Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis and delivery systems are provided for replacing a cardiac valve. The heart valve prosthesis includes a self-expanding frame includes a portion having a crimp that provides additional flexibility to the self-expanding frame in the collapsed configuration.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for deploying implantable devices within the body. The delivery and deployment systems include at least one catheter or an assembly of catheters for selectively positioning the lumens of the implant to within target vessels. Various deployment and attachment mechanisms are provided for selectively deploying the implants.

Abstract: A minimally-invasive surgical procedure for monitoring a physiological parameter within an internal organ of a living body. The procedure entails making a first incision in the body to enable access to the organ. An endoscopic instrument is then inserted through the first incision and a second incision is made therewith through an external wall of the organ and into the internal cavity thereof. A sensing unit is placed in the second incision such that the second incision is occluded by the unit and a proximal end of the unit is outside the organ. The unit includes a sensing device having a sensing element adapted to sense the physiological parameter within the organ, and an anchor to which the sensing device is secured. The first incision is closed, after which a readout device outside the body telemetrically communicates with the sensing device to obtain a reading of the physiological parameter.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve comprises a radially crimpable and radially expandable, net-like, annular support frame and a valve assembly disposed therein, the valve assembly comprising a conduit tapering from an inlet towards an outlet thereof. Some embodiments or the support frame comprise a proximal portion and a distal portion, a diameter of the proximal portion smaller than a diameter of the distal portion. The proximal portion is dimensioned for deployment in an annulus of a native aortic valve and a distal portion for deployment in an ascending aorta. Some embodiments of the conduit comprise a support construction with a three-cusp, crown-shaped cut line, the support construction sutured to the support frame around a bottom portion thereof and around the cut line. A method for using the prosthetic heart valve to replace a defective native aortic valve uses a minimally invasive procedure.

Abstract: A container holds at least one surgical implement, has a lock mechanism, and has a signature label that impedes access to the surgical implement until the correct surgical site is confirmed. A method of using the container includes the steps of confirming the correct surgical site, signing the label and removing it from the container, placing the label in the medical record, unlocking the container, removing the implement, and beginning the surgery, wherein the surgical team is forced to pause to confirm the correct surgical site before starting the surgery. Preferably, the container top may be removed and placed between the surgeon and surgical technician to define a no-hands “neutral zone” to avoid being stuck by the sharps. Also, the container preferably includes compartments for storing used sharps and/or a local anesthetic-loaded syringe, and the top may be replaced and secured for safely disposing of the sharps after the surgery.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve comprises a radially crimpable and radially expandable, net-like, annular support frame and a valve assembly disposed therein, the valve assembly comprising a conduit tapering from an inlet towards an outlet thereof. Some embodiments or the support frame comprise a proximal portion and a distal portion, a diameter of the proximal portion smaller than a diameter of the distal portion. The proximal portion is dimensioned for deployment in an annulus of a native aortic valve and a distal portion for deployment in an ascending aorta. Some embodiments of the conduit comprise a support construction with a three-cusp, crown-shaped cut line, the support construction sutured to the support frame around a bottom portion thereof and around the cut line. A method for using the prosthetic heart valve to replace a defective native aortic valve uses a minimally invasive procedure.

Abstract: A prosthesis capable of being worn on the eye of a wearer having a convex surface and a concave surface. The prosthesis has an aperture widening zone for widening the natural palpebral fissure of the wearer's eye. The prosthesis widens the natural palpebral fissure (aperture) of the wearer's eye by at least 1 mm. A method of widening the natural palpebral fissure of a wearer's eye by at least 1 mm is also provided.

Abstract: An artificial retina that includes: (i) a substrate; (ii) a first layer, placed onto said substrate and including photovoltaic material portions separated by at least one insulating material portion; and (iii) a second layer, placed onto said first layer and including conductive material portions separated by at least one insulating material portion. In said artificial retina, the photovoltaic material includes a titanium dioxide semiconductor.

Abstract: A modular IOL system including intraocular primary and secondary components, which, when combined, form an intraocular optical correction device, wherein the secondary component is placed on the primary component within the perimeter of the capsulorhexis, thus avoiding the need to touch or otherwise manipulate the capsular bag. The secondary component may be manipulated, removed, and/or exchanged for a different secondary component for correction or modification of the optical result, on an intra-operative or post-operative basis, without the need to remove the primary component and without the need to manipulate the capsular bag. The primary component may have haptics extending therefrom for centration in the capsular bag, and the secondary component may exclude haptics, relying instead on attachment to the primary lens for stability. Such attachment may reside radially inside the perimeter of the capsulorhexis and radially outside the field of view to avoid interference with light transmission.

