Abstract: A method for positioning an intraluminal graft within a branching vessel in a patient's body is described. The method is particularly applicable to the appropriate positioning of a trouser graft so that it bridges an aneurism which extends from a single vessel, such as the aorta, into one or more divergent vessels, for example, an iliac artery. The method can comprise the steps a of placing a first graft (10), that bifurcates in a pair of tubular sections (19a, 19b) into the pre-branching portion of a vessel (11) through one of the post-branching portions of the vessel (12, 13), positioning a second tubular graft (10b) into one of the post-branching portions (12) and connecting it to one of the tubular sections of the first graft (19a), and positioning a third tubular graft (10a) into the other of the post-branching portions (11) and connecting it to the other of the tubular sections of the first graft (19b).

Abstract: A process for non-surgical repositioning of craniofacial bones following surgery for severe disease or trauma. At least two osseointegrated, i.e. bone implanted, fixtures are implanted in the patient. A malleable bar, preferably of a gold, platinum and nickel alloy, is fastened between the two fixtures. The gold bar initially has a flexed shape that could include loops, curves or other nonlinear segments. The flexed gold bar is periodically bent to a more straightened position which thus applies a force between the two bone implanted fixtures. The force between the two fixtures tends to reposition the facial bones over a period of time to restore function and/or form to the injured area.

Abstract: Methods of artificially lining a vessel, especially an artery, of a medical patient to address the existence of a flow-inhibiting atheroma and to significantly alleviate the probability of restenosis, and the resulting products.

Abstract: An improved method for preventing adhesions during surgery. Tissue surfaces and surgical articles involved in the surgery are coated with a solution of a hydrophilic, polymeric material prior to manipulation of the tissue during surgery. The polymeric material is (1) a substantially water-soluble polymer having at least one C.sub.n F.sub.2n+1 substituent wherein n.gtoreq.4, having a molecular weight of less than about 60,000; (2) a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or complex thereof; or (3) mixtures thereof. The concentration of the aqueous solution of the polymeric material is in the range of from about 0.1% to about 5.0% by weight, the molecular weight and concentration having values such that the aqueous solution is capable of providing wet coatings on the tissue.

Abstract: An implantable orthopedic prosthesis includes a screw having a threaded shank and a head. The head includes a plurality of splines extending outwardly of the diametrical extent of the head. A first implantable prosthetic element has a threaded bore for receiving the threaded shank of the screw in threaded engagement. A second implantable prosthetic element has a shoulder-stepped bore for receiving the threaded shank therethrough and for engaging the head. The bore includes an annular groove for receiving the splines of the head and defines a shoulder for engaging the splines to prevent backout of the screw.

Abstract: The capsular adhesion preventing ring includes a wristband-like member having a diameter larger than that of an anterior capsular opening. The ring has multiple engaging holes and multiple guide slots formed through the circumferential wall of the ring, and each guide slot extends from the lower or upper rims of the ring to a corresponding engaging hole. In this ring, each guide slot may have a slant angle to the rim of the ring, be opened to a corresponding engaging hole along a cutting line of the hole, and an engaging protrusion may be formed between the guide slot and engaging hole. The direction of the engaging holes and guide slots from inside to outside of the wall may be almost parallel to the direction of a corresponding part of the loops of the intraocular lens that is inserted into the capsular bag before the insertion of the ring.

Abstract: A transmyocardial implant includes a hollow rigid conduit having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is sized to be larger than an initial lumen diameter of a coronary vessel. The first portion is smaller than an enlarged lumen diameter. The second portion is sized to extend from the first portion and through a myocardium into a heart chamber. The implant further includes a stent having a first stent diameter and adapted to be enlarged to an enlarged second stent diameter. In the first stent diameter, the stent is sized to be inserted into the initial lumen diameter. In the second diameter, the stent is sized to dilate the lumen to the enlarged lumen diameter. When the stent is at the second stent diameter, the stent has an internal diameter sized to receive the first portion of the conduit.

