Abstract: A joint spacer, in particular a knee spacer and a hip spacer is provided which is long-lasting and is sufficiently cushioned and abrasion-resistant and which can also support locally very high loads. A method for treating osteoarthritis by inserting a disk-shaped member into a joint of a patient is also disclosed.

Abstract: A joint spacer, in particular a knee spacer and a hip spacer is provided which is long-lasting and is sufficiently cushioned and abrasion-resistant and which can also support locally very high loads. A method for treating osteoarthritis by inserting a disk-shaped member into a joint of a patient is also disclosed.

Abstract: A joint spacer, in particular a knee spacer and a hip spacer is provided which is long-lasting and is sufficiently cushioned and abrasion-resistant and which can also support locally very high loads.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intraocular lens, in particular capsular intraocular lens, with at least an anterior, a posterior optic element, a haptic element connecting both optic elements, wherein a cavity is formed by the optic element, and haptic elements, which are opened by circumferentially arranged openings. The object of the present invention is to provide an intraocular lens that allows a symmetrical deformation of one or more optic elements of the intraocular lens as well as a relative displacement of these optic elements relative to each other on their optic elemental axis, so that a sufficient change in refractive power is obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intraocular lens, in particular a ciliary intraocular lens having at least one optic and one haptic element.

Abstract: A valve stent includes a plurality of crown elements arranged coaxially one behind the other, each formed by several u-shaped bends with at least one base and two ends. The bases of one crown element are connected to the ends of another crown element via connection bars. To produce this valve stent, 3D droplet dosing technology is used to form a thin-walled sandwich structure. A device, suitable for application of a stent is provided with positioning wires having clamps at their ends which can be connected to the fixing hooks at the ends of the crown elements in force-locking manner.

Abstract: A joint spacer, in particular a knee spacer and a hip spacer is provided which is long-lasting and is sufficiently cushioned and abrasion-resistant and which can also support locally very high loads.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intraocular lens, in particular capsular intraocular lens, with at least an anterior, a posterior optic element, a haptic element connecting both optic elements, wherein a cavity is formed by the optic element, and haptic elements, which are opened by circumferentially arranged openings. The object of the present invention is to provide an intraocular lens that allows a symmetrical deformation of one or more optic elements of the intraocular lens as well as a relative displacement of these optic elements relative to each other on their optic elemental axis, so that a sufficient change in refractive power is obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intraocular lens, in particular a ciliary intraocular lens having at least one optic and one haptic element.

Abstract: A valve stent includes a plurality of crown elements arranged coaxially one behind the other, each formed by several u-shaped bends with at least one base and two ends. The bases of one crown element are connected to the ends of another crown element via connection bars. To produce this valve stent, 3D droplet dosing technology is used to form a thin-walled sandwich structure. A device, suitable for application of a stent is provided with positioning wires having clamps at their ends which can be connected to the fixing hooks at the ends of the crown elements in force-locking manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vessel prosthesis or patch, made from a biocompatible polymer with microporous, finely-fibrillated structure and a method for improving the e-modulus of said vessel prostheses or patches. According to the invention, the vessel prostheses or patches are subjected to a full stretching (extension) with a degree of extension between 30% and 250% and subsequent restoration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vessel prosthesis or patch, made from a biocompatible polymer with microporous, finely-fibrillated structure and a method for improving the e-modulus of said vessel prostheses or patches. According to the invention, the vessel prostheses or patches are subjected to a full stretching (extension) with a degree of extension between 30% and 250% and subsequent restoration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for determining a characteristic point in the cardiac cycle that comprises means for calculating the curve of the blood flow rate D(t) in the aorta from the curve of the arterial blood pressure signal P(t) and determining from the curve of the blood flow rate D(t) in each cardiac cycle the time at which an incisura point lies. The device can be used for activating an intra-aortal balloon pump (IABP).

Abstract: A prosthetic construction between two natural pillar elements in a set of teeth, for replacement of a tooth, comprising two anchor elements, each fixed to a respective pillar, and a dental prosthesis provided with two fixing parts each rigidly fixed to a respective anchor. One of the fixing parts is movably connected to the prosthesis, in order to compensate for movements between the pillar elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a prosthetic mitral heart valve consisting of a support housing (10) comprising a base ring (15) supporting two posts which point essentially in the direction of the ring axis and which are connected by arc-shaped walls (13, 14), these walls being used to fix two flexible leaflets. The free ends of said posts form an inner support for the leaflet. The base ring, as seen from above, has a closed, noncircular shape with a common longitudinal axis but two different-sized semi lateral axes. The posts lie on the longitudinal axis and form the transitional point from one half of the shape to the other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a prosthetic mitral heart valve consisting of a support housing (IQ) comprising a base ring (15) supporting two posts which point essentially in the direction of the ring axis and which are connected by arc-shaped walls (13, 14), these walls being used to fix two flexible leaflets. The free ends of said posts form an inner support for the leaflet The base ring, as seen from above, has a closed, noncircular shape with a common longitudinal axis but two different-sized semi lateral axes. The posts lie on the longitudinal axis and form the transitional point from one half of the shape to the other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cardiac valve prosthesis, comprising a support housing with at least two flaps, especially to a mitral cardiac valve. The flaps and/or the support housing have a core and a surface layer enclosing said core, the core material being characterized by a greater hardness and/or lesser flexural elasticity than the surface layer. For producing the cardiac valve according to the invention the inner surface layers of the flaps and the support body are produced as an integral part by at least one dip-coating step in a liquid solution. A support body core is then injection-molded onto said structure. In further dip-coating steps the flap core zones are formed and the outer surface layers of the flaps and the support body are finally produced in at least one further dip-coating step and the body so produced is then removed from the dip mold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conduit cardiac-valve prosthesis. Said prosthesis consists of a cylindrical tube or a tube provided with bulbous projections with an integrated support housing comprising a base ring, which bears at least two stanchions that are orientated substantially in the direction of the ring axis and are connected by an arc-shaped wall that fixes flexible leaflets. The invention aims to improve the physiological properties of said prosthesis. To achieve this, the tube, the support housing and the leaflets consist of a single material, preferably polyurethane or another polymer and form a one-piece body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing thin membrane-type structural components, especially flaps for cardiac valves, or for producing a multilayer membrane or a thin surface coating on the basis of a polymer, wherein the individual layers are produced on a base body while forming a solid link with said base body or the membrane-type structural components are applied to a support tool and the membrane-type structural components are then detached (separated) therefrom. The aim of the invention is to achieve a defined thickness distribution of the thin membranes or films. To this end, individual droplets of a polymer solution or droplets from viscous polymerizing multicomponent systems are applied to the base or the support tool in a punctiform manner, linearly in one row, in a caterpillar shape or across the surface of the based body or the support tool.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing plastic film having a predefinable outline and/or even or uneven thickness, by machining preformed plastic film for separation and/or ablation. The method is used especially for producing flexible flaps for artificial heart valves. To produce a film having local variations in thickness and smooth edges where the piece of film has been cut, the invention provides for the plastic film to be separated and/or for specific areas to be ablated to the desired thickness by means of a laser beam.