Abstract: A surgical instrument for use in a sinus lift procedure and methods for performing sinus lift procedures. A surgical instrument includes a shank having a body portion, a first end, an opposite second end, and a neck portion disposed between the body portion and the first end. The shank body portion defines a first longitudinal axis and the neck portion defines a second longitudinal axis. The shank further defines a head coupled with the first end. The head includes a flat proximal surface that extends radially outward of the neck portion and a domed distal surface opposite the first proximal surface. The second longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the proximal surface.

Abstract: The invention encompasses improved catheters comprised of multiple tubular bodies and methods of using them in artificial insemination.

Abstract: A system effectively narrows a patulous Eustachian tube (ET) of a patient with a guide catheter, instrument, and insert. The guide catheter includes a shaft, a lumen and a distal end configured to provide access the ET when the guide catheter is inserted into a head of the patient. The instrument comprises a shaft. The insert comprises a body configured to radially expand and retract between a non-expanded state and an expanded state. The insert is sized and shaped to be received within the first lumen when in the non-expanded state and is operable to expand to the expanded state to substantially reduce an effective diameter of the ET.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a magnetic dressing and a preparation method and use thereof, belonging to the technical field of pharmaceutical preparations. The magnetic dressing includes a magnetic layer, a drug-loading layer, and a protective layer that are stacked in sequence, where the magnetic layer includes polyvinyl alcohol, gluten, and iron particles. In the present disclosure, a swallowed magnetic dressing is controlled by an external magnetic field, and the magnetic dressing is moved to a pathological position by changing a direction of the external magnetic field; after the external magnetic field is removed, the magnetic dressing changes from a ring to a sheet, thereby completing attachment of an entire lesion surface to complete treatment by autonomous drug release.

Abstract: A vented wound dressing barrier includes one or more membrane layers with a plurality of vents. The vents are cut along a perimeter of the vents through the one or more membrane layers. Each vent having a connection portion uncut relative to the one or more membrane layers thereby forming a hinge configured to allow the vents to open for drainage when exposed to fluid underlying the vented wound dressing barrier. The plurality of vents is each cut along the perimeter without removal of any of the membrane layer. The one or more membrane layers with the plurality of vents has a surface for covering a wound, the surface area in the absence of a fluid pressing on the vents having no openings or voids which reduce the surface area of a vented wound dressing barrier area covering a wound.

Abstract: A tampon including a pledget, a wicking member disposed in direct contact with the pledget, and a withdrawal cord is disclosed. The wicking member is non-coaxially arranged with respect to the withdrawal cord.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent hygiene product is provided, including a main part having a body facing surface intended to face the body of a user and a garment facing surface intended to face away from the body of a user. The main part includes a liquid permeable topsheet at the body facing surface, a liquid impermeable backsheet at the garment facing surface, and an absorbent assembly arranged between the topsheet and the backsheet. The liquid permeable topsheet material includes a hydrophilically treated polypropylene spunbond nonwoven or spunbond/meltblown composite nonwoven, having a basis weight of from 8 to 20 g/m2. An acquisition layer material is provided sandwiched between said topsheet and said absorbent assembly, being an through air bonded nonwoven.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to stranded elastomeric laminates (including bi-laminates and tri-laminates) comprising beamed elastics and may have inventive Dtex-to-Nonwoven-Basis-Weight-Ratios, Dtex-to-Spacing-Ratios, and/or Void-Area-to-Strand-Area-Ratios. The stranded laminates of the present disclosure may be used for disposable absorbent article components (including pant belts) and may comprise inventive bonding arrangements that yield inventive textures and texture arrangements. When the inventive stranded elastomeric laminates are used for pant belts, the pants may have inventive Application-Forces, Sustained-Fit-Load-Forces, and Sustained-Fit-Unload-Forces. Further, when absorbent articles are packaged under compression at inventive In-Bag-Stack-Heights, the stranded elastomeric laminates of the present disclosure maintain their inventive properties and characteristics, including their inventive textures.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing an elastic composite structure for an absorbent sanitary product includes a bonding unit configured to bond a first web layer to a second web layer via a bond pattern that includes at least one bond line having at least one pair of adjacent bonds. The bonding unit secures an elastic thread within a passage defined by the at least one pair of adjacent bonds. The passage has a cross-sectional area smaller than a cross-sectional area of the elastic thread in a non-tensioned state.

