Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or aids and accessories therefor inventions 01/06

20060020320 - Bifurcation graft deployment catheter: Disclosed is a deployment catheter for deploying a tubular endoluminal vascular prosthesis, useful in treating, for example, an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The deployment catheter includes a proximal tubular section and a distal tubular section which are axially movable in opposite directions to deploy a prosthesis. A central core extends throughout...

20060020319 - Device and method for delivering an endovascular stent-graft having a longitudinally unsupported portion: An endoluminal prosthesis having an unsupported or flexible region and a delivery system for delivering the endoluminal prosthesis is provided. The delivery system includes a prosthesis delivery catheter with stiffening elements that provide longitudinally rigid support to a flexible or unsupported portion of an endoluminal prosthesis as the prosthesis is...

20060020321 - Stent delivery system allowing controlled release of a stent: A stent delivery system includes a stent having at least one eyelet and at least one rivet and a holder supporting the stent, wherein the holder includes a first section having a first diameter and a second section having a second diameter. A sheath covers the stent and the holder....

20060020322 - Expandable framework with overlapping connectors: A stent may comprise a plurality of serpentine bands and connectors. A first connector may overlap a second connector when the stent is unexpanded. The first connector may also overlap the second connector in an unexpanded state when the stent is subject to compressive forces in the local area of...

20060020323 - Implantable expandable medical devices having regions of differential mechanical properties and methods of making same: An implantable expandable medical device in which selected regions of the device are in a martensite phase and selected regions are in an austenite phase. The martensitic regions exhibit pseudoplastic behavior in vivo and may be deformed without recovery under in vivo body conditions. In contrast the austenitic regions exhibit...

20060020324 - Balloon expandable crush-recoverable stent device: An intraluminal, balloon expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen is disclosed. The present invention provides a lumen support stent with an unobstructed through-lumen for use in a blood vessel. A constraining mechanism is provided for securely maintaining the stent in the collapsed condition during delivery. The stent is...

20060020325 - Material for high strength, controlled recoil stent: A biocompatible metallic material may be configured into any number of implantable medical devices including intraluminal stents. The intraluminal stents may be specifically configured to optimize the number of discrete equiaxed grains that comprise the wall dimension so as to provide the intended user with a high strength, controlled recoil...

20060020326 - Systems and methods for attaching a prosthesis within a body lumen or hollow organ: Systems and methods introduce and deploy prosthesis into a blood vessel or hollow body organ by intra-vascular access. The prosthesis is secured in place by fasteners which are implanted by an applier that is also deployed by intra-vascular access. The applier is configured to permit controlled, selective release of the...

20060020327 - Nonstented heart valves with formed in situ support: An implantable prosthetic valve having an in situ formable support structure and methods of deploying such a valve are disclosed. In one arrangement, the valve has a base and at least one flow occluder. A first flexible component which is incapable of retaining the valve at a functional site in...

20060020328 - Composite vascular graft having bioactive agent: A composite vascular graft incorporates bioactive agents to deliver therapeutic materials and/or inhibit or reduce bacterial growth during and following the introduction of the graft to the implantation site in a vascular system. A composite vascular graft includes a porous tubular graft member. A flexible ePTFE sheath is disposed over...

20060020329 - Semi-directional drug delivering stents: A semi-directional drug delivery stent for selectively delivering one or more therapeutic agents to an area of interest within a bodily or luminal structure is disclosed. In one embodiment, a semi direction drug delivery stent includes a generally cylindrical body defining at least one internal passage positioned longitudinally therein, a...

20060020331 - Coated medical device: A coated medical device adapted for introduction into a passage or vessel of a patient is provided. The medical device is preferably an implantable balloon with a bioactive deposited or within the balloon. The balloon can further include a hydrophilic material positioned between the balloon and a bioactive material posited...

20060020330 - Method of fabricating an implantable medical device with biaxially oriented polymers: Methods and systems for manufacturing an implantable medical device, such as a stent, from a tube with desirable mechanical properties, such as improved circumferential strength and rigidity, are described herein. Improved circumferential strength and rigidity may be obtained by inducing molecular orientation in materials for use in manufacturing an implantable...

20060020333 - Method of in situ formation of translumenally deployable heart valve support: A method of implanting a prosthetic valve within the heart comprises translumenally advancing a prosthetic valve comprising an inflatable structure to a position proximate a native valve of the heart. A first chamber of the inflatable structure is inflated and then, independently, a second chamber of the inflatable structure is...

20060020334 - Methods of cardiac valve replacement using nonstented prosthetic valve: A method of implanting a prosthetic valve within a heart comprises translumenally advancing a prosthetic valve comprising an inflatable structure to a position proximate a native valve of the heart. A portion of the inflatable structure that is distal to the native valve is inflated. A portion of the inflatable...

