Abstract: An apparatus and method for inserting prosthesis implants into a patient pocket. The apparatus has three openings including a prosthesis opening and two implant insertion openings. The apparatus prevents infection; eases insertion and placement; and reduces complications. In use, the first implant insertion end of the bellow is placed through the patient incision while allowing the bellow to be manipulated to force the first implant into a surgical pocket of a patient. Then the bellow is rotated 180 degrees so that the second implant insertion end becomes the opening through which the second implant is inserted into the second incision while allowing the bellow to be manipulated to force the second implant into a surgical pocket.

Abstract: A hollow tubulous composite structure and method for prosthetic limbs is described.

Abstract: Ureteral stents include a tubular body defining a lumen and have a distal kidney section, a proximal bladder section, and a ureter section between the distal and proximal sections. The tubular body has a first material layer and a stiffening member that extends through at least a portion of a length of the tubular body. The stiffening member has a stiffness characteristic that varies along its length. This enables different portions of the stent to have different stiffness characteristics that preferably are optimized for the location of those portions within the human body. The stiffening member may be at least a second material layer having a second stiffness that is different from a first stiffness of the first material layer, and/or at least one strand of material that is embedded within the first material layer.

Abstract: A branched stent graft, a convey system comprising thereof and manufacturing method thereof, the branched stent graft includes a main body (100) and a side branch (200), at least a portion of a lowermost stent section of the side branch (200) closest to the main body (100) is not stitched to the cover of the side branch from a lower end to an upper end, the at least a portion of the lowermost stent section is located on a side of the side branch corresponding to a folding direction of the side branch. After deployed, the branched stent graft has an effective supporting force at the base portion of the side branch. In addition, during the deployment of the stent, the side branch can expand to a maximal extent even when the positioning is slightly inaccurate. Further, vascular stenosis or occlusion will not be caused even when subsequent endothelialization occurs.

Abstract: A stentless support structure capable of being at least partly assembled in situ. The support structure comprises a braided tube that is very flexible and, when elongated, becomes very long and very small in diameter, thereby being capable of placement within a small diameter catheter. The support structure is preferably constructed of one or more thin strands of a super-elastic or shape memory material such as Nitinol. When released from the catheter, the support structure folds itself into a longitudinally compact configuration. The support structure thus gains significant strength as the number of folds increase. This radial strength obviates the need for a support stent. The support structure may include attachment points for a prosthetic valve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the interfacial augmentation of tissue grafts for the purpose of tendon and ligament reconstruction. The inventive device works both as a delivery vessel for osteoconductive and osteoinductive factors and as a scaffold to stimulate and support bone ingrowth and comprises a tubular composite silk sheath, said tubular composite silk sheath comprising: a backbone consisting of a tubular silk mesh, and a carrier material consisting of a porous silk sponge, wherein said tubular silk mesh consists of degummed silk fibroin fibers, wherein said porous silk sponge comprises silk fibroin fibers and hydroxyapatite particles and said tubular silk mesh and said porous silk sponge form a composite material.

Abstract: A joint prosthesis assembly, includes a joint prosthesis body (1) made of a first biocompatible non-resorbable material and an anchoring element (2-5) made of a second biocompatible non-resorbable material. The anchoring element (2-5) is arranged to allow rotation of an end portion of the joint prosthesis body (1) with respect to the anchoring element (2-5) when in situ.

Abstract: Novel devices and methods for implanting medical stents are provided. A novel apparatus, which may be in a first compressed position, may be inserted into the artery, such as by being positioned over a catheter. The apparatus may be expanded to a second position. In one embodiment, the apparatus is configured to expand away in two substantially opposing directions along a second axis away from the longitudinal axis. The second axis may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The apparatus may include markers that are detectable to determine the orientation of the catheter or the apparatus and/or assist in the determination of the type or size of stent to utilize.

Abstract: A stent for use in a prosthetic heart valve has a plurality of expandable and collapsible closed cells, a portion of which form an annulus section adapted for placement within the annulus of the native heart valve. Anchor features of the stent residing within at least some closed cells are adapted to engage tissue of the heart, including native valve leaflets, the sinotubular junction, or another implanted device when the prosthetic valve is implanted in the heart. The anchor features may help to retain the prosthetic valve in position, without interfering with the opening and closing of the valve leaflets. Furthermore, the anchor features may be configured to allow the stent to be resheathed into a delivery device after the portion of the stent with the anchor feature has expanded out of the delivery device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking unintentional muscle movements of a user and stabilizing a handheld tool while it is being used by the user are described. The method may include detecting motion of a handle of the handheld tool manipulated by a user while the user is performing a task with a user-assistive device attached to an attachment arm of the handheld tool. Furthermore, the method may include storing the detected motion in a memory of the handheld tool as motion data. The method may also include controlling, based on the motion data, a motion-generating mechanism of the handheld tool that moves the attachment arm relative to the handle in a single degree of freedom in a direction of the detected motion of the handle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a speech valve for laryngectomy or tracheotomy patients, comprising a cover element, a housing part and a filter, the cover element comprising a piston-shaped closure element and said closure element being connected to the cover element to form one piece therewith. The cover element comprises an elastic material and by deforming at least part of the cover element the closure element closes the speech valve distally of the filter.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the field of prosthetics, more specifically to a pinless anthropomorphic hinge or joint, and a digit comprising one or more phalanges connected by and articulating around pinless joints, whereby the joints provide compliant movement in more than one plane. This disclosure also relates to modular prosthetic systems comprising multiple digits, in particular for partial-hand replacements.

