Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or aids and accessories therefor inventions 03/06

20060069422 - Intraluminal prosthesis attachment systems and methods: Systems and method implant prostheses in the body. The systems and methods provide permanent attachment of the prosthesis in the body. The prosthesis can comprise, e.g., an endovascular graft, which can be deployed without damaging the native blood vessel in either an arterial or a venous system. The endovascular graft...

20060069423 - Means and method for treating an intimal dissection after stent implantation: If however, the angiography with the contrast medium indicates that an edge dissection has occurred, then the fixed guidewire stent delivery catheter would be left in place with its balloon deflated. The Luer fitting at the proximal end of the stent delivery catheter would then be cut off and a...

20060069424 - Self-constrained segmented stents and methods for their deployment: A self-expanding stent includes a plurality of segments having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. Preferably, the segments are unconnected to each other in at least the expanded configuration. The segments include restraining structures that temporarily restrain them from expansion until activated. This allows the user to position the...

20060069425 - Ciliated stent-like-system: A ciliated stent-like system and method of operating the same....

20060069427 - Drug-delivery endovascular stent and method for treating restenosis: A radially expandable, endovascular stent designed for placement at a site of vascular injury, for inhibiting restenosis at the site, a method of using, and a method of making the stent. The stent includes a radially expandable body formed of one or more metallic filaments and a liquid-infusible mechanical anchoring...

20060069426 - Methods and devices for extravascular intervention: The present invention relates to methods for treating an aneurysm or other vascular condition in a patient by implanting an extravascular intervention device at least partially around a blood vessel, or portion thereof, having the vascular condition. The present invention also provides extravascular devices for use in treating patients with...

20060069421 - Flared stent and method for use: A tubular stent that uniformly scaffolds vessel tissue within a region that significantly changes diameter or transverse dimension. The invention may be practiced in lumens that taper in either retrograde or antegrade directions, and the transverse dimensional change may be relatively linear or flared. A catheter for delivering the stent...

20060069428 - Thin film medical device and delivery system: The present invention relates to an intraluminal thin film medical device particularly well suited for occlusion of an aneurysm, vessel side branch or dissection of a body lumen or duct, such as an artery or vein. The medical device has a thin film tube capable of being longitudinally stretched by...

20060069429 - Tissue fastening systems and methods utilizing magnetic guidance: Catheter based systems and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems and methods employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty....

20060069430 - Devices, systems, and methods for retaining a native heart valve leaflet: Devices, systems and methods retain a native heart valve leaflet to prevent retrograde flow. The devices, systems, and methods employ an implant that, in use, rests adjacent a valve annulus and includes a retaining structure that is sized and shaped to overlay at least a portion of one or more...

20060069431 - Apparatus and method for injection molding an intraocular lens device: Apparatus and methods for injection molding intraocular lenses includes an embodiment having first and second runners extending into first and second optic cavities of a mold configured to make a dual optic lens device....

20060069432 - Intraocular lens system: A two or three component lens system. The first component is a ring-like supporting component that is implanted in the capsular bag following cataract surgery. The first component is a non-optical component and does not correct for any refractive errors. The first component may contains features to help reduce or...

20060069433 - Intraocular lens: An intraocular lens system to be implanted in the posterior chamber of an eye, the system comprises a lens having an optical axis and at least two haptics extending from the circumference of the lens. The two haptics each includes one or more teeth located on their periphery....

20060069434 - Quasi-spherical orbital implant: A quasi-spherical orbital implant that comprises an off center conical elongation toward its posterior and medial aspects. The conical elongation mimics the natural shape of an orbit. The implant comprises a number of holes and tunnels for suturing the patient's eye muscles and tissue to the implant. A number of...

20060069435 - Channeled biomedical foams an method for producing same: The present invention provides a biomedical, biocompatible, polymeric foam scaffold suitable for use in the repair and regeneration of tissue and which contains located therein a network of, branched channels that are effective to encourage and facilitate vascularization and tissue growth within the scaffold and to methods for making such...

