Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or aids and accessories therefor inventions 09/07

20070225792 - Conformable vascular prosthesis delivery system: Novel approaches for a conformable vascular prosthesis delivery system are provided which overcome the limitations of existing high pressure balloons for delivering intravascular prostheses to the site of high-risk plaques. One embodiment involves a short balloon segment which is inflated at one end of the prosthesis and then pulled to... Agent: Diamond Law Office LLC

20070225789 - Method of stenting with minimal diameter guided delivery systems: Medical devices and methods for delivery or implantation of prostheses within hollow body organs and vessels or other luminal anatomy are disclosed. The subject technologies may be used in the treatment of atherosclerosis in stenting procedures or be used in a variety of other procedures.... Agent: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLPIPProsecution Department

20070225795 - Composite vascular prosthesis: A novel treatment for atherosclerotic vascular disease is described utilizing the implantation of a thin, conformable biocompatible prosthesis constructed from a composite of various structural and therapeutic scaffolds in combination with one or more bioactive agents. This prosthesis can be delivered into position over a lesion in order to passivate... Agent: Diamond Law Office LLC

20070225805 - Ligament fixation using graft harness/bolt assembly: An apparatus and method for fixation of a soft tissue ligament graft in a bone tunnel using a graft harness/bolt assembly. The graft harness/bolt assembly includes a harness for supporting a looped graft, and a bolt configured to be received in, and securely engage, the harness, the inserted bolt spreading... Agent: Dickstein Shapiro LLP

20070225808 - Pivotable interbody spacer: According to another exemplary embodiment, a pivotable interbody implant system includes an implant including a body defining an inner cavity and a plurality of teeth formed on one end of the implant, and an insertion instrument associated with the implant, wherein the insertion instrument includes a retractable latching mechanism and... Agent: Rader, Fishman & Grauer PLLC

20070225810 - Flexible cage spinal implant: A implant is provided for placement in a space between boney structures. The implant may comprise a flexible section. The flexible section may be either the anterior side or the posterior side of the implant or both, among other sides. The flexible section or sections may comprise one or more... Agent: Carr LLP (ist)

20070225824 - Ventilated prosthesis system: A prosthesis system including a ventilated shell, and a substantially compliant, ventilated spacer element that defines a first surface having a frictional feature. The spacer element is arranged to secure to an internal surface of the shell. The prosthesis system also includes a connector that is secured to a distal... Agent: Bacon & Thomas, PLLC

20070225788 - Device and method for placing a stent at the ostium of a blood vessel: A first aspect of the present invention is an ostial stent positioner that has the form of a wire for most of its length and having a cylinder with expandable legs situated at the positioner's distal end. The cylinder with its attached wire acts as an introducer sheath to introduce... Agent: Dr. Robert E. Fischell

20070225793 - Device for the application of compression sleeves: In a device for the installation of a compression sleeve around a blood vessel, including a guide element for holding the blood vessel, and a carrier for holding the compression sleeve in a bent-open state in which the carrier and the compression sleeve are supported at the distal end of... Agent: Klaus J. Bach

20070225790 - Introducer sheath for the placement of a stent at the ostium of an artery: Disclosed is an ostial stent positioner that has the form of a wire for most of its length and having a short cylinder with expandable legs situated at the positioner's distal end. The cylinder with its attached wire acts as an introducer sheath to introduce a stent delivery system with... Agent: Dr. Robert E. Fischell

20070225791 - Surgical device for the formation by a practitioner of at least one implant: The first sheet (2) that includes the trace of at least the contour of the implant, and the first sheet is placed on one face of the the panel and attached to the latter so that the practitioner is able to shape the implant by cutting the assembly composed of... Agent: Ladas & Parry LLP

20070225794 - Aneurysm stent: The present invention relates to an aneurysm stent having a base and connector. The base has a vessel facing side and an aneurysm facing side, and is shaped to cover an aneurysm sufficiently. The connector is coupled to the aneurysm facing side of the base such that when deployed the... Agent: Holland & Hart, LLP

20070225796 - Bifurcated stent: In at least one embodiment, a stent comprises a plurality of interconnected framework members defining a plurality of cells. A portion of the interconnected framework members comprise a side branch structure defining an inner side branch cell that is shaped differently from other cells of the stent. The side branch... Agent: Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A.

20070225797 - Prosthesis with adjustable opening for side branch access: Tubular prosthesis for deployment in a human body passageway comprises a tubular member adapted for placement in a passageway in a human body. The tubular member comprises a tubular wall having first and second ends and an adjustable side opening in the tubular wall between the first and second ends.... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070225798 - Side branch stent: The present invention is directed to a medical device for expansion in a bifurcated bodily vessel. The medical device includes a first stent and at least one expansion column connected to an end of the first stent. The axes of the first stent and the expansion column(s) are generally perpendicularly... Agent: Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A.

20070225799 - Stent, intraluminal stent delivery system, and method of treating a vascular condition: A stent, a stent delivery system, and a method of treating a vascular condition. The system includes a catheter, an inflatable member operably attached to the catheter, and a biodegradable stent disposed on the inflatable member. The stent includes a biodegradable flexible elongate member including an elongate member wall surrounding... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070225800 - Methods and devices having electrically actuatable surfaces: The present invention generally relates to the field of insertable or implantable medical devices, such as balloon catheters, stents and other similar diagnostic or therapeutic devices which may be provided within the body for treatment and/or diagnosis of diseases and conditions. In particular, the present invention relates to devices whose... Agent: Mayer & Williams PC

20070225801 - Valve introducers and methods for making and using them: A valve introducer is provided for delivering a valve prosthesis into a biological annulus. During use, a gasket member is introduced into the biological annulus, and secured relative to the biological annulus. A distal end of a valve introducer is introduced into a passage communicating with the biological annulus, and... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20070225802 - Artificial valve for implantation and related methods: An artificial valve (100) and related methods are provided for implantation in a patient's blood vessel (200), in particular an artificial heart valve, including a first (10) and a second (20) valve member each having a first smooth surface (11, 21) facing each other so as to form a sealing... Agent: Jenkins, Wilson, Taylor & Hunt, P. A.