Abstract: A stretchable electronic device for artificial skin and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The stretchable electronic device for artificial skin includes a first encapsulation layer, a heater disposed on the first encapsulation layer, a second encapsulation layer disposed on the heater, a first sensor array layer disposed on the second encapsulation layer, and a third encapsulation layer disposed on the first sensor array layer.

Abstract: An implant device having a proximal end and a distal end, and a suturing fixture offset from the proximal end. The suturing fixture has a profile that extends from the surface of the elongate body. For example, the suturing fixture may have the shape of a cone, or the shape of a disc. The implant device may be used for placement within a salivary gland duct.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an adjustable prosthetic ankle separate from a prosthetic foot includes an upper coupling member, a lower coupling member that couples with the upper coupling member, and a flexion angle adjustment mechanism associated with the coupling members that enables a user to change a relative angle between the coupling members, and therefore a flexion angle of the prosthetic ankle, without using any tools.

Abstract: Breast implants including sensor modules and related methods are described herein. Breast implants include those with: a shell configured to be substantially filled with a viscous material; and a plurality of sensor modules attached to the shell and positioned at a distance from each other, each of the plurality of sensor modules oriented to detect one or more analytes in a fluid adjacent to the shell, wherein each of the plurality of sensor modules includes a unique identifier and is configured to utilize energy transmitted from an external source.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee joint with buffering and braking effects has an upper connecting base, a linking assembly, a braking assembly, and a lower connecting base. The upper connecting base has two extending arms and an accommodating recess. The linking assembly has two linking arms respectively and pivotally connected to the upper connecting base. The braking assembly has a braking arm protruding into the accommodating recess of the upper connecting base and pivotally connected to the two extending arms. The lower connecting base is connected to the linking assembly and the braking assembly. The upper connecting base, the linking assembly, the braking assembly and the lower connecting base form a four-bar linkage. A cushion between an abutting element and a main body provides a buffering effect during walking. Thus, the prosthetic knee joint has simplified structure and reduced cost and is convenient in assembly and use.

Abstract: An intraluminal vascular prosthesis assembly, having a hollow cylindrical body with a first end and a second end is provided. The assembly includes, at its first end, a first vascular prosthesis portion, and at its second end, a second vascular prosthesis portion which has only a prosthesis material. The vascular prosthesis assembly has a stent portion which is provided between the first vascular prosthesis portion and the second vascular prosthesis portion, the stent portion being free of prosthesis material to allow fluid flow therethrough and received within the aortic arch and spanning the brachiocephalic artery, left common carotid artery, and left subclavian artery when placed within the aortic arch of a patient.

Abstract: The hydraulic ankle joint includes a main member having a fluid supply chamber storing a hydraulic fluid, a first pressure regulating chamber, a second pressure regulating chamber, and a space connecting the chambers. The space houses an axle element rotatably joined to the main member. The main member is rotatably mounted on a U-shaped hinge seat. An extension piece is extended radially from the circumference of the axle element. A fluid block penetrates through the main member and into the space. The extension piece and the fluid block jointly partition the space into a front chamber and a back chamber. The first and second pressure regulating chambers adjust the back and front chambers' pressure so that impact from walking may be effectively buffered. The fluid supply chamber automatically refills hydraulic fluid into the front and back chambers so as to reduce user maintenance overhead.

Abstract: An instrument for assembling an implant on a neck. The implant and neck being coupled via a taper having a taper axis. The instrument includes a frame having a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion of the frame including a retaining member adapted to engage a portion of the neck. The retaining member includes a pair of moveable arms extending from the distal portion of the frame, the pair of moveable arms adapted to engage a pair of recesses on opposing sides of the neck. The instrument also includes a force applier retained in the proximal portion of the frame. The force applier includes a screw having a screw axis that is coaxial with the taper axis, wherein the screw is adapted to engage the implant. As the screw is turned, the force applier applies a force on the implant while the neck is held in place by the frame, thereby causing the tapers of the implant and neck to engage.