Abstract: A material web having a film layer and a nonwoven layer, along with methods of making the material web, are described. The material web has a plurality of micro-deformations and a plurality of macro-deformations, each of the macro-deformations having a distal end, wherein a first portion of macro-deformations has an open or partially open distal end and wherein a second portion of macro-deformations has distal ends which are configured differently than the distal ends of the first portion, and wherein the material web forms a portion of the topsheet.

Abstract: An elastic sheet for an absorbent article includes a first fibrous layer disposed on a first surface of the elastic sheet, a second fibrous layer disposed on a second surface of the elastic sheet opposite to the first surface, and contractible elastic members secured between the first fibrous layer and the second fibrous layer. The first fibrous layer and the second fibrous layer each include continuous fibers of thermoplastic and gathers formed between adjacent ones of the elastic members. The gathers are disposed in an intersecting direction intersecting with a direction in which the elastic members extend. An average flexural rigidity value of the first fibrous layer and the second fibrous layer in accordance with a KES method is 0.0035×10?4 to 0.022×10?4 (N·m2/m). A thickness under a compression load to the gathers in accordance with the KES method is 0.22 to 1.5 mm.

Abstract: A package of personal care articles. Each of the personal care articles has a nonwoven substrate as a component. The nonwoven substrate can have a first surface defining a plane of the first surface and a non-regular pattern of a plurality of three-dimensional features extending outwardly from the plane of the first surface. The non-regular pattern can include a first zone of first three-dimensional features and a second zone of second three-dimensional features, wherein in at least one of the first or second zones of the plurality of three-dimensional features has a first three-dimensional feature having a first intensive property and a second three-dimensional feature having a second, different intensive property. The personal care articles can be compressed in the package.

Abstract: A mesh assembly for cosmetic surgery that can be used for tissue lifting is proposed. The mesh assembly includes: a mesh sleeve that includes a multiple number of helical string members, which are entwined in intersecting directions to form a passage having a particular diameter within the mesh sleeve; a core that extends along a first direction and is positioned within the passage; and a protrusion that protrudes from the outer perimeter of the core in a direction inclined towards one side and extends through a gap between the string members to the outside of the mesh sleeve. The mesh assembly can have a drastically greater strength compared to a regular surgical thread and can also be joined to the surgical site with high strength, thus providing greater utility in procedures such as tissue lifting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a prosthetic knit based on at least a first yarn of biocompatible polymer material defining first and second opposite and openwork faces, and on at least a second biocompatible and heat-fusible monofilament yarn, forming barbs that protrude outwards from at least said first face and are obtained by melting loops generated by said second yarn, the chart followed for the knitting of said first and second yarns on a warp knitting machine having three guide bars B1, B2, B3 being the following, according to the ISO 11676 standard:—Bar B1: 1.0/0.1//—Bar B2: 1.0/7.7/6.6/7.78—Bar B3: 2.1/5.5/3.4/0.0// said second yarn following the chart of bar B3. The present invention also relates to a process for manufacturing such a knit.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pulmonary artery stent. The pulmonary artery stent includes: a metal stent capable of circumferential expansion; and an isolation membrane wrapping the metal stent to isolate the metal stent from an external environment, and the isolation membrane having a circumferential tensile strength less than an axial tensile strength. The embodiments of the present disclosure can not only expand the diameter of the stent according to a change in the diameter of a blood vessel to meet a support performance requirement after the blood vessel enlarges but also isolate the metal portion of the stent from a vascular environment, thus effectively solving a problem of in-stent restenosis.

