in the coronary sinus, the elongate body is transferable to the second state assuming a reduced radius of curvature, whereby the radius of curvature of the coronary sinus and the radius of curvature as well as the circumference of the mitral annulus is reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed are medical prosthetic devices or medical implants which exhibit improved biocompatitibly. The devices or implants include a metal material, e.g. titanium, in which the metal surface parts are coated with a corresponding hydride material that contains one or more biomolecule substance. This biomolecule substance may contain one or more biologically active molecules, e.g. bio-adhesives, biopolymers, blood proteins, enzymes, extra cellular matrix proteins, extra cellular matrix biomolecules, growth factors and hormones, peptide hormones, deoxyribonucleic acids, ribonucleic acids, receptors, enzyme inhibitors, drugs, biologically active anions and cations, vitamins, adenosine monophosphate (AMP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), marker biomuolecules, amino acids, fatty acids, nucleotides (RNA and DNA bases), or sugars.