20060069436 - Trial disk implant: A trial intervertebral disk implant includes a first plate, a second plate, adjacent to the first plate, a conformable layer between the first and the second plates, and a pressure sensor within the conformable layer. The pressure sensor measures a distribution of compression force exerted by the first and the...

20060069439 - Artificial vertebral disk replacement implant with translating articulation contact surface and method: The present disclosure is directed to an implant that can be placed between two vertebrae using a lateral, anterior or posterior insertion method. The implant is characterized by having a first endplate and a second endplate, both endplates having inner surfaces that oppose each other when anchored into opposing vertebral...

20060069437 - Intervertebral prosthesis: The invention concerns an intervertebral prosthesis comprised of a first prosthetic end plate (20) and a second prosthetic end plate (30) as wall as a prosthetic core (10) located between the first prosthetic end plate (20) and the second prosthetic end plate (30), wherein the first prosthetic end plate (20)...

20060069438 - Multi-piece artificial spinal disk replacement device with multi-segmented support plates: A posterior approach for intervertebral disk replacement is provided. This technique is particularly suited for assembling a multi-piece artificial spinal disk replacement device in situ in order to alleviate discomfort associated with the spinal column....

20060069442 - Expandable push-in orthopedic implant: A push-in orthopedic implant having an expandable height....

20060069440 - Multi-piece artificial spinal disk replacement device with selectably positioning articulating element: A posterior approach for intervertebral disk replacement is provided. This technique is particularly suited for assembling a multi-piece artificial spinal disk replacement device in situ in order to alleviate discomfort associated with the spinal column....

20060069441 - Posterior approach implant method for assembly of multi-piece artificial spinal disk replacement device in situ: A posterior approach for intervertebral disk replacement is provided. This technique is particularly suited for assembling a multi-piece artificial spinal disk replacement device in situ in order to alleviate discomfort associated with the spinal column....

20060069444 - Glenoid augment and associated method: A augmented glenoid implant assembly for use in performing shoulder arthroplasty is provided. The augmented glenoid implant assembly is used for cooperation with the glenoid fossa of a scapula. The implant assembly includes a first component for attachment to the scapula. The first component defines a support surface for cooperation...

20060069443 - Modular glenoid prosthesis and associated method: A glenoid implant assembly is provided. The assembly includes a first component for attachment to the glenoid fossa of a scapula. The component defines an assembly face of the component. The assembly also includes a second component removably secured to the first component. The second component includes an assembly face...

20060069445 - Extended articulation prosthesis adaptor and associated method: A shoulder arthroplasty kit for shoulder arthroplasty is provided. The kit includes a stem for insertion into the humerus and a first member. The first member has a surface having a convex periphery adapted for articulation with the natural glenoid fossia. The convex periphery includes a first articulating surface defining...

20060069446 - Articular interposition implant: Articular interposition implant to be placed between the articular surfaces of at least two bones separated by an articular interface to achieve arthroplasty of a joint, said implant (1) comprising immobilization means shaped so that when the immobilization means are arranged in the articular interface, the immobilization means are supportive...

20060069447 - Adjustable, remote-controllable orthopaedic prosthesis and associated method: An implantable, adjustable prosthesis includes a first component which may be moved relative to a second component by use of a transcutaneous control signal. A method of operating such a prosthesis is also disclosed....

20060069448 - Joint device for artificial leg, method and control unit for controlling the joint device: There is provided a joint device for an artificial leg, which makes it possible to dramatically achieve reduction of the weight of a power source and an increase in duration of the same, as well as facilitates knee bending/stretching motion, toe-up motion, and kicking motion. The joint device has an...

20060069449 - Dynamic seals for a prosthetic knee: The invention in some embodiments relates to a dynamic seal for a prosthetic knee. The dynamic seal in one embodiment is utilized to seal a magnetorheological fluid comprising a liquid and solid particles within a chamber of the knee. The dynamic seal embodiments are specially configured with a pre-loaded tensioned...