20070225803 - Implantable self-inflating attenuation device and method for treating ocular pressure spikes: Disclosed herein is an attenuation device comprising a flexible housing and a medium capable of transformation to inflate the housing from the first configuration to the second configuration. Also disclose herein are methods of treating a patient, comprising: providing a self-inflating expandable attenuation device, containing a medium which is transformable... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070225804 - Hernia prosthesis for the treatment of inguinal hernias: The invention relates to a surgical prosthesis which is intended for the treatment of inguinal hernias. The inventive prosthesis has been provided with a novel structural design, in the form of a loop, which is based primarily on the natural anatomical form of the human body. The prosthesis is intended... Agent: Jacobson Holman PLLC

20070225806 - Arthroplasty device: A prosthetic device for placement at least partially between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra is provided. The prosthetic device includes a single piece of material having an upper portion adapted to engage the superior vertebra, a lower portion adapted to engage the inferior vertebra, and a first motion... Agent: Haynes And Boone, LLP

20070225807 - Percutaneous spinal implants and methods: An apparatus includes an elongate member configured to engage a spinal implant and a locking member. The locking member is disposed at a distal end portion of the elongate member. The locking member is configured to move relative to the elongate member between a first position and a second position... Agent: Cooley Godward Kronish LLP Attn: Patent Group

20070225809 - System and device for filling a human implantable container with a filler material: A small, simple user-operated device for filling an implantable container or space inside a body structure or a void is disclosed. The device includes a delivery tube defining a load port at a proximal end and an ejection port at a distal end, an auger rod disposed within the delivery... Agent: Dicke, Billig & Czaja

20070225811 - Conformable orthopedic implant: Compound orthopedic implants, intervertebral prosthetic implants and methods of treating a patient are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a compound orthopedic implant comprises a first conformable body and a second conformable body overlying the first conformable body. The compound orthopedic implant can function as a conformable carrier for delivering a... Agent: Larson Newman Abel Polansky & White, LLP

20070225812 - Intervertebral prosthesis: The present invention relates to an intervertebral prosthesis. In particular, the present invention relates to an articulating intervertebral disc prosthesis. In use, the intervertebral prosthesis is fixed to the end plates of vertebrae following the surgical excision of a degenerative or ruptured disc. The intervertebral prosthesis has substantially flat bone... Agent: Kenneth I Kohn Kohn & Associates, PLLC

20070225815 - Devices and methods for annular repair of intervertebral discs: Devices and methods for treating a damaged intervertebral disc to reduce or eliminate associated back pain. The present invention provides disc reinforcement therapy (DRT) which involves implanting one or more reinforcement members in and preferably around the annulus of the disc. The reinforcement members may be used to stabilize the... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070225816 - Devices and methods for annular repair of intervertebral discs: Devices and methods for treating a damaged intervertebral disc to reduce or eliminate associated back pain. The present invention provides disc reinforcement therapy (DRT) which involves implanting one or more reinforcement members in and preferably around the annulus of the disc. The reinforcement members may be used to stabilize the... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070225814 - Devices and methods for the treatment of spinal disorders: Devices and methods for treating a damaged intervertebral disc to reduce or eliminate associated back pain. Dynamic bias devices and reinforcement devices are disclosed, which may be used individually or in combination, to eliminate nerve impingement associated with the damaged disc, and/or to reinforce the damaged disc, while permitting relative... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070225813 - Dynamic spinal implants incorporating cartilage bearing graft material: A dynamic spinal implant utilizes cartilage bearing graft material in dynamic disc replacement and/or facet arthroplasty. Methods and apparatus for dynamic spinal implants incorporate bulk articular graft tissues derived from donor joint sources in human (allograft or autograft) or non-human (xenograft) tissue. The donor joint is preferably prepared as a... Agent: Patterson, Thuente, Skaar & Christensen, P.A.

20070225817 - Glenoid component with improved fixation stability: A glenoid component is provided to reduce glenoid loosening when implanted in orthopedic joint replacement/reconstruction, such for a shoulder. The glenoid component can include pegs or a keel and articulating surface geometry that uses complex, non-spherical geometry to recreate a level of constraint that is adequate, but not excessive, to... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070225818 - Non-spherical articulating surfaces in shoulder and hip replacement: An orthopedic device and method of use are provided that incorporate complex, non-spherical articulating surfaces to allow a greater available range of motion compared with existing artificial shoulder joint and artificial hip joints. According to some embodiments, complex, non-spherical articulating surfaces can be incorporated on a humeral head and/or glenoid... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070225819 - Apparatus and method for the treatment of periprosthetic fractures: An apparatus and method is provided for the reduction and fixation of fractures of a bone to which an implant component has been attached. The apparatus includes a reduction plate that is configured to be anchored to the implant component and to receive bone engaging fasteners to fasten the reduction... Agent: Graybeal, Jackson, Haley LLP

20070225820 - Total wrist prosthesis: Total wrist prosthesis comprising a radial component with a stem for fixation into the radius, a carpal component with one or more stems for fixation into the capitate and an intermediate bearing component which articulates with the radial component and allows rotational movement of the carpal component relative to the... Agent: Fitch Even Tabin And Flannery

