Abstract: A foot pedal for wireless control of a medical device, in particular a dental device, including a housing with a housing base, a cover element, which is mounted so as to be vertically displaceable relative to the housing base along an actuating direction and/or inclinable relative to the housing base, and a transmitting device arranged in the housing for wireless communication with the medical device, wherein the housing is at least partially made of a non-metallic material and the cover element is made of a metallic material, wherein in an initial state the cover element is spaced apart from the housing base and in a lowered state the cover element is offset in height with respect to the initial state in the operating direction, where the housing, in particular the housing base, is configured such that, in the lowered state, a signal transmission region arranged below the cover element, viewed in the actuating direction, is provided as a communication channel for a signal emitted from the transmitting device

Abstract: The invention relates to a dental treatment instrument for operating a rotational tool. The treatment instrument has a head drive, which is provided for coupling to a shaft of the rotational tool and comprises a sleeve-like guide bushing (1), and a collet (9) for fixing the rotational tool. The guide bushing (1) has surface sections (3) which form parts of a cylindrical shape in at least one first axial region. Recesses (4) are provided which face radially outwards from the surface sections (3) and which impart a shape deviating from a rotationally symmetrical shape to the inner contour of the guide bushing (1). By virtue of the surface sections (3), a circular cylindrical shaft of a rotational tool can be guided or supported in a particularly suitable manner. The recesses (4) are additionally suitable for engaging radial protrusions of a non-circular cylindrical shaft of a rotational tool such that the non-circular cylindrical shaft can be driven in a particularly suitable manner.

Abstract: Examples of apparatus, methods, and compositions for endodontic treatments are described. The apparatus can include a fluid platform configured to substantially retain fluid in a tooth chamber during treatment. The fluid platform can help maintain fluid circulation in the tooth chamber as fluid flows into and out of the tooth chamber. The apparatus can also include a pressure wave generator configured to generate acoustic waves that can be used for cleaning root canals and tooth surfaces in the tooth chamber. Examples of pressure wave generators include a liquid jet, an electromagnetic energy delivery device, and an ultrasonic device. The fluid can include antiseptic or antibacterial solutions to assist in tooth cleaning. The fluid may be degassed to have a reduced dissolved gas content (compared to non-degassed fluids used in endodontic treatments), which may improve the effectiveness of the pressure wave generation or the cleaning.

Abstract: A mouth piece removal tool. The mouthpiece removal tool includes an elongated handle having a first end opposite a second end. A first hook extends perpendicular from the second end of the elongated handle. The first hook includes a pointed tip curving upwards.

Abstract: A method of creating a retainer for engaging gums and teeth of a specific user. The method includes, at an initial step, creating a mold of the gums and teeth of the specific user. Indentations are placed into the mold along a gum-line between modeled gums and teeth. Subsequently, and using the mold with the indentations, a retainer is formed, such that the retainer includes protrusions, each of the protrusions corresponding to one of the indentations. The retainer matches the shape of the teeth and the gums of the specific user except for the protrusions, and when the retainer is worn by the specific user, the protrusions push on the gum-line of the specific user, thereby ensuring engagement of the retainer to the teeth and the gums of the specific user.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, devices, and systems for adjusting a tooth position. A system for adjusting a tooth position can include an attachment configured to be attached to a tooth to be moved, a dental appliance including a guide slot configured to receive the attachment and to define an adjustment trajectory of the tooth, and an adjustment band to generate force on the tooth to move the tooth along the adjustment trajectory.

