Abstract: An implant suitable for being anchored with the aid of mechanical vibration in an opening provided in bone tissue. The implant is compressible in the direction of a compression axis under local enlargement of a distance between a peripheral implant surface and the compression axis. The implant includes a coupling-in face which serves for coupling a compressing force and the mechanical vibrations into the implant, which coupling-in face is not parallel to the compression axis. The implant also includes a thermoplastic material which, in areas of the local distance enlargement, forms at least a part of the peripheral surface of the implant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bone-fixation anchor comprising a rigid expandable part and a soft part. The rigid expandable part secures the anchor with respect to the bone and the soft part enables the anchor to fit any bone screw on the market.

Abstract: A treatment assembly includes: a probe which includes a treatment section at a distal end portion thereof; an inner tube which includes a distal end and into which the probe is inserted in a state that the treatment section of the probe protrudes toward a distal end side with respect to the distal end; an opening which is provided in a side surface of the inner tube and which allows an inner side of the inner tube to communicate with an outer side of the inner tube; a support section which is arranged on the inner side of the inner tube from the outer side of the inner tube through the opening and which is configured to support the probe with respect to the inner tube; and an outer tube which covers the outer side of the inner tube and which is configured to fix the support section.

Abstract: A cryotherapy catheter can include an elongate member and an inflatable balloon at a distal end of the elongate member, the elongate member having lumens formed therein to supply cryogenic fluid to a chamber of the balloon and to channel exhaust from the balloon chamber; and a controller programmed to control a first rate at which the cryogenic fluid is supplied to the balloon chamber and a second rate at which exhaust is channeled from the balloon chamber, wherein the controller is programmed to a) develop, during a first phase of a cryotherapy procedure, a first pressure inside the balloon chamber at a value that is greater than an ambient pressure outside and adjacent to a proximal end of the elongate member, and b) develop, during a second phase of the cryotherapy procedure, the first pressure at a value that is less than the ambient pressure.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide method and apparatus for effecting (e.g., lightening) an appearance of skin by cooling or freezing small separated surface regions of the skin to produce regions of local hypopigmentation. The width of the regions can be, for example, smaller than about 1 mm or 0.5 mm, and a distance between these frozen regions can be greater than about 3 times the width of the regions. An exemplary apparatus can be provided that includes a plurality of spatially-separated thermally conductive arrangements that can be affixed or otherwise coupled to a base. For example, the conductive arrangements can be regions of conductive material provided in or proximal to a thermal insulator, or thermally conductive protrusions affixed to the base. The conductive arrangements can be cooled and then contacted with the skin surface to produce the small regions of hypopigmentation.

Abstract: Controlling conductive fluid flow during an electrosurgical procedure. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: flowing conductive fluid from a source lumen to a suction lumen of an electrosurgical wand, the flowing with the electrosurgical wand in a first orientation; sensing a change in orientation of the electrosurgical wand to a second orientation different than the first orientation; and changing a control parameter associated with the conductive fluid flow, the changing responsive to the change in orientation of the electrosurgical wand.

Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling motorized surgical devices are provided. In general, the methods and devices can allow a surgical device to grasp and cut tissue. In some embodiments, the device's motor can begin providing power for grasping and/or cutting tissue in response to an output from the device's sensor, the device can adjust power provided by the motor based on whether the device is clamping tissue or is being fired, the device can adjust an amount of power provided by the motor based on an amount of user-applied force to the device's actuator and/or can control drive direction of the motor based on the amount of the force, the device can maintain a force applied to the device, the device can self-shift the motor, and/or the device can adjust an amount of power provided to the device's end effector based on a degree of the end effector's closure.

Abstract: A bipolar forceps may include a first forceps arm having a first forceps arm aperture, a first forceps jaw, and a first forceps arm conductor tip; a second forceps arm having a first forceps arm aperture, a second forceps jaw, and a second forceps arm conductor tip; and an input conductor isolation mechanism having a first forceps arm housing and a second forceps arm housing. The first forceps arm may be disposed in the first forceps arm housing and the second forceps arm may be disposed in the second forceps arm housing. An application of a force to a lateral portion of the forceps arms may be configured to close the forceps jaws. A reduction of a force applied to a lateral portion of the forceps arms may be configured to open the forceps jaws.

