Abstract: A surgical method of repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, incorporating suture closure, or stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs. The design of the spinal disc annulus stent allows ingrowth of normal cells of healing in an enhanced fashion strengthening the normal reparative process.

Abstract: A medical device for use within a body of a patient includes at least two retention members located at a first end of an elongated section of the medical device. The retention members are adapted to limit longitudinal movement of the elongated section when the medical device is placed within the body of a patient. The elongated section can define a passage and at least one opening in communication with the passage to facilitate passing fluid.

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: An articular disc prosthesis and method of implanting the same within an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebral bodies. The prosthesis includes a pair of articular components and an articular ball disposed therebetween. Each of the articular components includes an outer shell portion and a removable inner insert portion. The insert portion includes a concave articular surface sized and shaped to receive a portion of the articular ball to provide articulating motion between the articular components. The outer shell portion includes a central hemi-cylindrical portion, a pair of laterally extending flanges, and an axially extending lip. Following removal of the natural intervertebral disc, a pair of hemi-cylindrical recesses are formed along a central region of the adjacent vertebral bodies to a predetermined depth.

Abstract: A stent comprises a plurality of serpentine circumferential bands and a plurality of connector columns. Each connector column is located between two adjacent serpentine circumferential bands and comprises a plurality connector struts. Each connector strut is connected at one end to one serpentine circumferential band and at another end to another serpentine circumferential band. Each connector strut has step sections and at least one riser. Each step section extends substantially in a circumferential direction and each riser extends in a substantially longitudinal direction. The steps in a connector are connected to one another via a riser.

Abstract: Suturing rings and methods of use thereof facilitating initial implantation of new and replacement of dysfunctional tissue or mechanical heart valve mechanisms supported by the suturing ring are disclosed. The suturing ring annulus is adjustable to receive and engage the valve frame of the heart valve mechanism within the annulus. An interlocking mechanism applies restraint to fix the adjusted suturing ring annulus engaged against the valve frame to support the heart valve mechanism during chronic implantation. Sutures affixing the suturing ring to the valvar rim can be routed and entrapped between the suturing ring annulus and the valve frame when the suturing ring is restraint is applied. The restraint is released to replace a dysfunctional heart valve mechanism and reapplied when a new heart valve mechanism is fitted into the annulus.

Abstract: A system for breast augmentation includes a plurality of microballoons. An injector can be provided for injecting microballoons into a breast through an incision in the breast. The microballoons can have a first dimension when in the injector and a second, larger dimension when in the breast. An injector and tissue dissector are also disclosed. A method for performing breast augmentation surgery and microballoons for use in the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A biodegradable auricular prosthetic device is described, particularly but not exclusively devised for the treatment of otitis media, comprising a tubular body having axially opposed ends and flanged at least at one of the opposed ends and at least a portion of which is produced from a material subject to biological degradation in the presence of organic liquids, wherein at least the portion made of material subject to biological degradation is produced from a polymeric material selected from the group of polyphosphazenes.

Abstract: A multi-leaflet valve adapted to serve as a prosthesis for diseased native valve of a mammal is constructed of biologic membrane or of biocompatible synthetic membrane. The valve has the shape of a truncated cone that has an inflow and an outflow orifice with leaflets forming the outflow orifice and forming a plurality of commissures. A first flexible stent is removably affixed in a substantially circular fashion around the truncated cone in proximity of the inflow orifice, and a second flexible stent is removably affixed at the location of the commissures to form a circle around the truncated cone in proximity of the outflow orifice. The stents maintain the shape of the valve during the surgical implantation procedure. Each stent independently can be left in the valve or can be removed during the implantation procedure based upon the judgement of the cardiac surgeon performing the implantation procedure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for direct coronary revascularization wherein a transmyocardial passageway is formed between a chamber of the heart and a coronary blood vessel to permit blood to flow therebetween. In some embodiments, the transmyocardial passageway is formed between a chamber of the heart and a coronary vein. The invention includes unstented transmyocardial passageways, as well as transmyocardial passageways wherein protrusive stent devices extend from the transmyocardial passageway into an adjacent coronary vessel or chamber of the heart. The apparatus of the present invention include protrusive stent devices for stenting of transmyocardial passageways, intraluminal valving devices for valving of transmyocardial passageways, intracardiac valving devices for valving of transmyocardial passageways, endogenous tissue valves for valving of transmyocardial passageways, and ancillary apparatus for use in conjunction therewith.