Abstract: An adjustable fixation device includes a cleat portion and a suture portion, where the suture portion has a loop portion and a suture tail. Pulling on the suture tail places in tension a graft coupled to the loop portion. The suture is arranged to convey a mechanical advantage so that substantial force can be readily and controllably applied to the graft.

Abstract: Allografts for soft tissue repair, including breast reconstruction and other plastic surgery procedures, are disclosed. One allograft is made from decellularized dermal tissue and constitutes a collagen matrix having substantially uniform density and porosity. Another allograft is a hybrid bilayer tissue form that is made from decellularized dermal and adipose tissues. Methods for making both allografts are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating composition for an in-vivo implantable prosthesis including a photoinitiator, a crosslinking agent, and a phosphorylcholine (pc) monomer having an acrylate group, a method of coating an in-vivo implantable prosthesis using the coating composition, and a cosmetic prosthesis coated with the crosslinked polyphosphorylcholine. An in-vivo implantable prosthesis coated with crosslinked polyphosphorylcholine may be manufactured by a simple method of applying a coating composition including a photoinitiator, a crosslinking agent, and a phosphorylcholine (pc) monomer having an acrylate group according to the present invention, and then irradiating uv rays. The crosslinked polyphosphorylcholine coating may provide hydrophilicity for the surface and may also remarkably reduce adsorption of proteins and fibroblasts, which may cause side effects such as capsular contracture.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering an implant to an eye using hydraulic fluid flow or pressure. An implant may be stored, advanced, and delivered to an eye using hydraulic fluid stored in a sterile container through a hollow advancement plunger. The plunger may rigidly advance the implant to a sealed position in a first phase, and then the implant may be advanced into the eye via hydraulic pressure or fluid flow in a second phase.

Abstract: A valve for endovascular heart valve repair that provides improved sealing of the valve against the native wall. The valve assembly has a sealing region at a distal end of the valve. The sealing region having a delivery position and a sealing position, wherein in the delivery position, the sealing region has a first length, and in the sealing position, the sealing region has a second length less than the first length and a thickness in the sealing position is greater in the sealing position than in the delivery position.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic valve that is radially collapsible to a collapsed configuration and radially expandable to an expanded configuration includes an annular frame including a plurality of angled strut members, a plurality of leaflets disposed within the frame and secured to the frame, and a skirt member secured to the frame. The skirt member is disposed about an edge portion of a leaflet of the plurality of leaflets, and the skirt member includes a plurality of extension portions wrapped around at least one strut member. A cord member is threaded through at least a portion of the plurality of extension portions in a direction along an axis of the at least one strut member to secure the skirt member to the at least one strut member.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic valve has an upper frame section and a lower frame section. The upper frame section has a plurality of struts and a first leaflet receiving surface at a lower portion of the upper frame section. The lower frame section has a second leaflet receiving surface at an upper portion of the lower frame section. An edge of a flexible leaflet is disposed between the first and second leaflet receiving surfaces to attach the leaflet to the upper and lower frame sections.

Abstract: A stent device with skirt folds and a processing method thereof, a skirt folding method, and a heart valve. The stent device comprises a stent (1, 105) and a flexible skirt (2, 107), the skirt (2, 107) having an expanded state, in which the skirt is axially extended and surrounds the stent (1, 105) before release thereof, and a folded state, in which the skirt is driven by the deformation caused when the stent (1, 105) is released, collapses and folds axially along the released stent (1, 105) so as to form an annular peripheral leakage-blocking portion. The peripheral leakage prevention technology enables an interventional stent to fit to the inner wall of a vessel more snugly, such that the stent does not easily move and is more stable, thereby being suitable for more people, reducing additional risks of surgery and preventing complications such as peripheral leakage and thrombus.