20070225821 - Femoral and humeral stem geometry and implantation method for orthopedic joint reconstruction: The present inventions relate to devices and methods that improve the positioning and fit of orthopedic reconstructive joint replacement stem implants relative to existing methods. For example, an embodiment of the device provides a stem component comprising proximal and distal body portions that can be configured to mimic a geometric... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070225822 - Orthopedic implants coated with pyrolytic carbon: An orthopedic implant having a metal substrate with an articulating surface includes a coating for the articulating surface made of pyrolytic carbon. Typically, the substrate is made of a metal such as titanium or stainless steel, or alloys thereof. The pyrolytic carbon coating preferably is applied by vapor deposition.... Agent: Rankin, Hill, Porter & Clark, LLP

20070225823 - Methods of preparing hydrogel coatings: The present invention provides hydrogel coated, implantable medical devices and methods of coating hydrogels onto implantable medical devices. In one embodiment, a hydrogel coated medical device is formed by physically treating a surface of the medical device, chemically treating the surface, applying a hydrogel precursor and then crosslinking the hydrogel... Agent: Wood, Herron & Evans, LLP (zimmer)

20070219612 - Apparatus and methods for deployment of linked prosthetic segments: A luminal prosthesis comprises a plurality of radially expandable prosthetic stent segments arranged axially. Two or more of the prosthetic stent segments are separable upon expansion from the remaining prosthetic stent segments and a coupling structure connects at least some of the adjacent prosthetic stent segments to each other. The... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP (client No 021629-000000)

20070219613 - Apparatus and methods for interlocking stent segments: Apparatus and methods for interlocking stent segments which provide for a secure engagement between the expanded stent segments are described herein. Stent segments which are able to slide freely relative to one another along the deployment catheter prior to expansion may be secured to one another when expanded and/or deployed... Agent: Levine Bagade Han LLP

20070219615 - System and method to illuminate and image the inside diameter of a stent: An optical system is effective to illuminate and scan an interior wall of an object having an interior bore, such as a stent. The system includes a light source, an object support having a light conducting portion, an image taking lens, and a line scan camera. The interior bore and... Agent: Wiggin And Dana LLP Attention: Patent Docketing

20070219622 - Stent-graft structure having one or more stent pockets: A stent-graft assembly is provided for a variety of medical treatments. The stent-graft assembly comprises an inner graft, an outer graft, and at least one stent disposed circumferentially between the inner graft and outer graft. The inner graft is attached directly to the outer graft circumferentially at a first location... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20070219626 - Stents made of biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials: A stent comprising a plurality of annular elements aligned in the longitudinal direction of extension of the stent and selectively expandable between a radially-contracted condition and a radially-expanded condition as well as a series of connecting elements that extend in the longitudinal direction of extension of the stent to connect... Agent: Popovich, Wiles & O'connell, PA 650 Third Avenue South

20070219637 - Modular center pegged glenoid: A glenoid component used for shoulder arthroplasty is adapted to be implanted into a scapula and engaged by a head of a humeral component. The glenoid component includes a body having a first articulating surface and a second medial surface opposite to the first articulating surface. The first articulating surface... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20070219639 - Prosthetic device and system and method for implanting prosthetic device: A prosthetic device includes one or more components configured to be disposed in a joint. The component includes at least one feature configured to provide information about the component. The information can be used to determine or create the relationship between the component and the joint and/or other components. This... Agent: Foley And Lardner LLP Suite 500

20070219640 - Ceramic-on-ceramic prosthetic device coupled to a flexible bone interface: A prosthetic ball and socket joint comprising a ceramic on ceramic articulation surface and a resilient bone interface coupling component.... Agent: John Scott Winterla

20070219641 - Prosthetic hip implants: Prosthetic hip stems and acetabular cups for use in prosthetic hip joints. The hip stem may include a core having a stem portion and a neck portion, a polymer matrix layer substantially covering the stem portion of the core, and a porous metal layer substantially covering the polymer matrix layer.... Agent: Zimmer Technology - Baker & Daniels

20070219611 - Apparatus for treating a bifurcated region of a conduit: A system for treating a diseased body conduit bifurcation that is readily deliverable into a region of a body conduit having typically asymmetric anatomy, such as a vessel bifurcation is provided. The system comprises a delivery device such as a catheter having a shaft with varying torsional properties along its... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070219614 - Introducer for a side branch device: An introduction arrangement for a fenestrated or branched stent graft (13) intended for deployment into the lumen of a vessel having a blind vessel extending from it. The introducer (1) has a distal end intended to remain outside a patient in use and a proximal end with a nose cone... Agent: Cook Group Patent Office

20070219616 - Notched catheter: A notched catheter has a lumen and a notched outer surface intersecting the lumen with a filament-containing layer adjacent to the outer surface. A part of the filament-containing layer is capturable between the notched surface portion and an elongate element extendable through the lumen.... Agent: Adams And Reese LLP

20070219610 - Stent with flap: An article including a stent including a flap that extends from a tubular support structure, the flap having an arcuate apex.... Agent: Dekel Patent Ltd., David Klein

20070219617 - Handle for long self expanding stent: A stent delivery system includes a handle having a housing and a spool. A pushrod has a proximal end connected to the housing of the handle. A stent is located near a distal end of the pushrod, wherein the handle has a linear length less than a linear length of... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070219618 - Endoprosthesis having multiple helically wound flexible framework elements: The present invention is directed to an implantable medical device having two or more flexible framework elements helically disposed around a common central axis. Each framework element has a configuration having a series of apices alternating in direction. The framework elements are arranged together in the helical winding so the... Agent: Gore Enterprise Holdings, Inc.

