Abstract: A minimally invasive approach for surgery on portions of the heart and great vessels located between a point approximately three centimeters above supra annular ridge and the mid ventricular cavity. A parasternal incision is made extending across a predetermined number of costal cartilage, e.g., a right parasternal incision extending from the lower edge of the second costal cartilage to the superior edge of the fifth costal cartilage. One or more costal cartilages, e.g., the third and fourth, are then excised to provide access to the portion of the heart or great vessels of interest, and a desired procedure completed. The minimally invasive approach enables repair or replacement of the mitral or aortic valve.

Abstract: A balloon expandable metal stent is provided that includes a multiplicity of circumferential sets of strut members wherein at least two adjacent circumferential sets of strut members are coupled together by a plurality of undulating longitudinal struts. The stent is annealed to a degree where frictional forces existing in the longitudinal direction between adjacent circumferential sets of strut members and the balloon, during inflation, are greater than a force required to permanently deform the undulating longitudinal struts. Thus, the expansion of the space between adjacent circumferential sets of strut members during inflation of the balloon compensates for shortening of the stent that would otherwise occur during radial expansion of the stent responsive to the inflation of the balloon.

Abstract: Methods for utilizing a device for blocking (e.g., embolizing) the side branches of an anatomical passageway under endoscopic guidance. The device comprises an elongate catheter body having a side branch blocking apparatus, such as an embolization catheter, disposed therein and further incorporating an endoscope (e.g., an angioscope). The incorporated endoscope is useable to a) visually locate side branches which emanate from the anatomical passageway and b) visually observe the operation of the side branch blocking apparatus. Disclosed are methods for performing in situ embolization of the side branches of a vein, under angioscopic visualization. The endoscopic component of the device may also be utilized to visually observe the use and/or effect of one or more separate device, such as valvulotome(s) used for cutting venous valves located within the lumen of a vein.

Abstract: The invention relates to coated stents and the method of making them. A stent that is substantially radiolucent is at least partially coated with a radiopaque layer that makes the stent visible under X-ray or fluoroscopy. A protective layer is coated on the stent and the radiopaque layer to protect both from scratches, flaking, and galvanic corrosion, and to improve both blood and bio-compatability.

Abstract: A humeral prosthesis of such a type that is provided with a rod intended to be anchored in the humeral canal of a patient, a metaphyseal element extending the rod upward and towards the inside, being this metaphyseal element attached at an area of connection to a flange that serves as support for a generally hemispheric cap capable of interacting with the shoulder socket. The area of connection is arranged approximately along a median line of the mentioned flange and the area of connection extends only over a portion of the mentioned median line so as to establish outside of the area of connection, or outside of a portion of the area of connection, a clearance zone for the joining and fusing of the osseous fragments of the metaphysis.

Abstract: A method of repairing a damaged joint uses a prosthetic shield and/or spacers to protect regenerating cell growth on the articulating surface of the joint. The shield and spacers protect the articulating surfaces of the joint from compression and frictional stresses while guarding the bone from further damage. The shield and spacers also can deliver transplanted cells and cell enhancing growth factors to the site. The shield can be left in place or removed after the joint heals.

Abstract: A stent delivery system having a stent the girth of which expands upon longitudinal compression, a pair of telescoping tubes where the inner tube has a greater length than the outer tube, and the stent surrounds the inner tube, a distal deployment strut fixedly connected at one end to the inner tube, and at the other end non-fixedly connected to the stent, a proximal deployment strut fixedly connected at one end to the outer tube, and at the other end non-fixedly connected to the stent, and an anchoring barb at the distal end of the stent.

Abstract: Femoral component for a knee prosthesis adapted to cooperate with an insert attached to a tibial plateau anchored at the upper end of a tibia. The femoral component is adapted to be anchored at a lower end of a femur, the femoral component including a first lateral condyle, a second lateral condyle, and an intercondylar space disposed between the first and second condyles for receiving a third removably fixed condyle. The third condyle is removable from the intercondyle space while the femoral component remains moveably engaged with the tibial plateau. The third condyle is adapted to provide posterior stabilization of the prosthesis during flexion between the tibia and the femur when the posterior cruciate ligament is no longer able to substantially perform its function.

Abstract: A radially-expandable stent for insertion into a lumen is described. The stent is composed of a radially-expandable support stent and a polymer tubular member co-axially disposed over the support stent. Tubular end sleeves are disposed around the first and second ends of the polymer-surrounded support stent to secure the tubular member and to provide other improvements.

Abstract: An ultra high molecular weight polyethylene molded article for artificial joints has molecular orientation or crystal orientation in the molded article, and is low in friction and is superior in abrasion resistance, and therefore is available as components for artificial joints. Further, the ultra high molecular weight polyethylene molded article for artificial joints can be used as a component for artificial hip joints (artificial acetabular cup), a component for artificial knee joints (artificial tibial insert) and the socket for artificial elbow joints, and in addition to the medical use, it can be applied as materials for various industries by utilizing the characteristics such as low friction and superior abrasion resistance.

Abstract: A localized heat applying medical device is provided for applying heat to tissue adjacent a patient's tubal ostia in order to close the patient's fallopian tubes and sterilize the patient. Procedures of performing sterilizations are also disclosed.