20060020332 - Nonstented temporary valve for cardiovascular therapy: A method of treating a patient utilizes a temporary valve. In one embodiment, an inflatable structure of a temporary valve is inflated at a cardiovascular site in fluid communication with a native valve. At least a portion of the native valve is removed translumenally. A prosthetic valve is deployed to...

20060020335 - System and method to effect the mitral valve annulus of a heart: An assembly for effecting the condition of a mitral valve annulus includes a mitral valve therapy device, a coupling structure carried by the device, a catheter, a second coupling structure, and a locking member. To implant the device, the device is first releasably locked to a pushing member by the...

20060020336 - Automated annular plication for mitral valve repair: A method for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: providing a plication assembly comprising a first anchoring element, a second anchoring element, and a linkage construct connecting the first anchoring element to the second anchoring element; positioning the first anchoring element in the coronary sinus adjacent to the mitral annulus, and positioning...

20060020338 - Process for making silicone intraocular lens with blue light absorption properties: A process for producing silicone intraocular lenses (IOLs) capable of absorbing blue light. Intraocular lenses so produced block blue light from reaching the retina of an eye implanted with the IOL. By blocking blue light from reaching the retina, the IOL thereby prevents potential damage to the retina....

20060020339 - Intraocular lens with an accommodating capability: An introocular lens (IOL) includes an optic; a haptic; a flexible membrane substantially encircling the optic and connected between the optic and the haptic, the flexible membrane having a flexibility greater than the optic and the haptic. The flexible membrane permits travel of the optic relative to the haptic to...

20060020337 - Process for making silicone intraocular lens with blue light absorption properties: A process for producing silicone intraocular lenses (IOLs) capable of absorbing blue light. Intraocular lenses so produced block blue light from reaching the retina of an eye implanted with the IOL. By blocking blue light from reaching the retina, the IOL thereby prevents potential damage to the retina....

20060020340 - Process for making silicone intraocular lens with blue light absorption properties: A process for producing silicone intraocular lenses (IOLs) capable of absorbing blue light. Intraocular lenses so produced block blue light from reaching the retina of an eye implanted with the IOL. By blocking blue light from reaching the retina, the IOL thereby prevents potential damage to the retina....

20060020341 - Intervertebral implant: In an intervertebral implant with a top contacting element, a bottom contacting element and arranged between these a core which with an upper, spherical bearing surface engages a spherical bearing socket, having the same radius, of the top contacting element and with a lower, spherical bearing surface engages a spherical...

20060020342 - Facet-preserving artificial disc replacements: Artificial disc replacement (ADR) components cooperate to limit axial rotation and/or lateral bending to a greater degree when the spine is extended than when the spine is a neutral to flexed position, thereby decreasing loads placed upon the facet joints. In the preferred embodiment, truncated articulating surfaces with non-articulating side...

20060020343 - System for articular surface replacement: A system for replacing a portion of an articular surface including providing an implant site and installing an implant into the implant site. The implant site includes a first and a second excision site which at least partially intersect with one another. Each of the first and second excision sites...

20060020344 - Shoulder implant assembly: An implant assembly and associated method for selectively performing reverse and traditional arthroplasty for a shoulder joint that includes a humerus and a glenoid. The implant assembly may include a head, a cup, a humeral stem and an adaptor. The method includes inserting the humeral stem to the humerus and...

20060020345 - Prosthesis device for the ankle articulation: A prosthetic ankle joint device for replacement of articular bearing surfaces of the natural joint comprises: a first component (2) for attachment to a first tibial bone segment (2a) having a first articulating bearing surface (5); a second component (3) for attachment to a second tarsal bone segment (3a) having...

20060020346 - Oxidized zirconium on a porous structure for bone implant use: A composition, a medical implant constructed from the composition, and a method of making the composition are described. The composition is a composite material, comprising a porous, reticulated, open cell network having at least part of its surface coated with blue-black or black oxidized zirconium....

20060020347 - Implanted bronchial isolation devices and methods: Disclosed are methods and devices for regulating fluid flow to and from a region of a patient's lung, such as to achieve a desired fluid flow dynamic to a lung region during respiration and/or to induce collapse in one or more lung regions. Pursuant to an exemplary procedure, an identified...

20060020349 - Immediate postoperative prosthesis: An immediate postoperative prosthesis including: a base adapted to receive a distal prosthetic component, the base comprising a substantially circular pan having a raised wall extending proximally about its periphery; a plurality of flexible straps mounted to and extending proximally from the interior face of the raised wall of the...