Abstract: A medical procedure includes providing a prosthesis which includes (i) a body portion having a rear surface and a bearing surface, and (ii) an anchor peg including a shaft extending from the rear surface of the body portion, wherein the anchor peg includes a plurality of outwardly extending fins secured to the shaft, and further wherein the plurality of outwardly extending fins each possesses a first diameter. The medical procedure further includes creating an anchor hole in a natural bone, the anchor hole possessing a second diameter which is less than the first diameter. In addition, the method procedure includes positioning the anchor peg within the anchor hole so that each of the plurality of outwardly extending fins deforms so as to possess (i) a concave side which faces an open end of the anchor hole, and (ii) a convex side that faces a closed end of the anchor hole.

Abstract: A method of restoring the vision of an eye having an impaired lens with an artificial lens implant includes replacing the lens by a polymerizable material injected into the emptied lens capsule and thereby providing a new lens implant with a predetermined refractive value, while admitting the possibility of controlling and adjusting the refractive value of the eye during the surgical process.

Abstract: A device for inducing weight loss in a patient includes a tubular prosthesis positionable at the gastro-esophageal junction region, preferably below the z-line. In a method for inducing weight loss, the prosthesis is placed such that an opening at its proximal end receives masticated food from the esophagus, and such that the masticated food passes through the pouch and into the stomach via an opening in its distal end.

Abstract: A femoral knee prosthesis system for resurfacing a resected articular surface at the distal end of a femur includes a femoral component adapted to mate with the resected articular surface; and an attachment member. The interior surface of the femoral component is configured to connect to the first attachment member when the femoral component is mated on the resected articular surface of the femur and when the first attachment member is passed through the medial side or the lateral side of the resected articular surface. The femoral component is available in one-piece and two-piece systems. Mating femoral components (e.g., tapered or with lips that interlock with grooves) are also disclosed.

Abstract: A prosthetic device is described that is positionable within the gastro-esophageal junction region of a patient. The prosthetic device includes a proximal opening and a distal orifice that is adjustable in size prior to and/or following implantation. During use, the prosthetic device is attached to tissue of the gastro-esophageal junction region of the patient, with the device positioned such that food ingested by the patient passes from the esophagus through the proximal opening into the interior of the prosthetic device, and eventually exits the prosthetic device via the distal opening.

Abstract: A monolithic bioresorbable implant includes optimally designed openings to treat tissue disorders or drug delivery. Preferably, the implant is made from calcium salts. A method of filling a recipient treatment site includes the step of disposing the monolithic bioresorbable implant into the site.

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 microelectronic 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: Methods, devices, and systems for a) revascularization and/or b) performing other medical procedures at vascular or non-vascular intracorporeal locations within a mammalian body. The methods generally comprise the formation of at least one extravascular passageway from a blood vessel to a vascular or non-vascular target location. In the revascularization methods the extravascular passageway is utilized for blood flow. In the medical procedure methods the extravascular passageway is utilized as a conduit for accessing or performing procedures at the vascular or non-vascular target location. Also disclosed are catheter devices and systems which are useable to form the extravascular passageways of the invention, as well as apparatus for modifying, maintaining and/or closing such extravascular passageways.

Abstract: A method for closed-chest cardiac surgical intervention relies on viewing the cardiac region through a thoracoscope or other viewing scope and endovascularly partitioning the patient's arterial system at a location within the ascending aorta The cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegia can be induced, and a variety of surgical procedures performed on the stopped heart using percutaneously introduced tools. The method of the present invention will be particularly suitable for forming coronary artery bypass grafts, where an arterial blood source is created using least invasive surgical techniques, and the arterial source is connected to a target location within a coronary artery while the patient is under cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegia.

Abstract: Systems and methods implant one or more fastening structure(s) in a targeted body region, e.g., within a hollow body organ or an intraluminal space. The fastening structure(s) are implanted to a vessel wall, and serve to secure a prosthesis within the hollow body organ or intraluminal space.