Abstract: A method and system capable of identifying ectopic foci, rotors, or conduction pathways involved in reentrant arrhythmias within cardiac tissue, and then treating identified ectopic foci, rotors, and/or pathways with either lethal or sub-lethal temperatures. The system includes a medical device having one or more mapping elements and one or more treatment elements, and a computer programmable to identify ectopic foci and rotors based at least in part on signals received from the one or more mapping elements at one or more locations.

Abstract: The devices and method described herein allow for therapeutic damage to increase volume in these hyperdynamic hearts to allow improved physiology and ventricular filling and to reduce diastolic filling pressure by making the ventricle less stiff. For example, improving a diastolic heart function in a heart by creating at least one incision in cardiac muscle forming an interior heart wall of the interior chamber where the at least one incision extends into one or more layers of the interior heart wall without puncturing through the interior heart wall and the incision is sufficient to reduce a stiffness of the interior chamber to increase volume of the chamber and reduce diastolic filing pressure.

Abstract: A magnetically-guided catheter includes a tip positioning magnet in the distal end portion thereof configured to interact with externally applied magnetic fields for magnetically-guided movement. The magnet may be geometrically asymmetric, for example, a C-shape in radial cross-section, so as to allow side-loading of an irrigation fluid lumen and other wire(s) or lines during fabrication. The outer shaft includes a plurality of segments, including a generally soft segment at the distal end thereof for magnetically-guided navigation. The fluid lumen, which extends through the outer shaft, and further extends completely through the magnet for coupling to the ablation electrode irrigation fluid inlet, is constructed so that its mechanical properties (i.e., flexibility) substantially matches that of the outer shaft. The combination of the outer shaft, inner fluid lumen and positioning magnet has interoperability with a broad range of ablation tip assemblies.

Abstract: A renal denervation feedback method is described that performs a baseline measurement of renal nerve plexus electrical activity at a renal vessel; denervates at least some tissue proximate the renal vessel after performing the baseline measurement; performs a post-denervation measurement of renal nerve plexus electrical activity at the renal vessel, after the denervating; and assesses denervation of the renal vessel based on a comparison of the baseline measurement and the post-denervation measurement of renal nerve plexus electrical activity at the renal vessel.

Abstract: A computer-assisted surgery (CAS) navigation assembly comprises a micro-electromechanical sensor (MEMS) navigation unit having one or more MEMS to provide at least orientation data. A support receives the MEMS navigation unit therein, the support being adapted to be mounted on the instrument in a fixed orientation relative to established navigated features of the instrument. At least two mating ball-in-socket features are disposed between the MEMS navigation unit and the support at opposed ends thereof for releasably engaging the MEMS navigation unit in precise orientational alignment within the receptacle, the at least two mating ball-in-socket features comprising catches aligned along an axis extending between the opposed ends, at least one of the catches being a biased catch. A method of connecting a MEMS navigation unit with a mating support fixed to a CAS instrument navigated by the CAS system is also provided.

Abstract: A computer-assisted surgery system may have a robotic arm including a surgical tool and a processor communicatively connected to the robotic arm. The processor may be configured to receive, from a neural monitor, a signal indicative of a distance between the surgical tool and a portion of a patient's anatomy including nervous tissue. The processor may be further configured to generate a command for altering a degree to which the robotic arm resists movement based on the signal received from the neural monitor; and send the command to the robotic arm.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a perfusion system that is easy to set-up, use and monitor during a bypass procedure. In some embodiments, the disclosure pertains to a perfusion system in which at least some of the disposable components used with the perfusion system are configured to be able to communicate set-up and/or operational parameters to the perfusion system. In some embodiments, the disclosure pertains to a blood level sensor that can be used to monitor a blood level or volume within a blood reservoir. The blood level sensor may be utilized in an integrated perfusion system in which the disposable components are configured, as noted above, to communicate with the perfusion system. In some embodiments, the blood level sensor may be utilized with a perfusion system lacking communication with disposables.