Abstract: Various systems, devices and methods associated with the placement of a dock or anchor for a prosthetic valve. The anchor can comprise a plurality of coils adapted to support a valve prosthesis, the plurality of coils including an upper coil, one or more middle coils, and a lower coil. The upper coil can have a larger diameter than the one or more middle coils and the lower coil, and the upper coil is configured to engage a wall of an atrium of the heart at a position superior to and spaced axially from the mitral valve annulus after the plurality of coils have been fully delivered from the coil guide catheter.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for performing a valve replacement or repair. Apparatuses may include systems and may include an outer catheter, one or more interchangeable inner catheters, a guidewire and an expandable chordae tendinae deflector. Also described herein are rapid pacing sheaths that may be used with any of these apparatuses and methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a double steerable sheath, a delivery system comprising such a sheath and a method for deployment of a medical device, e.g. a replacement heart valve prosthesis, in a patient's heart.

Abstract: A delivery device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes an inner shaft, an outer shaft, and a distal sheath. The distal sheath may be disposed distal to the outer shaft and about a portion of the inner shaft to form a compartment with the inner shaft. The compartment may be sized to receive the prosthetic heart valve. The inner shaft and the distal sheath may be movable relative to one another. A spine may extend along the outer shaft, the spine biasing the outer shaft so that the outer shaft tends to bend in a pre-determined direction.

Abstract: A sheath facilitating retraction of prosthetic implant is provided. The sheath includes a tubular body, and the distal end of the body is connected with an expandable section. The expandable section has relative converged configuration and flared configuration and includes a primary expandable area and a secondary expandable area. The primary expandable area includes a plurality of first expandable pieces arranged at intervals in a circumferential direction of the body. The secondary expandable area includes a plurality of second expandable pieces arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the body, and all the second expandable pieces include two alternating groups consisting of a first group formed by further extending the first expandable pieces to the distal end and a second group formed by connecting strips wound between two adjacent first expandable pieces.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for the treatment or repair of regurgitant cardiac valves, such as a mitral valve. An annuloplasty device can be placed in the coronary sinus to reshape the mitral valve and reduce mitral valve regurgitation. A protective device can be placed between the annuloplasty device and an underlying coronary artery to inhibit compression of the underlying coronary artery by the annuloplasty device in the coronary sinus. In addition, the protective device can inhibit compression of the coronary artery from inside the heart, such as from a prosthetic mitral valve that exerts radially outward pressure toward the coronary artery. The annuloplasty device can also create an artificial inner ridge or retaining feature projecting into the native mitral valve region to help secure a prosthetic mitral valve.

Abstract: A method for in vitro simulation and evaluation of platelet adhesion in blood-contacting medical devices is disclosed, including the following steps: (1) using a glycerin aqueous solution with a mass percentage concentration of 40% in an extracorporeal circulation circuit to simulate a viscosity and hydrodynamic characteristics of blood, and adding fluorescent particles with a diameter of 3 ?m to 5 ?m to the solution to simulate platelets; (2) after the solution circulates in the circuit for a specified time period, removing flow passage components of a tested device, and observing the deposition of the fluorescent particles on a blood-contacting surface inside the device by naked eyes and photographs; and (3) using laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) technique to apply laser light on a device surface deposited with the fluorescent particles and in contact with blood, and using charge-coupled device (CCD) camera imaging to photograph the aggregation and adhesion of laser-induced fluorescent particles.

Abstract: A device implantable in a human body comprising a first component, or main support component, delimiting a plurality of openings, and a second component disposed on a surface of the main support component.

Abstract: There are provided herein methods and products resulting therefrom. The methods include attaching a pre-fabricated porous ingrowth structure to a substrate by applying heat, or creating and bonding an in-situ-formed porous ingrowth structure from beads on a substrate by applying heat. In some embodiments, an oxidized metal surface of the substrate is diffusion hardened during the heating process. In some embodiments, a vacuum is applied during the heating process. In some embodiments, pressure is applied during the heating process. Also provided herein are assemblies for compressing the pre-fabricated porous ingrowth structure or the beads onto the substrate during the heating process.

