Abstract: An intervertebral implant includes a body and a plate. The body has an upper surface defining an upper plane and a lower surface defining a lower plane. First and second fastener holes of the plate are configured to retain the heads of first and second fasteners. A portion of each of the shanks of the first and second fasteners extends from the first and second fastener holes beyond the upper plane. The shank portions of the first and second fasteners are curved in a direction away from the upper surface. The third fastener hole is configured to retain the head of the third fastener between the upper and lower planes. A portion of the shank of the third fastener extends from the third fastener hole beyond the lower plane. The shank portion of the third fastener is curved in a direction away from the lower surface.

Abstract: Devices and methods of correcting vertebral misalignment, including, e.g., spondylolisthesis, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a vertebral implant may include an assembly configured to be secured to a first vertebral body, wherein the assembly includes a frame made of a first material and at least one end plate made of a second material different than the first material; a reducing plate configured to be slidably received over the central portion, wherein the reducing plate is configured to be secured to a second vertebral body; and an actuator configured to move the reducing plate relative to the frame.

Abstract: The current modular implant is particularly useful in spinal surgical procedures. The modular implant can be provided with two anchors and a central section.

Abstract: A spinal fusion implant includes a leading end, an opposite trailing end, an upper portion extending between the leading and trailing ends, a lower portion extending between the leading and trailing ends, and opposed first and second side portions extending between the leading and trailing ends. The upper portion includes at least two rails extending between the leading and trailing ends, the at least two rails including a first rail and a second rail spaced apart from one another, the first rail of the upper portion including a bone-contacting surface being at least partially smoothened. The lower portion includes at least two rails extending between the leading and trailing ends, the at least two rails including a first rail and a second rail spaced apart from one another, the first rail of the lower portion including a bone-contacting surface being at least partially smoothened.

Abstract: An interbody spacer for a spine includes a housing having a plurality of clearance holes configured to engage bone of the spine. A contact plate including a plurality of apertures is positioned a distance away from the housing configured to engage bone of the spine. A plurality of rivets adjoin the housing and the contact plate. A plurality of springs are included with each spring configured to encircle a respective rivet and translate the distance between the housing and contact plate from a minimum distance to a maximum distance.

Abstract: A spinal implant system is provided for bridging an intervertebral space between vertebral bodies bordering the intervertebral space. The spinal implant system includes at least one adjustable end cap and a spinal implant. The end cap can be used with additional end caps and/or the spinal implant. Multiple end caps can be stacked on top of one another, and one end cap can be attached to a first end of the spinal implant, and another end cap can be attached to a second end of the spinal implant. Thus, one or more of the end caps can be attached to either end of the spinal implant.

Abstract: A tool for delivery and/or compaction of bone graft material includes a cannula with an inner lumen extending along a longitudinal axis from a hopper end of the cannula to a delivery tip of the cannula. A hopper with an internal volume for storing bone graft material is connected to the hopper end of the cannula with the internal volume of the hopper in communication with the inner lumen of the cannula for delivery of bone graft material from the hopper to the delivery tip of the cannula. An output shaft within the inner lumen extends along the longitudinal axis. The output shaft includes a helical screw thread extending radially outward from the output shaft toward an inner surface of the cannula. An actuator is connected to the hopper and to the output shaft to drive the output shaft rotationally relative to the hopper and to the cannula.

Abstract: The invention provides a targeting device suitable for use in removing a femoral implant from the surrounding tissue, wherein the device comprises: (A) an anterior guide member (1), (B) a posterior guide member (4), (C) an engagement member (7), (D) a first pair of parallel connector rails (509, 510), and (E) an adjustment system (13). When the anterior guide member and the posterior guide member are connected by the first pair of connector rails, via the engagement member, the angled channels of the anterior guide member and the posterior guide member converge in the direction of a distal end, with the convergence angle of the angled channels being in the range of from 2 to 6 degrees, such as from 2 to 5 degrees.

