Abstract: An annuloplasty device shaped and sized for attachment to the inner surface of an annulus, the annuloplasty device comprising: a semi-rigid oblong support member having a first end, a second end, a first surface, and a second surface, the first surface including a securing means for securing the first surface to the inner surface of the heart valve annulus, wherein the annuloplasty device is capable of being bent to conform to the inner surface of the annulus such that the first end does not contact the second end.

Abstract: A prosthetic ligament includes a cord of thermotropic liquid crystal filaments. The cord preferably comprises multi-filament thermotropic liquid crystal filaments. The cord has an eye spliced at each of its ends.

Abstract: A stent delivery catheter assembly for delivering and implanting a stent at or near an area of septal perforators includes a torquing member which, in cooperation with a tracking guide wire and a positioning guide wire, facilitates torquing and rotation of the catheter and hence the position of the stent mounted thereon to accurately position and implant the stent at or near the area of septal perforators. The stent of the present invention has an elongated side aperture which is designed to be implanted next to the area of septal perforators to prevent covering of the orifices of the septal perforators.

Abstract: An intraocular lens implant including a telescope body defining an optical path for light to pass therethrough, a positive lens and a negative lens attached to the telescope body, and mounting structure connected to the telescope body for mounting the implant in an eye, wherein the lenses abut against each other, and a distance between the positive lens and the negative lens is fixed and determined by the lenses abutting against each other.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, and a method for making it from a single length of tubing. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common axis and interconnected by one or more interconnective elements. The individual radially expandable cylindrical elements consist of ribbon-like material disposed in an undulating pattern. Portions of the expanded stent project outwardly into engagement with the vessel wall to more securely attach the stent.

Abstract: The present invention provides controlled expansion endoluminal prostheses and methods for their deployment and expansion. The present stent-grafts generally comprise a radially expansible tubular frame and a plastically expansible liner on the frame. Either the frame or the liner includes a reinforcing element which limits expansion of the stent-graft at a predetermined expanded size. In some embodiments, the reinforcing element restrains the frame, for example, by limiting the circumferential diagonals of perforations on a perforate frame structure. Generally, however, the reinforcing element is included in the liner as circumferentially oriented yarn. A particularly advantageous liner includes composite circumferential yarns having inexpansible fibers wrapped around an expansible fiber, such as a partially oriented yarn, PTFE, or the like.

Abstract: A prosthetic socket includes a recess at its distal end for receiving a prosthetic socket component such as a pin interlock device and a threaded opening providing access to the recess from the inside of the socket. A threaded retainer may be threadedly fastened to the threads of the opening for removably retaining the prosthetic socket component within the recess.

Abstract: An articulated stent for delivering through a bodily conduit, for example, a peripheral or coronary artery, which has one or more curved portions and for implantation therein. The articulated stent includes at least two substantially rigid segments and a flexible connector for connecting adjacent segments. The connector assumes a cylindrical configuration when relaxed and a differentially stretched and compressed curved configuration when flexed.

Abstract: An implantable coil stent comprises at least a first curved segment and a curved segment which arc about the longitudinal axis of the stent. An expandable link extends between the second end of the first curved segment and the first end the second curved segment.

Abstract: Delivery of rapamycin locally, particularly from intravascular stent, directly from micropores in the stent body or mixed or bound to a polymer coating applied on stent, to inhibit neointimal tissue proliferation and thereby prevent restenosis. This invention also facilitates the performance of the stent in inhibiting restenosis.

Abstract: A system used in a blood vessel when an interventional procedure is being performed in a stenosed or occluded region, which is capable of accurately treating an affected area in a blood vessel while preventing adverse effects for healthy tissue. The system includes a catheter which is positionable in a blood vessel at the interventional procedure site. The system further includes an interventional instrument such as a self-expandable stent which may be deployed in the blood vessel at the interventional procedure site. The system also includes an extendable member, adapted to be about the interventional instrument for delivery of the interventional instrument to the interventional procedure site, and to be retractable from extending about the interventional instrument for enabling the interventional instrument to expand at the interventional procedure site.