20060020348 - Method and associated system for recording and retrieving fabrication and/or fitting data associated with a prosthetic component: A method of socket design and fabrication for Below-the-Knee (BK) amputees that utilizes manual measurements. This method, known as BK by Measurement, utilizes a manual measurement procedure where predetermined points are identified and measurements are taken of a patient's residual limb. These measurements are recorded and thereafter entered into a...

20060015168 - Catheter: Catheters, as well as related systems and methods are disclosed....

20060015169 - Methods for treatment of aneurysmal tissue: Methods and apparatus for stabilizing vascular tissue adjacent the site of the placement of an intravascular repair vehicle such as a stent graft are provided. Thus, there is provided a method for stabilizing a segment of a blood vessel for placement of an intravascular repair vehicle comprising: isolating the segment...

20060015170 - Contrast coated stent and method of fabrication: The invention provides a system for treating a vascular condition. The system includes a catheter and a stent disposed on the catheter. The system further includes a stent with at least an outer portion of the stent framework coated with a drug polymer solution and a contrast medium substantially covering...

20060015171 - Deployment system for intraluminal devices: A constraining sheath for use around an endoprosthesis (e.g., a stent device, with or without a graft covering), which may be a balloon expandable endoprosthesis but more preferably is a self-expanding prosthesis. The endoprosthesis is coaxially enclosed within and substantially covered by the constraining sheath, which is an outer, removable...

20060015172 - Implantable expandable medical devices having regions of differential mechanical properties and methods of making same: An implantable expandable medical device in which selected regions of the device are in a martensite phase and selected regions are in an austenite phase. The martensitic regions exhibit pseudoplastic behavior in vivo and may be deformed without recovery under in vivo body conditions. In contrast the austenitic regions exhibit...

20060015173 - Endoprosthesis having foot extensions: Endoprosthesis, such as a stent, includes at least one annular element defined by a first set of strut members interconnected to define apices proximate opposite sides of the annular element. The annular element further includes a foot extension extending between at least one pair of circumferentially-adjacent strut members. The foot...

20060015167 - Method of producing low profile stent and graft combination: Large diameter self-expanding endoprosthetic devices, such as stents and stent grafts for delivery to large diameter vessels, such as the aorta, are disclosed having very small compacted delivery dimensions. Devices with deployed dimensions of 26 to 40 mm or more are disclosed that are compacted to extremely small dimensions of...

20060015174 - Expandable medical device for delivery of beneficial agent: An expandable medical device having a plurality of elongated struts, the plurality of elongated struts being joined together to form a substantially cylindrical device which is expandable from a cylinder having a first diameter to a cylinder having a second diameter, and the plurality of struts each having a strut...

20060015175 - Compliant implantable medical devices and methods of making same: Implantable medical grafts fabricated of metallic or pseudometallic films of biocompatible materials having a plurality of microperforations passing through the film in a pattern that imparts fabric-like qualities to the graft or permits the geometric deformation of the graft. The implantable graft is preferably fabricated by vacuum deposition of metallic...

20060015176 - Double layered intraluminal graft: Supplemental intraluminal graft extension achieved by cuff-means substantially fortify and enhance endovascularly emplaced systems, particularly for bridging aneurysms. Multiple embodiments based upon overlapping of at least two segments are taught. Cuff-means likewise have applications to restore patency to, or substantially enhance, prior failing emplacements of both home-made and other commercial...

20060015177 - Heart valve support and lid liner system and methods: Systems and methods for supporting a replacement heart valve are presented herein. A bioprosthesis may be stored in a storage container by suspending the bioprosthesis from a support structure. The volume of storage solution may be reduced by using a lid with a boss extending therefrom to displace some of...

20060015179 - Aortic annuloplasty ring: An annuloplasty ring to resize a dilated aortic root during valve sparing surgery includes a scalloped space frame having three trough sections connected to define three crest sections. The annuloplasty ring is mounted outside the aortic root, and extends in height between a base plane and a spaced apart commissure...

20060015178 - Implants and methods for reshaping heart valves: Tissue shaping methods and devices are provided for reinforcing and/or remodeling heart valves. In certain embodiments, magnetic tissue shaping devices are implanted in tissue adjacent heart valve leaflets. The devices are mutually attractive or repulsive so as to remodel the heart tissue and improve heart valve function. In certain other...

20060015180 - Intraocular telescope: The present disclosure relates to an intraocular lens system. The lens system includes a first lens adapted to be positioned in the anterior chamber of the eye, along an optical axis, a second lens adapted to be positioned in the posterior chamber of the eye along the optical axis and...

20060015181 - Interspinous vertebral implant: The anchoring means are formed by two fixing lugs (12, 13) which are integral with the body (11), extend on either side of the spinous process in the area of which they are intended to anchor when the implant is in place, and are each traversed by a through-opening (14,...