Abstract: A modular acetabular cup assembly includes an acetabular cup, and a liner seated in the cup. The cup includes an end face, an apex opposite the end face, and a central axis extending between the apex and a center point of the end face. The liner includes an articular surface having a center of rotation which defines a pivot point of the acetabular cup assembly. In certain embodiments, the pivot point is laterally offset from the center point such that the end face is located between the pivot point and the apex.

Abstract: Provided is a method of assembling an articular component of a prosthetic shoulder joint. The method includes: engaging an end of a coupler of a joint implant with a coupling portion of another component of the joint implant; providing relative rotation between the end of the coupler and the coupling portion of the other component of the joint implant along a continuous range of rotational positions while the end is engaged with the coupling portion of the other component of the joint implant; selecting an amount of eccentricity corresponding to a position within the continuous range of rotational position; and securing the other component of the joint implant to the end of the coupler at the selected amount of eccentricity.

Abstract: A method of providing a Vertebral Body Replacement (VBR) device for placement into a cervical spine between two endplates of a single vertebra during the course of an anterior spinal surgical procedure upon the cervical spine, wherein the VBR device has been given a PLR product code from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Abstract: An expandable fusion device may include a first endplate and a second endplate. The expandable fusion device may also include first and second ramps configured to mate with both the first and second endplates. The first ramp may include a mating feature having a first angle relative to a vertical axis, and the second ramp may include a mating feature having a second angle relative to the vertical axis such that the first angle is different from the second angle. In particular, the first and second ramps may be configured to provide for symmetrical expansion of the first and second endplates.

Abstract: A method for performing lumbar interbody fusion surgery may include forming an access corridor through a facet joint of a patient, removing disc material from a disc space of the patient via one or more instruments advanced through the access corridor, and advancing an interbody device through the access corridor and into the disc space.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cartilage morcellator for cutting various kinds of cartilage (including costal cartilage and the like) into small pieces by using an elevating-type cutting knife having a simple configuration such that same can be supplied to a plastic surgery part.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device that helps to reduce the potential for inaccuracies and uncertainties associated with allograft cartilage transfer procedures. In one embodiment, the disclosed device generally includes a shaft, a stationary ring attached to the shaft, and a movable ring attached to the shaft and configured to move either toward the stationary ring or away from the stationary ring along the axis of the shaft. In practice, the device may be placed within a recipient cavity and adjusted such that one ring is positioned at the distal surface of the recipient cavity and the other ring is flush with the native cartilage surface of the recipient. The device may be removed from the recipient cavity, a donor graft placed within, and any excess donor graft extending beyond the rings trimmed off. The donor graft may then be removed from the device and inserted within the recipient cavity.

Abstract: A material that can be formed into a porous prosthetic sleeve liner that provides particularly useful benefits for prosthetics. The material is breathable and sweat-absorbing, thus minimizing skin morbidity when used as a prosthetic liner. The material can include hydrophilic-lined continuous pores within a hydrophobic polymer, wherein the hydrophilic lining is crosslinked together with the hydrophobic polymer via non-degradable covalent interactions using chain crosslinkers.

Abstract: An example medical stent for treating a body lumen is disclosed. The example stent includes an expandable scaffold having a first end region, a second end region and an outer surface. The stent further includes a first fixation member coupled to the expandable scaffold and a biodegradable material disposed along the first fixation member at a first tissue engagement region. Further, the biodegradable material is designed to degrade from a first configuration in which the biodegradable material shields the first fixation member from a target tissue site to a second configuration in which the first fixation member is engaged with the target tissue site.

Abstract: A stent device including a stent cover having differing porosity ratio is disclosed. The stent covers the stent body comprising of stent wires and stent cells enclosed by the stent wires. The stent cover differs in porosity ratio for areas covering the stent wires and the areas covering the stent cells. The porosity ratio for areas covering the stent wires may have a higher porosity rate in order to promote endothelialization of the stent device. A bilayer stent cover differing in porosity ratio may be used to cover the stent body, as well as stent cover not covering the entirety of the stent body.