20060069450 - Lower leg prosthesis with improved roll over: A foot prosthesis having improved rollover and stability. The prosthesis includes a first plate and a mounting block having a mounting portion configured to be coupled to a user of the prosthesis, an attachment portion and a gap portion, with the mounting block attached to the first plate at the...

20060058864 - Balloon flareable branch vessel prosthesis and method: A stent graft system for intraluminal deployment in an aorta and a branch vessel that includes an aorta stent graft for deployment within the aorta and defining a lumen for the passage of blood therethrough, and having a fenestration positioned and sized so as to allow blood to flow to...

20060058865 - Delivery system with controlled frictional properties: Delivery systems and methods of making delivery systems are provided. A delivery system according to the invention facilitates delivery of an intraluminal medical device to a point of treatment in a body vessel. A dilator includes a means for resisting relative movement between an associated intraluminal medical device and the...

20060058866 - Deployment system for an expandable device: The present invention is directed to a deployment system for a self-expanding endoluminal device. The deployment system includes a confining sheath placed around a compacted endoluminal device so that upon deployment the sheath is transitioned into an internal deployment line housed within the catheter. The deployment system is configured to...

20060058863 - Polymer-based stent assembly: Methods for preparing a polymer-based stent assembly comprising an inflatable balloon catheter and a polymer-based stent resistant to relaxation-related negative recoil are provided. The methods comprise heating a polymeric cylindrical device which is at a final predetermined shape and diameter to a temperature sufficiently above the glass transition temperature (Tg)...

20060058867 - Elastomeric radiopaque adhesive composite and prosthesis: An elastomeric radiopaque adhesive composition which includes a biocompatible elastomeric matrix and a radiopaque material distributed therein in sufficient amounts to produce a radiopaque image. Further, a hybrid vascular prosthesis including a PTFE structure, a textile structure and a cured elastomeric bonding agent adhesively secures the PTFE to the textile....

20060058869 - Coiled ladder stent: A coiled ladder stent comprises first and second rails and rungs connecting the rails. At least one rung has lower strength portion or is an enhanced flexibility rung, or both. The lower strength portion is positioned at a reduced strength fracture location along the rung so to promote any fracture...

20060058868 - Compositions containing fast-leaching plasticizers for improved performance of medical devices: Medical implants containing a temporary plasticizer, methods of producing such implants, and methods of using the implants in treating a disease, or ameliorating one or more symptoms thereof, in a subject are provided....

20060058870 - Covered stent with controlled therapeutic agent diffusion: A covered stent includes a generally tubular stent body having inner and outer stent body surfaces. A sleeve of porous material encloses the stent body and has inner and outer portions opposed to the inner and outer stent body surfaces. A therapeutic agent is located along the stent body, the...

20060058862 - High stretch, low dilation knit prosthetic device and method for making the same: A method for providing dilation resistance to an implantable tubular graft includes the steps of (a) providing a graft having opposed open ends and a textile wall extending in a lengthwise direction therebetween defining a graft diameter, wherein the textile wall has radially extending yarns having a radial extent which...

20060058871 - Device and method for treatment of heart valve regurgitation: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a prosthesis that can be implanted within a heart to at least partially block gaps that may be present between the two mitral valve leaflets. In one preferred embodiment, the prosthesis includes an anchoring ring that expands within the left atrium to anchor...

20060058872 - Methods and apparatus for endovascular heart valve replacement comprising tissue grasping elements: The present invention provides an apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an expandable anchor supporting a replacement valve, the anchor and replacement valve being adapted for percutaneous delivery and deployment to replace the patient's heart valve, the anchor having a braid having...

20060058873 - Artificial heart using magnetohydrodynamic propulsionh: An implantable artificial heart apparatus which has no moving parts. It employs the technology of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) to induce flow of human blood. An MHD propulsion unit is a device which applies magnetic and electric fields to blood to propel the conductive fluid through the body's circulatory system. Electricity is...

