Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a cardiac device comprising a band configured for deployment within a heart. The band may include a first end and a second end, an actuatable clasp associated with the first end of the band and configured to transition, upon actuation, from an open configuration to a closed configuration for forming the band into a fixed length loop after the second end is moved beyond the clasp. The clasp may be configured for actuation via a catheter. The cardiac device may include a clasp retainer associated with the clasp, the clasp retainer being configured to hold the clasp in the open configuration and the clasp being configured to be actuated upon movement of the clasp retainer, and a clasp actuator configured to move the clasp retainer thereby actuating the clasp.

Abstract: A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a receiver, a shank, an articulation structure for retaining the shank in the receiver and a compression insert for engagement with a longitudinal connecting member such as a rod. The articulation structure includes substantially spherical convex and concave surfaces that slidably engage both shank and receiver surfaces to provide compound articulation between the receiver and the shank. The receiver includes inwardly directed spring tabs engaging the insert and prohibiting rotation of the insert within the receiver.

Abstract: An ankle-less walking assistant apparatus includes: a body supporting the back of a wearer; left and right hip joint-drivers extending from both sides of the body; left and right thigh links having first ends connected to the left and right hip joint-drivers, respectively; left and right knee-drivers connected to second ends of the left and right thigh links, respectively; left and right calf links having first ends connected to the left and right knee-drivers, respectively; and ground-contact feet fixed to second ends of the left and right calf links, respectively.

Abstract: This document provides devices and methods for the treatment of heart conditions. For example, this document provides prosthetic heart valves and transcatheter heart valve replacement methods. The prosthetic heart valves can be configured into a low-profile configuration for containment within a small diameter delivery sheath. The prosthetic heart valves include can include a valve member attached to a stent frame. In some embodiments, the valve member is a molded biomaterial with a novel shape and resulting performance characteristics. Localized protective covering members can be attached to the stent frame to prevent the valve member from contacting the stent frame as the valve member cycles between its open and closed configurations.

Abstract: A system for modifying a talocalcaneal spatial relationship in a foot in a body, including a subtalar spacer having an articulating surface and implanted in the sinus tarsi of the foot and a fastener that fastens the subtalar spacer to a bone surface in the foot, in which the articulating surface of the subtalar spacer directs relative movement between the calcaneus and the talus of the foot.

Abstract: Prosthetic heart valves described herein can be deployed using a transcatheter delivery system and technique to interface and anchor in cooperation with the anatomical structures of a native heart valve. Some embodiments of prosthetic valves described herein include an anchor portion that couples to the anatomy near a native valve, and a valve portion that is mateable with the anchor portion. In some such embodiments, the anchor portion and/or the deployment system includes one or more prosthetic elements that temporarily augment or replace the sealing function of the native valve leaflets.

Abstract: A hair implant suitable for subcutaneous implantation is provided having an anchor comprising an anchor body, and at least one collagen receiving structure selected from the group consisting of at least one tunnel disposed through the anchor body and an external surface feature of the anchor body. The anchor further comprises at least one hair strand projecting from a distal end of the anchor body, wherein the at least one collagen receiving structure is configured to support collagen ligature growth after subcutaneous implantation of the hair implant so as to anchor the anchor to a hair implant recipient, and the collagen receiving structure is free of hair.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a personalized naturally designed mitral valve prosthesis to precisely fit a specific patient for which the valve prosthesis is made for is provided. The method includes measuring size and shape of a mitral valve of the specific patient by using imaging methods, calculating geometry and dimensions of annular ring, leaflets and chords per the specific patient based on validated algorithms, and cutting and connecting the annular ring, leaflets and chords to form a personalized prosthesis mitral valve.

Abstract: An artificial sphincter to be implanted in a urethra, for treating patients suffering from urinary incontinence, includes a container configured to be connected to a wall of a urethra, inside or outside it, a valve unit housed within the container and configured to move from a release configuration to a block configuration and vice-versa. An actuation magnet is movably (rotatably or slidably) arranged between a first and a second position in the container, and is connected to the valve unit such that a predetermined (rotation or translation) movement of the actuation magnet from a first towards a second position, or from the second towards the first position, under the effect of an external manoeuvre magnet, brings the valve unit from the release configuration to the block configuration, where the valve is stably maintained, and from the block configuration to the release configuration, where the valve is stably maintained.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described herein for a secondary valve apparatus that can be deployed within an existing implanted prosthetic heart valve. In some embodiments, a secondary prosthetic heart valve apparatus is implanted in series with an existing deteriorating implanted prosthetic valve. The secondary valve apparatus can restore proper valve function without disruption to the failing previously implanted valve. In some embodiments, the secondary valve apparatus can be positioned on an atrial portion of the existing valve, and be delivered transseptally. In other embodiments, the secondary valve apparatus can be positioned at a ventricular portion of the existing valve and delivered transapically. Devices and methods to prepare the existing valve to receive a secondary valve apparatus are also described herein. In some embodiments, a balloon expansion device can be used to expand an inner diameter of the existing valve to provide space for the secondary valve to be disposed.