20060015182 - Patch material for intervertebral disc annulus defect repair: A patch for repairing defects in a intervertebral disc annulus, including a substantially thin layer of animal collagen arranged in a substantially circular shape, a fabric layer disposed beneath the layer of animal collagen and coupled to the layer of animal collagen by biological glue, a barrier layer of liquid...

20060015183 - Skeletal reconstruction device: A spinal column reconstruction device is disclosed including at least two bone surface engagement portions, each for fixation to distinct vertebral bone portions, a mobile portion of the device positioned between the two bone surface portions and providing for movement therebetween, and a motion limiter portion generally fixing the bone...

20060015184 - Stacking implants for spinal fusion: An implant system for fusing vertebrae includes a variety of shapes that may be stacked to accommodate different intervertebral spacings and curvatures. The implants comprise polymer-bone composites that have osteogenic properties. By selection of an appropriate set of shapes, the surgeon can tailor the overall shape of the implant before...

20060015185 - Knee prosthesis with a rotational plate: The knee prosthesis with rotary plate comprises a metal base (2) and a tibia plate (3) which are equipped with guide means (22, 22′, 22″, 26, 29, 5, 6, 5′, 9, 50, 51, 52, 13, 15, 18; 34, 34′, 34″, 35, 37, 7, 8, 10, 12, 53, 54, 55, 10′,...

20060015186 - Cup assembly of an orthopaedic joint prosthesis: A cup assembly of an orthopaedic joint prosthesis comprises a cup-shaped component which is rotationally symmetrical about a polar axis, and which is hollow to receive a rotationally symmetrical head of an component of the joint prosthesis. The cup-shaped component has a groove in its outer surface which extends around...

20060015188 - Prosthesis and method of implantation: A bone prosthesis for implantation at a joint is adapted to closely replicate the normal loading of the femur and is suitable for implantation using a single incision anterior approach, a form of minimally invasive surgery (MIS). The bone prosthesis comprises a stem adapted for orientation with a medial trabecular...

20060015189 - Implant and arrangement for especially replacing surfaces that are subject to stresses: The invention relates to an implant (100) for partially replacing surfaces that are subject to stresses, especially the surfaces of a joint. Said implant comprises a spherical or axial, preferably cylindrical base (116) to be inserted in an area removed from the bone, e.g. a punched or drilled area. The...

20060015187 - Pulsed current sintering for surfaces of medical implants: A porous medical implant and a method of making same is described. The medical implant comprises a porous surface formed by application of pulsed electrical energy ins such a way as to cause a localized heating in the surface of the material comprising portions of the implant. The method comprises...

20060015190 - Ureteral stent with end-effector and related methods: A system and related methods for maintaining the patentcy of the ureter comprising a pusher tube having a pusher tube lumen and an inflate lumen disposed within a wall of the pusher tube and a urinary stent having a proximal and distal portions with an elongated body portion therebetween configured...

20060015191 - Goniometric sensor: A goniometric sensor (1) for measuring the relative rotation of two objects (20, 25) includes a flexible elongated element (2) whose respective ends are connected to the two objects (20, 25) and during whose bending the length variation ΔL is determined of one of the fibers (15) not located at...

20060015192 - Functional foot cover: A cover for a foot prosthesis comprises an opening at a top end of the cover, which extends into a cavity formed within the cover, wherein the cavity is configured to receive a prosthesis therein. A wall surrounds the cavity and has the shape of a natural human foot. The...

20060009832 - Balloon catheter and method and system for securing a stent to a balloon catheter: A stent is retained on a balloon catheter with a stent retention feature in the form of a pillow which minimizes sliding of the stent on the balloon during stent delivery and deployment. The balloon catheter/stent assembly includes a balloon catheter having an elongated catheter shaft and a balloon positioned...

20060009833 - Delivery system and method for bifurcated graft: A flexible low profile delivery system for delivery of an expandable intracorporeal device, specifically, an endovascular graft, which has at least one belt circumferentially disposed about the device in a constraining configuration. The belt is released by a release member, such as a release wire, by retracting the wire from...

20060009834 - Reflowed drug-polymer coated stent and method thereof: The present invention provides a method of forming a drug-polymer coated stent. A polymeric coating is applied onto at least a portion of a stent framework and dried. A jet of heated gas is directed towards excess coating portions of the dried polymeric coating. The excess coating portions, which extend...

20060009835 - Graft, stent graft and method: The invention is directed to grafts, including graft fabrics, for implanting, transplanting, replacing or repairing a part of a patient. The present invention is also directed to stent grafts and endoluminal prostheses formed of the graft fabric. The problem of treating small and tortuous vessels of a patient with stent...