Abstract: A surgical instrument bolt for use with an orthopaedic prosthesis inserter includes a bolt head and a bolt shaft that extends away from the bolt head. The bolt shaft includes a threaded end and a shank located between the threaded end and the bolt head. The bolt shaft also includes an inner surface that defines an axial passageway that extends through at least a portion of the bolt shaft. In some embodiments, the axial passageway may extend completely through the bolt shaft and bolt head or may be embodied as a blind passageway in other embodiments.

Abstract: Surgical instrumentation may be used to insert a spinal implant into an intradiscal space while in a non-deployed condition and then deploy the spinal implant within the intradiscal space.

Abstract: A cover device may include a body with an inner surface and an outer surface, each of the inner surface and the outer surface extending from a first end face of the body to a second end face of the body. The inner surface may define a channel extending through the body from the first end face to the second end face. The body may define a plurality of grooves extending from the first end face to the second end face. Portions of each groove may be defined by the inner surface, the first end face, the outer surface, and the second end face. Each of the body, the inner surface, and the outer surface may be configured to elastically deform relative to at least an axis of the channel.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to mechanical devices for augmenting dexterous reach and sensing of a user. The devices can include a proximal portion configured to receive an appendage of a user; a distal portion configured detect sensory information; an articulation positioned between the proximal and distal portion to provide for motion of the distal portion via manipulation of the proximal portion; wherein the distal portion comprising a sensing element and the proximal portion comprises a feedback element, the feedback element being connected to the sensing element providing for physical extension of sensory capabilities of the appendage.

Abstract: An orthopedic joint for a prosthesis, includes an upper part, a lower part which is mounted on the upper part in a pivotal manner about a pivot axis, and a rotation hydraulic unit, which has a housing with a chamber and a pivot piston that is pivotally mounted in the chamber and divides the chamber into a flexion chamber and an extension chamber, the chambers being hydraulically connected together via at least one channel. The joint also includes a pretensioning device which supports a pivoting movement of the upper part relative to the lower part, wherein the pretensioning device is coupled directly to the pivot piston via a support.

Abstract: This disclosure is related to devices and related methods for isolating a treatment region in a human body from fluid pressure. In various embodiments, an implantable device for isolating a treatment region in a human body from fluid pressure comprises a first elongated segment, and a second elongated segment, and one or more branch segments in fluid communication with one of the first elongated segment and the second elongated segment. The elongated segments have a combined cross section that is substantially conformable to an intraluminal cross section of a body lumen into which they are implanted. A method of installing an implantable medical device into the body of a patient comprises deploying a first elongated segment, deploying a second elongated segment, and deploying one or more branch segments in a target region of a vasculature.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to mechanical parts including a brace member. The brace member includes a first carbon fullerene and a second carbon fullerene. The first carbon fullerene forms a substantially spherical structure and is pyrolyzed. The second carbon fullerene is contained within the substantially spherical structure of the first carbon fullerene. In some examples, the mechanical parts define a stent. The stent includes an outer tube, an inner tube, and a brace member. The inner tube is coaxially aligned with the outer tube and contained within the outer tube. The brace member of the stent is disposed between the inner tube and the outer tube and is comprised of pyrolytic carbon.

Abstract: An implantable stent may include a braided tubular member formed of braided wires and including radially outward wire segments crossing over and positioned radially outward of radially inward wire segments at a plurality of crossover points. Also, the radially outward wire segments may be coated with a coating and the radially inward wire segments may be uncoated and devoid of the coating.

Abstract: An intracranial stent includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a tubular sidewall extending there between and a patch covering at least a portion of the sidewall; wherein the patch is capable of diverting blood flow past the neck of an intracranial aneurysm. The patch may be made of a photon-activatable material or a tightly woven metal material with a density greater than a density of the sidewall itself.

Abstract: An expandable stent to enhance the supply of blood to downstream tissue which is being supplied with blood through a diseased intracranial artery with a stenosis formed therein by plaque with a bore therethrough. The expandable stent includes first and second end portions joined by a central portion. The central portion is configured in the expanded state of the stent to be located in the bore of the stenosis with the first and second end portions abutting non-diseased parts of the artery adjacent the proximal and distal ends of the stenosis for anchoring the stent in the artery. The central portion with the stent in the expanded state is configured to apply a radial outward pressure to the stenosis such that the diameter of the bore of the stenosis is maintained at its current diameter or increased to approximately 50% of the non-diseased parts of the artery.