20070219619 - Partially covered stent devices and methods of use: Devices, systems and methods are provided for treating aneurysms, particularly cerebral aneurysms. Such treatment is achieved minimally invasively without the need for conventional filling materials and methods. Such treatments may be used for aneurysms located near blood vessel side-branches and bifurcations.... Agent: Levine Bagade Han LLP

20070219621 - Side branch stent graft construction: A stent graft (10) has a tubular body (12) of a biocompatible material and at least one fenestration (18, 20). The or each fenestration has a tubular side branch stitched into it with a portion of the tubular side branch extending within the tubular body and a portion of the... Agent: Cook Group Patent Office

20070219620 - Stent graft repair device: A repair device (10) for affixing a migrating stent graft (30) to the interior surface of a vessel wall (31). The repair device includes tubular graft (11) with a bare or uncovered stent (16) affixed to the proximal end (12). The bare stent includes a plurality of distally pointed barbs... Agent: Cook Group Patent Office

20070219624 - Intraluminal medical device having improved visibility: A stent may be formed of at least one structural material having a pattern including at least one serpentine structure which extends about the longitudinal axis of the stent. The structure is formed of a plurality of struts. Adjacent struts are interconnected by end portions having inner turns and outer... Agent: Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A.

20070219623 - Medical devices having mems functionality and methods of making same: Implantable medical devices, including stents, grafts, covered stents, catheters, patches or the like having regions of the device which are functionalized employing microelectromechanical systems that are capable of acting as electromechanical sensors or biosensors in response to either an endogenous event, such as tissue growth, biochemical binding events, pressure changes,... Agent: Rosenbaum & Associates

20070219625 - Assembly for the treatment of bifurcations: A stent for the endoluminal treatment of stenosis at a vessel bifurcation comprises at least two cylindrical portions extending along different axes. A catheter and a mandrel for placing the stent are described as well.... Agent: Shoemaker And Mattare, Ltd

20070219627 - Prosthesis fixation apparatus and methods: A method of securing a prosthesis placed at a desired site in a passageway of a human body comprises delivering a fastener having a proximal piercing end portion and a distal piercing end portion to a site where a prosthesis having a tubular wall has been placed in the passageway,... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070219628 - Implantable medical device with drug filled holes: The present invention relates to implantable medical devices for delivery of therapeutic agents, such as drugs, to a patient. More particularly, the invention relates to a device having therapeutic agents protected by a protective layer that prevents or retards processes that deactivate or degrade the active agents.... Agent: Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney PC

20070219630 - Devices and methods for beating heart cardiac surgeries: The present invention provides devices for beating heart surgery. The device separates the valve and the surrounding area from the rest of the vascular system so the operation procedure can be carried out while the heart is beating during the entire course of the procedure. This is made possible through... Agent: Craig Taylor Law Office, PLLC

20070219629 - Heart valve inserter: A heart valve holder-inserter (21, 121) is designed to facilitate easy implantation of a mechanical heart valve pros-thesis (23, 123). This holder-inserter, at its distal end, incorporates a pair of diametrically opposed guide members (47, 49, 81, 147, 149) which extend well beyond the leading edge of the prosthesis and... Agent: Fitch Even Tabin And Flannery

20070219631 - Pre-formed intrastromal corneal insert for corneal abnormalities or dystrophies: A pre-formed intrastromal corneal insert for use in treating Keratoconus and similar dystrophies and methods of using the same. An intrastromal insert of the present invention comprises a biocompatible polymer and may be used to adjust corneal curvature, thereby correcting vision abnormalities caused by disease or other surgical procedures. The... Agent: Foley & Lardner LLP

20070219632 - Method and intra-sclera implant for treatment of glaucoma and presbyopia: An apparatus and method for treating presbyopia and lowering intraocular pressure employing an intra-scleral implant into an elongated cavity oriented in the radial direction of the eye. The implant has a planar portion with a longitudinal axis running therethrough and a pair of extension portions extending a distance away from... Agent: Donn K. Harms Patent & Trademark Law Center

20070219633 - Enhancement of lens regeneration using materials comprising polysiloxane polymers: The present invention addresses the treatment of ocular conditions by the enhancement of lens regeneration. Enhancement of lens regeneration is accomplished by the administration of a composition comprising a polysiloxane polymer having functional acryl groups useful in the preparation of intraocular lenses (IOLs).... Agent: Advanced Medical Optics, Inc.

20070219634 - Expandable support device and method of use: An expandable support device for tissue repair is disclosed. The device can be used to repair hard or soft tissue, such as bone or vertebral discs. A method of repairing tissue is also disclosed. The device and method can be used to treat compression fractures. The compression fractures can be... Agent: Levine Bagade Han LLP

20070219635 - Intervertebral implant: The intervertebral implant is in the form of a three-dimensional structure (10) comprising (a) a top side (1) and an underside (2) which are designed to rest against the end plates of two adjacent vertebras, (b) a left side face (3) and a right side face (4), (c) a front... Agent: Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, LLP

20070219636 - implant assembly for proximal femoral fracture: An implant assembly for proximal femur fracture comprises of a targeting device and intramedullary nail having plurality of proximal holes directed towards head and neck of femur wherein the axis of the holes makes an ante version angle of about 5° to 20° with the horizontal plane and at the... Agent: Law Firm Of Naren Thappeta

20070219638 - Prosthetic glenoid component: A prosthetic glenoid component for attachment to a scapula to provide a bearing for a humeral head in a shoulder prosthesis has a one-piece bearing element having a concave lateral bearing surface for contact with the humeral head with which it is to be used. An opposing relatively hard medial... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20070219642 - Hybrid stent having a fiber or wire backbone: A stent is provided with a series of short pieces or sections connected together by at least one polymer fiber or wire. The polymer fiber or wire can be biodegradable or durable. The fiber polymers may also contain beads, blobs and bulges in the fibers. The stent sections are designed... Agent: Morgan & Finnegan, L.L.P.