20060009836 - Intraluminal medical device having asymetrical members: This invention relates generally to expandable intraluminal medical devices for use within a body passageway or duct, and more particularly to an optimized stent having asymmetrical strut and loop members. In one embodiment of the invention the stent includes one or more members each having at least one component. The...

20060009837 - Intraluminal medical device having asymetrical members and method for optimization: This invention relates generally to expandable intraluminal medical devices for use within a body passageway or duct, and more particularly to an optimized stent having asymmetrical strut and loop members and the method for designing and optimizing said strut and loop members in a continuously variable fashion. In one embodiment...

20060009838 - Expandable medical device for delivery of beneficial agent: An expandable medical device has a plurality of elongated struts joined together to form a substantially cylindrical device which is expandable from a cylinder having a first diameter to a cylinder having a second diameter. At least one of the plurality of struts includes at least one opening extending at...

20060009839 - Composite vascular graft including bioactive agent coating and biodegradable sheath: A composite vascular graft incorporates bioactive agents to deliver therapeutic materials and/or inhibit or reduce bacterial growth during and following the introduction of the graft to the implantation site in a vascular system. A composite vascular graft includes a porous tubular graft member. One or more biodegradable, bioactive agent coating...

20060009840 - Carrier for releasing a therapeutic substance in response to the presence of an enzyme: A composition that releases a therapeutic substance in response to an enzyme is disclosed. The composition can be, for example, a coating for a stent....

20060009841 - Percutaneous aortic valve: The present invention provides a valve configured for insertion on the proximal and distal sides of a heart valve annulus to replace the heart valve of a patient. The valve comprises a first substantially annular portion adapted to be positioned on a proximal side of the annulus of a patient...

20060009842 - Contoured heart valve suture rings: Improved, adaptable tissue-type heart valves and methods for their manufacture are disclosed wherein a dimensionally stable, pre-aligned tissue leaflet subassembly is formed and its peripheral edge clamped between and attached to an upper shaped wireform and a lower support stent. A variety of adaptable structural interfaces including suture rings, flanges,...

20060009843 - Polymeric materials for use as photoablatable inlays: Optically transparent, high water content, hydrogel polymeric materials and photoablatable inlays fabricated therefrom are described herein. The preferred hydrogel polymeric materials have a refractive index of 1.30 or above in the hydrated state and a water content of approximately 60 percent or greater by weight. The preferred hydrogel polymeric materials...

20060009848 - Facet arthroplasty device and methods: Devices and surgical methods treat various types of adult spinal pathologies, such as degenerative spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, degenerative lumbar scoliosis, and kypho-scoliosis. Various types of spinal joint replacement prostheses, surgical procedures for performing spinal joint replacements, and surgical instruments are used to perform the surgical procedures....

20060009847 - Facet arthroplasty devices and methods: A prosthesis system replaces facet joints on adjoining vertebral bodies. The prosthesis system employs a caudal prosthesis for fixation to a first vertebral body and a cephalad prosthesis for fixation to the second vertebral body. The caudal and cephalad prostheses have, respectively a first artificial caudal facet joint structure and...

20060009849 - Facet arthroplasty devices and methods: Devices and surgical methods treat various types of adult spinal pathologies, such as degenerative spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, degenerative lumbar scoliosis, and kypho-scoliosis. Various types of spinal joint replacement prostheses, surgical procedures for performing spinal joint replacements, and surgical instruments are used to perform the surgical procedures....

20060009846 - Flexible systems for spinal stabilization and fixation: Systems for spinal stabilization and fixation replace, reconstruct or augment the spinal ligamentous and/or bony tissues resected during surgical procedures. The spinal stabilization system includes at least an implant configured to span the intervertebral disc space with at least one of its ends attached to a respective vertebral body by...

20060009844 - Implant: In order to improve an implant, in particular a bone replacement implant for insertion into a bone cavity, or an intervertebral implant for insertion between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a human or animal spine, which can be brought from a normal position, in which the implant encompasses a maximum...

20060009845 - Method and device for kinematic retaining cervical plating: A spinal implant assembly for replacing intervertebral elements between a first spinal vertebra and an adjacent second spinal vertebra includes an intervertebral implant for inserting between the first and second spinal vertebrae and a first kinematic retaining plate. The intervertebral implant comprises a body having a top surface, a bottom...

20060009850 - Intervertebral implant: An intervertebral implant (1), specifically an artificial intervertebral disk, with a central axis (2), and an upper plate-shaped section (10), suitable for laying onto the base plate of a vertebral body lying on top, a lower plate-shaped section (30), suitable for laying onto the cover plate of a vertebral body...