Abstract: An orthodontic device which may be used for treating Class II malocclusions including one or more rotational joints having a movable axis of rotation and an extension assembly comprising at least two reciprocating rods. Advantageously, the device may be elasticated or an elasticated and may, with minimal reconfiguration, be used for further treatment, for example by being reversed.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide an orthodontic bracket on which a ligature member can be easily hooked, and is capable of preventing the ligature member from becoming detached and of reducing friction during movement of teeth. An orthodontic bracket (11) includes a plate-like base portion (12) disposed such that a back surface (15a) thereof opposes a tooth surface, a pair of projecting portions (21a, 21b) projecting in the thickness direction from a front surface (15b) side of the base portion (12) with a space between the projecting portions (21a, 21b) such that they form a groove-like slot (22) in which an arch wire (44) is accommodated, and a pair of wing portions (31a, 31b) projecting from the pair of projecting portions in outward directions. Hook grooves (36a, 36b) for inserting a ring (45) therein are formed between the back surfaces of the pair of wing portions and the upper surface of the base portion.

Abstract: An example method includes, based on an adjustment to a first displayed volume control, instructing the first playback device to adjust playback volume level; based on an adjustment to a second displayed volume control, instructing the second playback device to adjust playback volume level; after sending the commands, instructing the first and/or second playback device to process an audio stream into a first and/or second channel and to reproduce a respective one of the first and second channel, wherein the grouped first and second playback devices provide multi-channel sound; and based on an adjustment to a third displayed volume control, instructing the first and/or second playback device to adjust a group volume level for both the first and second playback devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dental implant for mounting in the jaw bone, comprising a base portion, an abutment and a connecting screw, the post of said connecting screw having a stepped design, wherein the diameter of the bottom part thereof before the beginning of the thread of the post does not exceed the inner diameter of the bearing thread of the abutment, and the distance from the head of the screw to the top end thereof is smaller than the axial distance from the head of the screw to the bearing thread of the abutment by 0.1-1 mm (optimally by 0.2-0.3 mm). According to claim 1, comprising the base portion of the implant, the abutment, and auxiliary components, the latter comprising a set of connecting screws having a screw thread pitch appropriate for the abutment sizes for prosthesis implantation in patients with a high, medium and low gum height.

Abstract: A dental superstructure securable to a protruding dental abutment, related assembly and method of design are provided. The dental superstructure is designed to mimick a tooth and is perforated to create a drop-shaped screw conduit for screw insertion and advancement. The screw conduit includes an insertion portion extending substantially conically outwardly from an inlet to enable advancement of an inserted screw along an insertion axis and a spherical angulation portion extending from and communicating with the insertion portion to allow angulation of the screw from the insertion axis to an implant axis. Buccal and/or lingual contours of the screw conduit may be respectively arched outwardly and inwardly from the insertion axis to adapt to screw advancement needs. The dental superstructure may be part of an assembly for a dental implant in combination with an osseointegrable implant including the protruding dental abutment; and a dental abutment screw.

Abstract: Methods and systems for scanning an intraoral cavity of a patient provide capturing one or more viewfinder images of the intraoral cavity and scanning the intraoral cavity with an intraoral scanner to generate one or more topography scans of the intraoral cavity. The one or more topography scans may correspond to the one or more viewfinder images. The methods and systems further provide capturing a viewfinder image of a portion of the intraoral cavity, the viewfinder image overlapping with the one or more viewfinder images. An area of overlap of the viewfinder image with the one or more viewfinder images can be determined. One or more indicators of the area of overlap can be displayed on one or more locations of a display in order to provide guidance for positioning a field of view of the intraoral scanner.

Abstract: A biological tissue rootage face (30) capable of closely bonding to a biological tissue (H, S) is composed of a biocompatible material and has numerous fingertip-shaped microvilli (41). The microvilli (41) have tip diameters in the order of nanometers. An implant (1) has the biological tissue rootage face (30) on a surface (11, 24) configured to root into a biological tissue (H, S). In a method for forming the biological tissue rootage face (30), a surface of a biocompatible material is subjected to laser nonthermal processing carried out by emitting a laser beam in air, to form numerous fingertip-shaped microvilli (41). The laser beam is a laser beam of an ultrashort pulse laser.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dental prosthesis comprising a prosthesis base and teeth which are attached in or to the prosthesis base (14), wherein the prosthesis base (14) comprises a ventilation element, in particular a ventilation valve (12).