Abstract: An intracorporeal marker delivery system includes a delivery device including a delivery cannula and a plunger. The delivery cannula has an inner lumen, a distal tip, and a discharge opening in communication with the inner lumen. A radiographically detectable marker having a fibrous-body and a radiographically detectable marker element coupled to the fibrous body is disposed within and pushable by the plunger through the inner lumen of the delivery cannula. An MRI detectable distal tip plug is disposed at least in part within a distal portion of the inner lumen distal to the radiographically detectable marker, and configured to partially occlude the discharge opening in the delivery cannula. An ultrasound detectable short term marker is interposed between the radiographically detectable marker and the MRI detectable distal tip plug in the inner lumen of the delivery cannula.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system for determining cardiovascular information for a patient. The system may include at least one computer system configured to receive patient-specific data regarding a geometry of the patient's heart, and create a three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of the patient's heart based on the patient-specific data. The at least one computer system may be further configured to create a physics-based model relating to a blood flow characteristic of the patient's heart and determine a fractional flow reserve within the patient's heart based on the three-dimensional model and the physics-based model.

Abstract: A synthetic representation of a tool for display on a user interface of a robotic system. The synthetic representation may be used to show force on the tool, an actual position of the tool, or to show the location of the tool when out of a field of view. A three-dimensional pointer is also provided for a viewer in the surgeon console of a telesurgical system.

Abstract: A skin care apparatus suitable for use in proximity to a subject's eyes. The apparatus includes a treatment device and a stimulus device. Upon activation by a user, such as the subject or a technician, a stimulus delivered by the stimulus device causes the subject's eyelid to close prior to the administration of a skin care treatment by the treatment device.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a guiding instrument; a protector comprised of a protective material held in a non-protecting state by the guiding instrument and having a protection state; and an actuator connected to the protector that is configured to advance the protector along the guiding instrument such that the protector is allowed to assume the protection state.

Abstract: Method and system form a correlated view of human or other animal anatomy using at least one transparent display screen associated with an electronic mobile device. The view relates an optical view with other electromagnetic spectrum images with a non-optical electromagnetic image of selected portions of human or other animal anatomy. At least three visible position markers associate with selected positions of a predetermined portion of human or other animal anatomy. The disclosure forms a correlated view of the predetermined portion of human or other animal anatomy by relating said at least one non-optical electromagnetic image of the at least three visible position markers with a visual image of said at least three visible position markers. The view correlates the size and dimensions of the optical view and non-optical electromagnetic image of the predetermined portion of human or other animal anatomy.

Abstract: Centrifugal deflection device intended to be fitted to a surgical or dental handpiece to prevent the penetration of foreign matter that results from an operation, the centrifugal deflection device including a ring coupled in rotation either directly or via a tool shank to a drive shaft of the handpiece. This device is characterized in that the ring is covered by a sleeve secured to the front end of the body of the handpiece and which, with the ring, delimits an ejection chamber. The ejection chamber includes an inlet that communicates with a rear area of the handpiece and an outlet that communicates with the external environment, the ring having a first diameter at the outlet of the ejection chamber and a second diameter at the inlet of the ejection chamber, the first diameter of the ring being larger than the second diameter of the ring.

Abstract: A tool for forming a hump along a substantially flat surface of a dental matrix, Said tool having first and second forming surfaces for urged together to form said hump on said matrix inserted therebetween, said forming surface having one portion part-spherical and another transverse convex arch-shaped project and a flat forming surface extending around of said project, and said second forming surface having one portion part-circular and another transverse concave arch-shaped cavity opposite said project.