20060058874 - Double bifocal intraocular lens-spectacle telescopic device for low vision use: A double bifocal intra-ocular lens and spectacle system that can be used to enhance the vision of persons suffering from low-vision includes a first optical element placed in or on the eye, and a second optical element placed external to the eye. In particular, the first optical element is designed...

20060058875 - Myringopexy type titanium prosthesis: A middle ear prosthesis comprises a one piece disk shaped prosthesis including a generally circular malleable body including a bore. The body engages a tympanic membrane and the bore receives a head of a stapes when implanted in a middle ear. More particularly, the middle ear prosthesis comprises a body...

20060058877 - Intervertebral implant: The invention relates to an intervertebral implant comprising a lower implant part, having a central axis and an apposition section, designed to rest against the covering surface of the adjacent lower vertebra and an upper implant part comprising a bore with an internal thread, a central axis and an apposition...

20060058878 - Radially expanding implants: Orthopedic implants being at least in part radially expandable at one of the leading or trailing ends to expand both the height and at least a portion of the width of the implant, and instruments and methods for inserting the implants into an implantation space are disclosed....

20060058876 - System and method for spinal fusion: The current invention is directed to a system and method for fusing two adjacent vertebrae. In one embodiment, the vertebrae are fused by inserting a self-broaching interbody apparatus into a disc space without the need for separately drilling and broaching. The self-broaching interbody apparatus may include cutting flutes or other...

20060058880 - Expandable interbody fusion device: An expandable interbody fusion device for implantation into the intradiscal space between two opposing vertebral bodies of a spine comprises a superior endplate member having an upper surface for engaging a superior vertebral body in a spine, and an inferior endplate member having a lower surface for engaging an inferior...

20060058879 - Vertrebal body placeholder: The invention relates to a vertebral body placeholder comprising a cylindrical inner body (14), which can be inserted in a telescopic manner into a coaxially arranged, sleeve-shaped outer body (16). The aim of the invention is to create a vertebral body placeholder that does not unwantedly penetrate spongy vertebrae. To...

20060058881 - Intervertebral disc nucleus implants and methods: Devices for anchoring spinal implants in an intervertebral disc space are provided. Spinal implants are also provided that are resistant to lateral deformation. The implants may include a flexible peripheral supporting band disposed circumferentially about an elastic body. Methods for anchoring spinal implants and methods for reducing deformation of spinal...

20060058882 - Methods and apparatus for conformable prosthetic implants: A biomechanical optimization (BMO) prosthetic implant utilizes a thin cross-section of metallic material that is conformable. Preferably, the BMO prosthetic implant is conformable both at the time of implant in response to manipulation and fixation by the surgeon, as well as during the life of the implant in response to...

20060058883 - Systems and methods for compartmental replacement in a knee: A prosthesis system includes a first component having an outer surface, an inner surface, a first side and a second side, the first component configured to replace a first portion of a surface of a bone. A second component is configured to replace a second portion of the surface of...

20060058884 - Systems and methods for compartmental replacement in a knee: A kit for a prosthesis system includes a plurality of first components, each of the plurality of first components for replacing one of a plurality of first surface portions of a bone, a second component for replacing a second surface portion of the bone and a resilient connector for connecting...

20060058885 - Cap and activation tool: A cap for use during the insertion of a prosthesis comprising: an impaction plate; an least one cable loop for connecting the impaction plate to a prosthesis; clamping means for attaching the at least one cable means to the impaction plate; and cutting means for severing the at least one...

20060058886 - Tool: An alignment trial system for a hip prosthesis comprising: (a) a trial femoral prosthesis comprising a head component, a neck component and a stem component; and (b) a trial acetabular cup prosthesis wherein the head component of the trial femoral prosthesis and the trial acetabular cup prosthesis include interlocking engagement...