Abstract: A dental treatment device with an energy source is provided which is arranged at least partially in or on a working chamber, comprising a stamp which is movable in relation to the dental treatment device as for the rest and which comprises a receiving plate for dental restoration parts. It is provided that the working chamber has a through-opening at the top, into which the receiving plate (16) is at least partially movable. Further, a drive is provided for the transfer of the stamp from a working position into a presentation position, and optionally vice versa. A cover (32) is mounted, in particular hinged, on the dental treatment device as for the rest, by which cover the through-opening (26) is closable.

Abstract: A method for making a set of dentures comprises a providing step, a mandibular impressing step, a first maxillary impressing step, a tray fabricating step, a second maxillary impressing step, a bite registering step, and a denture fabricating step. Optionally, the method further includes a bending step, a lifting step, a posterior molding step, a removing step, and/or an anterior molding step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combined model scanning and oral cavity scanning apparatus. The combined model scanning and oral cavity scanning apparatus includes an optical three-dimensional measurement unit configured to generate light, acquire intraoral shape information, and acquire model shape information, a data processor configured to generate three-dimensional tooth data, a data transmission unit configured to transmit the three-dimensional tooth data, a main body accommodating the optical three-dimensional measurement unit, the data processor, and the data transmission unit, and at least two intraoral scanning tips configured to be alternately detachable to the main body and provide light paths, wherein the at least two intraoral scanning tips includes a model scanning tip for scanning a dental model.

Abstract: An elongated nozzle (30) for an oral cleaning device (10), the elongated nozzle including: a proximal end (33) with an inlet orifice (36); a distal end (32) with an outlet orifice (42), where the outlet orifice is in fluid communication with the inlet orifice; and at least one structure (50a, 50b) located between the inlet orifice and the outlet orifice, the at least one structure configured to break a liquid droplet traveling through the nozzle into two or more smaller liquid droplets. The at least one structure can also be configured to recapture residual liquid (46) remaining in the nozzle and organize the recaptured residual liquid into at least one liquid droplet (46a, 46b). The structure may be a hydrophobic region that recaptures and organizes the residual liquid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dental mirror suction device (10) for suctioning liquids and particles from an oral cavity of a patient, with a tubular hollow base body (12) having an inner surface (14), an outer surface (16), a longitudinal axis (X-X), a connection opening (18) for a hose, and a suction opening (20). The inner surface (14) has a mirror-coated surface (24) which is viewable through the suction opening (20) and which is arranged such that the oral cavity is viewable at least in some portions. The mirror suction device (10) is configured as a disposable mirror suction device.

Abstract: A saliva injector appliance that includes an elongate member having a scoop with channels at its distal end. Clamps or the like hold the appliance against and to a saliva ejector such that the end of the injector is spaced a small distance rearward from the end of the scoop, and the scoop and the channels direct fluid into the injector and push tissue out of the way during a dental procedure. The elongate member has a rigid or semi-rigid construction and holds the saliva ejector at the desired position and angle as directed by a practitioner grasping the rear handle portion of the elongate member.

Abstract: A system and method for providing variable power is disclosed. The system includes a power supply which provides power to at least one instrument. A pedal comprises a variable resistor that is configured to produce a resistance value within a predetermined range based on an amount of pressure which is being applied to the pedal. The voltage being supplied to the instrument is varied in accordance with the resistance value produced at the pedal.

Abstract: An attachment brush part for an electrical body care brush, in particular an electrical toothbrush, includes brush head with an in particular circular bristle carrier, on which a bristle field with a plurality of bristle bundles each with a plurality of care bristles is arranged.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the reversibly detachable attachment to teeth of an upper jaw or lower jaw, comprising: concave surface regions, each designed for contacting a lateral, in particular buccal, surface region of a tooth to produce a respective positive engagement, the occlusal surfaces of all teeth remaining free so that mastication is not impeded.