Abstract: A foot orthotic having a foot support where the foot support includes a thermoplastic outer shell, a closed cell foam liner within the outer shell, and a tongue to secure the user's foot within the foot support. The orthotic also typically has includes a lower leg support that includes a thermoplastic outer shell, a closed cell foam liner within the outer shell, and a strap to secure the orthotic to the user's leg within the lower leg support. A cinching mechanism that typically has a rotatable tightening knob is on the lower leg support, and a tightening cable coupled to the rotatable tightening knob and operably connected to the foot support.

Abstract: A filter assembly for an enclosure, particularly for an ostomy bag, is described having an enclosure side, a first layer which is gas permeable, and an adsorbent layer comprising adsorbent particles dispersed in a fine fiber web. The enclosure side of the filter assembly includes an adhesive zone in which adhesive is present having an outer adhesive perimeter and a weld area surrounding at least a portion of the adhesive zone, where the filter assembly is heat-sealable to the enclosure at the weld area. A method of assembly is also described.

Abstract: In an example, a fecal collection system includes a user interface assembly, a drainage conduit, and a collection reservoir. The user interface assembly includes a user interface and an applicator. The user interface has a proximal side and a distal side. The proximal side is configured to couple to skin of a user. The applicator is coupled to the distal side of the user interface. The applicator is removable from the user interface while the user interface is coupled to the user. The drainage conduit extends between a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is configured to couple to the distal side of the user interface. The drainage conduit defines a lumen configured to guide feces from the proximal end to the distal end. The collection reservoir coupled to the distal end of the drainage conduit.

Abstract: Examples relate to fluid collection devices, and related systems and methods. A fluid collection device includes a fluid impermeable barrier, a fluid permeable body, a tube, and a sump. The fluid impermeable barrier has a distal end region and defines an opening and a chamber in fluid communication with the opening. The fluid permeable body is positioned within the chamber at least partially at the distal end region. The tube extends into the chamber and has an end positioned proximate to the distal end region of the fluid impermeable barrier. The tube includes a tube opening at least proximate to the end of the tube and oriented to face at least a portion of the fluid permeable body. The sump is positioned in the area between the tube opening and the distal end region.

Abstract: An air hose includes a corrugated flexible hose. The air hose also includes a first hose end section mechanically coupled to the corrugated flexible hose. The first hose end section includes a pressure sensor communicatively coupled to a warming unit. The first hose end section is configured to releasably couple to a pneumatic convective device. The air hose also includes a second hose end section mechanically coupled to the corrugated flexible hose. The second hose end section is configured to couple to the warming unit.

Abstract: Multi-dose preservative-free ocular fluid delivery devices are provided. The fluid delivery device includes a fluid dispensing system and a fluid package for storing a liquid therein and supplying said liquid to the dispensing system. The dispensing system comprises an elongated chamber which includes a check valve which defines a frontal closure to the chamber. The valve is normally closed and hermetically seals the chamber. The dispenser includes a vibration motor that induces oscillations to the chamber and to the fluid within. The oscillations of the chamber impart momentum to the fluid stored in the chamber which in turn imparts force that cyclically opens the valve to dispense streams or liquid droplets. Fluid is dispensed only when the motor oscillates while otherwise the valve is hermetically closed.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to drug delivery devices and methods for the treatment of ocular disorders requiring targeted and controlled administration of a drug to an interior portion of the eye. In several embodiments, the devices are capable of controlled release of two or more drugs, the release of each drug into a different ocular space (e.g., an ocular compartment versus an ocular fluid outflow pathway).

Abstract: The invention provides for novel glaucoma surgical devices comprising a microfluidic meshwork. The meshwork comprises interconnected, cellular-dimensioned microfluidic channels. Excess fluid in the eye can be drained and diffused through the microfluidic channels. The meshwork is porous and highly flexible, affording mechanical compliance similar to that of eye tissue. The meshwork minimizes foreign body reactions to the implant, decreasing fibrosis and capsule formation.