20060009851 - Percutaneous methods for injecting a curable biomaterial into an intervertebral space: A method for treating a spinal disc having an outer relatively intact annulus defining a disc space and an inner defective nucleus pulposus within the disc space, comprises the steps of: determining the integrity of the annulus by subjecting the annulus to a first pressure applied internally of the annulus;...

20060009852 - Modular humeral head resurfacing system: A two piece humeral component for use in joint arthroplasty which is adapted to be implanted into a joint and engaged by a socket component of the joint. The joint component includes a body having a first articulating surface and a second medial surface opposite the first articulating surface. The...

20060009854 - Guide templates for surgical implants and related methods: A guide template for use in resurfacing a portion of a bone includes a body adapted for positioning over a natural or resected articulation surface of the bone. The body has a top surface and an opposing bottom surface that each extend between a proximal end and an opposing distal...

20060009855 - Trochlear groove implants and related methods and instruments: A trochlear groove implant includes a body having a first side with an articular surface and an opposing second sid with a bone apposition surface, the articular surface and the bone apposition surface each extending between a proximal end and an opposing distal end of the body. An elongated channel...

20060009853 - Tethered joint bearing implants and systems: An implant for resurfacing at least a portion of an articulation surface of a bone includes a body having a first side with a top articular surface and an opposing second side with a bone apposition surface. The bone apposition surface is adapted to bias against a natural or resected...

20060009856 - System and method for bidirectional communication with an implantable medical device using an implant component as an antenna: A system and method enables data to be communicated from a position within a human body to an external data device. The system includes a wireless communication module that is electrically coupled to an implant component having a metal surface so that the implant component operates as an antenna in...

20060009857 - Method and apparatus for surface hardening implants: A method for producing a prosthetic having metal articulating surfaces is disclosed. The method includes impinging at least a portion of the articulating surface with high energy laser electromagnetic radiation, to form a lasershot peened surface. A hardened portion of the surface is then post-processed to form a layer having...

20060009858 - Methods and devices for placing a gastrointestinal sleeve: Methods and systems for delivering or placing a gastrointestinal implant device into a mammal. The gastrointestinal implant device can be used to limit absorption of food products in specific parts of the digestive system and can include a gastrointestinal sleeve having an anchor portion and a barrier or sleeve portion....

20060009859 - Draining bodily fluid: A urethral prosthesis with prostatic and bulbar segments connected by two types of ties allows the prosthesis to assume at least two configurations different with inter-segmental distances adapted to situations where the patient either has or does not have normal control of the external sphincter. This is particularly useful for...

20060009860 - Adjustable prosthetic socket: The instant invention is an adjustable prosthetic socket. The adjustable prosthetic socket of the instant invention includes a cup, a lateral wall, and a brim. The cup includes a lateral cutaway portion, a lower closed portion, and an upper open portion. The brim is adapted for adjustable mounting in said...

20060004434 - Over-the-wire interlock attachment/detachment mechanism: The over-the-wire interlock attachment/detachment mechanism includes a cylindrical lock receiving section of a small diameter attached to an implantable medical device such as a blood clot filter, a stent, or a septal occluder. This cylindrical lock receiving section has a plurality of spaced, curved cutouts to receive both the guide...

20060004433 - Thoracic deployment device and stent graft: A stent graft introducer for intraluminal deployment of a stent graft (26), the introducer comprising a stent graft release mechanism (6) to allow partial release of the stent graft (26) when carried on the introducer, whereby control of the stent graft can be maintained while allowing access into the lumen...

20060004435 - Magnetic resonance imaging compatibility alloy for implantable medical devices: A biocompatible solid-solution alloy may be formed into any number of implantable medical devices. The solid-solution alloy comprises a combination of elements in specific ratios that make it magnetic resonance imaging compatible while retaining the characteristics required for implantable medical devices. The biocompatible solid-solution alloy is a cobalt-chromium alloy having...

20060004436 - Stent having arcuate struts: Stents are provided having a circumferential element with first and second ends, a longitudinal axis, and arcuate struts disposed intermediate the ends. End portions of adjacent arcuate struts are joined by strut connections formed at the first and second ends. The struts are spaced arcuately relative to a plane that...

20060004437 - Structurally variable stents: The present invention provides a tubular stent including a longitudinal cylindrical base structure having a first end portion, a second end portion, a mid-portion interposed between the first and second end portions. A plurality of linear strut members connect the mid-portion to the first and second end portions, where the...

20060004438 - Prosthesis, delivery system and method for neurovascular aneurysm repair: The present invention is directed to a prosthesis for treating an aneurysm, and delivery systems and methods therefor. The prosthesis includes a radially expanding distal section coupled to a helical section, the helical section including a localized feature configured to exclude or retard blood flow into an aneurysm. Methods of...