Abstract: An instrument for drilling dental root canals includes a tapered rod having over at least a part of its length—the active part—a polygonal cross-section forming at least two cutting edges, the active part terminating by a point and being defined by an envelope of cylindrical or conical shape, whose longitudinal axis coincides with the instrument's axis of rotation. The active part has a first portion extending from the point and a second portion extending following the first portion towards the rear of the active part. At least one cross-section of the first portion has a center of mass located on the axis of rotation and the cutting edges are located on the envelope. Any cross-section of the second portion has a center of mass offset with respect to the axis of rotation and at least one cutting edge defined by the cross-section is located set back.

Abstract: Integrated support devices for providing temporary primary stability to a dental prosthesis implant, each individually designed and manufactured for a specific pre-identify patient are also provided. An integrated support device can include a prosthesis interface member configured to connect to an abutment or reduced sized portion of a dental prosthesis/implant. The integrated support device also includes one or more bonding wings for connecting to the adjacent healthy teeth.

Abstract: Embodiments for estimating a surface texture of a tooth are described herein. One method embodiment includes collecting a sequence of images utilizing multiple light conditions using an intra-oral imaging device and estimating the surface texture of the tooth based on the sequence of images.

Abstract: A denture is registered and secured to implants with the help of paired surgical-prosthetic implants fabricated based on 3D imaging of the patient's mouth and the denture. The surgical template has guide holes that are located and oriented to guide dental instrumentation forming accurately located and oriented osteotomies for the implants. The prosthetic template conforms to the denture and has guide holes that are located and oriented such that connection holes in the denture can be formed through the guide holes in the paired prosthetic template. The connection holes clear the replacement teeth of the denture and line up with the implants. Attachment elements can be inserted through the connection holes in the denture to secure the denture to the implants.

Abstract: A dental prosthesis has a gum sealing rim that snugly contacts the patient's gum. The cavity formed within the gum sealing rim is accessed by through holes via which a pressurized cleaning fluid may be injected into the cavity. The cleaning fluid swirls around and washes of bacteria and deposits. Through a number of cleaning fluid drains, the cleaning fluid exits again the cavity. An additional drain blocker may be configured such that it blocks the cleaning fluid drains while it is clamped by the patient between the teeth. The resulting pressure build up in the cavity causes the cleaning fluid to squeeze out and clean the sealing interface between the gum sealing rim and the patient's gum.

Abstract: Digital design and/or fabrication of a dental prosthesis that includes a gingiva part having retention pockets and corresponding injection channels that extend from the retention pockets to an exterior of the gingiva part. The positioning of a matrix mated to a ball attachment of a dental implant is fixed in the retention pocket by injection of a curable adhesive through the injection channels and into the retention pockets. The location of the retention pockets and the injection channels may be automatically generated by a computer-aided design/computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM) system. The gingiva part including the retention pockets and injection channels can further be designed and fabricated by the CAD/CAM system.

Abstract: The present invention provides an artificial sphincter employing an easily controlled electro-mechanical pump system. The artificial sphincter includes an inflatable cuff, a control pump fluidly coupled to the inflatable cuff, and an electro-mechanical pump system. The inflatable cuff is adapted to surround a urethra or rectum of the patient to facilitate continence. An inflation element or balloon can be included to further control pressure to the cuff.

Abstract: A sling including a material having a plurality of edges. At least one of the edges of the material has a pattern of projections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a prosthesis (200) comprising a flexible mesh (1), which is delimited by a peripheral outer edge (1a), and a reinforcing element for said mesh, characterized in that said reinforcing element comprises at least one sheet of semi-rigid and flexible material defining a continuous vaulted structure (201) that has an inner face (201a) and an outer face (201b), at least the base (201d) of said vaulted structure being fixed to the peripheral outer edge of said mesh.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a prosthesis (200) comprising:—at least one layer of a flexible mesh (1) delimited by a peripheral outer edge (1a), said mesh having a first color, and—at least one layer (2) of porous material fixed to said mesh substantially along the perimeter of said peripheral outer edge, said layer of porous material being recessed at its central part (4), said layer of porous material having a second color, different from said first color.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an endoluminal prosthesis, such as a stent graft that includes one or more fenestrations to accommodate endovascular disease, such as an aneurysm in cases where one or more side branches is involved. In one aspect, the prosthesis includes fenestrations that are pivotable to accommodate the dynamic geometry of the aortic branches.

