Abstract: This disclosure relates to a hierarchy of classifiers, including linear discriminant analysis (LDA) classifiers, arranged to provide simultaneous control of multiple degrees of freedom of a prosthetic. The high accuracy of the hierarchical approach allows pattern recognition techniques to be extended to permit simultaneous control, potentially allowing amputees to produce more fluid, life-like movements, ultimately increasing their quality of life. The hierarchy may also be used to control a biological interface that allows input to computers for persons with disabilities, used as a potential video-game controller, and used as an input interface for tablets, and phones.

Abstract: A device for treating acid reflux comprising a sleeve configured and dimensioned for insertion into the esophagus of the patient, the sleeve having a proximal portion, a distal portion and an intermediate portion between the distal and proximal portions. The sleeve includes a an inner member applying a radial force on the sleeve for securement within the esophagus, and a skirt connected to the sleeve to block acid backup from the stomach while not inhibiting passage of food into the stomach.

Abstract: A valve replacement implant may include an expandable anchor member having a proximal end and a distal end, the anchor member being actuatable between a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration. A plurality of locking mechanisms may be configured to secure the anchor member in the deployed configuration. Each locking mechanism may include an axially movable post including a leg portion extending inwardly therefrom, and a receiving portion fixed to the anchor member, the receiving portion being configured to slidably receive the post. A plurality of valve leaflets may be disposed within a central lumen of the anchor member, the plurality of valve leaflets being secured to the leg portions of the plurality of locking mechanisms. The plurality of locking mechanisms may be releasably attached to a delivery device.

Abstract: A rhinological implant for straightening the nasal septum is fastened on both sides of a septum (S), separating left and right sides of a nasal cavity of a human nose, on the outer surface of the septum (S), in the left and the right sides of the nasal cavity. Before implantation, the implant is folded up from an initially flat blank into an implantable three-dimensional shape. The implant has a central back section which in an implanted state wraps around the free lower edge of the septum. Two side sections are provided on either side of the central back section to extend symmetrically with respect to the central back section. In the implanted state, the two side sections bear via the entire surface against the two diametrically opposed outer surfaces of the septum (S).

Abstract: A scalable microfluidic based artificial skin covers a variety of wounds while also providing efficient healing of the wounds. The artificial skin comprises a plurality of microfluidic panels separated by semi-permeable membranes, and also comprising a plurality of micro-pumps and micro-channels for carrying healing fluids in proximity to the wound on the natural skin. The panels form detachable patches that are inert and biocompatible. The panels are fabricated from polydimethylsiloxane materials and impregnated with silver nanocrystalline powder. A first panel partially engages the natural skin, partially supported by micro-pillars. Large micro-channels carry contaminants from the wound. A second panel and an optional third panel having micro-channels that carry healing fluids to the wound. A first and second semi-permeable membrane regulate passage of fluids, cellular components, and debris between the panels. An inlet port enables passage of healing fluids to the wound.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drug eluting stent including a metallic stent framework, an electro-grafted primer coating disposed on the stent framework; and a biodegradable polymer coating hosting a drug disposed on the electro-grafted primer coating and a method of manufacturing said biodegradable drug eluting stent.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable stent comprises a plurality of struts interconnected by a plurality of curved intersections. Each of the plurality of curved intersections defines a crescent shaped opening therethrough. The stent has a manufactured state, a crimped state and an expanded state. The crescent shaped openings each have a width and a length such that in the crimped state the width of the crescent shaped opening is less than the width of the crescent shaped opening in the manufactured state or the expanded state.

Abstract: A talar implant system comprises a body. The body includes a bone contact surface and an articulation surface located opposite the bone contact surface. The body defines at least one angled fastener hole extending therethrough from the articulation surface to the bone contact surface along a longitudinal axis. The articulation surface is configured to mimic articulation of the talar dome. A fastener is sized and configured to be received within the at least one fastener hole at a first angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fastener hole. A fastener cap is sized and configured to be received within a proximal end of the at least one fastener hole. The fastener cap couples the body to the fastener.

Abstract: A prosthetic joint (100) comprises a first component (110) having a first interface portion (111). The prosthetic joint (100) further comprises a second component (120) having a second interface portion (121) with a textured surface (122) to interface with the first interface portion (111) and form a skeletal joint. The textured surface (122) can include a plurality of concave features (123). Each or the concave features (123) can be configured to compress a lubricant (140) to facilitate hydrodynamic lubrication between the first and second interface portions (111, 121) to minimize wear between the first interface portion (111) and the second interface portion (121) of the prosthetic joint (100).

Abstract: In a powered actuator for supplying torque, joint equilibrium, and/or impedance to a joint, a motor is directly coupled to a low-reduction ratio transmission, e.g., a transmission having a gear ratio less than about 80 to 1. The motor has a low dissipation constant, e.g., less than about 50 W/(Nm)2. The transmission is serially connected to an elastic element that is also coupled to the joint, thereby supplying torque, joint equilibrium, and/or impedance to the joint while minimizing the power consumption and/or acoustic noise of the actuator.