20060004439 - Device and method for assisting in the implantation of a prosthetic valve: A system for percutaneously introducing a prosthetic valve into a patient's vasculature comprises a balloon dilatation catheter, a prosthetic valve mounted coaxial to the dilatation balloon, and a pusher member comprising a longitudinally extending tubular member encompassing the shaft of the catheter. The distal end of the pusher member preferably...

20060004440 - Bioabsorbable marker having radiopaque constituents and method of using the same: A temporary bioabsorbable-radiopaque marker for use on an implantable endoprosthesis. The bioabsorbable-radiopaque marker is adapted to be disposed on or adjacent an implantable endoprosthesis in a body lumen for a predetermined amount of time until the bioabsorbable and radiopaque materials are absorbed or dispersed in the body....

20060004441 - Therapeutic blood vessel treatment: A method and device for the treatment of an aneurysm are provided. Different therapeutic agents are delivered to the aneurysmal site by a delivery vehicle in a localized, time-release regimen, to treat and reduce the severity of the aneurysm. The delivery vehicle is provided in conjunction with the placement of...

20060004442 - Paravalvular leak detection, sealing, and prevention: The present invention provides a series of new percutaneous concepts of paravalvular repairs including identifying the leak location, several repair techniques and finally built-in means for leak prevention, built on percutaneous valves. A catheter-delivered device locates cavities occurring between a prosthetic valve and the wall of the body vessel where...

20060004443 - Automated annular plication for mitral valve repair: A novel system for performing a heart valve annuloplasty. The system involves the use of a plication band. In one embodiment, the annulus of the valve is reduced by constriction of the plication band itself. More particularly, each plication band enters the tissue at two or more points which are...

20060004444 - Macular and scleral support surgical device for ocular restraint in progressive high myopia: The present invention is a flexible ocular restraint band that includes a thin flexible material such as a surgical mesh fabric with flexible reinforced end portions. The device is positioned posterior to the eye globe and the reinforced ends are sutured to anterior portions of the scleral ring. Preferably, a...

20060004445 - Intraocular lens for implantation in an eye and instrument and methods for insertion of such a lens: An intraocular lens includes an optical portion (7; 607; 907; 1107) of a transparent, deformable material, at least one haptic (5, 6; 205, 206; 405, 406, 706; 806; 905; 1005; 1105; 1205) radially projecting from the optical portion for supporting the optical portion in a position parallel to and against...

20060004446 - Intraocular lens implant: An intraocular lens implant particularly suitable for use by patients suffering from tunnel vision, the implant includes a sealed implant housing associated with mounting haptics and defining a forward end and a rearward end, at least one negative lens arranged adjacent the forward end and at least one positive lens...

20060004447 - Adjustable posterior spinal column positioner: Height-adjustable devices suitable for insertion between posterior spinal processes that allow the surgeon to post-operatively adjust the height of the implant....

20060004449 - Facet joint replacement: A prosthesis for the replacement of a diseased or traumatized facet of a mammalian vertebra includes a surface that articulates with another prosthetic facet or a natural facet, a portion that replaces at least a bony portion of the diseased or traumatized spine facet which is to be replaced, and...

20060004451 - Facet joint replacement: A prosthesis for the replacement of a diseased or traumatized facet of a mammalian vertebra includes a surface that articulates with another prosthetic facet or a natural facet, a portion that replaces at least a bony portion of the diseased or traumatized spine facet which is to be replaced, and...

20060004448 - Multi-joint implant: Methods and devices are provided for repairing or replacing damaged, injured, diseased, or otherwise unhealthy posterior elements, such as the facet joints, the lamina, the posterior ligaments, and/or other features of a patient's spinal column. In one exemplary embodiment, an implant is provided having an anterior portion that is adapted...

20060004450 - Osteogenic fusion device: An interbody osteogenic fusion device is provided that includes opposite end pieces with an integral central element. The end pieces are sized to maintain the height of an intervertebral disc space. The central element has a much smaller diameter so that the osteogenic fusion device forms an annular pocke around...

20060004452 - C-shaped disc prosthesis: Exemplary implants and methods are provided for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae. In one embodiment, an implant is provided having a shape that allows the implant to be positioned between adjacent vertebrae using a posterior approach while avoiding contact with the spinal cord. For example, the implant can include an anterior portion...

20060004454 - Assembled disc spacers: Disc spacers (DS) are assembled within a disc space, allowing them to be inserted through smaller openings in the Annulus Fibrosus (AF). The large size of the assembled DS decreases the pressure on the vertebral endplates. Embodiments of the invention may be used in the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine....