20070219643 - Prosthetic foot with tunable performance: A prosthetic foot (100) incorporates a foot keel (101) and a resilient calf shank (105) with its lower end connected to the foot keel to form an ankle joint of the prosthetic foot. The foot keel has forefoot and hindfoot portions and a midfoot portion extending between the forefoot and... Agent: Antonelli, Terry, Stout & Kraus, LLP

20070213812 - Apparatuses and methods for delivering/deploying a medical device in a vessel: A medical device that can be used for treating a defective heart valve. One aspect of the invention pertains to a longitudinally adjustable medical device that comprises a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a cord member. The distal portion comprises a distal anchoring member, a distal telescope, and a... Agent: Blakely Sokoloff Taylor & Zafman

20070213802 - Bifurcation stent delivery catheter and method: A stent delivery system is disclosed for delivering and deploying a radially expandable stent at a strategic orientation and location in a body vessel. The delivery system includes an elongated flexible tubular shaft sized suitably for insertion into the body vessel, first and second inflatable members disposed adjacent the distal... Agent: Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P.

20070213804 - Kit for treating vascular bifurcations: A stepped balloon catheter prosthesis deployment system is disclosed for placement of a prosthesis across an Os opening from a main body lumen to a branch body lumen. The prosthesis comprises a radially expansible support at one end, a circumferentially extending link at the other end and at least one... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070213801 - Medical device with coating that promotes endothelial cell adherence and differentiation: Compositions and methods are provided for producing a medical device such as a stent, a stent graft, a synthetic vascular graft, heart valves, coated with a biocompatible matrix which incorporates antibodies, antibody fragments, or small molecules, which recognize, bind to and/or interact with a progenitor cell surface antigen to immobilize... Agent: Kelley Drye & Warren LLP

20070213803 - Prosthesis and deployment catheter for treating vascular bifurcations: A stepped balloon catheter prosthesis deployment system is disclosed for placement of a prosthesis across an Os opening from a main body lumen to a branch body lumen. The prosthesis comprises a radially expansible support at one end, a circumferentially extending link at the other end and at least one... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070213805 - Expandable stent grafts and methods of use thereof: This invention relates to a medical device and, in particular, to a prosthesis or stent graft assembly for use within the human or animal body and, more particularly, to the fastening of a stent to the graft material of the stent graft assembly or prosthesis.... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20070213806 - Non-foreshortening intraluminal prosthesis: An intraluminal prosthesis is provided with a plurality of annular elements. Each annular element includes a plurality of struts and apices connected to form an annular configuration. Each annular element has a compressed state and an expanded state, and has a longitudinal dimension which is smaller in the expanded state... Agent: Raymond Sun Law Offices Of Raymond Sun

20070213807 - Non-foreshortening intraluminal prosthesis: An intraluminal prosthesis is provided with a plurality of annular elements. Each annular element includes a plurality of struts and apices connected to form an annular configuration. Each annular element has a compressed state and an expanded state, and has a longitudinal dimension which is smaller in the expanded state... Agent: Raymond Sun Law Offices Of Raymond Sun

20070213808 - Non-foreshortening intraluminal prosthesis: An intraluminal prosthesis is provided with a plurality of annular elements. Each annular element includes a plurality of struts and apices connected to form an annular configuration. Each annular element has a compressed state and an expanded state, and has a longitudinal dimension which is smaller in the expanded state... Agent: Raymond Sun Law Offices Of Raymond Sun

20070213809 - Resonator for medical device: A resonator device including an induction coil, a conductive member positioned adjacent the induction coil, and a dielectric layer between at least a portion of the induction coil and the conductive member to form a capacitor structure. In one embodiment, the conductive member can be a stent. In an alternative... Agent: Brooks & Cameron, PLLC

20070213810 - Segmented endoprosthesis: Generally, the present invention includes a segmented endoprosthesis for delivery into a lumen of a body. The endoprostheses can be configured to include a plurality of longitudinally-adjacent annular elements joined together with a shock-absorbing inter-connector such that adjacent annular elements can move independently from each other. Also, the segmented endoprosthesis... Agent: Workman Nydegger

20070213800 - Method and apparatus for stenting comprising enhanced embolic protection coupled with improved protections against restenosis and thrombus formation: Apparatus and methods for stenting are provided comprising a stent attached to a porous biocompatible material that is permeable to endothelial cell ingrowth, but impermeable to release of emboli of predetermined size. Preferred stent designs are provided, as well as preferred manufacturing techniques. Apparatus and methods are also provided for... Agent: Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps LLP

20070213811 - Bifurcated stent with improvement securement: A stent assembly includes a branch portion and a main body with a proximal main body, a contralateral main body, and a distal main body. The branch portion is in fluid communication with the main body. In the expanded state the branch portion extends at an oblique angle in relation... Agent: Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A.

20070213813 - Stent-valves for valve replacement and associated methods and systems for surgery: Stent-valves (e.g., single-stent-valves and double-stent-valves), associated methods and systems for their delivery via minimally-invasive surgery, and guide-wire compatible closure devices for sealing access orifices are provided.... Agent: Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky & Popeo

20070213814 - Method and apparatus for improving mitral valve function: A method and apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation. The apparatus is inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being adapted to straighten the natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the... Agent: Mark J. Pandiscio Pandiscio & Pandiscio, P.C.

