Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a sewing cuff for aortic heart valves that better approximates native anatomy by better mating with the crown-like anatomical annulus. Limiting distortion of the crown-like annulus provides better blood flow and overall valve function and provides a physician greater ease of implantation since native anatomy is not flattened. Thus, the surgeon may attach sutures to the fibrous tissue of the crown-like anatomical annulus without distorting the shape of the native anatomy. An embodiment includes a scalloped sewing cuff assembly (with semilunar arches) that tracks the crown-like annulus. Another embodiment provides a sewing cuff positioned over the majority of the valve's length, thus allowing the surgeon greater flexibility as to where he or she can attach sutures to the surgical annulus. Conventional valves, which are primarily “low-profile” devices, do not offer such ability. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: A subtalar joint prosthesis that is adapted to replace the natural subtalar joint that exists between a patient's talus and calcaneus bones includes talar and calcaneal components. Each of these is configured to have a shape that is herein defined as being a portion of the boundary surface of a frustum. Meanwhile, these components' inner surfaces are configured to: (a) generally follow the anatomic contour of the original joint surface to which each component is to be attached, and (b) minimize each components's average thickness, consistent with providing sufficient strength and rigidity for the components, so as to require minimum bone resection for the implantation of these components.

Abstract: A method for reducing mucus accumulation in an airway including disposing an implantable device within an airway, wherein the implantable device has a first end, a second end, and an inner surface defining a lumen extending from the first end to the second end; wherein at least a portion of the inner surface has a hydrophobic polymer coating thereon, wherein a polymer coating surface has dynamic water contact angles of 145 degrees or greater; and wherein the implantable device is constructed and arranged to maintain patency of the airway; wherein accumulation of mucus is reduced as compared to a similar implantable device without the hydrophobic portion of the inner surface. An implantable medical device having a superhydrophobic surface and a method of making an implantable medical device having a superhydrophobic surface are also provided.

Abstract: A device for use in the repair of an ear drum in a subject in need of such treatment, said device: having a tensile strength Youngs Modulus between approximately 12.5 and 40 MPa; comprising one or more membrane layers, wherein at least one membrane layer comprises a plurality of pores; and wherein the device can support proliferation, migration and/or adhesion of cells selected from the group comprising at least any one or more of: keratinocytes, fibroblasts, vascular cells, mucosal epithelial cells, and stem cells.

Abstract: A bidirectional twistable stent is disclosed. The stent comprises a cylinder-shaped stent body having a plurality of axially arranged rows of struts encircling a central lumen and a plurality of flex connectors that connect at least two adjacent rows of struts in such a manner that allows the stent to be twisted clockwise or counter clockwise without causing deformation of any struts in the stent body. Also disclosed are the method of making the stent, method of using the stent, and a kit containing the stent.

Abstract: Treatments of coronary heart disease including the effect of endothelial shear stress (ESS) on neointimal formation following a bioresorbable vascular scaffold implantation are disclosed.

Abstract: A leaflet for a prosthetic valve formed of at least one layer that includes a composite material containing at least one expanded fluoropolymer membrane having serpentine fibrils and an elastomer is provided. The fluoropolymer may be polytetrafluoroethylene. In at least one embodiment, the elastic properties are present in an axial direction the leaflet. The leaflets may be single layered or multi-layered. The leaflets may be coupled to a support structure and movable between open and closed configurations relative to the support structure to form a heart valve. The elasticity within the leaflets permits, among other things, the leaflets to bend with a reduced occurrence of wrinkles as the valve opens and closes. The elastic properties of the leaflet also, among other things, improve bending properties and reduce closure stresses, thereby extending the life of the leaflet.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve assembly for implantation in a patient's circulatory system includes a stent, a valve member coupled to the stent and defining a preferred landing zone relative to anatomical structures in the patient's circulatory system, and at least one marker positioned in a predetermined relationship relative to the landing zone of the valve member, the marker being visually distinguishable from the stent using an imaging technique. By observing the marker, the prosthetic valve assembly may be implanted in the patient so that certain ones of the anatomical structures lie within the landing zone.

Abstract: A medical apparatus positionable in a cavity of a bodily organ (e.g., a heart) may constrict a bodily orifice (e.g., a mitral valve). The medical apparatus may include tissue anchors that are implanted in the annulus of the orifice. The tissue anchors may be guided into position by an intravascularly or percutaneously deployed anchor guiding frame. Constriction of the orifice may be accomplished by cinching a flexible cable attached to implanted tissue anchors. The medical device may be used to approximate the septal and lateral (clinically referred to as anterior and posterior) annulus of the mitral valve in order to move the posterior leaflet anteriorly and the anterior leaflet posteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation and eliminate mitral regurgitation.

Abstract: Described embodiments are directed toward prosthetic heart valve leaflets of particular shapes that control bending character. In accordance with an embodiment, a prosthetic heart valve comprises a leaflet frame having a generally tubular shape with attached film. The leaflet frame defines a plurality of leaflet windows. The film defines at least one leaflet extending from each of the leaflet windows. Each leaflet attachment zone on the leaflet frame has substantially the shape of an isosceles trapezoid having two leaflet sides, a leaflet base and a leaflet free edge opposite the leaflet base. The two leaflet sides diverge from the leaflet base, wherein the leaflet base is substantially flat.