20060058887 - Unitary acetabular cup prosthesis with extension for deficient acetabulum: A unitary acetabular cup prosthesis for a deficient acetabulum of a hip bone having a cup portion and a pair of adjacent screw retaining members extending from the cup and oriented in a cooperative with one another. A second pair of screw retaining members are preferably provided, with the first...

20060058888 - Method of surface oxidizing zirconium and zirconium alloys and resulting product: A coating of blue-black or black oxidized zirconium of uniform and controlled thickness on a zirconium or zirconium alloy material is accomplished through the oxidative treatment of an amorphous zirconium or zirconium alloy substrate having an altered surface roughness. An oxidized zirconium coating of uniform and controlled thickness is especially...

20060058889 - Prosthetic valve with pores: Prosthetic valves for regulating fluid flow are provided. The valves have at least one leaflet that includes a plurality of pores that allow a quantity of retrograde flow to pass through the leaflet when the valve is in a closed configuration....

20060058890 - Methods for soft tissue augmentation: A medical device and methods for filling tissue are disclosed. The device has a first configuration for delivery into tissue to be filled and a second configuration in which the device either expands, or is forced to expand within the tissue to be filled. The exterior profile of the expanded...

20060058891 - Transformable tissue bulking device: A medical device and methods for filling tissue are disclosed. The device is transformable between a first configuration wherein the device can pass through a small catheter or needle placed in the tissue to be filled and a second configuration in which the device is enlarged within the tissue to...

20060058892 - Valved tissue augmentation implant: A medical device and methods for filling tissue are disclosed. The device has a first configuration wherein the device can pass through a small catheter or needle placed in the tissue to be filled and a second configuration in which the device is expanded within the tissue to be filled....

20060058893 - Method of measuring the performance of a prosthetic foot: A method of measuring the performance of a prosthetic foot includes obtaining a pressure distribution of the prosthetic foot during a motion of the prosthetic foot and determining whether the pressure distribution falls within a preselected range of performance values for the prosthetic foot. The pressure distribution comprises a trajectory...

20060052858 - Stent and catheter assembly and method for treating bifurcations: An apparatus and method is provided for stenting bifurcated vessels. A proximal angled stent is configured for implanting in a side-branch vessel wherein the proximal angled stent has an angulated portion that corresponds to the angle formed by the intersection of the side-branch vessel and the main vessel so that...

20060052860 - Intravascular stent: The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implanting in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen. The invention provides for an intravascular stent having a plurality of cylindrical rings connected by undulating links. The stent has a high degree of flexibility...

20060052859 - Thread for vascular stent and vascular stent using the thread: A thread (1) for forming a vascular stent implanted in vessels. This thread is formed by melt-spinning a biodegradable polymer. On the surface of the thread, there is formed a layer (2) of a drug-containing biodegradable polymer of the same sort as the biodegradable polymer constituting the thread....

20060052861 - Vascular prothesis having interdigitating edges and methods of use: The present invention is directed to an implantable vascular prosthesis configured for use in a wide range of applications, such as treating aneurysms, maintaining patency in a vessel, and providing controlled delivery of therapeutic agents to a vessel wall. The prosthesis comprises a helical body having a plurality of turns,...

20060052863 - Endoprosthesis comprising a magnesium alloy: An endoprosthesis, in particular an intraluminal endoprosthesis such as a stent, comprises a carrier structure, which includes at least one component comprising a magnesium alloy of the following composition: Magnesium: between about 60.0 and about 88.0% by weight Rare earth metals: between about 2.0 and about 30.0% by weight Yttrium:...

20060052864 - Endoprosthesis comprising a magnesium alloy: An endoprosthesis, in particular an intraluminal endoprosthesis such as a stent, comprises a carrier structure, which includes at least one component comprising a magnesium alloy of the following composition: Rare earth metals: between about 2.0 and about 5.0% by weight, with neodymium between about 1.5 and about 3.0% by weight...

