Abstract: A modular IOL system including intraocular primary and secondary components, which, when combined, form an intraocular optical correction device, wherein the secondary component is placed on the primary component within the perimeter of the capsulorhexis, thus avoiding the need to touch or otherwise manipulate the capsular bag. The secondary component may be manipulated, removed, and/or exchanged for a different secondary component for correction or modification of the optical result, on an intra-operative or post-operative basis, without the need to remove the primary component and without the need to manipulate the capsular bag. The primary component may have haptics extending therefrom for centration in the capsular bag, and the secondary component may exclude haptics, relying instead on attachment to the primary component for stability. Such attachment may include actuatable interlocking members.

Abstract: An implant is provided for use in an ankle joint between reconditioned end surfaces established on a distal end of an upper tibia bone and an opposing lower talus bone. The implant comprises a substantially porous rigid component adapted to be anchored against the upper tibia reconditioned end surface and the lower talus reconditioned end surface. The component defining an opening therethrough. An intramedullary nail is configured to pass through the opening in the component when the nail is driven through the talus and into the tibia.

Abstract: A gastroscopic method and instrument for treating obesity of a patient, using a device adapted to stretch a part of the stomach wall of said patient. The method comprises the steps of: inserting the device into the stomach through the esophagus, placing the device in contact with the stomach wall, and fixating the device to the stomach wall such that the device can stretch a part of the stomach wall.

Abstract: A heart-valve implant, in particular for mitral-valve reconstruction, which is to be carried out on a beating heart with a minimally-invasive method where access to the heart is made between the 3rd or 4th intercostal space in the right area of the thorax, where via this access path, the heart-valve implant is inserted into the left ventricle of the heart, which heart-valve implant includes a fastener for picking up a valve leaflet, an anchor for fastening the fastener in the myocardium, and a connector, which connects the anchor to the fastener.

Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure generally relate to a stent-graft system including a bifurcated stent-graft, a first bifurcating branch device, and a first branch extension. The bifurcated stent-graft includes a body, a first branch limb, and a second branch limb. The first bifurcating branch device includes a body segment coupled to the first branch limb of the bifurcated stent-graft, a first branch limb, and a second branch limb. The first branch extension is within the first branch limb of the first bifurcating branch device and within an external iliac artery. The first bifurcating branch device has a wide patient applicability since the treatment can be extended proximal to the anatomical iliac bifurcation and is not limited by the common iliac artery length. The stent-graft system is suitable to treat a wide range of internal and external iliac artery diameters.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods that include (i) determining a level of soluble ST2 in a biological sample from a subject, (i) comparing the level of soluble ST2 in the biological sample to a reference level of soluble ST2 (e.g., a level of soluble ST2 in the subject at an earlier time point), and (iii) selecting, implanting, replacing, or reprogramming an implanted cardiac device, e.g., an ICD, CRT, or CRT-D device, for a subject having an elevated level of soluble ST2 in the biological sample compared to the reference level of soluble ST2, or selecting a subject for participation in, or stratifying a subject participating in, a clinical study of a treatment for reducing the risk of a ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VTA) event. Also provided are methods for evaluating the risk of a VTA event in a subject. Also provided are kits for performing any of these methods.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improving overall vision in patients suffering from a loss of vision in a portion of the retina (e.g., loss of central vision) by providing a piggyback lens which in combination with the cornea and an existing lens in the patient's eye redirects and/or focuses light incident on the eye at oblique angles onto a peripheral retinal location. The piggyback lens can include a redirection element (e.g., a prism, a diffractive element, or an optical component with a decentered GRIN profile) configured to direct incident light along a deflected optical axis and to focus an image at a location on the peripheral retina. Optical properties of the piggyback lens can be configured to improve or reduce optical errors at the location on the peripheral retina.

Abstract: Aspects include a method, system and computer program product for alleviating an episode of a movement disorder condition for a patient. The method comprises deploying an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to a location of a patient based on an occurrence of an episode of a movement disorder condition. A first gross sensory change stimulus is selected with a processor. The first gross sensory change stimulus is projected from the UAV. An attempt to alleviate the episode of the movement disorder condition is performed based at least in part on the projecting of the first gross sensory change stimulus from the UAV. The alleviating of the episode of the movement disorder condition is detected based on the gross sensory change stimulus from the UAV.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tissue shaping device adapted to be disposed in a vessel near a patient's heart to reshape the patient's heart. The device comprises a first anchor and a second anchor adapted to be deployed by a catheter to engage a vessel wall while the first anchor is adapted to resist the compression of a first part of the first anchor and resist the expansion of a second part of the first anchor in response to a compressive force on the first part.

Abstract: Methods of minimally-invasively treating mitral valve regurgitation. The methods include advancing a device in a collapsed configuration into a coronary sinus, causing a distal anchor of the device to expand, exposing a connecting member of the device, pulling proximally on the device, causing a proximal anchor of the device to expand, and releasing the device.

Abstract: Methods of treatment of addiction-reward behaviors include reducing ghrelin levels in the patient by at least partially closing at least one artery supplying blood to the stomach, the at least one artery being the celiac artery or a branch of the celiac artery, or by topically treating, surgically removing, or surgically applying treatment to cells in the stomach to reduce ghrelin production by those cells.