Abstract: An oral hygiene device designed to allow the user to cleanse the breath and kill germs in the oral cavity is disclosed. The oral hygiene device comprises a holder, an enclosure, and one or more breath freshener. The device is a polished plastic product configured to load with the freshener strip in the enclosure. The device is incorporated in the user mouth using the holder comprising a curved tabs fitting between the teeth and gums. The breath freshener via one or more holes in the enclosure configured to dissolve when subjected to the saliva within the mouth and exhibits controlled release of a cleansing chemicals and flavor in the freshener strips in the user mouth.

Abstract: Surgical instruments suitable for use during surgical procedures. The surgical instruments include first and second halves coupled together at a pivot so that the halves define a handle and functional portions at proximal and distal ends of the instrument, respectively. The functional portion terminates at a blunt distal end and includes scissors, a base section disposed between the scissors and blunt distal end and having a first clamping feature, a tapering section disposed between the first clamping feature and blunt distal end and having gripping features, and opposing tips disposed between the tapering section and distal end of the instrument and having second clamping features.

Abstract: A staging assembly for a specimen imaging machine includes a manifold assembly with a housing having an inlet opening and an outlet opening. Each of a plurality of chambers has a chamber opening. Conduits put the chambers in fluid communication with the inlet opening and the outlet opening. A bottom plate extends beneath the chambers. The manifold assembly includes an attachment assembly. A staging dock includes a base, a staging dock anesthesia inlet, and a staging dock anesthesia outlet receivable by the inlet opening of the manifold assembly and including a valve. A staging dock exhaust inlet is receivable by the outlet opening of the manifold assembly. The staging dock includes a staging dock exhaust outlet. A staging dock attachment assembly is releasably attachable to the manifold attachment assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating urinary retention of a patient by discharging urine from the urinary bladder. The apparatus comprises an expandable member, adapted to be implanted inside the urinary bladder of a patient, for discharging urine from the urinary bladder as a result of its expansion in volume, an implantable control device for controlling the volume of the expandable member, and an external energy transmission device for wireless transmission of energy from the outside of the patient's body to the inside of the patient's body configured to operate the expandable member and other energy consuming implantable parts of the apparatus.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems, components, devices and methods for assisting a patient to empty his or her weakened or paralyzed bladder or a neobladder efficiently. The system and method includes a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure in the urinary bladder of a patient and an alert mechanism which alerts the patient of the bladder fullness and the need to void. An actuating device is operably coupled to the system to selectively activate a compression assembly. When activated, the compression assembly compresses the bladder to permit emptying of the bladder.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an anchor for use with a medical device. The anchor may be cut from a portion of the body of the medical device, such as a strut, and may have a remembered state which is a collapsed state, and an expanded state. The movable anchor renders the device repositionable such that it may be implanted with great precision. The medical device may be a stent or a stent graft.

Abstract: A suture to be used in producing a medical instrument provided with a sutured site such as a stent graft, an artificial blood vessel or an artificial heart valve, has two components, i.e., a high melting-point component and a low-melting point component, the difference between the melting points of components being 30° C. or more and the low-melting point component is exposed on the suture surface entirely along the length direction. When a medical material formed of a fabric or a film is sutured or knotted with the suture and then the suture site is heated at such a temperature not allowing the high-melting point component but the low-melting point component alone to melt, the sutured site is fused and fixed. Thus, a knot or a seam, which sustains the fiber shape and strength and never becomes loose, can be formed.

Abstract: A suture to be used in producing a medical instrument provided with a sutured site such as a stent graft, an artificial blood vessel or an artificial heart valve, has two components, i.e., a high melting-point component and a low-melting point component, the difference between the melting points of components being 30° C. or more and the low-melting point component is exposed on the suture surface entirely along the length direction. When a medical material formed of a fabric or a film is sutured or knotted with the suture and then the suture site is heated at such a temperature not allowing the high-melting point component but the low-melting point component alone to melt, the sutured site is fused and fixed. Thus, a knot or a seam, which sustains the fiber shape and strength and never becomes loose, can be formed.