Abstract: Thin-film mesh for medical devices and related methods are provided. The thin-film mesh may include slits to be expanded into pores, and the expanded thin-film mesh may be used as a cover for a stent device. The thin-film mesh has a tube-shape and the slits may be angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tube-shape thin-film mesh. The angled slits allow for the thin-film mesh to expand in multiple dimensions, including along the longitudinal axis and along the circumferential direction of the tube-shape thin-film mesh. The slits may be provided in diagonal rows arranged in longitudinal columns. Longitudinal columns of different types of slits may be arranged along the circumferential direction on the tube-shape thin-film mesh to form a zig-zag pattern of slits. The thin-film mesh may be formed from thin-film Nitinol (TFN) and may be fabricated via sputter deposition on a micropatterned wafer.

Abstract: A stent delivery system includes a core member and a coupling assembly rotatably coupled to the core member distal segment. The coupling assembly includes first and second plates and first and second spacers. The first plate is rotatably coupled to the core member and includes an outer surface having three or more projections separated by recesses. The first spacer is coupled to the core member and disposed between the first plate and a proximal restraint. The second plate is rotatably coupled to the core member and includes an outer surface having three or more projections separated by recesses. The second spacer is coupled to the core member and disposed between the first plate and the second plate. A stent extends along the core member distal segment such that an inner surface of the stent is engaged by one or more projections of the first plate or the second plate.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis system deployable in a region of a patient's vasculature having one or more branch vessels, having a main graft body having a first opening in a wall portion of the main graft body and a pre-loaded guidewire positioned inside the main graft body and advanced through the first opening. One or more branch grafts can be attached to the main graft body to cover one or more openings in the main graft body.

Abstract: A guide sheath device with an integrated stabilization wire is provided. The guide sheath device includes an elongate member having a proximal and distal end and a lumen there between and a stabilization wire integrated to the elongate member.

Abstract: Embodiments discussed herein are directed to devices, systems and methods for effectively treating post endovascular procedure complications such as endoleaks within an aneurysm sac. Some embodiments may include a delivery system with an integral aneurysm sac conduit configured for the introduction of materials which may be useful for treating endoleaks or the like.

Abstract: A delivery device for controllably delivering multiple implants (e.g., intravascular implants) is described herein. The delivery device may include a lockout mechanism to prevent against inadvertent implant deployment prior to initial use. The delivery device may also include a re-sheath mechanism to allow for re-sheathing of an inner core assembly prior to removal of the delivery device from an initial deployment site. The delivery device may also further include a mechanism configured to prevent against re-sheathing of a partially-deployed implant.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for delivering and deploying an intravascular device into the vessel including an outer and inner tube that are axially linked by a housing structure at the proximal end of the catheter, and a retractable sleeve structure having a middle tube and sleeve tip. The sleeve tip is sealed to the inner tube at the distal end, and continuously extends into the middle tube. At the proximal end of the sleeve structure, the middle tube is sealed to either a housing structure or slideable proximal ring, forming a sealed chamber between the inner tube and the sleeve structure. A radial space is formed between the sleeve tip and the inner tube optimized for intravascular device placement. During retraction of the sleeve structure, the fold of the sleeve tip peels away from the device, which expands to its deployed state while minimizing axial forces and friction.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treating obesity are provided. More particularly, intragastric devices and devices for inflating and methods of fabricating, deploying, inflating, monitoring, and retrieving the same are provided.

Abstract: An ankle inversion sprain protection device, adapted for various shoe bodies, includes a first lacing element, fastened at the lateral bottom position in the shoe, and a second lacing element, extended outwardly from a top end of the first lacing element so as for being embraced above an ankle, such that when the ankle is overly turned inwards, the ankle will be held from the outer side by the second lacing element and therefore be protected from inversion sprain. The present invention is different from conventional ankle guard and provides a more effective protection for the ankle in a comfortable and convenient manner to the user.

