Abstract: Electronic devices and systems that overcome the limitation of stiffness and rigidity generally associated with electronics and allow for delivery via minimally invasive or percutaneous access and delivery systems are described herein. The devices and systems are able to change in size, such as from a larger electronic construct to a smaller flowable configuration. The devices and systems are configured to open or reconfigure to return to the original size and spatial dimensions at the site. In another embodiment, the devices and systems begin as a plurality of discrete electrical elements in a flowable state, and change to a non-fluent state thereby forming an electrical construct. The electrical elements are able to communicate by direct contact with each other or near field inter-device communication means. This allows the electronic device or system to be applied, adhere and conform to the underlying surface.

Abstract: The invention provides method of fabricating a scaffold comprising a fluidic network, including the steps of: (a) generating an initial vascular layer for enclosing the chamber and providing fluid to the cells, the initial vascular layer having a network of channels for fluid; (b) translating the initial vascular layer into a model for fluid dynamics analysis; (c) analyzing the initial vascular layer based on desired parameters selected from the group consisting of a characteristic of a specific fluid, an input pressure, an output pressure, an overall flow rate and combinations thereof to determine sheer stress and velocity within the network of channels; (d) measuring the sheer stress and the velocity and comparing the obtained values to predetermined values; (e) determining if either of the shear stress or the velocity are greater than or less than the predetermined values, and (f) optionally modifying the initial vascular layer and repeating steps (b)-(e).

Abstract: A method for stabilizing a leaking implanted device capable of being hydraulically adjusted by introducing or withdrawing hydraulic fluid to/from the device, the device having an inner space for enclosing the hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: A method includes covering or contacting a portion of a parathyroid of a subject with a shield including extraembryonic tissue and/or a parathyroid protective injection. The covering occurs during a neck or reconstructive surgery of the subject.

Abstract: A valve leaflet connecting device includes: a base; and first and second followers extending from the base. A first arm extends from the first follower in a direction away from the second follower and away from the base to define an acute angle between the first follower and first arm for capturing a first leaflet there between.

Abstract: Ophthalmic devices are used to treat a variety of eye conditions. Such devices include intraocular lens (IOL) implants, contact lenses, intraocular telescopes, and the like. Such ophthalmic devices typically include one or more lenses to interact with visible light. According to an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an ophthalmic device comprising a biocompatible polymer body and a metalens. The metalens is encapsulated by the polymer body. The metalens comprises a substantially transparent substrate and a plurality of subwavelength structures arranged on the substrate in a pattern to interact with visible light. subwavelength structures comprise a dielectric material such as titanium dioxide.

Abstract: A prosthetic capsular device configured to be inserted in an eye after removal of a lens, in some embodiments, can comprise a housing structure comprising capable of containing an intraocular device and an equiconvex refractive surface. The housing structure can comprise an anterior portion comprising an anterior opening, a posterior portion comprising a posterior opening, and a continuous lateral portion between the anterior portion and the posterior portion.

Abstract: A device, a kit and a method is presented for permanently augmenting the pump function of the left heart. The mitral valve plane is assisted in a movement along the left ventricular long axis during each heart cycle. The very close relationship between the coronary sinus and the mitral valve is used by various embodiments of a medical device providing this assisted movement. By means of catheter technique an implant is inserted into the coronary sinus, the device is augmenting the up and down movement of the mitral valve and thereby increasing the left ventricular diastolic filling when moving upwards and the piston effect of the closed mitral valve when moving downwards.

Abstract: A gastrointestinal tract constricting method according to the present invention aims to constrict the gastrointestinal tract by contracting a desired region of the gastrointestinal tract by a simple and low-invasive procedure. The method includes forming spreading blocks while observing the gastrointestinal tract with an endoscope inserted into the gastrointestinal tract, the spreading blocks being formed at a position between a mucosa layer and a muscle layer and on both sides of a target region, which is to be damaged by a substance, in a circumferential direction of the gastrointestinal tract so that the spreading blocks block spreading of the substance in the circumferential direction of the gastrointestinal tract to prevent spreading of the substance to an outer side of the target region, and supplying the substance to a mucosal surface of the target region or to the position between the mucosa layer and the muscle layer after formation of the spreading blocks.