20070213815 - System for improving cardiac function: A system for improving cardiac function is provided. A foldable and expandable frame having at least one anchoring formation is attached to an elongate manipulator and placed in a catheter tube while folded. The tube is inserted into a left ventricle of a heart where the frame is ejected from... Agent: Shay Law Group LLP

20070213817 - Accommodating intraocular lens having peripherally actuated deflectable surface and method: An accommodating intraocular lens is provided in which a deflectable lens element is anchored to a substrate along its optical axis to define a fluid filled space. Fluid-filled haptics disposed in fluid communication with the space vary the fluid volume in the space responsive to forces applied by the ciliary... Agent: Shay Law Group LLP

20070213818 - Eye implant and methods of positioning an artificial eye implant within the eye of a human or an animal: The invention relates to an artificial eye implant, especially as a substitute for an eye lens or a vitreous body of a human or animal eye consisting of a hollow body, wherein the hollow body is made of a biocompatible, flexible and extensible material and is able to be filled... Agent: Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC

20070213816 - Interior bag for a capsular bag and injector: An interior bag for a capsular bag of an eye comprises a discriminatingly permeable interior bag that selectively reduces fluid flow volume through the interior bag. The interior bag is secured inside the capsular bag. A structure, adapted to hold a refractive device, is attached to the interior bag.... Agent: Dla Piper US LLP

20070213819 - Method and apparatus for fixing a graft in a bone tunnel: A method and apparatus for fixing a ligament in a bone tunnel by cross-pinning the ligament in the bone tunnel.... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20070213827 - Hardened calcium phosphate cement bone implants: In some embodiments, an implant may include a porous component and a load bearing component at least partially surrounding the porous component. The porous component has a porosity that is greater than the porosity of the load bearing component. One or more protrusions may be present on the load bearing... Agent: Meyertons, Hood, Kivlin, Kowert & Goetzel, P.C.

20070213821 - Intervertebral disc prosthesis having multiple bearing surfaces: An intervertebral disc prosthesis comprises a left prosthesis component and a symmetric right prosthesis component positioned in an intervertebral space. Each prosthesis component includes a superior vertebra facing surface, an inferior vertebra facing surface, and a substantially spherical bearing surface. The bearing surface is positioned between the superior vertebra facing... Agent: Maginot, Moore & Beck, LLP Chase Tower

20070213826 - Intervertebral spacer and insertion tool providing multiple angles of insertion: An intervertebral spacer includes a trailing end having a surface shaped to engage a complementary surface of an insertion tool and also includes an opening configured to receive an extending portion from the tool. While the extending portion is disposed within the spacer's trailing end, the tool may be positioned... Agent: Mcdermott, Will & Emery

20070213825 - Method and apparatus for intervertebral disc support and repair: An intervertebral disc device is provided to support or repair one or both of the disc annulus and the disc nucleus. The intervertebral disc device includes an annulus support and an elongated member to support the disc nucleus. The disc annulus support has an elongated wire and an annulus closure.... Agent: Holland & Hart, LLP (lanx, LLC) Intellectual Property Department

20070213828 - Non-metallic implant devices and intra-operative methods for assembly and fixation: This invention relates to orthopedic implants and to methods of treating bone defects. More specifically, but not exclusively, the present invention is directed to non-metallic implants and to methods for intra-operative assembly and fixation of orthopedic implants to facilitate medical treatment. The non-metallic implant assembly can be secured to underlying... Agent: Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarty, Mcnett & Henry LLP

20070213820 - Spondylodesis device: Disclosed is a device comprising at least one intervertebral implant (3) and at least one plate (4,5) that is to be connected to the intervertebral implant (3) and an adjacent spine (21-23). The intervertebral implant (3) is connected to at least two spaced-apart plates (4,5). One end of both plates... Agent: Browdy And Neimark, P.l.l.c. 624 Ninth Street, Nw

20070213822 - Treatment of the vertebral column: A method is provided for treating a spinal condition. The method includes introducing a biological treatment into an area of a vertebral column, and mechanically unloading the treated area by applying a load-bearing device to the anterior region, the anterior column region, the posterior region, or the spinous process region... Agent: Haynes And Boone, LLP

20070213823 - Treatment of the vertebral column: A method is provided for treating a spinal condition. The method includes introducing a biological treatment into an area of a vertebral column, and mechanically unloading the treated area by applying a load-bearing device to the anterior region, the anterior column region, the posterior region, or the spinous process region... Agent: Haynes And Boone, LLP

20070213824 - Treatment of the vertebral column: A method is provided for treating a spinal condition. The method includes introducing a biological treatment into an area of a vertebral column, and mechanically unloading the treated area by applying a load-bearing device to the anterior region, the anterior column region, the posterior region, or the spinous process region... Agent: Haynes And Boone, LLP

20070213829 - Shock-absorbing intervertebral implant: The invention relates to an intervertebral implant comprising a spacer designed to be applied between two spinous processes of two vertebrae. The spacer comprises: two elements (10, 12) made of a first material, and each presenting a first end (10a, 12a) and a second end (10b, 12b), said first end... Agent: Merchant & Gould PC

20070213830 - Method and apparatus for performing an open wedge, high tibial osteotomy: Apparatus for performing an open wedge, high tibial osteotomy, the apparatus comprising a wedge-shaped implant for disposition in a wedge-shaped opening created in the tibia, wherein the wedge-shaped implant comprises at least one key for disposition in at least one corresponding keyhole formed in the tibia adjacent to the wedge-shaped... Agent: Mark J. Pandiscio Pandiscio & Pandiscio, P.C.

20070213831 - Finger or toe prosthesis: The invention relates to a finger or toe prosthesis having an intracorporal implant and an external modular frame constituting the core of the finger or toe prosthesis with a certain number of modules or components, each with its own function, e.g. a joint, which will be assembled to constitute one... Agent: Whitham, Curtis & Christofferson & Cook, P.C.

20070213833 - Method and apparatus for performing a minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty: A method and apparatus for performing a minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty. The apparatus may include a provisional femoral head allowing for radial placement thereof on a provisional femoral neck.... Agent: Zimmer Technology - Baker & Daniels

20070213832 - Surface treatments for calcium phosphate-based implants: Bioresorbable unsintered calcium phosphate prosthetic bone implants with surface mineral coatings capable of acting as a pharmaceutical carriers for bioactive agents of therapeutic use are provided herein. Also disclosed are methods of making said implants.... Agent: Meyertons, Hood, Kivlin, Kowert & Goetzel, P.C.