Abstract: The device for rehabilitation of children with childhood cerebral palsy (CCP) comprises a sleeve/tube (1) made of an elastic material and cuffs made of Velcro strips (2). A frequently occurring problem during rehabilitation of children suffering from CCP is their wrong posture while sitting on the floor. The patients find this position is very comfortable since it provides good stability. However, this results in both wrong position of joints and wrong muscle function being developed, in particular body movement and balance are maintained by means of support on the inside on the foot with the knee being turned inwards. An inverted “knee inward” leg position becomes fixated. The feet become twisted with the big toes pointing outwards, which enhances undesirable changes in the function of the knee and hip joints. The above-mentioned factors reduce the effectiveness of rehabilitation carried out by traditional methods.

Abstract: A brace that includes a body and a sensor device disposed in the body, where the sensor device includes a sensor that is configured to measure at least one parameter associated with a position of the housing. The brace also includes a controller communicably coupled to the sensor device. The controller can be configured to receive a plurality of measurements of the at least one parameter taken by the sensor device. The controller can also be configured to evaluate each measurement of the plurality of measurements.

Abstract: An automatic adjustable supporting equipment, including a supporting band, an adjusting device, and a controller, is provided. The supporting band wraps around a limb of a user. The adjusting device is disposed on the supporting band, and includes an actuating mechanism and an accelerometer. The actuating mechanism is configured to adjust a pressure applied on the limb by the supporting band. The accelerometer is configured to detect an acceleration value. The controller is coupled to adjusting device, and is configured to drive the actuating mechanism to adjust the pressure to a preset pressure value according to the acceleration value.

Abstract: A male external catheterization system for a nonmobile male user includes a panel, which is pliable and has an orifice substantially centrally positioned therethrough. A tube is coupled to an outer face of the panel and extends from the orifice. The tube is circumferentially larger proximate to the panel. At least a portion of a penis is insertable into the tube from an inner face of the panel. The tube is engaged a suction unit that suctions urine that exits the penis through the tube into the suction unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inserter for an intrauterine system, comprising a handle (1,11), an insertion tube (4) having a longitudinal direction and connected to the handle, and a plunger (3) arranged inside the insertion tube. The inserter also comprises a force sensor (6, 5 9) arranged between the insertion tube and the handle. The insertion tube is partially arranged inside the force sensor in such a manner that when force is exerted on the insertion tube along its longitudinal direction, the insertion tube is arranged to move with respect to the force sensor.

Abstract: An everting balloon system is disclosed that can be used for the placement of an IUD within the uterine cavity of a female patient. The everting balloon system with IUD can be used to access a uterine cavity at specific locations in the fundus. A one-handed IUD delivery system for placement with an everting catheter is disclosed. An IUD loading system for placement within an everting catheter is disclosed. The everting catheter with an IUD can simplify the process of IUD placement within the uterine cavity.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cold and hot thermal treatment device. Hot heat and cold heat are produced by a heat production unit and are periodically and repeatedly transferred to a heat transfer unit that is in contact with a human body such that a temperature is not suddenly changed but is gradually changed. Thus, the device may be used when diagnosing whether vascular reactivity is maintained in corresponding hands and feet, may generate a temperature stimulus, and may repeatedly perform the temperature stimulus, thereby improving the vascular reactivity.

Abstract: A method for an eye treatment includes the steps of: providing guide elements made on the specific sites of a subject which comprise (1) a site that intersects a perpendicular line of medial malleolus and an extension line of medial margin on OS metatasale primam 1 and 2, (2) a pupil of a left or right eye, (3) ST 36 point of a left or right leg, and (4) SP point; and controlling a temperature of the guide elements to be a range from 40 to 50±5° C., thereby applying the thermal stimulus to the respective specific sites to increase a blood flow by 60% or more and promote secretion of a growth hormone in the subject.

Abstract: The current invention provides a heating pad with a storage pouch and/or straps. The heating pad itself can store its controller and cord in a neat and compact manner within the pouch and/or secured by the straps or another fastener like a hook and loop fastener.