20060052862 - Intravascular, indwelling instrument: An intravascular, indwelling instrument for placement in a blood vessel includes a body having a face in contact with a maintained blood flow to be maintained and a face in contact with a non-maintained blood flow not to be maintained, and a peptide fixed to all or part of the...

20060052865 - Stents with metallic covers and methods of making same: All metal stent grafts and covered stents having either a single structural supporting stent member with concentrically positioned graft members on the luminal and abluminal surfaces of the stent member or a single graft member with concentrically positioned structural supporting stent members on the luminal and abluminal surfaces of the...

20060052866 - Method of treating a stiffened blood vessel: A method of treating a stiffened blood vessel (2) is disclosed. The method comprises at least substantially encasing a portion of the blood vessel (2) with an elastic membrane (6) formed of biocompatible material such the membrane (6) engages the blood vessel (2) to thereby reduce the diameter of the...

20060052867 - Replacement prosthetic heart valve, system and method of implant: A method of functionally replacing a previously implanted prosthetic heart valve. The method includes positioning a replacement prosthetic heart valve within an internal region defined by the previously implanted prosthetic heart valve. The replacement prosthetic heart valve is then physically docked to the previously implanted prosthetic heart valve. With this...

20060052868 - Valve to myocardium tension members device and method: A device for heart valve repair including at least one tension member having a first end and second end. A basal anchor is disposed at the first end of the tension member and a secondary anchor at the second end. The method includes the steps of anchoring the basal anchor...

20060052869 - Iol square edge punch and haptic insertion fixture: Apparatus and method for cutting an IOL optic from an IOL blank whereby the resultant IOL optic has a square edge and the cutting is performed in a combined linear and rotational cutting movement. In another aspect, an IOL optic is provided which includes a square edge and helically shaped...

20060052870 - Methods and apparatus to prevent movement through artificial disc replacements: This invention is directed to improved methods and devices to attach arthroplasty devices, particularly the spine, distract the disc space, machine the disc space to improve the fit between ADRs and the vertebrae, to hold and remove ADRs, and to facilitate spinal fusion for a failed ADR surgery. One aspect...

20060052872 - Intervertebral disc prosthesis: Intervertebral disc prosthesis comprising an upper apposition plate appropriate to rest against the base plate of a vertebra, an apposition plate spaced apart from the apposition plate and suitable to rest against the upper plate of a vertebra, a plurality of elastic devices mounted between the two apposition plates and...

20060052871 - Intervertebral disk prosthesis or artificial vertebra: An intervertebral disk prosthesis having an essentially hollow cylindrical base element (1) which is provided with a casing (2) that is embodied as a bellows, a top end (3), and a bottom end (4), and a central longitudinal axis (5). The base element also includes an upper apposition plate (6),...

20060052873 - Implant for surgical use in humans or vertebrates: A process for the production of an implant and to an implant for surgical use in humans or vertebrates, in particular for the replacement, for the partial replacement or for the strengthening of a damaged intervertebral disk or for the replacement, for the partial replacement or for the strengthening of...

20060052874 - Prostheses for spine discs having fusion capability: The present invention provides both a device and a method. The device is a human made replacement for the soft discs in the spine. A fabric pouch encloses a central hydraulic element made up of small soft beads. Two pouches with beads are implanted into a prepared disc space to...

20060052875 - Knee prosthesis with ceramic tibial component: An improved knee prosthesis includes a ceramic tibial component for articulation with natural or prosthetic (re-surfaced) femoral surfaces. The ceramic tibial component is provided in the form of a ceramic monoblock adapted for fixation relative to the patient's tibial bone, or alternately in the form of a ceramic bearing insert...

20060052876 - Prosthesis: An acetabular component prosthesis adapted for affixation in a recess in a pelvis, comprising: a cup shell having a generally convex outer surface adapted to be in contact with the bone in use, a generally concave inner surface and a rim; at least one pair of substantially adjacent flanges extending...

