Abstract: An intraocular lens assembly and method. The assembly comprises an optic disc and an annulus surrounding the optic disc. Hinges connect the optic disc to the annulus to permit anterior and posterior movement of the optic disc relative to the annulus in response to contraction and relaxation of the ciliary muscle so that the eye accommodates to focus on a near object. The method comprises the steps of placing in the posterior chamber an optic disc and an annulus. The annulus surrounds the optic disc and is connected to it by hinges that permit anterior and posterior movement of the optic disc relative to annulus in response to contraction and relaxation of the ciliary muscle whereby said eye accommodates to focus on a near object.

Abstract: A ceramic-metal composite articulation is provided with substantial elimination of wear debris, wherein a ceramic material is provided with superior mechanical properties tailored for articulating with ceramic articulations having high flexural strength (greater than about 700 MPa), high fracture toughness (greater than about 7 MPa1/2) and a high Weibull modulus (greater than about 20), in comparison with presently available bio-ceramics such as alumina or zirconia. The mechanical property enhancement enables ceramic materials with greater reliability and significantly reduced in-vivo fracture risk to be obtained. Preliminary in-vitro wear performance, to several million cycles using established test protocols, of head/cup components in a prosthetic hip joint made from these ceramics also demonstrates the ultra low wear characteristics.

Abstract: A stent or other intraluminal medical device having markers formed from housings integral with the stent and marker inserts having a higher radiopacity than the stent provides for more precise placement and post-procedural visualization in a vessel, by increasing the radiopacity of the stent under X-ray fluoroscopy. The housings are formed integral to the stent and the marker inserts are made from a material close in the galvanic series to the stent material and sized to substantially minimize the effect of galvanic corrosion.

Abstract: Vascular biomaterial structures may be coated with a plasma-induced layer on their surface. Vascular biomaterial structures may include cardiovascular devices such as heart valves, stents, vascular graphs, and the like. Devices coated with a plasma polymerized coating may show reduced amounts of undesirable coagulation of blood at the surface of the device. A reduced amount of thrombosis may be observed for such plasma coated medical devices.

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring for correcting maladies of the mitral annulus that not only reshapes the annulus but also reconfigures the adjacent left ventricular muscle wall. The ring may be continuous and is made of a relatively rigid material, such as Stellite. The ring has a generally oval shape that is three-dimensional at least on the posterior side. A posterior portion of the ring rises or bows upward from adjacent sides to pull the posterior aspect of the native annulus farther up than its original, healthy shape. In doing so, the ring also pulls the ventricular wall upward which helps mitigate some of the effects of congestive heart failure. Further, one or both of the posterior and anterior portions of the ring may also bow inward.

Abstract: An orthopedic device set, including: a plurality of intervertebral spacer elements, each spacer element having a different axial thickness from each other element, the axial thicknesses being selected to increase by an increment from one element to another; and an instrument for holding ones of the intervertebral spacer elements, the instrument comprising a shaft having a distal end, a selectively grasping subassembly for alternatively rigidly holding each spacer element at the distal end so that the spacer element cannot move relative to the instrument, and releasing the spacer element.

Abstract: The femoral component of a knee prosthetic includes a trochlean part (3) and at least one, but preferably two condyles (2) wherein a trochlean trajectory is defined within the external surface of the component by the trochlea. A set of internal flat sides (5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) are implemented to make contact with corresponding re-cut sides of the extremity of the femur and define an internal open cage within the internal surface of said component and further define edges (15, 16, 17 and 18) between themselves. The perpendicular projection (4) of said trochlean trajectory in the medial lateral perspective of said femoral component has a tilt angle (alpha) with a value different from zero relative to the line (23) perpendicular to the perpendicular projection of said edges in said medial lateral perspective.

Abstract: A prefabricated joint is employed for the prosthetic joint. The joint includes prefabricated socket, ball, and capsule. The capsule is attached from the ball to the socket. The capsule seals the area between the ball and socket and prevents wear debris from entering the body cavity. In the case of the hip joint, the doctor need only attach the prefabricated unit to the femoral unit to connect the prosthetic joint after the prefabricated unit and femoral unit have been placed into the acetabular and femur, respectively.

Abstract: A shoulder prosthesis and/or prosthesis sizing system, especially for treatment of degenerative arthritis or trauma, has an articulating head component. The shoulder prosthesis includes a humeral stem and a series of humeral heads. The heads are attached to the humeral stem by means of a locking connector. The locking connector allows the humeral head to be oriented in multiple positions of version, varus/valgus angulation, eccentricity and head height, while providing rigid securing of the humeral head to the humeral stem in the selected position relative to the humeral stem. In one form, the locking connector includes an expansion collar that provides radially outward expansion for humeral head position locking. The present shoulder prosthesis provides a means to anatomically position the humeral head relative to the humeral stem and rigidly secure the humeral head in the selected position relative to the humeral stem. This is accomplished by a minimum of components.

Abstract: A middle ear prosthesis comprises a piston adapted to extend through an oval window when implanted in a human ear. A pair of jaws engage an ossicle when implanted in a human ear. A spring is coupled to the jaws for biasing the jaws toward one another to provide clamping pressure. The jaws are in turn connected to the piston.

Abstract: A system and method for exclusion of an aneurysm of an aortic arch region using a graft delivery system capable of maneuvering around an aortic arch, an aortic arch graft, and an occluder system for isolating an aneurysm while occluding one or more corresponding arteries, and with bypass of those arteries being performed using one or more selected bypass grafts. The graft may be branched or branchless. The graft delivery system has a flexible sheath that is manipulated manually with the aid of a guidance system. A hoist delivery system may also be provided. The occluder system may comprise independent occluders with one or more anchor members adjacent to one end. Alternatively, the occluders can be provided as part of the aortic arch graft, either as a built-in singular self-deploying occluder or as built-in multiple occluders. A kit is also provided containing a graft, stents, occluders, and optional delivery system.

Abstract: A device, particularly useful for reconstructing heart valves, that includes: an implant having an elongate, deformable structure so that it can assume an elongate shape for insertion into the body of the patient through a small-diameter passage, approximately 1 to 2 cm, and a curved shape adapted for creating the annuloplasty, and a tubular instrument able to receive the implant at least partially within itself, which is sufficiently rigid to allow insertion of the implant into the body of the patient through the passage; this instrument has an opening at its distal part enabling access to implant, means for rotationally locking the implant relative thereto, means for holding implant relative thereto, and means for detecting its angular orientation inside the body of the patient.

Abstract: A bone mineral product for use in repair of combined cartilage defects and bone defects in articulating bone joints includes porous bone mineral particles derived from natural bone having a crystal structure substantially that of natural bone and being substantially free from all endogenous organic material, the particles having at least at a surface thereof resorbable, physiologically compatible collagen II fibers wherein the weight ratio of the collagen II fibers to the porous bone mineral particles is at least about 1:40.