Abstract: A catheter is provided comprising a flexible heat transfer element provided on an outer surface of the catheter, a conduit arranged to supply an inflation fluid for inflating the flexible heat transfer element so as to form an inflated balloon, a guide wire lumen for receiving a guide wire, and an elongate cooling element arranged to cool said inflation fluid for inflating the balloon. Said cooling element and said guide wire lumen are arranged inside the flexible heat transfer element such that, when inflated the cooling element is substantially central within the balloon and said guide wire lumen is parallel to and radially offset from the cooling element.

Abstract: Methods of delivering agents to structures within the eye are provided.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides techniques for inducing collagen cross-linking in human tissue, such as cartilage, by inducing ionization of the water contained in the tissue to produce free radicals that induce chemical cross-linking in the human tissue. In an embodiment, a femtosecond laser operates at sufficiently low laser pulse energy to avoid optical breakdown of the tissue being treated. In an embodiment, the femtosecond laser operates in the infrared frequency range.

Abstract: A therapeutic device to release a therapeutic agent comprises a porous structure coupled to a container comprising a reservoir. The reservoir comprises a volume sized to release therapeutic amounts of the therapeutic agent for an extended time when coupled to the porous structure and implanted in the patient. The porous structure may comprise a first side coupled to the reservoir and a second side to couple to the patient to release the therapeutic agent. The length of the channels extending from the fist side to the second side may comprise an effective length greater than a distance across the porous structure from the first side to the second side. The therapeutic device may comprise a penetrable barrier to inject therapeutic agent into the device when implanted in the patient.

Abstract: Control apparatus (1) for controlling the dosing of a chromophoric agent (100) in a corneal tissue (101), comprising: a first source (2) for irradiating the corneal tissue (101) with at least a first electromagnetic radiation (21); first measurement means (3) for measuring a first spectroscopic parameter (31), such as the fluorescence intensity or the diffused intensity; a processing unit (4) configured to calculate a factor (C) representative of the concentration of the chromophoric agent (100) inside the corneal tissue (101) in response to at least two measurements of the first spectroscopic parameter (31), of which one measurement is indicative of the energy perturbation caused by the first electromagnetic radiation (21) in the corneal tissue (101) without the chromophoric agent (100) and the further measurement is indicative of the energy perturbation caused by the first electromagnetic radiation (21) in the corneal tissue (101) containing the chromophoric agent (100).

Abstract: A narrow angle illumination light source for an ophthalmic surgical laser system includes multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs), multiple corresponding ball lenses, multiple corresponding upper apertures located between the LEDs and the lenses (optional), and multiple corresponding lower apertures located below the lenses. The light passing through each upper aperture and corresponding lens forms a light cone having a defined divergence angle and cone axis angle; the light cone only illuminates the corneal and sclera of a docked eye without illuminating the patients nose and orbit. The lower apertures may have distinctive shapes to aid video focusing. The multiple LEDs are distributed uniformly in the circle, and may be divided into multiple independently controllable segments which allows directional illumination The LEDs also have controllable brightness to allow images of darker and brighter illuminations to be taken in short succession.