Abstract: Materials and methods are provided to direct the formation of new lymphatics and to reconnect the disrupted lymphatic network. These materials and methods enable to improve survival of lymph nodes and lymph node fragments and their integration into a lymphatic network, following lymph node and lymph node fragments transplantation. The treatment or prevention of lymphedema is also addressed. In certain embodiments, a bundle of fibers or fibrils presented in the composition is effective to stimulate and direct the formation of new lymphatic and blood vessels. The bundle of fibers or fibrils presented in the composition is effective to promote survival of the lymph node or lymph node fragments and integration of the lymph node or lymph node fragments into a lymphatic network in the mammalian subject, at the site of transfer or transplantation.

Abstract: A cardiac valve repair implant, wherein the implant includes a central occluder, and frame and a thin sheet. The central occluder includes a central longitudinal axis. The frame extends proximally from the central occluder and is centered about and forms a circumference around the central longitudinal axis of the central occluder. The frame self-biases from a collapsed state to an expanded state. A proximal end of the frame projects proximally when the frame is in the collapsed state. The proximal end of the frame projects radially outward away from the central longitudinal axis of the central occluder when the frame is in the expanded state. The thin sheet is supported on a proximal portion of the frame. When the frame is in the expanded state, the thin sheet forms an annular surface defining an inner circular opening centered about the central longitudinal axis of the central occluder.

Abstract: An assembly for lifting a lower eyelid can be surgically implanted into a patient. The assembly can include a mounting plate, an eyelid support member, and an elongate shaft that extends between and couples the mounting plate to the eyelid support member. The mounting plate can be coupled to facial bone, such as the zygomatic bone, while the eyelid support member contacts and lifts up an inferior tarsus and the lower eyelid of the patient.

Abstract: A method of forming and implanting a synthetic corneal lenslet in an eye of a patient includes the steps of: forming a synthetic lenslet from a collagen solution using a mold or a 3-D printer that are configured to form the synthetic lenslet into a predetermined shape for correcting a particular refractive error of the patient; forming a cavity for receiving the synthetic lenslet in the cornea of the eye of the patient; inserting the synthetic lenslet into the cavity of the eye; applying a photosensitizer into the cavity of the eye so that the photosensitizer permeates at least a portion of the tissue surrounding the cavity and at least a portion of the synthetic lenslet; and irradiating the cornea so as to activate cross-linkers in the synthetic lenslet and cross-linkers in the portion of the tissue surrounding the cavity, and thereby prevent an immune response.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for treating a patient include performing a first treatment to treat a first portion of tissue and performing a second treatment to treat a second portion of tissue. The second portion of tissue is treated at least twenty-four hours after the first portion of tissue is treated. In particular embodiments, the first portion of tissue includes duodenal tissue, and the second portion of tissue includes duodenal or other gastrointestinal tissue.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for repairing a cardiac valve, e.g., a tricuspid valve, are provided. The apparatus may include a prosthetic device coupled to an elongated support to suspend and maintain the prosthetic device within the cardiac valve. The support may include a proximal elongated shaft detachably coupled, in a delivery state, to a distal elongated shaft coupled to the prosthetic device. The proximal elongated shaft may detach from the distal elongated shaft at a detachment area within the patient responsive to actuation and components of the distal elongated shaft may lock to implant the prosthetic device and the distal elongated shaft within the patient. The prosthetic device may be formed of biocompatible material coupled to a frame, and may have prosthetic leaflets that allows blood to flow through in one direction during a phase of the cardiac cycle (e.g., diastole) but prevent blood regurgitation during the other phase (e.g., systole).

Abstract: An eye-implantable electrowetting lens can be operated to control an overall optical power of an eye in which the device is implanted. A lens chamber of the electrowetting lens contains first and second fluids that are immiscible with each other and have different refractive indexes. By applying a voltage to electrodes of the lens, the optical power of the lens can be controlled by affecting the geometry of the interface between the fluids. When the electrowetting lens is inserted into the eye, the lens chamber may contain only one of the first and second fluids. The other fluid can be added after insertion through a needle, a tube, or some other means. Having only one of the first and second fluids in the lens chamber during insertion of the lens can prevent fouling of internal surfaces due to folding or other manipulation of the lens during the insertion process.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic valve includes an annular metallic frame and a valve assembly supported within the frame. The annular support frame is constructed with three longitudinal support beams of fixed length and web-like constructions that extend between and connect the support beams. The support beams are spaced apart in a substantially equidistant manner. The web-like constructions allow the annular support frame to be radially collapsible and expandable. Each support beam preferably has a column of pre-formed openings or bores extending along a length of the support beam. The valve assembly includes three valve leaflets, wherein each leaflet has opposing side portions and each side portion is paired with an adjacent side portion of an adjacent leaflet to form a commissure. The three commissures are secured to three respective support beams with stitching that extends through the leaflets and through the pre-formed openings or bores.

Abstract: Devices, methods and kits are described for reducing intraocular pressure. The devices include a support that is implantable within Schlemm's canal and that may restore or maintain at least partial patency of the canal without substantially interfering with transmural or transluminal fluid flow across the canal. The devices utilize the natural drainage process of the eye and may be implanted with minimal trauma to the eye. Kits may include a support and an introducer for implanting the support within Schlemm's canal. Methods may include implanting a support within Schlemm's canal, where the support is capable of restoring or maintaining at least partial patency of the canal without substantial interference with transmural or transluminal fluid flow across the canal.