Abstract: A luminal endoprosthesis comprising a framework made up of braided filaments. The framework is self-expanding, that is to say that after it has been radially compressed for positioning of the endoprosthesis, it automatically recovers its nominal diameter. The metal of the framework has undergone a thermal treatment bringing about a state transition, at a temperature close to that of the organism, and this confers upon it a suitable rigidity after it has been positioned in an anatomical conduit.

Abstract: A kit for preparing an implantable graft, particularly an implantable, composite bone graft is provided. The kit includes a porous, biocompatible, sterile substrate and a container configured to retain the substrate and to permit flow of a cell suspension, particularly a bone marrow aspirate suspension therethrough. A method which employs such kit for preparing a composite implantable bone graft is also provided. The method includes the steps of providing a bone marrow aspirate suspension and passing the bone marrow aspirate suspension through a porous, biocompatible, implantable substrate to provide a composite bone graft having an enriched population of connective tissue progenitor cells. The composite bone graft prepared by the present method contains an enriched population of connective tissue progenitor cells and a greater number of connective tissue progenitor cells per unit volume than that found in the original bone marrow aspirate.

Abstract: The artificial spinal disc of the invention is intended to articulate in a manner resembling a human knee articulation. The artificial spinal disc includes two plates each having a planar outer surface and an articulating inner surface. The planar outer surfaces contact adjacent inferior and superior surfaces of two adjacent vertebrae having the spinal disc implanted therebetween. The planar surfaces of the plates are affixed to the adjacent vertebrae. The articulating surfaces of the artificial spinal disc will be generally bimodal-shaped such that a first articulating surface will have two convex shaped articulating portions and the second articulating surface will have two concave shaped articulating portions. The concave and convex shaped portions of the respective plates will be generally complementary. The articulation of the artificial spinal disc will generally resemble that of a human knee.

Abstract: A composite allograft bone device comprising a first bone member body defining with a face that includes a plurality of intersecting grooves cut into the face of the body to define a plurality of spaced projections forming a pattern and a second bone member body defining a face that includes a plurality of angularly intersecting grooves cut into the face to form a plurality of spaced projections forming a second pattern. The projections on the second face fit into grooves cut in the first face allowing the two bodies to be mated together with the spaced projections of each face fitting into the grooves of the opposing face. The mated bodies form a composite bone device which is provided with a throughgoing bore positioned at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the composite device and a dowel mounted in the throughgoing bore extending into the bone member bodies precluding the same from relative longitudinal movement.

Abstract: An intraluminal prosthesis for intraluminal repair of body conduits, especially aortic aneurysms, is disclosed. The prosthesis includes a generally tubular, flexible graft (20) having a proximal open end (30) and at least one distal open end (31) terminating in a hem (33). A stent (21) can be disposed within the proximal open end (30) and is adapted to be attached to the body conduit (1). The hem (33) is inverted within the graft so that it is disposed as a cuff (34) within the graft. The hem (33) is arranged so that upon withdrawing the distal open end (31) from inside the cuff (34), the cuff will unfold and follow the distal open end to expose it to receive another stent for attachment to the body conduit (12) for intraluminal implantation of the graft. Preferably the hem is folded a second time within the cuff to form a second cuff (35) within the graft. The stents are preferably formed of a plexus of wires adapted to expand from a first narrow diameter to a second diameter to engage the body conduit.

Abstract: Implant intended to be fixed through contact with new grown bone tissue comprising a dense material having an implant surface, and having, at least within a surface portion of the implant surface, surface pores covering at least 5% of the surface portion. The surface pores constitute a contact surface for new grown bone tissue, wherein close to at least a substantial fraction of all of the surface pores has at least one elevation extending over the implant surface which completely or at least partially surrounds an edge of the pore. Each elevation has a rough surface which causes formation of soft tissue when the implant surface is in contact with newly growing bone tissue.

Abstract: An intraluminal stent comprising fibrin is capable of reducing the incidence of restenosis at the site of vascular injury such as that produced by an angioplasty procedure.