Abstract: A stent-graft including a helically-wound stent component provided with a covering of graft material. It is removable from the site of implantation by gripping an end of the helically-wound stent component with a retrieval device and applying tension to the stent component. The use of such a retrieval device allows the stent-graft to be removed remotely, such as via a catheter inserted into the body at a different location from the implantation site. The design of the stent-graft is such that the stent component is extended axially while the adjacent portion of the graft separates between windings of the stent component. The axial extension of the stent component, with portions of the graft still joined to the stent component, allows the device to be unravelled and removed through a catheter of diameter adequately small to be inserted into the body cavity that contained the stent-graft.

Abstract: There is provided a soft intraocular lens, comprising: an optical lens section 10 made of a foldable soft material; and a support arm section 20 formed so as to protrude outward from an outer peripheral edge of the optical lens section 10 for holding the optical lens section 10 in an eye, wherein a tip end part 22 of the support arm section 20 is made of a different kind of material which is harder than a soft material of other portion of the soft intraocular lens 1, and adhesiveness of the tip end part 22 of the support arm section 20 is set to be lower than the adhesiveness of other portion of the soft intraocular lens 1.

Abstract: A stent graft (2) for placement in the thoracic arch of a patient has a first tubular body portion (6) with a first lumen therein for placement in the ascending aorta of a patient and a second tubular body portion (8) to extend along the thoracic arch and down the descending aorta. The second tubular body portion is of a lesser diameter than the first tubular body portion. There is a step portion (10) between the first body portion and the second body portion. The step portion is joined to and continuous with the first portion and the second portion. A first side of each of the first body portion, the step portion and the second body portion are substantially aligned so that there is a step (18) defined on a second side opposite to the first side of the body portion. There is an aperture (30) in the step portion and an internal tube (32) extending from the aperture towards the first body portion.

Abstract: A modular IOL system including intraocular primary and secondary components, which, when combined, form an intraocular optical correction device, wherein the secondary component is placed on the primary component within the perimeter of the capsulorhexis, thus avoiding the need to touch or otherwise manipulate the capsular bag. The secondary component may be manipulated, removed, and/or exchanged for a different secondary component for correction or modification of the optical result, on an intra-operative or post-operative basis, without the need to remove the primary component and without the need to manipulate the capsular bag. The primary component may have haptics extending therefrom for centration in the capsular bag, and the secondary component may exclude haptics, relying instead on attachment to the primary lens for stability. Such attachment may reside radially inside the perimeter of the capsulorhexis and radially outside the field of view to avoid interference with light transmission.

Abstract: An endoluminal vascular repair system includes an aorta stent graft having a fenestration with a first reinforcement around the fenestration. The fenestration aligns with a branch vessel when deployed. A branch vessel stent graft has a flaring portion at a proximal end of the branch vessel prosthesis that has a second reinforcement around its circumference to engage the reinforcement around the fenestration, and a tubular portion. When deployed, the flaring portion retains the proximal end within the aorta stent graft, and the tubular portion extends through the fenestration and into the branch vessel.

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring to resize a dilated aortic root during valve sparing surgery includes a scalloped space frame having three trough sections connected to define three crest sections. The annuloplasty ring is mounted outside the aortic root, and extends in height between a base plane and a spaced apart commissure plane of the aortic root. At least two adjacent trough sections are coupled by an annulus-restraining member or tether that limits the maximum deflection of the base of the annuloplasty ring. In use, the tether is preferably located in proximity to the base plane of the aortic root. The annuloplasty ring is movable between a first, substantially conical configuration occurring during a diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle, and a second, substantially cylindrical configuration occurring during a systolic phase of the cardiac cycle.

Abstract: An intraocular lens for providing a range of accommodative vision, an extended depth of focus, or enhanced performance through the asymmetric transfer of ocular forces to the lens. The intraocular lens contains an optic and a haptic. The shape and/or material of the haptic results in the transmission of ocular forces to particular regions in the optic. Greater forces applied to particular regions result in deformation of that region and increased power.

Abstract: A method of repairing and/or stabilizing a joint by administering mesenchymal stem cells to the joint. Such a method provides for the regeneration of cartilaginous tissue in the joint, including meniscal tissue.

Abstract: An endoluminal support structure includes strut members interconnected by pivot joints to form a series of linked scissor mechanisms. The structure can be remotely actuated to compress or expand its shape by adjusting the scissor joints within a range of motion. In particular, the support structure can be repositioned within the body lumen or retrieved from the lumen. The support structure can be employed to introduce and support a prosthetic valve within a body lumen.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. The apparatus includes a replacement valve and an anchor having an expandable braid. In some embodiments, the expandable braid is fabricated from a single strand of wire. In some embodiments, the expandable braid comprises at least one turn feature. The anchor and the valve preferably are configured for endovascular delivery and deployment.

Abstract: An intraocular lens is disclosed, with an optic that changes shape in response to a deforming force exerted by the zonules of the eye. A haptic supports the optic around its equator and couples the optic to the capsular bag of the eye. Certain haptic features improve the accommodative performance of the haptic, such that compressive/tensile forces may be more efficiently transferred from the haptic to optic. Furthermore, certain aspects also provide enhanced bag-sizing capability so that the IOL better fits within the capsular bag.