Abstract: A presbyopia correcting intraocular lens implant for implanting in a human eye includes an implant body having a central lens enclosure and at least one stability tab extending therefrom. At least one ciliary body sensor senses movement of the eye's ciliary body. An electronic module is embedded in the implant body and includes a microprocessor communicative with the ciliary body sensor. A dynamic lens assembly is housed in the central lens enclosure and has a dynamic range of continuous accommodation. The lens implant also includes a renewable intraocular power supply.

Abstract: Segmented scaffolds composed of disconnected scaffold segments with overlapping end rings are disclosed. Scaffolds with at least one discontinuous link are also disclosed.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for performing arthroscopic evaluations and procedures in and near the hip joint are provided. An arthroscopic assisted arthroplasty system is useful in the treatment of arthritic hip conditions, conserving healthy tissue, and limiting iatrogenic injury associated with traditional surgical exposures. A guide wire system employing retrograde and antegrade reamers along the femoral neck is useful in anatomic placement of instrumentation without formal hip dislocation. Fluoroscopy and computer assisted navigation enhance the system, methods, and apparatus. Acetabular and femoral collapsible prosthetic forms are useful in arthroscopic assisted placement. The devices, systems, and methods are effective to assist an operating surgeon in the addressing mild to moderate arthritic conditions of the femoral head and acetabulum where tissue conservation and surgical exposure morbidities should be limited.

Abstract: An object is to provide an artificial lens for use in an artificial eye device for cataract surgery practice. The artificial lens includes an artificial nucleus corresponding to a human eye lens nucleus and an artificial cortex corresponding to a human eye lens cortex. The artificial nucleus is formed of an agar gel of agar concentration 1.0 wt % to 5.0 wt %. The artificial cortex is formed of an agar gel of agar concentration 0.5 wt % to 1.5 wt % which is lower than the agar concentration of an agar gel forming the artificial nucleus. In another embodiment, an artificial lens includes an artificial nucleus corresponding to a human eye lens nucleus and an artificial cortex corresponding to a human eye lens cortex. The artificial nucleus is formed of cheese or a cheese-like substance, and the artificial cortex is formed of pulp fiber.

Abstract: A graft prostheses (11), materials and method for implanting, transplanting, replacing, or repairing a part of a patient. The graft prosthesis includes a purified, collagen-based matrix structure removed from a submucosa tissue source. The submucosa tissue source is purified by disinfection and removal steps to deactivate and remove contaminants, thereby making the purified structure biocompatible and suitable for grafting on and/or in a patient.

Abstract: Waveforms for forming helical stents with opposing and/or alternating pitch angles along their lengths are disclosed. A wire is bent to form a waveform having a series of sinusoidal segments between a first end and a second end thereof. Each sinusoidal segment is longitudinally offset from its adjacent segment(s). Each waveform includes at least one sinusoidal segment having a first portion in which the amplitude between consecutive turns of the wire gradually increases and a longitudinally offset second portion in which the amplitude between consecutive turns of the wire gradually decreases. The waveform is wrapped from one end to the other about a mandrel to form the stent and depending on the arrangement of sinusoidal segments along the waveform may have opposing and/or alternating pitch angles along a section or an entire length of the stent.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve having an internal support frame with a continuous, undulating leaflet frame defined therein. The leaflet frame has three cusp regions positioned at an inflow end intermediate three commissure regions positioned at an outflow end thereof. The leaflet frame may be cloth covered and flexible leaflets attached thereto form occluding surfaces of the valve. The support frame further includes three cusp positioners rigidly fixed with respect to the leaflet frame and located at the outflow end of the support frame intermediate each pair of adjacent commissure regions. The valve is desirably compressible so as to be delivered in a minimally invasive manner through a catheter to the site of implantation. Upon expulsion from catheter, the valve expands into contact with the surrounding native valve annulus and is anchored in place without the use of sutures.

Abstract: The invention provides an IOL, a method of making the IOL, and a method of using the IOL, wherein the IOL includes a central region and an outer region. An ophthalmic lens comprises a central region and an outer region. The central region is disposed about an optical axis and comprises a diffractive pattern having an add power. The central region also has a first power and a second power for visible light. The first power is a power for far focus and the second power equals to the sum of the power for far focus and the add power. The outer region encloses the central region and generally has no multifocal diffractive power. At least a portion of the outer region has a curvature that varies with distance from the optical axis.

