Abstract: An intraluminal grafting system having a balloon catheter assembly, a capsule catheter assembly and capsule jacket assembly is used for deploying a graft having attachment means in the vessel of an animal body. The system contains a proximal capsule means and a distal capsule means, wherein the graft is disposed within the two capsule means and a removable sheath covers the graft and capsule means. The graft is comprised of a tubular member having superior and inferior ends, having attachment means with wall engaging members secured thereto. The balloon catheter is disposed within the capsule catheter to provide relative movement between the balloon catheter and the capsule catheter, whereby the graft can be removed from the capsule means. The balloon is inflated to firmly implant the graft and attachment means within the vessel. The graft and attachment means remain in the vessel after the intraluminal grafting system is withdrawn.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a minimally invasive method of performing annuloplasty. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for performing annuloplasty includes accessing a left ventricle of a heart to provide a discrete plication element to the left ventricle, and engaging the plication element to tissue near a mitral valve of the heart. Engaging the plication element includes causing the plication element to gather a portion of the tissue to create a plication. In one embodiment, accessing the left ventricle of the heart to provide the plication element includes accessing the left ventricle of the heart using a catheter arrangement.

Abstract: Prosthetic apparatus includes a pyramid adaptor and a pylon connected together by an outer sleeve, which may be an elastomeric element. The sleeve or element is clamped to both the pyramid adaptor and to the pylon to provide shock absorbing characteristics and to allow relative axial rotation between the pyramid adaptor and the pylon. Different configurations or embodiments of sleeves are illustrated, and the use of a third clamp is also illustrated.

Abstract: Processes are described for making a cryopreserved Composite Living Construct (CCLC) as well as a corresponding thawed and rinsed CCLC, comprised of separated layers of cultured fibroblasts and cultured keratinocytes, wherein the percent of cells that are viable, i.e., the cell viability, of such CCLC is at least about 70 %. The viable cell density in the CCLC is at least about 50% of that before cryopreservation. The storage stability of the CCLC is at least about 12 months. Additionally, the metabolic activity of thawed and rinsed CCLC is at least about 50% of the Composite Living Construct (CLC) before cryopreservation. The structural integrity of CCLC is substantially the same as the CLC before cryopreservation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a foot prosthesis comprising a front foot portion (1), a rear foot portion (2) and an intermediate foot portion (3) formed by a number of rods (8) of resilient material, which rods extend in the longitudinal direction of the foot prosthesis. According to the invention the rods (8) are rotatably connected with at least one of the front and rear foot portions (1,2).

Abstract: A prosthetic lock assembly of the ratchet type for connecting a liner for a prosthetic socket to a prosthesis. The lock assembly includes a two part locking mechanism held together by suitable fasteners. Removal or loosening of the fasteners enables a user to separate the two parts from one another in the event a sock gets into and jams the locking mechanism. In a first set of four embodiments, a latch is formed in a first part of the locking mechanism and in a second set of four embodiments, the latch is formed in a second part of the locking mechanism. The lock assembly may be mounted internally or externally of the prosthetic socket. The first part of the locking mechanism may be a laminating ring or a thermoforming plate and the second part may be a mounting block with or without a pyramid for controlling a prosthetic pylon.

Abstract: A prosthetic lock assembly of the ratchet type for connecting a liner for a prosthetic socket to a prosthesis. The lock assembly includes a two part locking mechanism held together by suitable fasteners. Removal or loosening of the fasteners enables a user to separate the two parts from one another in the event a sock gets into and jams the locking mechanism. In a first set of four embodiments, a latch is formed in a first part of the locking mechanism and in a second set of four embodiments, the latch is formed in a second part of the locking mechanism. The lock assembly may be mounted internally or externally of the prosthetic socket. The first part of the locking mechanism may be a laminating ring or a thermoforming plate and the second part may be a mounting block with or without a pyramid for controlling a prosthetic pylon.

Abstract: A prosthetic lock assembly of the ratchet type for connecting a liner for a prosthetic socket to a prosthesis. The lock assembly includes a two part locking mechanism held together by suitable fasteners. Removal or loosening of the fasteners enables a user to separate the two parts from one another in the event a sock gets into and jams the locking mechanism. In a first set of four embodiments, a latch is formed in a first part of the locking mechanism and in a second set of four embodiments, the latch is formed in a second part of the locking mechanism. The lock assembly may be mounted internally or externally of the prosthetic socket. The first part of the locking mechanism may be a laminating ring or a thermoforming plate and the second part may be a mounting block with or without a pyramid for controlling a prosthetic pylon.