20060004453 - Ceramic disc prosthesis: A prosthetic is provided for replacing a vertebral disc. The prosthesis can comprise first and second endplates formed of a ceramic material, each including an articulating contact surface and a bone facing surface. The contact surface of the first endplate can have a shape complementary to the contact surface of...

20060004455 - Methods and apparatuses for bone restoration: Methods and apparatuses for restoration of human or animal bone anatomy, which may include introduction, into a bone of an expansible implant capable of expansion in a single determined plane, positioning the expansible implant in the bone in order to correspond the single determined plane with a bone restoration plane...

20060004456 - Intervertebral disc treatment devices and methods: Intervertebral disc treatment devices and methods are provided. An intervertebral disc treatment device includes a fibrous body sized for introduction into a disc cavity of a damaged disc wherein the body incorporates an effective amount of a tissue growth factor. Intervertebral disc treatment apparatuses are also described that include such...

20060004457 - Methods for injecting a curable biomaterial into an intervertebral space: A method for treating a diseased or damaged spinal disc having an inner nucleus pulposus and an outer annulus is provided comprises the steps of: providing access to the nucleus pulposus through the annulus; removing at least a portion of the nucleus pulposus to create an intradiscal space; determining the...

20060004458 - Methods for injecting a curable biomaterial into an intervertebral space: A method for treating a diseased or damaged spinal disc comprises the steps of: (a) providing access to the nucleus pulposus through the annulus; (b) removing at least a portion of the nucleus pulposus to create an intradiscal space; determining the size of the intradiscal space; and (c) sealably introducing...

20060004459 - Adjustable orthopaedic prosthesis and associated method: An adjustable prosthesis includes an actuator for adjusting the prosthesis subsequent to surgical implantation thereof. The actuator is activated by application of an trans-cutaneous signal. A method of operating an adjustable prosthesis is also disclosed....

20060004460 - Modular apparatus and method for sculpting the surface of a joint: The present invention provides a modular device for restoring individual joint kinematics using minimally invasive surgical procedures. The modular implants include distinct components that include interconnection means and tethering means. The modular implants provide intraoperative surgical options for articular constraint and facilitate proper alignment and orientation of the joint to...

20060004461 - Methods for mounting a tibial condylar implant: A method for mounting a tibial condylar implant includes forming a tunnel having a proximal end on a lateral, medial, or anterior side of a proximal end of the tibia and a distal end on an at least partially resected lateral or medial facet at the proximal end of the...

20060004462 - Prosthetic wrist implant: A wrist implant requires minimal resection of the distal radius and preserves the sigmoid notch and articulation with the head of the distal ulna. The wrist implant generally includes a radius portion, a carpal portion and a carpal ball. The wrist implant includes a primary articulation and a secondary rotational...

20060004463 - Extended radius prosthesis and associated method: An acetabular shell for use in a hip prosthesis is provided. The shell includes a body having an inner periphery and a convex outer periphery and defining a cavity of the body. The outer periphery has a first portion defining a hemisphere and a second portion extending from the equator...

20060004465 - Fluted intramedullary stem: An intramedullary stem that provides enhanced distal fixation and flexibility and methods for implanting the stem. Certain embodiments of the stem have primary and secondary flutes (or ridges or wedges). Other embodiments have transitional regions....

20060004464 - Hip prosthesis comprising a shaft to be inserted into the femur: A hip prosthesis includes a straight shaft which is to be inserted into the femur, the straight shaft including a proximal part that is configured to be inserted in the metaphyseal region of the femur. The proximal part has, on each of its front and rear faces, at least one...

20060004466 - Porous coatings for biomedical implants: A medical implant has a microscopically rough outer coating that serves to bond the implant to animal tissue. The coating is applied to the implant by physical vapor deposition. The coating preferable is applied via a generally oblique coating flux or a low energy coating flux. In some embodiments, the...

20060004467 - Low profile active shock module prosthesis: In one embodiment, an impact and torque-absorbing module for a low profile lower limb prosthesis comprises two support members telescopingly engaged to permit axial and rotational motion therebetween. A resilient element resists axial displacement of the two support members, and a torque resisting cuff resists rotational displacement of the two...

20060004468 - Prosthetic pneumatic unit: A prosthetic pneumatic unit includes a cylinder body, both ends of which are respectively closed by a head part and a bottom part, and a piston is interposed within the cylinder body and defines a first and a second chambers; the cylinder body having a first and a second air...

20060004469 - Tissue prosthesis processing technology: A heart valve prostheses crimping apparatus and method for deducing the diameter of stents containing heart valve prosthesis. A medical prosthesis catheter loading apparatus, including a crimping assembly for reducing the diameter of a prosthesis; and a catheter clamp for holding a catheter adjacent to the prosthesis. Also disclosed is...