Abstract: A spinal fusion implant device is provided for insertion into a generally cylindrical bore formed between adjacent vertebrae. The device includes: a shaft having a longitudinal central axis; and a plurality of projections extending radially from the shaft and terminating in a surface, each of the projections being oriented to form a thread like segment for engaging the internal surface of the cylindrical bore to advance the device axially into the bore upon rotation of the device about the longitudinal axis. In an embodiment, each of the projections includes an elongated member terminating in a surface including at least one rib adapted to form a thread like segment for engaging the internal surface of the bore. The elongated member further includes a bulbous head forming the surface at a distal end of the elongated member.

Abstract: A surface treated intraocular lens implant for use in the replacement of a cataractous natural lens to prevent posteriror capsular opacification. The surface treated intraocular lens includes one or more proteins, polypeptides, polyamino acids or polyamines bound to the surface of the intraocular lens implant covalently, non-covalently or a combination thereof. The one or more proteins, polypeptides, polyamino acids or polyamines present on the surface of the intraocular lens implant serves to reduce or eliminate residual lens epithelial cell migration within the lens capsule. By preventing residual lens epithelial cell migration, posterior capsular opacification of the intraocular lens implant is thus reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fusing opposing spinal vertebrae is disclosed. In an embodiment for a spinal implant of the present invention, the implant includes a body assembly and a retention member coupled to the body assembly. The retention member includes a tang where the tang is extendible from the body assembly. In a method of the present invention, the method includes the step of inserting an implant between adjacent vertebrae with a retention member of the implant in a first retracted configuration. The method also includes the step of configuring the retention member in a second extended configuration wherein when the retention member is in its second extended configuration, a portion of a tang of the retention member extends from the implant and into one of the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: The basket-like container (1) contains a reception volume for bone tissue. After the filling in of the bone tissue the container is implanted. The reception volume is located within a wall (2) which is arranged about an axis (10). This peripheral wall consists of a grid, a fabric or a mesh. Transversely to the axis the wall enables an X-ray optical seeing through of the unfilled reception volume. The surface component, which is permeable by X-rays, amounts to at least 30%.

Abstract: An improved intraocular lens (28) is provided which more closely mimics the accommodation and focusing of the eye's natural lens. The lens (28) includes a central optic (30) together with a resilient positioning element (38) including a plurality of spaced-apart positioning legs (44) with openings (46) therebetween. The element (38) is configured so that the equatorial segment (48) thereof is maintained in substantial contact with at least a part of the corresponding equatorial portion (27) of the capsule (20), during essentially all orientations of the lens (28) within the capsule (20). A thin membrane (56) may be used to cover the openings (46) to thereby impede the passage of cells into the lens (28).

Abstract: The invention concerns an interspinous stabilizer comprising two members anchoring it to spinous processes of two respective vertebrae, and a body extending along a direction aligning the members, the body, being compressible along the alignment direction by the effect of stress based on a predetermined configuration, the body being adapted to recover spontaneously said predetermined configuration after the stress has ceased, the body comprising a leaf spring with a geometrical generatrix. The anchoring members are capable of fixing the stabilizer to the spinous processes such that the generatrix extends substantially from the front to the rear relative to the patient's body.

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: The invention relates to a mold having split dies to be arranged in opposition about a substrate and an outer frame situated about the perimeter of the split dies, wherein the outer frame and split dies function as a wedge and move slidably so as to convert the load produced by a vertical uniaxial press into load applied from two opposing directions across the horizontal, the split dies move in such a way as to compress the titanium or titanium alloy substrate and uniformly press the side faces thereof so as to impart the required configuration to the substrate, and to artificial bone having high biological affinity produced by the mold.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an intracorporeal device formed of a high strength Co—Ni—Cr alloy and is particularly suitable for forming a composite product with a pseudoelastic member formed of NiTi alloy. Suitable intracorporeal products include guidewires and stents. The high strength alloy consists essentially of about 28 to about 65% cobalt, about 2 to about 40% nickel, about 5 to about 35% chromium, up to about 12% molybdenum, up to about 20% tungsten, up to about 20% iron and the balance inconsequential amounts of impurities and other alloying constituents, with a preferred alloy composition including about 30 to about 45% cobalt, about 25 to about 37% nickel, about 15 to about 25% chromium and about 5 to about 15% molybdenum. Intravascular devices such as guidewires, stents and the like can be formed of this high strength Co—Ni—Cr alloy.

Abstract: A delivery system for endoluminal deployment of a stent inside of a biocompatible graft cover minimizes obstruction of endoluminal fluid flow during deployment. The delivery system comprises a stent sheath, a compressed stent underlying the stent sheath, and a graft overlying the stent sheath and releasably retained in a compressed state surrounding the sheath. The graft distal end is attached to the stent at or proximal the stent distal end, and the graft outer surface is exposed to the interior space of the lumen during deployment. The proximal end of the graft may be attached to the stent sheath by a releasable attachment adapted for release during deployment of the stent, or may be otherwise constrained, such as by heat deformation, to remain adjacent the outer circumference of the stent prior to deployment. The releasable attachment may be a suture that is severed by a pusher having a cutter therein.

