Abstract: A process for making a polymeric product having a gradual variation in modulus through at least a portion of the product is disclosed together with an artificial spinal disc formed using the process.

Abstract: A process for making a polymeric product having a gradual variation in modulus through at least a portion of the product is disclosed together with an artificial spinal disc formed using the process.

Abstract: An instrument for preparation of vertebral endplates and a method of preparing a surface of a vertebral endplate are described. The instrument includes a body having a frame, an endplate preparation member supported by the body, and a pivot point. A tilt axis is perpendicular to and intersects a sweep axis at the pivot point. The endplate preparation member is coupled to the frame and controllably pivotable in an arc about the first tilt axis to change a tilt of the endplate preparation member. The endplate preparation member is also controllably pivotable in an arc about the sweep axis while maintaining the tilt of the endplate preparation member. By sweeping the endplate preparation member at incrementally larger tilt angles, recesses in a vertebral endplate surface are gradually formed, which may allow greater precision and control of a depth of the recesses and reduce stress on the vertebral endplate, as opposed to more aggressive techniques.

Abstract: An instrument for preparation of vertebral endplates and a method of preparing a surface of a vertebral endplate are described. The instrument includes a body having a frame, an endplate preparation member supported by the body, and a pivot point. A tilt axis is perpendicular to and intersects a sweep axis at the pivot point. The endplate preparation member is coupled to the frame and controllably pivotable in an arc about the first tilt axis to change a tilt of the endplate preparation member. The endplate preparation member is also controllably pivotable in an arc about the sweep axis while maintaining the tilt of the endplate preparation member. By sweeping the endplate preparation member at incrementally larger tilt angles, recesses in a vertebral endplate surface are gradually formed, which may allow greater precision and control of a depth of the recesses and reduce stress on the vertebral endplate, as opposed to more aggressive techniques.

Abstract: The invention provides a medical device with a retention section for anchoring the medical device in the body of a living being, a drainage section for draining fluids from the body, e.g. urine, and a tip which facilitates insertion into the body. During the anchoring of the medical device, the tip is retracted toward a proximal end of the device, improving the users control over the position of the tip relative to other parts of the device and achieving the free flow of fluids through the device. An indicator may be provided to give a visual, audible, or tactile indication of at least a first position of the tip relative to the remaining part of the medical device.

Abstract: An artificial spinal disc that may be implanted between adjacent vertebrae in the spine to replace, repair or augment a natural spinal disc. The spinal disc implant is characterized by one or more biomechanical properties that approximate those of a natural spinal disc and is durable enough to function in the body for long time periods, amongst other advantages.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a balloon portion for a balloon catheter for radially expanding a vessel in the body of a mammal, which catheter comprises a tube portion with a passage therethrough and a hollow expandable balloon portion defined by a fluid impervious wall and secured to the tube portion, which balloon portion can be inflated and deflated by means of a fluid passed through the passage, such that: a. the wall of the balloon portion is formed from a flexible substantially fluid impervious material having reinforcing fibers formed integrally with the wall material; and b. the balloon portion is preformed to the desired radial diameter at its inflated state having smaller diameter end portions and a wider diameter portion intermediate the said ends and has a substantially uniform wall thickness.

Abstract: A process for making a polymeric product having a gradual variation in modulus through at least a portion of the product is disclosed together with an artificial spinal disc formed using the process.

Abstract: A process for making a polymeric product having a gradual variation in modulus through at least a portion of the product is disclosed together with an artificial spinal disc formed using the process.

Abstract: A process for making a polymeric product having a gradual variation in modulus through at least a portion of the product is disclosed together with an artificial spinal disc formed using the process.

Abstract: A process for making a polymeric product having a gradual variation in modulus through at least a portion of the product is disclosed together with an artificial spinal disc formed using the process.

Abstract: The invention provides a medical device such as a catheter for draining fluids from the body of a living being. The device has a braided portion with crossed filaments which form a braiding angle with a centre axis of the device. The braided portion can be expanded in a direction transverse to the centre axis e.g. in order to anchor the device in the body, e.g. to retain a urinary catheter in the bladder of a patient. The filaments form at least two different braiding angles which thereby facilitate an increased expansion or expansion into a specific shape of the expanded portion and thereby facilitates an improved anchoring of the device in the body.

Abstract: 1. A medical device with a proximal end for insertion into a body of a living being and an axially opposite distal end, the device comprising: a tip which in a first position forms the proximal end of the device, a drainage section forming a conduit extending in an axial direction of the device, and a retention section extending between the draining section and the tip, wherein the tip is operable between the first position and a second position so as to move the retention section between a first configuration and a second configuration, in which second configuration the retention section is expanded in a direction transverse to the axial direction. The conduit and the tip may be dimensioned to allow the tip to be received within the conduit. One advantage of such a system is that the retention system may be retracted entirely into the conduit so as to make insertion and retraction of the device more comfortable for the patient.

Abstract: The invention provides medical device with a retention section for anchoring the medical device in the body of a living being, a drainage section for draining fluids from the body, e.g. urine, and a tip which facilitates insertion into the body. During the anchoring of the medical device, the tip is retracted toward a distal end of the device and for improving the users control over the position of the tip relative to other parts of the device and thus to ensure the free flow of fluids through the device, indicating means is provided to give a visual, audible, or tactile indication of at least a first position of the tip relative to the remaining part of the medical device.

Abstract: The invention provides a medical device such as a catheter having in a proximal end a braided portion being operable between two configurations, one for insertion of the device into the body and one for retaining the catheter in the body. To reduce ingrowth of body tissue, the braided portion comprises two parts, a first part forming paths for a body liquid, e.g. urine, to be drained from the body through the device to a place of disposal, and a second part having a structure which counteracts cell adhesion better than the first part. During use, the first part is drawn into the second part whereby the cells are separated from first part by the second part and therefore ingrowth of body tissue is reduced or avoided completely. The invention further provides a method of making a device with a braided portion and being improved with respect to ingrowth of body tissue.

Abstract: A method of forming a reticulated coating on a substrate includes providing an agglomerate dispersion of a first polymer in a polar liquid carrier on a surface of the substrate, and evaporating the liquid carrier to form the coating.