Abstract: A stent graft prosthesis includes a fabric sleeve supported by a series of ring stents, including ring stents having a saddle shape with peaks and valleys, the axial alignment of equivalently shaped ring stents in the series of ring stents being such that with respect to at least one shaped ring stent other shaped ring stents are angularly offset. Multiple series of ring stents may be interposed such that at least one ring stent in a first series of ring stents S1-Sn is located between two ring stents in at least one other series of ring stents So1-Son, the angular offset of ring stents in the first series S1-Sn being different from the angular offset of ring stents in at least one other series of ring stents (So1-Son). The offset changes the amount of fabric surface between peripheral contact points of successive shaped ring stents.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for fixating soft tissue to bone. In one embodiment, a repair device system for fixating soft tissue to bone includes a carrier member, multiple anchors, and a bone anchor. The carrier member includes multiple pad portions and a bone coupling portion. Each of the pad portions are aligned with an adjacent pad portion. The pad portions are configured to be positioned over a side of the soft tissue and the bone coupling portion is coupled to the multiple pad portions. Each anchor is sized and configured to extend through the at least one opening defined in one of the multiple pad portions and through the soft tissue. The bone anchor is configured to be coupled to the bone coupling portion and configured to be secured to the bone.

Abstract: An ophthalmosurgical injector system includes an injector, which has a handpiece, a plunger and a dispensing device; an intraocular lens, which has an optic body, a C-shaped first haptic arm protruding from the optic body and a C-shaped second haptic arm protruding from the optic body; a cartridge, in which the intraocular lens is received, wherein the cartridge is inserted in the injector; and an actuation element, which has a contact surface, and a locking element, with which a position of the plunger relative to the handpiece or to the cartridge can be locked. The plunger can be locked in a first position, in which the intraocular lens is held in the cartridge in a compressed and pretensioned state in which an outer distance from the first haptic arm to the second haptic arm is greater than 8 mm and less than 11 mm.

Abstract: An implantable lens device has a diffractive surface defining an optical axis. The diffractive surface comprises a relief pattern extending concentrically on the surface and having a sequence of annular concentric steps characterized by alternating heights, wherein an innermost step of the relief pattern has a largest height among all other steps.

Abstract: Tunable apodized multiple-focus ophthalmic devices and methods characterized by a lens with multiple optical zones each with an optical power optimized for one or more focal lengths and a tunable apodization mask positioned within at least a portion of the optical zone(s). Upon a desired change of focus for the wearer, an optical transmission characteristic of the tunable apodization mask may be varied. The tunable apodization mask may take the form of an electrochromic device or another suitable material.

Abstract: An intraocular lens and a method of constructing the intraocular lens are described. The intraocular lens is implanted in a human eye to treat conditions of the eye. The intraocular lens includes a central deformable optic and an annular ring coupled to the deformable optic. The intraocular lens is made by subjecting the deformable optic to compressive forces that reduce the optical power of the deformable optic, and then molding the annular lens to the deformable optic while the deformable optic is undergoing the compressive forces. Once the compressive forces are released, the deformable optic stresses the annular ring along a radial axis of the deformable optic when the intraocular lens is in a natural, unstressed state. The stress or tension between the deformable optic and the annular ring keep the deformable optic from developing deformities that cause visual aberrations.