Abstract: A method of treating and managing diseased ocular tissue in the bulbar conjunctiva comprises providing a device comprising a plurality of microneedles arranged on a substrate contacting the device with a diseased ocular tissue region formed in the bulbar conjunctiva stroma to form a plurality of micro-injury sites therein. A device comprises a contact lens substrate comprising a substantially elliptical corneal portion and a limbus portion located radially about the corneal portion. A scleral portion is located radially about the substrate. The device is at least partially degradable and/or comprises a therapeutic compound. At least a portion of the scleral portion is configured to overlay, and deliver the therapeutic compound to a diseased ocular tissue located adjacent to the cornea of a patient.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for adjusting at least one dimension of an implant. The apparatus includes a rotatable structure having a channel extending between first and second openings of the rotatable structure. The channel is configured for passage therethrough of an elongate tool. The rotatable structure has a lower surface that is shaped to define a first coupling. The apparatus includes a mechanical element having a surface coupled to the lower surface of the rotatable structure. The mechanical element is shaped to provide a second coupling configured to engage the first coupling during a resting state of the mechanical element, in a manner that restricts rotation of the rotatable structure. The mechanical element has a depressible portion that is disposed in communication with the second opening, and is configured to disengage the first and second couplings in response to a force applied thereto by the elongate tool.

Abstract: In an endoscopic treatment method, a damaged area is formed in at least a portion of a digestive tract along a circumferential direction. The damaged area is formed by performing thermal ablation of mucosal layer and not removing the mucosal layer. An incomplete stenosis is formed in the digestive tract during restoration of the damaged area.

Abstract: Accommodating intraocular lenses containing a flowable media and their methods of accommodation.

Abstract: Devices and methods for novel retinal irradiance distribution modification (IDM) to improve, stabilize or restore vision are described herein. Also encompassed herein are devices and methods to reduce vision loss from diseases, injuries and disorders that involve damaged and/or dysfunctional and/or sensorily deprived retinal cells. Conditions that may be treated using devices and methods described herein include macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Therapy provided by retinal IDM devices and methods described herein may also be used in combination with other therapies including, but not limited to, pharmacological, retinal laser, gene and stem cell therapies.

Abstract: Minimally invasive surgical techniques are used to obtain access to vertebrae while protecting soft tissues in the surrounding area. The dilators may be used to provide a working channel through which the operation is performed. Standard dilators may be used with a robotic surgical system to provide precise guidance of surgical tools. A dilator may be held by the robot and automatically repositioned when the surgeon adjusts a trajectory for performing the surgery. The dilator itself may be used as a surgical instrument guide along with dilator adaptors that adjust the diameter of a portion of the dilator to allow for different sized tools to be guided by the dilator. Alternatively, surgical instrument guides may also be held by the robotic arm such that tools are guided by a surgical instrument guide through the dilator to perform a medical procedure.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention comprise a single-chamber collapsible and expandable prosthetic valve implant device comprising the following capabilities: (1) preservation of native valve functionality; (2) initial preservation of native valve functionality with subsequent full replacement of native valve functionality; (3) full replacement of native valve functionality; and/or (4) mitigation of the prolapsing distance of the dysfunctional leaflets by preventing the anterior excursion of the prolapsing leaflets above the upper annular surface and into the left atrial chamber in order to preserve native leaflet functionality for as long as possible. The expanded and implanted device does not extend beyond the boundaries of the subject heart chamber, e.g., the left atrium, thereby enabling the preservation of any remaining native valve functionality with subsequent full replacement of native valve functionality if and when needed.

Abstract: Devices and methods for inserting an implant into skin or other tissue of a patient can include a hyaluronic thread that is coupled at along distal portion with an insertion device. The insertion device can include a cover member and a piston that can collectively facilitate engagement with or disengagement of the distal portion of the thread with the device. For example, the piston can be positioned within an inner cavity of the cover member, and the distal portion of the thread can be engaged by and/or between the piston and the cover member. The thread can be released by movement of the piston relative to the cover member. Thus, some insertion devices can grasp or engage the distal portion of the thread and “push” the distal portion thread into and through into skin or other tissue of a patient.

Abstract: An implantable mesh including demineralized bone fibers mechanically entangled into a biodegradable or permanent implantable mesh is provided. A method of preparing the implantable mesh is also provided. The method of preparing the implantable mesh includes mechanically entangling demineralized bone fibers with non-bone fibers to form the implantable mesh. The mechanical entanglement of the bone fibers into the implantable mesh is achieved by applying needle punching with barbed needles, spun lacing, entanglement with water jets or air jets or ultrasonic entanglement with ultrasonic waves. A method of implanting an implantable mesh at a target bone tissue site is also provided.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve having identifiers for aiding in radiographic positioning is described.

Abstract: Assemblies for storing, handling, transporting, viewing, evaluating, and/or shipping corneal tissue are provided. The assembly includes a corneal tissue carrier within a vial, the transport vial removably coupled to a stabilization base, wherein the ease of access to the graft carrier allows administering the corneal tissue sample to a patient in rapid succession so that more surgeries can be performed by a single surgeon in a single day.