Abstract: A whip stitched graft construct and method of formation. The whip stitched graft construct includes a plurality of tendon strand regions or soft tissue grafts placed together so that at least a portion of the plurality of the tendon strand regions are stitched together by employing multiple suture passes placed according to a whip stitching technique. Preferably, the multiple suture passes start at about the mid length of the plurality of tendon strand regions and are advanced toward one of the free ends of the tendon strands. The whip stitched graft construct is provided with at least two regions, one region formed of at least a plurality of tendon strand regions tied and whip stitched together, and the other region formed of untied segments of the plurality of tendon strands.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling a soft tissue implant into a locking cavity formed within a bone is disclosed. The apparatus includes a member to pull the soft tissue implant into a femoral tunnel. The member includes a suture having first and second ends which are passed through first and second openings associated with the longitudinal passage to form a pair of loops. A collapsible tube is positioned about the suture. Application of tension onto the suture construction causes retraction of the soft tissue implant into the femoral tunnel and the collapse of the tube to form an anchor.

Abstract: An intraocular lens system is presented that comprises an electro-active lens comprising multiple independently controllable zones or pixels, and a controller capable of being remotely programmed.

Abstract: A collapsible device, such as an annuloplasty ring or prosthetic heart valve, is configured to be collapsed prior to being introduced into a patient via minimally-invasive access points such as port holes or intercostal incisions. A holder is configured to hold the collapsible device, and to selectively collapse the device for introduction into the patient and then re-enlarge the device at the desired deployment site. Collapsible devices include devices that can hingedly fold about hinge lines, and devices that can elongate to form substantially spiral forms with reduced diameters.

Abstract: A device and method for controlling commissural tip deflection of a prosthetic valve, thereby both preventing failure due to repeated movement and/or uneven loading of the commissural points and also improving coaptation of the valve leaflets, including connecting reinforcing material between the commissural points so a spring-like span is created across the points. The spanning material may be in the form of a ring that is lashed, sewn or otherwise connected to the commissural points. The reinforcing material may form curved segments between the commissural points that extend outwardly to form sinuses behind the leaflets of the prosthetic valve. The reinforcing material may also extend in an upstream direction to avoid interfering with blood flowing out of the prosthetic valve.

Abstract: Thin, biocompatible, high-strength, composite materials are disclosed that are suitable for use in a prosthetic valve for regulating blood flow direction. In one aspect, the leaflet material maintains flexibility in high-cycle flexural applications, making it particularly applicable to high-flex implants such as a prosthetic heart valve leaflet. The leaflet material includes a coherent single layer and an elastomer, wherein the elastomer is present in the pores of the porous coherent single layer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for preparing artificial heart valves by preconditioning a matrix seeded with endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells differentiated from isolated progenitor cells. These cell seeded matrices are exposed to fluid conditions that mimic blood flow through the heart to produce tissue engineered heart valves that are analogous to native heart valves.

Abstract: An endo luminal support structure includes strut members interconnected by swivel joints to form a series of linked scissor mechanisms. The structure can be remotely actuated to compress or expand its shape by adjusting the scissor joints within a range of motion. In particular, the support structure can be repositioned within the body lumen or retrieved from the lumen. The support structure can be employed to introduce and support a prosthetic valve within a body lumen.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis configured for deployment within a native heart valve. The heart valve prosthesis includes a tubular stent and a prosthetic valve component disposed within and secured to the stent. In addition, at least two positioning elements are coupled to a distal end of the stent to position and anchor the prosthesis within the native heart valve. Each positioning element transforms from a compressed configuration in which the positioning elements distally extend from the distal end of the stent to a deployed configuration in which the positioning elements proximally extend from the distal end of the stent. Each positioning element includes at least one U-shaped or V-shaped support arm that bends radially outward and then towards an outer surface of the stent such that it translates more than ninety degrees from the compressed configuration. Each positioning element may include an outer support arm and an inner support arm.