Abstract: A prosthesis can comprise an expandable frame, a plurality of distal anchors and a plurality of proximal anchors. The anchors can extend outwardly from the frame. The frame can be configured to radially expand and contract for deployment within a body cavity. The frame and anchors can have one of many different shapes and configurations. For example, when the frame is in an expanded configuration, the proximal anchors can extend a significant distance away from the exterior of the frame, such as a length equal to or greater than about one half the diameter of the frame. As another example, the anchors can have looped ends.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implantable prosthetic device for the repair of connective tissue in an animal or a human. In one embodiment, an implantable prosthetic device (100) for the repair of connective tissue (500) in an animal or human is disclosed which comprises a biocompatible pad (101) having an open structure to provide a scaffold for the in-growth of tissue into the pad; and a reinforcement region (206) attached to or formed integrally with the pad. The device is arranged so that it can be attached to tissue by forming a puncture (301) either a) within the reinforcement region, or b) in an area of the pad which is inboard of the reinforcement region, so that a suture (300) can be located through the puncture, the reinforcement region serving to support tensile loading in the device during use by resisting pull-through of the suture.

Abstract: An ossicular prosthesis is adjustable in length and temporarily and resiliently adjustable in angular orientation. The prosthesis includes a head for contacting a tympanic membrane, and a resilient sleeve is mounted within the head. An elongate shaft extends through the sleeve, and includes a distal end adapted to engage a footplate or stapes. The sleeve forms a resilient joint that allows the shaft to undergo an angular motion relative to the sleeve when subject to a non-axial force, and then subsequently return to its original position after the force is removed. The sleeve may also be longitudinally displaceable within the head of the prosthesis such that the shaft can undergo a damped linear motion. Also as a result of the arrangement of the sleeve, the prosthesis is adjustable to a very short length.

Abstract: A tubular stent has first and second ends and a longitudinal axis therebetween. The tubular stent is formed from a network of struts which defines a cylindrical surface about the longitudinal axis, the struts delineating a plurality of cells within the network, there being rows of cells parallel to the longitudinal axis. At least one cell in each row is a nodal cell. There is an increase in the maximum length parallel to the longitudinal axis of cells from the nodal cell to a first distal cell in the row that is closer to the first or second end of the tubular stent. There is a second distal cell in the row which has a different maximum length parallel to the longitudinal axis from the nodal cell and the first distal cell. The network of struts comprises a plurality of circumferential rings. Each ring extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis and the rings are located adjacent to each other parallel to the longitudinal axis to define the cylindrical surface.

Abstract: A concentric tube catheter for positioning a polymeric urethral stent implementing resistance heating to make the stent malleable for insertion into a urinary tract. An inflatable bladder is mounted to one end of the concentric tube catheter with the stent positioned around the inflatable bladder. The concentric tube catheter charged with a quantity of fluid. A static pressure control assembly and a variable pressure control assembly are in fluid connection with the concentric tube catheter. The quantity of fluid is pressurized within the concentric tube catheter with the static pressure control assembly in order to expand the inflatable bladder. A heating control system is used to increase the temperature of the stent allowing to become more malleable. The variable pressure control assembly oscillates the quantity of fluid to distribute heat evenly to the inflatable bladder and therefore to the stent. As the inflatable bladder expands, the malleable stent also expands.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite material that comprises at least one magnesium component, whereby the magnesium component consists of pure magnesium or a magnesium-calcium alloy or a magnesium-calcium-X alloy, whereby X is another biodegradable element. The composite material also contains at least one organic anti-infective agent having a solubility in water at room temperature of less than 10 grams per liter.

Abstract: An adjustable thyroplasty implant comprising at least one inflatable bladder to apply pressure against the vocal folds to adjust vocal medialization easily in the operating room. The implant may contain at least one injection port corresponding with each bladder for injection of a substance into each bladder using a standard syringe. The implant allows for easy adjustment during initial thyroplasty surgery. Further, the implant permits easy adjustment of the implant after surgery by injection or withdraw of the substance within the bladder utilizing a syringe without the need for additional surgery. The implant may contain a means of detecting a means of detecting the injection port post-surgery using x-ray or fluoroscopic examination.

Abstract: An expandable mammary implant including a shell having an anterior face and a posterior face. The anterior has an upper pole portion and a lower pole portion meeting at an apex, and an injection zone for receiving fluid therethrough to inflate the implant. A reinforcement material is coupled to the shell in a reinforcement zone. The reinforcement material is coupled to the shell so as to at least coincide with the upper pole portion and a peripheral rim portion that extends from the posterior face upwardly into said anterior face by a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A system for improving cardiac function is provided. A foldable and expandable frame having at least one anchoring formation is attached to an elongate manipulator and placed in a catheter tube while folded. The tube is inserted into a left ventricle of a heart where the frame is ejected from the tube and expands in the left ventricle. Movements of the elongate manipulator cause the anchor to penetrate the heart muscle and the elongate manipulator to release the frame. The installed frame minimizes the effects of an akinetic portion of the heart forming an aneurysmic bulge. Devices and methods are described herein which are directed to the treatment of a patient's heart having, or one which is susceptible to heart failure, to improve diastolic function.

Abstract: A lung device for restoring lung elasticity includes fixation members and a connecting member. The fixation member includes a first radially expandable fixation member and a second radially expandable fixation member. The first radially expandable fixation member defines a first profile in an expanded state and a lumen. The second radially expandable fixation member defines a second profile in an expanded state and a lumen. The connecting member extends between and connects the first and second fixation members. The lung elasticity restoring device is capable of reversibly extendable between an inspiration configuration and an expiration configuration, may be extendable to the inspiration configuration, and biased to the expiration configuration by the connecting member.