Abstract: The invention is directed to producing a shaped cartilage matrix isolated from a human or animal where the cartilage has been crafted to facilitate disinfection, cleaning, devitalization, recellularization, and/or integration after implantation. The invention relates to a process for repairing a cartilage defect and implantation of a cartilage graft into a human or animal by crafting the cartilage matrix into individual grafts, disinfecting and cleaning the cartilage graft, applying a pretreatment solution to the cartilage graft, removing cellular debris using an extracting solution to produce a devitalized cartilage graft, implanting the cartilage graft into the cartilage defect with or without an insertion device, and sealing the implanted cartilage graft with recipient tissue. The devitalized cartilage graft is optionally recellularized in vitro, in vivo, or in situ with viable cells to render the tissue vital before or after the implantation.

Abstract: A replacement valve has an expandable frame configured to engage a native valve and a valve body mounted to the expandable frame. The valve body can have a plurality of valve leaflets configured to open to allow flow in a first direction and engage one another so as to close and prevent flow in a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A stent graft (40) for treating Type-A dissections in the ascending aorta (22) is provided with a plurality of diameter reducing suture loops (56-60) operable to constrain the stent graft during deployment thereof in a patient's aorta. The diameter reducing loops (56-60) allow the stent graft (40) to be partially deployed, in such a manner that its location can be precisely adjusted in the patient's lumen. In this manner, the stent graft can be placed just by the coronary arteries (26, 28) with confidence that these will not be blocked. The stent graft (40) is also provided with proximal and distal bare stents (44,52) for anchoring purposes.

Abstract: A coated medical device (10) including a structure (12) adapted for introduction into a passage or vessel of a patient. The structure is formed of preferably a non-porous base material (14) having a bioactive material layer (18) disposed thereon. The medical device is preferably an implantable stent or balloon (26) of which the bioactive material layer is deposited thereon. The stent can be positioned around the balloon and another layer of the bioactive material posited over the entire structure and extending beyond the ends of the positioned stent. The ends of the balloon extend beyond the ends of the stent and include the bioactive material thereon for delivering the bioactive material to the cells of a vessel wall coming in contact therewith. The balloon further includes a layer of hydrophilic material (58) positioned between the base and bioactive material layers of the balloon.

Abstract: A prosthetic ball for use in a ball and cup joint system includes a spherical cap articulation portion defined by a first radius of curvature, and a toroidal articulation portion defined by a second radius of curvature having a circular origin such that the toroidal articulation portion is defined by a portion of the inner surface of a spindle torus.

Abstract: An implantable medical device that is fabricated from materials that present a blood or body fluid or tissue contact surface that has controlled heterogeneities in material constitution. An endoluminal stent-graft and web-stent that is made of a monolithic material formed into differentiated regions defining structural members and web regions extending across interstitial spaces between the structural members. The endoluminal stent-graft is characterized by having controlled heterogeneities at a the blood flow surface of the stent.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis may include a tubular main graft body including a sidewall and proximal and distal ends. A first stent may be positioned near the proximal end of the main graft body. A second stent may be positioned adjacent to and distal of the first stent. An opening in the sidewall may be positioned longitudinally between a peak of the first stent and a valley of the second stent. A tubular branch may be disposed in the opening. The branch may include first and second end openings. The branch may be flexibly orientable between a retrograde configuration in which the first end opening is oriented toward the distal end and the second end opening is oriented toward the proximal end and an antegrade configuration in which the first end opening is oriented toward the proximal end and the second end opening is oriented toward the distal end.

Abstract: A stent graft for placement in the thoracic arch of a patient has a tubular body defining a main lumen therethrough, a plurality of zig zag stents along the tubular body, each of the stents comprising a plurality of struts and bends, the bends being between adjacent struts. At least a first stent and an adjacent second stent having at least a pair of adjacent bends on the first stent aligned with an adjacent pair of bends on the second stent, whereby a first pair of adjacent struts of the first stent and a second pair of adjacent struts of the second adjacent stent together define a diamond shape region. A recess is within the diamond shaped region with the recess extending into the lumen of the tubular body. A fenestration extending into the tubular body within the recess in the diamond shaped region and a graft tube leading from the fenestration into the main lumen.

Abstract: A hip stem prosthesis is provided for treating a deficient hip joint.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for repairing or replacing a defective cardiac valve including an anchor having a double helix configured to engage the cardiac valve leaflets of a diseased or defective cardiac valve, and a replacement valve body disposed in an expandable stent configured to be disposed within the anchor so that the anchor limits expansion of the expandable stent. The expandable stent of the replacement valve body may be self-expanding or mechanically expanded, e.g., using a balloon catheter or catheter-based mandrel and the valve body may be formed of animal tissue or a synthetic fabric.