Abstract: An intraocular lens (IOL) insertion apparatus includes a handpiece body having a distal tip and a proximal section. The IOL insertion apparatus also includes a folding chamber located within the handpiece body, the folding chamber shaped to fold an IOL advancing through the folding chamber. The IOL insertion apparatus also includes an advancement system. The advancement system includes an advancement carriage movable between a first position and a second position within the handpiece body. The advancement carriage includes a spring system biasing the advancement carriage in a distal direction toward the second position and a dampening system to dampen motion of the advancement carriage. The advancement system further includes an elongated advancement plunger that includes a distal end to advance the IOL through the folding chamber and a proximal end connected to the advancement carriage.

Abstract: A flexible intraocular lens injection device, comprising a tubular body that has a casing, a plunger, a barrel having a cross-section that decreases in the opposite direction to the tubular body, and a housing in the axial cavity of the tubular body intended to receive a storage shuttle containing a flexible intraocular lens, the casing of the tubular body having a side opening, so as to allow the insertion of the storage shuttle and in the vicinity of this side opening, the above-mentioned casing carrying a first outwardly-protruding rotary attachment means configured to engage with a second rotary attachment means provided on the storage shuttle, so that, when the two above-mentioned rotary attachment means are engaged, the storage shuttle is able to rotate about an axis of rotation parallel to said axial direction of the axial cavity of the tubular body.

Abstract: Prosthetic mitral valves described herein can be deployed using a transcatheter mitral valve delivery system and technique to interface and anchor in cooperation with the anatomical structures of a native mitral valve. This document describes prosthetic heart valve designs and techniques to manage blood flow through the left ventricular outflow tract. For example, this document describes prosthetic heart valve designs and techniques that reduce or prevent obstructions of the left ventricular outflow tract that may otherwise result from systolic anterior motion of an anterior leaflet of the native mitral valve.

Abstract: A vascular implant for replacing a native heart valve comprises a self expanding stent supporting a valve body having leaflets. The stent preferably comprises an anchoring structure configured to prevent the implant from passing through the valve annulus. For delivery, the implant is compacted within delivery device and secured at one end. During delivery the implant is partially released from the delivery device, and positioning of the implant can be verified prior to full release. The implant can be at least partially resheathed and repositioned if desired.

Abstract: This invention relates to the design and function of a compressible valve replacement prosthesis, collared or uncollared, which can be deployed into a beating heart without extracorporeal circulation using a transcatheter delivery system. The design as discussed focuses on the deployment of a device via a minimally invasive fashion and by way of example considers a minimally invasive surgical procedure preferably utilizing the intercostal or subxyphoid space for valve introduction. In order to accomplish this, the valve is formed in such a manner that it can be compressed to fit within a delivery system and secondarily ejected from the delivery system into the annulus of a target valve such as a mitral valve or tricuspid valve.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve assembly includes a support structure and a valve component. The support structure includes a first frame and a sealing member. The first frame includes a lumen extending between inflow and outflow ends. The sealing member extends inwardly into the lumen of the first frame and includes a first end wall defining a first orifice, a second end wall axially spaced from the first end wall and defining a second orifice, and an inner sleeve extending axially from the first end wall to the second end wall and spaced radially inwardly from the first frame. The valve component includes a second frame and a valve structure supported inside of the second frame for permitting blood flow through the valve component in one direction and blocking blood flow in the opposite direction. The valve component is configured to expand within and engage the inner sleeve of the sealing member.

Abstract: A valve frame is shaped to define a plurality of atrial arms, and a tubular portion that defines a lumen along a longitudinal axis of the valve frame. Prosthetic leaflets within the lumen are coupled to the frame. An outer frame defines a ring and a plurality of ventricular legs coupled to the ring. The ring circumscribes the tubular portion, and is defined by a pattern of alternating peaks and troughs. The tubular portion defines a row of upstream cells, and a row of downstream cells that is tessellated with the row of upstream cells. Each of the atrial arms is attached to, and extends from, a respective connection site at which adjacent upstream cells are connected to each other. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method of preventing paravalvular leakage includes concurrent delivery of a heart valve prosthesis and an annular sealing component. During delivery, the sealing component is moved from a first position to a second position of the heart valve prosthesis which is longitudinally spaced apart from the first position of the heart valve prosthesis. The sealing component is secured around the heart valve prosthesis at the second position by a contoured outer surface of the heart valve prosthesis. The sealing component may be a flexible ring or may be a cylindrical flexible sleeve having a plurality of ribs longitudinally extending over the cylindrical sleeve. The ribs operate to deploy the sealing component such that at least a portion of the cylindrical sleeve buckles outwardly away from the outer surface of the heart valve prosthesis.