Abstract: A modular humeral prosthesis suitable for implant in a humeral seating of a humerus comprises an articulation component, a distal joint element able to be inserted into said humeral seating along an insertion axis, and an adapter body provided with a support positionable in the humeral seating and that has a coupling seating to connect said articulation component and provided with a connection unit inserted into said support to connect said distal joint element to said adapter body in a releasable manner. The connection unit comprises a clamping element associated in a selectively releasable manner to the distal joint element and the support has a through coupling seating configured to receive and position said clamping element inside it, and also configured to allow the insertion and extraction of said distal joint element through said support without removing said support from the humeral seating.

Abstract: Prostheses that address stress shielding are disclosed. For instance, a knee prosthesis includes a monolithic femoral component having medial and lateral condylar elements for confronting and engaging a natural tibia or a bearing member of a tibial component, an intercondylar notch between the condylar elements for confronting and engaging a natural patella or a patellar component, and an anterior flange extending proximally from the medial and lateral condylar elements and the intercondylar notch. The femoral component defines a bone-facing surface and a bearing surface, the bearing surface including medial and lateral condylar articular surfaces defined by the medial and lateral condylar elements, respectively, and an intercondylar articular surface defined by the intercondylar notch. A slot extends through the femoral component from the bearing surface to the bone-facing surface, the slot starting at an edge of the femoral component and ending at a location within the anterior flange.

Abstract: A gripping device that comprises a first moveable jaw and a second fixed jaw is disclosed. The gripping device has a handle operatively engaged to the first moveable jaw and a connecting link operatively engaged to the first moveable jaw. The connecting link is positioned in at least one of a first position or a second position. The change in the position of the connecting link allows the gripping device to have either a default closed position or a default open position, which can be defined by voluntarily-open or voluntary-close modes of operation, respectively. The first moveable jaw moves in either of the modes of operation. The change in the mode of operation is accomplished through use of a connecting link that is passed through a singularity during the switching process to achieve the different output positions and directions.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible stent extending from an inflow end to an outflow end, and a cuff having an inflow end an outflow end. The stent includes first and second circumferential rows of cells defined by first and second pluralities of struts, respectively. The second circumferential row is positioned closer to the outflow end of the stent than the first circumferential row. At least one cell in the second circumferential row includes by a first strut opposed to a fourth strut and a second strut opposed to a third strut. A bridging feature in at least one cell in the second circumferential row includes first and second supplemental struts extending across an intermediate portion of the cell. The outflow end of the cuff is coupled to the stent along the bridging feature.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable implant including an elongated metallic element having more than 50% by weight a metal and being substantially free of rare earth elements, the elongated metallic element defining at least a portion of the bioabsorbable implant and including a wire formed into a discrete bioabsorbable expandable metal ring; at least two biostable ring elements, each biostable ring element having a biostable and radio-opaque metallic alloy, the bioabsorbable expandable metal ring being disposed adjacent to at least one of the biostable ring elements; at least one flexible longitudinal connector including a bioabsorbable polymer, the connector being disposed between at least two adjacent rings; and a coating having at least one pharmaceutically active agent disposed over at least a portion of one ring.

Abstract: A network (100) for replacement of a living tissue, said network is a scaffold-free artificial hollow biological tissue network comprising a plurality of longitudinal multicellular aggregates (11) arranged in a plurality of bioprinted layers (22) which are located on top of one another, further comprising an inner surface (20) and an outer surface (21), wherein at least one of said bioprinted layers (22) is in shape of a planar closed loop such that a conduit for conveying fluids is defined, and said longitudinal multicellular aggregate (11) is a mixture of at least two cell types. Also a method for obtaining said longitudinal multicellular aggregate, and a further method for biomodeling and planning said network are proposed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a prosthetic component includes a plurality of fixation pads coupled to a body portion. The fixation pads may be formed of a first material suitable for attachment to bone, and the body portion may be formed of a second material different from the first material and suitable to provide a bearing surface for a joint.

Abstract: A self-closing device for implantation within a patient's body includes base material including an inner surface area for securing the base material to a tissue structure, and a plurality of support elements surrounding or embedded in the base material. The support elements are separable laterally within a plane of the base material to accommodate creating an opening through the base material for receiving one or more instruments through the base material, and biased to return laterally towards a relaxed state for self-closing the opening after removing the one or more instruments. The device may be provided as a patch or integrally attached to a tubular graft or in various shapes.

Abstract: A glass, glass-ceramic, or ceramic bead is described, with an internal porous scaffold microstructure that is surrounded by an amorphous shield. The shield serves to protect the internal porous microstructure of the shield while increasing the overall strength of the porous microstructure and improve the flowability of the beads either by themselves or in devices such as biologically degradable putty that would be used in bone or soft tissue augmentation or regeneration. The open porosity present inside the bead will allow for enhanced degradability in-vivo as compared to solid particles or spheres and also promote the growth of tissues including but not limited to all types of bone, soft tissue, blood vessels, and nerves.

Abstract: An implantable flow adjuster (20) includes proximal and distal support rings (22, 24) which support a flow adjuster panel (26). The flow adjuster panel (26) divides the lumen through the device (20) into two sections, one of reducing cross sectional area and the other of increasing of increasing cross sectional area. The two sections (40, 42) cause, respectively, an increase in blood pressure and blood flow and a decrease in blood pressure and blood flow. These result is a pressure differential beyond the distal end of the device (20). This pressure differential can be used to divert blood flow away from the neck (14) into an aneurysm (12), thus to reduce pressure and wall sheer stress within the aneurysm in order to assist in the repair of the vessel.