Abstract: A semilunar stentless valve is formed entirely of biological tissue, and has a plurality of leaflets that are joined to form an annulus and coapt to form a one-way valve. The leaflets open fully to minimize obstruction. A narrow rim of tissue is provided over commissures where the leaflets join and around a base of the valve for a sewing ring. The valves can be sutured to heart tissue wall in a single suture row.

Abstract: A minimally invasive approach for surgery on portions of the heart and great vessels. A parasternal incision is made extending across a predetermined number of costal cartilages, 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, for example between a point approximately three centimeters above supra annular ridge and the mid ventricular cavity, and a desired procedure completed.

Abstract: A prosthetic lock assembly of the ratchet type for connecting a liner for a prosthetic socket to a prosthesis. The lock assembly includes a two part locking mechanism held together by suitable fasteners. Removal or loosening of the fasteners enables a user to separate the two parts from one another in the event a sock gets into and jams the locking mechanism. In a first set of four embodiments, a latch is formed in a first part of the locking mechanism and in a second set of four embodiments, the latch is formed in a second part of the locking mechanism. In all embodiments, an elongate latching pin that depends from a prosthetic socket liner has annular ratchets formed in it along its length and the latch selectively engages the latching pin between the ratchets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for treatment of male incontinence and a method for female cystocele repair in which a sling material is positioned between the descending rami of the pubic bone. In such an operation a “hammock-like” sling material is positioned below the urethra in males, or below the posterior bladder wall in the case of cystocele in females.

Abstract: An improved prosthetic implant for forming a support structure between adjoining vertebrae in a spinal column. The prosthetic implant includes a generally spherical or ellipsoidal body that at least partially engages a surface of an adjacent vertebrae. The generally spherical or ellipsoidal body can include an opening to receive packing material such as medicine, human tissue and the like. The generally spherical or ellipsoidal body can include a stabilizer to at least partially limit the movement of the prosthetic implant between two vertebrae.

Abstract: Prosthetic apparatus includes a pyramid adaptor and a pylon connected together by an outer sleeve, which may be an elastomeric element. The sleeve or element is clamped to both the pyramid adaptor and to the pylon to provide shock absorbing characteristics and to allow relative axial rotation between the pyramid adaptor and the pylon. Different configurations of sleeves are illustrated, and the use of a third clamp is also illustrated.

Abstract: A system and method for augmenting a woman's breasts is claimed. The system includes two separate breast prostheses that are used to enhance each single breast. A first breast prosthesis is surgically implanted under the pectoral muscle behind the breast. The first breast prothesis augments the posterior section of the breast nearest the chest. A second breast prosthesis is provided that is surgically implanted between the breast tissue and the pectoral muscle. The second breast prosthesis augments the anterior section of the breast in front of the pectoral muscle. The second breast prosthesis provides the breast with a large size and soft texture, while the first breast prosthesis helps blend the augmented breast into the chest for a more natural appearance.

Abstract: A surgical method to treat hip diseases, including Legg-Calve-Perthes disease or developmental hip dysplasia is provided. This method includes several surgical techniques: a transverse osteotomy of the posterior portion of supraacetabular portion, an oblique and inclined osteotomy of the anterior portion of the supraacetabulum, detachment of a bone block from iliac crest, anterolateral displacement of the distal fragment, and insertion of the bone block into the distracted space of the osteotomy site.

Abstract: An orbital implant device is provided. The orbital implant device comprises a frame, defining a plurality of openings, a plurality of flexible sections coupled to said frame, said frame and said plurality of flexible sections defining a volume, and at least one injection port for inflating and delating the said volume.

Abstract: An improved method of inserting an intraocular lens into an eye comprising removing an existing lens so as to leave a capsular bag intact; at least partially inserting an intraocular lens having at least one haptic incorporating an aperture therein into the capsular bag; and inserting a capsular tension ring into the capsular bag such that the capsular tension ring passes through the aperture is disclosed. A replacement lens arrangement and a sterile packaging therefore are also disclosed.