Abstract: A prosthesis for anchoring in a long bone wherein the prosthesis includes a stem adapted to be inserted in a medullary cavity of the bone and from which extends a metaphyseal part which is connected to a flange for bearing on a metaphysis of the bone at a zone of connection. The flange also includes spaced openings for passage of a tool for cutting a reconstituted metaphysis of the bone.

Abstract: A web of continuous filaments which are made of at least one semi-crystalline polymeric component covalently bonded as a linear block copolymer with or blended with one or more semi-crystalline or amorphous polymeric components. The filaments are intermingled together to form a porous web of filaments, the filaments having multiple contact points with each other within the web. The filaments are bonded at the contact points without requisite for added adhesive binders, adjuncts or post extrusion melt processing. The web may be bioresorbable. The web may also be provided in forms with relatively high cohesive shear strength. The polymeric components of the filaments exist, at least temporarily, in a homogenous substantially phase miscible uncrystallized state.

Abstract: A novel method for making, preventing and reversing pathologic vessel condition, new vessel growth, and macular edema is disclosed. The invention is partially based on the discovery that accelerated formation of new vessel growth occurs near the adjacent area between grafts and recipient and follows the lead of physical force. Pathologic vessel grafts from deceased patient who has such pathologic vessels are grafted into hamster cheek pouch, making the vessel grafts grow as in situ, and thereof therapeutic regiments are set forth for treating neovascularization, macular edema, and angiogenesis.

Abstract: A spinal disc prosthesis to replace a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column of a human includes an upper rigid plate having an outer perimeter and a lower rigid plate having an outer perimeter. A body of elastomeric material located between and bonded to the upper and lower rigid plates includes a main portion and a peripheral portion extending around the main portion. The upper and lower plates each have a curved convex plate surface extending around the respective outer perimeters and facing the peripheral portion of the body of elastomeric material. The peripheral portion of the body of elastomeric material has a first part which is bonded to the curved convex plate surfaces of the upper and lower plates and extends toward the main portion. The first part of the peripheral portion increases in thickness as the first part extends from the curved convex plate surfaces toward the main portion.

Abstract: An accelerated method of orthokeratology includes the steps of softening of the cornea with a softening agent, applying a mold to reshape the cornea to a desired anterior curvature, and rapidly restabilizing or "fixing" the corneal tissues so that the cornea retains its new configuration. A chemical softening agent, such as glutaric anhydride is applied to the cornea to soften the cornea, after which a specially designed mold of predetermined curvature and configuration is applied to the cornea. Slight downward pressure is applied to the mold for a predetermined period of time to re-shape the cornea. The mold is maintained in position while a stabilizing agent, such as a UV light source, is positioned above the mold. The stabilizing agent, i.e. UV light, is applied to the cornea for a predetermined time, wherein the stabilizing agent immediately restabilizes the corneal tissue so that the cornea immediately retains its shape upon removal of the mold.

Abstract: A tubular fabric is provided for forming the shaft of a prosthesis having a predetermined length and one open end, the other end of the shaft being closed for holding a coupling member except for an aperture corresponding to a portion of said coupling member which is inserted therethrough to extend outwardly. The tubular base material is selected to be longer than the length of the shaft of the prosthesis to be formed. By means of a ring the tube is annularly held together from the outside at a predetermined length so as to form a first section starting from the opening. The remaining second section is then folded back over the annular hole onto the first section. To form the shaft of the prosthesis the material is impregnated with a thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: This invention provides molded, biodegradable porous polymeric implant materials having a pore size distribution throughout the material which is substantially uniform. These materials can be molded into implants of any desired size and shape without loss of uniformity of pore size distribution. The implants are useful as biodegradable scaffolds for cell growth in healing of tissue defects. When manufactured to have an aspect ratio greater than about 3, the implants can be further hand-shaped to fit the defect into which they are placed and the desired shape for the regrown tissue.

Abstract: A method for delivering a therapeutic agent directly to the heart employing minimally invasive techniques and concepts. In particular, the delivery of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) is performed endovascularly or endoscopically to a region of a patient's heart treated with transmyocardial revascularization (TMR). A system is provided for inducing cardioplegic arrest. An aortic occlusion device has an inflatable balloon which occludes the ascending aorta when inflated. Cardioplegic fluid may be infused through a lumen of the aortic occlusion device to stop the heart while the patient's circulatory system is supported on cardiopulmonary bypass. A side-firing fiberoptic laser is introduced through the aortic occlusion device in the endovascular technique to perform TMR. Subsequently, a therapeutic agent delivery catheter is directed into one of the coronary arteries to deliver and dissipate the VEGF into the surrounding vascular plexus to promote angiogenesis stimulation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intervertebral implant for insertion between two vertebral bodies of a spinal column, comprising a body containing two contact faces, whereby the body is designed as a hollow body, and the hollow body is formed by a side wall which has a convexly curved longitudinal wall portion and a concavely curved longitudinal wall portion as well as two convexly curved lateral wall portions connecting the two longitudinal wall portions with each other, whereby the radii of curvature of the lateral wall portions are smaller than the radii of curvature of the longitudinal wall portions.