Abstract: A medical device and production method therefor which can retain antimicrobial activity for a prolonged period of time under physiological indwelling conditions and also having a physiologically active function. The production method is independent of the kind of base material selected for the medical device. The antimicrobial medical device having physiological activity comprises a cross-linked coating film constituting a high molecular weight substance having acid anhydride groups formed on a surface of a base material. The cross-linked coating film is formed by reacting preferably from 0.5 to 10 mol % of the acid anhydride groups contained in the high molecular weight substance with a compound having two or more active hydrogen atoms in one molecule. Also, a physiologically active substance and an antimicrobial substance are bonded to the cross-linked coating film.

Abstract: A graft repair system for use in the repair of an aneurysm within a vessel is disclosed. The graft repair system includes a graft assembly and a support assembly for supporting the graft assembly within the vessel. The graft assembly may include a tubular portion having proximal and distal ends. The graft assembly may be bifurcated. The graft assembly may further comprise a distal graft assembly. The support assembly includes at least one attachment assembly for attaching the graft assembly to a vessel wall. The support assembly further includes a connecting assembly for connecting the attachment assembly to the proximal end of the graft assembly, such that the attachment assembly extends cephalad from the proximal end of the graft assembly. The support device further includes a securing assembly for securing the connecting assembly to the proximal end of the graft assembly.

Abstract: An arterial interluminal prosthesis for repairing an aortic aneurysm of a patient comprising. The prosthesis includes a main body having an upper end with a upper aperture for being located proximate to renal arteries of the patient and a lower end having two lower apertures for being located in the arortic artery proximate iliac arteries of the patient. The prosthesis also includes a first leg that is separate from the main body that is inserted into one of the two lower apertures of the main body to extend therefrom into one of the iliac arteries and a second leg separate from the main body that is inserted into the other of the two lower apertures of the main body to extend therefrom into the other of the iliac arteries.

Abstract: A laminated artificial pinna having a concha, fossa and auditory canal. The auditory canal is constructed and arranged relative to the concha so that the distance from the center of the entrance of the auditory canal to the rear wall of the concha lies within the range of 15 mm to 20 mm, the distance from the center of the entrance of the auditory canal to the concha floor lies within the range of 9 mm to 15 mm, and the alignment of the turning point with the center of the entrance of the auditory canal is substantially horizontal.

Abstract: A delivery system for endoluminal deployment of a stent inside of a biocompatible graft cover minimizes obstruction of endoluminal fluid flow during deployment. The delivery system comprises a stent sheath, a compressed stent underlying the stent sheath, and a graft overlying the stent sheath and releasably retained in a compressed state surrounding the sheath. The graft distal end is attached to the stent at or proximal the stent distal end, and the graft outer surface is exposed to the interior space of the lumen during deployment. The proximal end of the graft may be attached to the stent sheath by a releasable attachment adapted for release during deployment of the stent, or may be otherwise constrained, such as by heat deformation, to remain adjacent the outer circumference of the stent prior to deployment. The releasable attachment may be a suture that is severed by a pusher having a cutter therein.

Abstract: This invention relates to bioabsorbable multi-layer two-dimensional composite devices and their method of manufacture by spot welding the layers of the device at designated points, which devices can easily be cut into any desirable form by a surgeon during operation on a patient.

Abstract: An anterior chamber phakic lens made from an elastomeric, foldable, highly biocompatible material. The lens has a generally circular optic and integrally formed plate-style haptics, the haptics containing an opening into which project a pair of pincer arms. The pincer arms are sized and shaped so as to pull away from each other when the lens is folded, and are draw back toward each other when the folded lens is released and allowed to return to its unfolded state. Such movement allows the pincers to gather a small section of the iris so as to hold the lens in place.

Abstract: A method of making artificial bone comprises providing a membrane of collagen with solutions of calcium ions and of phosphate ions on opposite sides of the membrane. The calcium ions and phosphate ions diffuse through the membrane and precipitate as a hydroxyapatite material. Control of ionic concentrations ensures that precipitation takes place within the fibrils of the membrane. The result is an artificial bone material comprising a matrix of collagen and a hydroxyapatite material deposited within the matrix.

Abstract: A welding method for improving the durability and strength of fusion weld joints in metal structures; the method is especially beneficial for metal structures fabricated from nickel-titanium alloy (nitinol) and for medical devices.

Abstract: A prosthesis is formed from a substrate with an associated attraction compound. The attraction compound binds viable precursor cells to the substrate. Thus, the substrate forms a synthetic tissue supporting viable cells once the substrate is contacted with a solution containing viable precursor cells. Preferred precursor cells differentiate into fibroblasts or into endothelial cells.