20070213834 - Plastic implant impregnated with a degradation protector: A plastic implant device for a mammal that contains a rare earth metal compound tracer and a method for detecting degradation such as wear of the implanted device are disclosed. The tracer can also be present with a separate antioxidant or the tracer compound can be can be the salt... Agent: Edward P. Gamson

20070213835 - Plastic implant impregnated with an antibiotic: A plastic device containing an effective amount of an antibiotic to minimize bacterial and/or fungal infection at the site of implantation is disclosed.... Agent: Edward P. Gamson

20070213836 - Surgical ring with an improved closure system: An implantable surgical ring (1, 10) for surrounding one or more organs having a pouch or a duct, in order to modify the section of the passage in the organ(s), the ring (1, 10) being in the form of a flexible strap (2, 20) extending between first and second ends... Agent: Powell Goldstein LLP

20070213837 - System and method for determining implanted device orientation: A system is operable to detect the orientation of an implant component. The system comprises an implantable component, an external component, and a logic component. The implantable component comprises a first coil operable to transmit a first signal having a phase. The external component comprises a second coil operable to... Agent: Frost Brown Todd, LLC

20070213838 - Tubular graft: The present invention is concerned with a tubular graft comprising a first auxetic tube (20D) defining an interior surface and an exterior surface, and having a non-auxetic tubular covering (20A) on at least one of the group consisting of: said exterior surface, and said interior surface. Also provided are methods... Agent: Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck, P.C.

20070213839 - Artificial limb assembly having microprocessor-controlled vacuum pump: Vacuum-assist artificial limb assemblies (10, 94) are provided having a socket (22, 104) for receiving a residual limb (20). The assemblies (10, 94) include a vacuum pump and control assembly (18, 100, 102) with a selectively operable vacuum pump (72, 116) controlled by a microprocessor (44, 102). The microprocessor (44,... Agent: Hovey Williams LLP

20070213840 - Prosthetic foot with tunable performance: A resilient lower extremity prosthesis comprising a foot, an ankle and a shank above the ankle is provided with an artificial muscle (190) on the shank (191) of the prosthesis for storing energy during force loading of the prosthesis in the active propulsion phase of a person's gait and in... Agent: Antonelli, Terry, Stout & Kraus, LLP

20070213841 - Prosthetic foot with tunable performance: A lower extremity prosthesis including a foot, an ankle, a shank and a posterior calf device to store energy during force loading of the prosthesis and return the stored energy during force unloading to increase the kinetic power generated for propulsive force by the prosthesis in gait. The posterior calf... Agent: Antonelli, Terry, Stout & Kraus, LLP

20070213842 - Prosthetic arm: A prosthetic limb is provided, particularly intended for attachment to the arm of an amputee, comprising a forearm section, a wrist section and a hand section which are structurally and functionally interconnected to simulate a large number of the movements performed by the corresponding natural skeletal structures.... Agent: Gray Robinson, P.A.

20070208406 - Bifurcated stent system balloon folds: The present invention is directed to balloon folding configurations and methods for catheter devices having dual lumens in radial proximity to the balloon, such as, but not limited to, self-aligning stent delivery systems for treatment of bifurcated lesions. The configuration designs alters the conventional catheter profile by packing balloon materials... Agent: Merchant & Gould PC

20070208407 - Medical device delivery systems: Implantable medical endoprosthesis delivery systems and articles are provided.... Agent: Fish & Richardson PC

20070208408 - Non-foreshortening sheaths and assemblies for use: A catheter assembly comprises a catheter shaft having a device receiving portion, an expandable balloon disposed about the device receiving portion, and a sheath. The sheath has an outer surface and an inner surface defining an inner lumen. The outer surface and inner surface has a sheath wall extending there... Agent: Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A.

20070208405 - Stent delivery catheter: Stent delivery catheters adapted to provide both flexibility and strength are disclosed. Such stent delivery catheters may have outer shafts adapted for tensile strength and inner shafts adapted for compressive strength. In some instances, at least one of the outer shaft and/or the inner shaft may include a micromachined portion.... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20070208409 - Flexible stent-graft devices and methods of producing the same: An implantable stent-graft (10) includes a radially distensible, tubular stent (20) having opposed open ends (12′, 14′) and a stent wall structure (16′) having opposed exterior and luminal surfaces (30, 32); and a segmented, non-textile polymeric tubular structure (16) including a plurality of graft segments (18) circumferentially disposed about one... Agent: Hoffmann & Baron, LLP

20070208410 - Methods and apparatus for treatment of aneurysms adjacent to branch arteries: Methods and apparatus for delivering and reducing the profile of a catheter for delivering a stent graft including integral branch connections. A configuration of a branch vessel stent graft, including a branch vessel connection connecting a very thin walled PTFE tubular branch to a woven polyester main body. The connection... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070208411 - Bifurcated stent with surface area gradient: A stent may comprise a plurality of interconnected strut members defining a plurality of serpentine bands and a plurality of connector struts. Adjacent serpentine bands may be connected by at least one connector strut. The stent may further comprise an outwardly deployable side branch structure. The total amount of surface... Agent: Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A.

20070208412 - Intravascular device with netting system: An intravascular device for keeping open a previously constricted site within a vessel and for minimizing tissue debris at such a site from closing off the vessel is provided. The device includes an expandable substantially tubular body defined by a framework having a plurality of openings. The device also includes... Agent: Greenberg Traurig, LLP

20070208413 - Stent: It is intended to provide a stent to be used in a lumen which can uniformly cover an intralumen tissue, relieve troubles (for example, restenosis) in the intralumen tissue upon stent dilation, by easily compressed and fixed to a balloon or the like and safely move forward in the oral... Agent: Hogan & Hartson L.L.P.