Abstract: Stent and stent delivery system suited for the noninvasive treatment of aneurysms, diseased blood vessels, and other bodily lumen are described. Detachable proximal and/or distal wires connected to the proximal and distal ends, respectively, of the stent allow the operator to manipulate the position and final configuration of the stent upon deployment.

Abstract: An arrangement for coupling at least partially a hearing device implantable in a middle ear or a passive auditory ossicles prosthesis on an ascending bracket of a human ossicle chain, the arrangement has a body, and a clip provided on the body and formed so as to automatically mount on an ascending bracket.

Abstract: This invention is directed to methods for treating aneurysms wherein the aneurysmal sac is filled with a non-particulate agent or plurality of such agents and/or with a fluid composition which solidifies in situ. Filling of the aneurysmal sac employs sufficient amount of the non-particulate agent or plurality of such agents and/or the fluid composition to inhibit blood flow into the aneurysm sac. In addition, the methods of this invention also provide for non-endogenous isolation of the parent artery proximal and distal to the aneurysmal sac from systemic blood flow of the treated mammal. The combination of these features provides for treatment of the aneurysmal sac while, at the same time, inhibiting aneurysm formation and/or regrowth in the diseased portions of the arterial wall proximal and distal to the treated aneurysm.

Abstract: A stent having a polymeric coating for controllably releasing an included active agent. The polymeric coating includes a blend of a first polymeric material, which if alone, would release the agent at a first, higher rate, and a second polymeric material, which if alone would release the agent at a second, lower rate over a longer time period. One stent coating utilizes a faster releasing hydrophilic polymeric material and a slower releasing hydrophobic material. One stent coating includes a blend of a faster releasing PLA-PEO copolymer and a slower releasing PLA-PCL copolymer. One active agent is Taxol. One use of the Taxol delivering stent is to inhibit restenosis following angioplasty.

Abstract: A mitral valve annuloplasty ring and method for implanting a mitral valve annuloplasty ring to treat mitral insufficiency by reestablishing the normal shape and contour of the mitral valve annulus. The annuloplasty ring is flexible and can be readily adjusted to different sizes and shapes. The method substantially eliminates scarring subsequent to the annuloplasty procedure to maintain flexibility of the ring and the annulus indefinitely.

Abstract: An angioplasty stent comprises a body comprising a plurality of successive segments connected in pairs by bridge means so that the successive segments can be oriented relative to one another for the purposes of bending of the body in any direction defined by a linear combination of respective orientation axes defined by the bridge connection means. During the radial expansion of the stent, the axial contraction of the segments resulting from the opening-out of the respective loops is compensated by axial projection of the bridge elements from the respective concave portions. The wall of the body comprises arms for supporting a lumen as well as regions which are selectively deformable during the expansion of the stent, the arms and the selectively deformable regions having different cross-sections and/or cross-sectional areas. At least one portion of the body may have a substantially reticular structure, the branches of which define geometrical figures identifiable as fractals.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for vascular reconstruction of diseased, non-aneurysmal arteries.

Abstract: Implantable devices useful for creating bony fusion particularly in intervetebral spinal fusion. The device is formed of bone and has a body portion with an upper flange member and an opposite lower flange member extending from the body portion. The upper and lower flange members are at least partially demineralized to create a flexible ligament extending from the body portion. In one application, the body portion is inserted into a disc space and the flexible ligament is secured to vertebrae on either side of the disc space. Techniques are also disclosed for making the implantable devices and for inserting the implantable device into an intervertebral disc space to promote interbody fusion.

Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens including a higher diopter positive intraocular lens and a lower diopter negative intraocular lens. The positive intraocular lens includes a positive optic portion having an outer peripheral edge and two or more polyurethane elastomer flexible attachment components. The negative intraocular lens includes a negative optic portion having an outer peripheral edge and two or more polyurethane elastomer flexible attachment components. Each flexible attachement component is durable and formed to have specific flexibility characteristics so as to be less resistant to bending in a plane generally parallel to an eye's optical axis than in a plane generally perpendicular to the eye's optical axis. The subject durable accommodating intraocular lens enables axial displacement of the positive optic portion with respect to the negative optic portion along the eye's optical axis under a compression force.