Abstract: Embodiments hereof relate to a delivery system for a transcatheter valve prosthesis, the delivery system having an integral centering mechanism to circumferentially center both the delivery system and the valve prosthesis within a vessel at the target implantation site. The centering mechanism may include expandable wings that may be selectively aligned with openings formed through a sidewall of an outer shaft of the delivery system, a coiled wing that may be selectively exposed through an opening formed through a sidewall of an outer shaft of the delivery system, a plurality of elongated filaments extending through a plurality of lumens of an outermost shaft of the delivery system that may be selectively deployed or expanded, an outer shaft that includes at least one pre-formed deflection segment formed thereon, a tool having a deployable lever arm, and/or a plurality of loops deployable via simultaneous longitudinal and rotational movement.

Abstract: Delivery systems with tethers for prosthetic heart valve devices and associated methods are disclosed herein. A delivery system configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, an elongated catheter body, a capsule carried by the elongated catheter body and carrying a prosthetic heart valve device, and a cinching member slidably disposed within the capsule. The delivery system can further include a plurality of tether elements coupled to the prosthetic device and extending through the cinching member and the catheter body. Retraction of the tether elements can urge at least a portion of the prosthetic device into a distal end portion of the cinching member to resheathe at least a portion of the prosthetic device and allow repositioning of the prosthetic device relative to the native valve after a portion of the prosthetic device has contacted tissue of a native valve.

Abstract: The invention is a cardiac implant, and associated methods therefore, configured to repair and/or replace a native heart valve, and having a support frame configured to be reshaped into an expanded/changed form in order to receive and/or support an expandable prosthetic heart valve therein. The implant may be configured to have a generally rigid and/or expansion-resistant configuration when initially implanted to replace/repair a native valve (or other prosthetic heart valve), but to assume a generally non-rigid and/or expanded/expandable form when subjected to an outward force such as that provided by a dilation balloon. The implant may be configured to have a generally D-shaped configuration when initially implanted, but to assume a generally circular form when subjected to an outward force such as that provided by a dilation balloon.

Abstract: An annuloplasty implant is provided for treating a native atrioventricular valve of a patient, the annuloplasty implant including a plurality of tissue anchors, which are configured to anchor the annuloplasty implant around at least a portion of a valve annulus of the native atrioventricular valve. The annuloplasty further includes a contracting assembly, which includes an elongate contracting member; and a contracting mechanism, which is coupled to the elongate contracting member, and which is configured, upon actuation thereof, to apply a longitudinal contracting force to the elongate contracting member that longitudinally contracts at least a portion of the annuloplasty implant, thereby circumferentially tightening the valve annulus. The annuloplasty further includes a force-distributing element, which includes a longitudinally-non-compressible tightly-coiled element, and which is configured to distribute the longitudinal contracting force over at least two of the tissue anchors.

Abstract: Provided is an implantable composite which includes a plurality of resorbable ceramic particles with or without a biodegradable polymer. The resorbable ceramic particles can be granules including carbonated hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate in a ratio of 5:95 to 70:30. Some resorbable ceramic particles are granules, which include carbonated hydroxyapatite and p tricalcium phosphate in a ratio of 5:95 to 70:30. The resorbable ceramic particles have a particle size from about 0.4 to about 3.5 mm. The implantable composite is configured to tit at or near a bone defect as an autograft extender to promote bone growth. Methods of using the implantable composite are also provided.