Abstract: A middle ear prosthetic device including: a columellate prosthesis, one end of which is connectable to the stapes or to its remaining footplate; an annular element of bioinert metal insertable into the auditory tube after suitable milling; an elastic elongated element of bioinert material, disposed transversely to the annular element, a first end of the elongated element being rigid with the annular element while its second end is free and to it there being connected the other end of the columellate prosthesis; for supporting the neotympanum, a tensostructure of wires of non-reabsorbable bioinert material fixed taut to the interior of the annular element to support the neotympanum, the distance between the wires being such as to provide the surgeon with a sufficient view of the surgical field, the elongated elastic element interfering with the tensostructure.

Abstract: A method for calculating the required power of a toric implant by using both the measured pre-operative corneal astigmatism and the predicted surgically-induced post-operative astigmatism. The surgically-induced post-operative astigmatism is predicted using power vector analysis of the surgical technique employed by the surgeon. Such a method provides a more accurate method of calculating the required post-operative refractive power of the implant. The method can be implemented manually, but preferably is automated by implementation on a computer through appropriate software.

Abstract: An intraocular lens comprises an optic and at least two haptics. Each haptic is offset in an anterior direction from a central optic plane of the optic. The offset allows for predictable posterior vaulting upon implantation.

Abstract: An IOL having an optic and a peripheral stabilizing ring. The optic and the ring are connected by a flexible bridge. An area on the ring coinciding with a feature on the optic helps to locate the optic within the ring in an unstressed state until the capsular bag collapses and locks the optic into place.

Abstract: An implant for orthopedic applications includes a quantity of flexible, elongated elements at least some of which possess connective tissue-healing activity, the elongated elements being arranged in substantially common alignment along their longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A coated implantable medical device 10 includes a structure 12 adapted for introduction into the vascular system, esophagus, trachea, colon, biliary tract, or urinary tract; at least one coating layer 16 posited on one surface of the structure; and at least one layer 18 of a bioactive material posited on at least a portion of the coating layer 16, wherein the coating layer 16 provides for the controlled release of the bioactive material from the coating layer. In addition, at least one porous layer 20 can be posited over the bioactive material layer 18, wherein the porous layer includes a polymer and provides for the controlled release of the bioactive material therethrough. Preferably, the structure 12 is a coronary stent. The porous layer 20 includes a polymer applied preferably by vapor or plasma deposition and provides for a controlled release of the bioactive material.

Abstract: An implant including a substantially cohesive aggregate comprising bone-derived particles. Cohesiveness is maintained by a member of mechanical interlocking, engagement of adjacent bone-derived particles with one another through engagement with a binding agent, thermal bonding, chemical bonding, or a matrix material in which the bone-derived particles are retained. The aggregate is shaped as a one-dimensional or two-dimensional body.

Abstract: An artificial retinal system includes an external optical device having an image generator and a background light generator, and a retinal implant chip having a solar cell and a stimulus generator. The stimulus generator is disposed to receive a target image projected by the image generator and a background light provided by the background light generator, and receives the electrical power from the solar cell. The stimulus generator includes an image sensing stimulator operable to convert the target image into electrical stimuli, and a contrast enhancer for reducing effect of the background light on the electrical stimuli.

Abstract: An expandable spacer, comprising: an axial tube having a surface, a proximal end and a distal end and a length, wherein, said surface defines a plurality of slits, said plurality of slits defining at least two axially displaced extensions, such that when said tube is axially compressed, said extensions extend out of said surface and define a geometry of an expanded spacer. Preferably the spacer is adapted to be inserted between two spinal vertebrae of a human.

Abstract: A prosthetic system that includes a prosthetic implant and a support structure secured to an inner surface of a cavity of a bone is disclosed. The support structure defines a channel that extends through the length of the support structure. The prosthetic implant is received in the channel, and a portion of the prosthetic implant is secured to an inner surface of the support structure by an adhesive. The support structure may comprise a pair of partially hemispherical components arranged in spaced apart relationship thereby defining the channel between the pair of components.

Abstract: An endovascular graft includes a tubular graft body section; a radially expandable stent extending from and affixed to the graft body section. The stent includes a proximal end, a distal end and a serpentine ring configuration having a plurality of struts and apices. The stent further includes at least one barb integrally formed as an extension of each strut extending distally from a position on the strut that is distal of an adjacent proximal apex, where the at least one integrally formed barb is formed as the extension of each strut with no joint or other connection thereat.

Abstract: A stent for supporting part of a blood vessel includes a supporting portion around which or within which a part of an intact blood vessel other than a graft can be placed. The stent internally or externally supports that part of the blood vessel. The supporting portion of the stent is of a shape and/or orientation whereby flow within the vessel is caused to follow a non-planar curve. By maintaining a non-planar curvature in the vessel itself, favorable blood flow velocity patterns can be achieved through the generation therein of “swirl” flow. Failures in such vessels through diseases, such as thrombosis, atherosclerosis, intimal hyperplasia or through blockage, kinking or collaps, can be significantly reduced.