Abstract: A system and method including a guide wire having a plurality of sensors attached near an end of the guide wire, and a processor configured to determine a position of a body component and a position of a catheter moving along the guide wire based on the signals received from the plurality of sensors. Feedback information can be generated based on these determined positions to help guide a medical procedure.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with a prosthetic heart valve includes a holder, to which the heart valve is releasably attached, and an elongated handle. The handle can be connected to the holder simply by pushing a distal end of the handle straight into a recess in the holder. After this has been done, the holder preferably releasable latches onto the handle, and the handle can also be rotated about its longitudinal axis to transmit torque to the holder (e.g., a rotatable portion of the holder). Rotation of such a rotatable portion of the holder can be used to deflect portions of the valve radially inward. This operation of a rotatable portion of the holder is preferably one-way only. The handle can be released from the holder at any time, and it can similarly be reconnected to the holder at any time.

Abstract: Annuloplasty device for implantation adjacent an annulus of a tricuspid valve, the annulus comprising, anterior, posterior and septal aspects adjacent anterior, posterior and septal leaflets, respectively, of the tricuspid valve, the device comprising: a ring body comprising: an anterior portion, a posterior portion and a septal portion shaped to conform to, and for implantation adjacent, the anterior, posterior and septal aspects of the annulus, respectively; and first and second end portions that are more flexible than a remainder of the ring body to provide a gradual transition from the remainder of the ring body to tissue of the tricuspid valve annulus; wherein the ring body is curvilinear, with substantially no flat portions, and forming a shape. Related devices, kits and sizer devices.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are annular prosthetic devices, such as annuloplasty rings, that include suture clips integrated into or mounted within an annular frame. The clips can quickly secure to sutures to obviate the need to tied knots in the sutures during implantation. Embodiments comprise an annular frame having an open central region and a plurality of suture clips spaced angularly apart around the frame. Each of the suture clips can comprise two opposing tabs that extend toward each other such that the suture clip forms a gripping region between ends of the tabs and the gripping region is configured to grip a suture inserted through the suture clip between the two tabs. The annular frame and the plurality of suture clips can be formed from a single piece of flat material with the suture clip tabs being formed by laser cutting the piece of flat material, or the suture clips can be movable along a track formed in the annular frame.

Abstract: A method is provided including making an opening (300) through an atrial septum (302) at a septal site (304) at least 5 mm from a fossa ovalis (330). A first tissue anchor (204) is endovascularly advanced to a left-atrial site (306) on an annulus of a mitral valve (310) or a wall of a left atrium (308) above the annulus. The first tissue anchor (204) is implanted at the left-atrial site (306). A second tissue anchor (24) is endovascularly advanced to a right-atrial site (320) on an annulus of a tricuspid valve (207) or a wall of a right atrium (200) above the annulus. The second tissue (24) anchor is implanted at the right-atrial site (320). The left-atrial site (306) and the right-atrial site (320) are approximated by tensioning a tether (22) that passes through the opening (300) of the atrial septum (302) and connects the first and the second tissue anchors (204, 24). Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A sizing device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent. A microelectromechanical sensor is coupled to the stent, the sensor being capable of collecting information related to the size and stiffness of tissue.

Abstract: An at least partly implantable system for injecting a substance into a patient's body, in particular a penis erection stimulation system, comprises one or more infusion needles disposed within and implanted along with one or more housings adjacent the patient's left and right corpora cavernosa. A reservoir and a pump are also implanted inside the patient's body to supply the infusion needle with infusion liquid. A drive unit also adapted for implantation inside the patient's body is arranged for advancing and retracting the tip end of the infusion needle such that it penetrates the housing at least in two different penetration areas either simultaneously or in immediate time succession, thereby injecting drugs along with the infusion liquid into the patient's body for stimulating penis erection. The drive unit is configured to laterally displace the tip end of at least one infusion needle in at least two different lateral directions to different penetration sites within said at least one penetration area.