Abstract: An expandable prosthetic device and method of delivery that allows the initial placement of multiple guidewires into selected target sites. The prosthesis includes a main body device. This main body device has a separate side branch guidewire lumen that passes through the main body device and through a side opening in the main body device. As the main body device is advanced, the side opening is self guided (by the side branch guidewire) and self-aligns to the side branch vessel ostium. The main body device is then deployed, leaving the side branch guidewire in place. A side branch device is then advanced along the side branch guidewire through the main body device, through the side wall opening and into the native side branch vessel. The side branch device can then be deployed to engage the main body device and the native side branch vessel.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant system includes an orthopedic implant implantable at a selected location within a corporeal body and configured for delivering at least one therapeutic agent to the corporeal body, the implant defining a reservoir and a plurality of channels, the reservoir configured for receiving the at least one therapeutic agent, the plurality of channels configured for conveying the at least one therapeutic agent from the reservoir to a treatment site relative to the corporeal body, the implant being at least one of an internal fixation device and a porous device.

Abstract: An expandable prosthetic device and method of delivery that allows the initial placement of multiple guidewires into selected target sites. The prosthesis includes a main body device. This main body device has a separate side branch guidewire lumen that passes through the main body device and through a side opening in the main body device. As the main body device is advanced, the side opening is self guided (by the side branch guidewire) and self-aligns to the side branch vessel ostium. The main body device is then deployed, leaving the side branch guidewire in place. A side branch device is then advanced along the side branch guidewire through the main body device, through the side wall opening and into the native side branch vessel. The side branch device can then be deployed to engage the main body device and the native side branch vessel.

Abstract: An improvement in drug-eluting stents, and method of their making, are disclosed. The surface of a metal stent is roughened to have a surface roughness of at least about 20 ?in (0.5 ?m) and a surface roughness range of between about 300-700 ?in (7.5-17.5 ?m). The roughened stent surface is covered with a polymer-free coating of a limus drug, to a coating thickness greater than the range of surface roughness of the roughened stent surface.

Abstract: Hydrogel jacketed stents provide the ability to fill in the stent frame in vivo to at least partially cover the interior of the surface of the stent following deployment while having the convenience of attaching the jacket to the exterior of the stent. The hydrogel can be pleated and/or folder over the exterior of the stent to provide for extension of the stent without damaging the hydrogel. The hydrogel sheet can be secured at one or more points along the circumference to associate the sheet of hydrogel with the exterior surface of the stent frame. The stent can be conveniently delivered using similar technology as conventional stents if desired. The hydrogel can provide for drug delivery if desired.

Abstract: A fixation band for affixing a prosthetic heart valve to tissue having proximal and distal annular portions positionable relative to one another, the proximal and distal annular portions each having a proximal and distal sides, the proximal side of the distal annular portion and the distal side of the proximal annular portion being oriented toward one another, and a prosthetic heart valve being attachable to one of the distal side of the distal annular portion and the proximal side of the proximal annular portion; staples configured between the distal side of the proximal annular portion and the proximal side of the distal annular portion; and a compression device operative between the proximal and distal annular portions for selectively positioning the proximal and distal annular members toward one another for compressing the staples therebetween and deploying the staples into tissue so as to affix the prosthetic heart valve to tissue.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient using quick-connect sleeve assemblies. Each quick-connect sleeve assembly can be coupled to a bone fastener assembly in a fast and intuitive way. In one embodiment, a quick-connect sleeve assembly has a detachable member and a movable member. Both members engage a collar of the bone fastener assembly. In one embodiment, the engagement can be locked via one or more locking features to facilitate screwing a bone fastener of the bone fastener assembly onto a vertebral body in a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Each quick-connect sleeve assembly has a low profile and is particularly shaped for minimally invasive entry.

Abstract: A device for improving the function of a heart valve comprises a first loop-shaped support, which is configured to abut a first side of the heart valve, and a second loop-shaped support, which is configured to abut a second side of the heart valve opposite to said first side, whereby a portion of the valve tissue is trapped between the first and second supports. An outer boundary of the second support is greater than an outer boundary of the first support.

Abstract: A minimally invasive, percutaneous system that allows for dynamic stabilization of the spine is provided, together with methods of using the system. The system comprises a first bone anchoring member that is anchored in a first vertebra, and a second bone anchoring member that is anchored in a second, adjacent, vertebra. The first and second bone anchoring members include a first head portion and second head portion, respectively, that are designed to hold first and second ends of a flexible, elongated member, or cord. In certain embodiments, the cord is provided with a stiffened, relatively inflexible, end portion that is fixedly attached to the cord and that facilitates threading of the cord through the first and second head portions.

Abstract: Shoulder arthroplasty systems and configurations for components thereof are described. For example, implant systems for a total should arthroplasty (TSA), hemi shoulder arthroplasty, and reverse should arthroplasty (RSA) are described. In addition, exemplary configurations for baseplates, glenoid components, glenosphere components, humeral components, humeral head components, humerosocket components, connectors, and adaptors, are described.