20060052877 - Welded hip prosthesis: A hip prosthesis has a neck, a trochanter, a link, and an intramedullary rod. The intramedullary rod and the link are formed as a sub-assembly connected together endwise by a universal joint formed as a tubular extension. The link is telescoped into the trochanter and the neck, successively. A bolt...

20060052880 - Plasma sprayed porous coating for medical implants: A prosthesis having an oxidized zirconium surface and a porous textured surface is described. A major advantage of the prosthesis is increased service life. Additionally, a process of manufacturing the prosthesis is described....

20060052878 - Modular joint replacement implant with hydrogel surface: An endoprosthetic joint implant includes a fixation element and a hydrogel hinge portion. The fixation element supports the hydrogel hinge portion on a resected bone-end, for example, for use in surgical joint replacement. The fixation element of one embodiment features a stem made of titanium. The stem is threaded for...

20060052879 - Open lumen stents: A stent may include a flexible, elongate body having a curled proximal portion, a curled distal portion, and a main portion extending between the proximal and distal portions. The main and distal portions together may define a channel laterally open throughout at least a part of the channel's length and...

20060047334 - Method of determining the helix angle of a helical formation for a conduit: A Method of Determining the Helix Angle of a Helical Formation for a Conduit. A method of determing the helix angle of a helical formation (4) within a conduit (1). The method includes specifying the internal dimensions of the conduit (1) and an intended fluid mass flow through the conduit...

20060047335 - Catheter with deflector: A stent assembly including a catheter formed with a side aperture, and a deflector positioned near the side aperture adapted to deflect a guidewire pushed thereagainst to pass through the side aperture....

20060047336 - Stent-catheter assembly with a releasable connection for stent retention: Medical assemblies with a releasable connection and methods of constructing such medical assemblies are disclosed. The medical assemblies generally comprise a stent, a catheter assembly having catheter body a balloon, and a releasable connection between the stent and the catheter assembly that releases the stent from the catheter assembly in...

20060047337 - Device and method for establishing an artificial arterio-venous fistula: A shunt rivet for implantation in the aorta and inferior vena cava to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and a method of treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease....

20060047338 - Cardiac valve, system, and method: A cardiac valve with a support frame having a first end member and a second end member opposing the first end member in a substantially fixed distance relationship, and a cover extending over the support frame to allow for unidirectional flow of a liquid through the valve....

20060047340 - Devices, systems and methods for treating an eye: Devices, systems, and methods useful in treating an eye are provided herein. Certain embodiments of the devices, systems, and methods may be particularly suitable in maintaining separation of an anterior capsule and a posterior capsule of an evacuated lens capsule of an eye. Certain embodiments of the devices, systems, and...

20060047339 - Intracapsular pseudophakic device: Intraocular devices for use in and attached to the natural lens capsule of an eye are provided. The lens capsule may be maintained in a configuration to avoid post-operative changes that are deleterious to vision. Single or dual optic systems are provided, which may be accommodating. Combinations of devices to...

20060047341 - Spinal disc implants with reservoirs for delivery of therapeutic agents: Nucleus pulposus implants that contain reservoirs for receiving, holding, and releasing therapeutic agents are provided. In one form of the invention, a spinal implant is provided with reservoirs positioned at least partially beneath the external surface of the implant. The reservoirs are provided to receive, hold, and release therapeutic and/or...

20060047342 - Haptic apparatus: A haptic apparatus may include a plate element positionable to extend over an anatomical segment of a user, and an elongate member coupled to the plate element and configured to be movably mounted onto the anatomical segment so as to remain substantially vertical and substantially perpendicular to the anatomical segment...

20060047343 - Anti-calcification treatments for heart valves and vascular grafts: The present invention provides processes for fixation of biological tissue and/or post-fixation treatment of such tissue that result in modified tissues with reduced susceptibility to in vitro calcification when used in prosthetic devices. The invention also relates to calcification resistant biological tissue and to methods of using such tissue....