Abstract: A stemmed implant comprises a proximal body with a distal shaft extending from the proximal body. The proximal body exterior may be spherical, conical, cylindrical, or another surface of revolution. The distal shaft comprises multiple longitudinal ridges which may originate from the proximal body as separate columns, or which may merge together. The distal shaft and/or the ridges may become narrower as they extend away from the proximal body.

Abstract: A sutureless implant for replacing damaged natural chordae tendineae of a human or possibly animal heart, the implant including a distal implant part, a proximal implant part, and an artificial chord. The distal implant part is configured to fit in a lumen of an implant delivery device and includes a self-spreading portion spreading radially outside when the distal implant part is released from the lumen, the self-spreading portion being capable of anchoring the distal implant part in human muscle tissue. The proximal implant part is configured to fit in the lumen of the implant delivery device and comprises a self-spreading portion spreading radially outside when the proximal implant part is released from the lumen, the self-spreading portion being capable of bearing on a tissue portion of leaflet tissue. The distal implant part and the proximal implant part are connected by the chord.

Abstract: A sutureless implant for replacing damaged natural chordae tendineae of a human or possibly animal heart, the implant including a distal implant part, a proximal implant part, and an artificial chord. The distal implant part is configured to fit in a lumen of an implant delivery device and includes a self-spreading portion spreading radially outside when the distal implant part is released from the lumen, the self-spreading portion being capable of anchoring the distal implant part in human muscle tissue. The proximal implant part is configured to fit in the lumen of the implant delivery device and comprises a self-spreading portion spreading radially outside when the proximal implant part is released from the lumen, the self-spreading portion being capable of bearing on a tissue portion of leaflet tissue. The distal implant part and the proximal implant part are connected by the chord.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis has an expanded state and a contracted state, the endoprosthesis includes a stent having an inner surface defining a lumen, having an outer surface, and defining a plurality of apertures through the outer surface, wherein the apertures are arranged in a micropattern; and a coating (e.g., polymeric coating) attached to the outer surface of the stent. The coating includes a base and a tissue engagement portion including a second surface facing outwardly from the stent, the tissue engagement portion including a structure that defines a plurality of holes extending inwardly from the second surface toward the base. The holes are arranged in a micropattern. When the endoprosthesis is expanded to the expanded state in a lumen defined by a vessel wall, the structure applies a force that may reduce stent migration by creating an interlock between the vessel wall and the endoprosthesis.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve has a plurality of valve leaflets that control directional flow of blood through a heart and a stent structure having a plurality of commissure posts supporting the valve leaflets. The stent structure has a covering over the plurality of commissure posts and has a sewing ring at an inflow end of the stent structure. Each of the plurality of commissure posts has a tip and a suture loop is attached to the covering at a location adjacent to or on the tip of the commissure post. Each suture loop provides a passage for a suture to pass through between the covering and the suture loop.

Abstract: A stent with a common connection interface, and a method and platform used to create a stent with a common connection interface is described. A common connection interface used to connect a stent to a pusher is described.

Abstract: Medical delivery system for accessing a tricuspid valve via an inferior vena cava, including an outer guide catheter, an inner guide catheter and an interventional catheter. The first deflection portion of the outer guide catheter is steerable to define a first outer-guide-catheter curve and the second deflection portion of the outer guide catheter is steerable to define a second outer-guide-catheter curve and the first deflection portion of the inner guide catheter is steerable to define a first inner-guide-catheter curve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical device and a method of using it. The device is a stent which can be percutaneously deliverable with (or on) an endovascular catheter or via other surgical or other techniques and then expanded. The stent is configured to have a central portion defined by “open” cells and at least two end portions, defined by “closed” cells, spaced apart and directly connected to the distal and proximal ends of the central portion of the stent. The stent may also optionally have a covering or a lattice with openings.

Abstract: A coronary stent is disclosed herein as having a lattice configuration on a generally thin-walled cylindrical tube. This particular stent is fabricated using an elongated thin-walled tubular solid that has a diameter equal to that of the final expanded configuration of the stent. In other words, the lattice configuration is cut onto the surface of the tubular solid that has a diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the blood vessel for which the stent is intended. The tubular lattice is then shrunk (collapsed) axisymmetrically to a new cylindrical configuration with a diameter substantially less than the blood vessel for which the stent is intended. The stent in its reduced diameter state can then be delivered to a desired site in the body via a catheter with an inflatable balloon at its distal portion. Upon the inflation of the balloon, the stent will assume its expanded, deployed configuration into the original diameter at the desired site in the body.

Abstract: A biased cell configured to flex out-of-plane upon application of a lateral or circumferential force applied to the biased cell, the biased cell having an elongate member projecting axially from an apex of the biased cell that flexes out-of-plane concomitantly with out-of-plane flexion of the biased cell. An integral and monolithic hypotube is fashioned into a lattice structure having a plurality of biased cells and elongate members and is capable of being configured into a cardiac valve. Transluminally implantable cardiac valves configured for use in cardiac valve replacement and/or cardiac valve exclusion that are capable of percutaneous delivery on low-profile catheters having 15 French size or less. The implantable cardiac valves are fabricated of from a unitary metal material to form a lattice frame support having a main body portion and valve leaflet portion, and a plurality of elongate biasing arm members.