Abstract: In one embodiments, a phacoemulsification apparatus includes a phacoemulsification probe including a horn, a needle mounted in the horn and configured for insertion into a lens capsule of a human eye, and a piezoelectric actuator configured to vibrate the horn and the needle and having a resonant frequency, a signal generator configured to generate a drive signal to drive a vibration of the piezoelectric actuator, phase detection circuitry configured to measure a phase difference between: a voltage across the piezoelectric actuator, and a current flowing through the piezoelectric actuator in response to the drive signal, and a controller configured to adjust a frequency of the drive signal so as to minimize the measured phase difference, whereby the piezoelectric actuator vibrates at the resonant frequency.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical instrument directed to phacoemulsification for cataract eye surgery. The instrument generally includes a hollow titanium needle extending from a vibration generating handpiece. Together, the hollow needle and handpiece form an aspiration pathway to suck cataractous debris from an eye. A piezoelectric transducer in the handpiece generates both high and low ultrasonic frequency vibrations that rings the needle. The low frequency produces a node-free standing wave along the needle and the high frequency produces a standing wave along the needle with a node of minimum amplitude along the needle. Both frequencies produce a high anti-node at the needle's tip. The low frequency causes higher cavitation for emulsifying the cataract and the high frequency facilitates fragmentation of the cataract with a low heat portion of the needle at the eye incision point. The placement of the node along the needle can be tailored by way of a tapered section in a step horn region of the handpiece.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical instrument directed to phacoemulsification for cataract eye surgery. The instrument generally includes a dual frequency voltage producing circuit comprising a low-frequency voltage pathway with a low-frequency LC Network and a high-frequency voltage pathway with a high-frequency LC network. A phacoemulsification needle extends from a handpiece able to be driven by a piezoelectric transducer. The piezoelectric transducer is electrically connected to the dual frequency voltage producing circuit. The high-frequency voltage pathway is electrically tuned with the physical high natural frequency of the handpiece and the low-frequency voltage pathway is electrically tuned with the physical low natural frequency of the handpiece for efficient transfer of energy.

Abstract: A system for preparation of an implant and ab interno insertion of the implant into an eye including a handle having one or more actuators and an elongated shaft having an outer sheath and an elongate member positioned within a lumen of the tubular outer sheath. The system includes a recess sized for holding a patch of material fixed relative to the handle and a cutting member movable relative to the handle and to the recess. The cutting member cuts the patch of material into an implant as the cutting member moves towards a cutting configuration. The implant, once cut, is axially aligned with the lumen of the tubular outer sheath. The inner elongate member is movable relative to the tubular outer sheath to advance the implant into a deployment position in the lumen of the tubular outer sheath for delivery into the eye. Related devices and methods are provided.

Abstract: A device (100) is provided for treating diseases that produce elevated intraocular pressures, such as glaucoma, wherein the device (100) includes a housing shell (101) defining a cavity (107) between a first end (102) and a second end (104) of the housing shell (101), and an elastic membrane (110) disposed within the cavity (107) to divide the cavity (107) into a fluidic channel (106) that permits a flow of fluid from the first end (102) to the second (104) end and a sealed cavity (112). The elastic membrane (110) deforms to change the volume of the sealed cavity (107) responsive to pressure fluctuations between the first and second ends (102, 104), thereby varying the fluidic resistance of the flow of fluid through the fluidic channel (106).

Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical laser system includes a laser beam delivery system having multiple moving components for scanning a laser focal spot in a target eye tissue, where the motors that actuate some of the moving components are equipped with respective digital encoders that measure actual motor positions. A controller controls the laser beam delivery system to perform a treatment scan, while recording the actual motor positions from the encoders. Using the actual motor positions and a calibration relationship between actual motor positions and delivered laser focal spot positions in a target tissue, a laser cutting pattern is digitally reconstructed, which represents the incisions actually achieved by the treatment scan. The reconstructed laser cutting pattern may be visually inspected and further analyzed, e.g. to compare it to the intended laser cutting pattern used to execute the treatment scan, to calculate the achieved refractive correction, or to simulate tissue resetting.

Abstract: A method for a minimally invasive, cell-selective laser therapy on the eye. The method, based on a short-pulse laser system, allows for different selective types of therapy on the eye. The method is based on a frequency-doubled, continuously working solid-state laser including a pump source and a control unit. The control unit regulates the pump source such that the solid-state laser emits individual pulses with pulse lengths ranging from 50 ns to continuous, wherein pulse lengths ranging from 50 ns to 50 ?s are provided for selective therapies and pulse lengths ranging from 50 ?s to continuous are provided for coagulative or stimulating therapies, in particular in the range from 1 ms to 500 ms. The proposed method enables a selective treatment of melanin-containing cells in the different areas of the eye via the targeted control of the pump source.

Abstract: Methods and systems wherein laser induced refractive index changes by focused femtosecond laser pulses in optical polymeric materials or ocular tissues is performed to address various types of vision correction, and the laser induced changes to the refractive index avoid ablation and removal of the optical polymer materials while minimizing scattering losses.