20070208415 - Bifurcated stent with controlled drug delivery: A bifurcated stent has at least one main stent body and at least one side branch when expanded. The bifurcated stent further has a drug eluting coating or coatings selectively deposited on the stent surface such that at least one region of the stent releases drug at a different kinetic... Agent: Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A.

20070208414 - Tapered strength rings on a bifurcated stent petal: A stent assembly comprises a second stent body and a substantially tubular first stent body defining a first lumen and containing a side branch opening. In an undeployed state, the second stent body is at least partially comprised of rings having peaks and spans between these peaks. In a deployed... Agent: Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A.

20070208416 - Flexible stent: A flexible stent structure includes a plurality of axially spaced strut portions defining generally tubular axial segments of the stent and constructed to be radially expandable. A helical portion is interposed axially between two strut portions and has a plurality of helical elements connected between circumferentially spaced locations on the... Agent: Diane Dunn Mckay, Esq. Matthews, Shepherd, Mckay & Bruneau, P.A.

20070208417 - Methods of reducing retrograde flow: Methods of reducing retrograde fluid flow through a valve within a body vessel are provided. The methods can include the steps of identifying a valve exhibiting an undesirable amount of retrograde fluid flow within a body vessel, such as a venous valve or a heart valve, and providing a means... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/indy/cook

20070208418 - Bifurcated stent: A stent, with expanded and unexpanded configurations, comprises a substantially tubular body having a proximal end region, a distal end region, and defining a first lumen therethrough. The tubular body comprises a plurality of adjacent deployable elements positioned between the proximal end region and distal end region. In the expanded... Agent: Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A.

20070208419 - Bifurcation stent with uniform side branch projection: An expandable stent may be made having a tubular body and an expandable side branch section. The tubular body has at least one perimeter which defines at least one opening in the wall of the tubular body. The expandable side branch section has a plurality of elongate members with a... Agent: Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A.

20070208420 - Functionalizing implantable devices with a poly (diol co-citrate) polymer: The present invention is directed to a novel poly(diol citrates)-based coating for implantable devices. More specifically, the specification describes methods and compositions for making and using implantable devices coated with citric acid copolymers or citric acid copolymers impregnated with therapeutic compositions and/or cells.... Agent: Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP

20070208421 - Stent-graft having flexible geometries and methods of producing the same: A stent-graft or prosthesis (10) with enhanced flexibility, in particular enhanced bending flexibility, includes a radially distensible stent (24) and at least one continuously uninterrupted ePTFE tubular graft or covering (18) having a node and fibril structure. The tubular stent (24) includes opposed open ends (12′, 14′) and a stent... Agent: Hoffmann & Baron, LLP

20070208422 - Medical tools for facilitating deep lamellar endothelial keratoplasty and related methods: Systems, devices and methods for performing small incision DLEK include providing a corneal transplantation donor tissue graft; then forming the tissue graft into an implantable configuration using the flexible substrate. Related medical kits and tools for forming a compact or rolled donor tissue graft are also described.... Agent: Myers Bigel Sibley & Sajovec

20070208423 - Intervertebral implant for transforminal posterior lumbar interbody fusion procedure: An intervertebral implant for fusing vertebrae is disclosed. The implant may have a body with curved, posterior and anterior faces separated by two narrow implant ends, superior and inferior faces having a plurality of undulating surfaces for contacting vertebral endplates, and at least one depression in the anterior or posterior... Agent: Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, LLP

20070208424 - Multipiece allograft implant: An allogenic implant for use in intervertebral fusion is formed from two parts. The first part, composed of cortical bone, provides mechanical strength to the implant, allowing the proper distance between the vertebrae being treated to be maintained. The second part, composed of cancellous bone, is ductile and promotes the... Agent: Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, LLP

20070208425 - Artificial vertebral disk replacement implant with crossbar spacer and method: The present invention is directed to a device with that can be placed between two vertebrae. The implant is characterized by having a first plate and a second plate with a crossbar therebetween. The crossbar fits within cavities on each of the first and second plate and allows for pivotal... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070208426 - Spinal implant with improved surface properties for delivery: An intervertebral prosthetic disc is disclosed and can be installed within an intervertebral space between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra. The intervertebral prosthetic disc can include a superior component and an inferior component that can have an inferior bearing surface. A hydrophilicity of the inferior bearing surface can... Agent: Larson Newman Abel Polansky & White, LLP

20070208427 - Prosthesis for joint replacement: The invention includes a prosthesis with improved abrasive wear, comprising a composite material. The composite material may comprise an abrasive or superabrasive material dispersed in a continuous matrix of another material. The prosthesis may be formed partially or entirely of composite material, or may be coated with composite material on... Agent: Pepper Hamilton LLP

20070208428 - Double shell implant for cementless anchorage of joint prostheses: The invention solves the problem of anchoring a prosthetic component into compliant, cancellous bone by a thin, preferably pure titanium, or a titanium-based alloy, perforated, hence hydraulically open, shell (1, 13), spaced apart from the second, non-perforated shell (2, 14). In most applications, dictated by the anatomical site of insertion,... Agent: Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck, P.C.

20070208429 - An anti reflux system: The present invention is concerned with a system and method for preventing or substantially reducing the occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux in a human or animal, in particular by the fixation of a valve based device (10) within the stomach of such a human or animal, about the lower oesophageal sphincter... Agent: Porter Wright Morris & Arthur, LLP Intellectual Property Group

20070208430 - Artificial multi-axis knee joint: An artificial multi-axis knee joint comprising an upper leg portion (1) and a lower leg portion (2), the upper leg portion and the lower leg portion being pivotally connected to each other by means of a front link (3), which front link (3) at one end thereof is pivotally connected... Agent: Bacon & Thomas, PLLC

20070208431 - Swing phase control device: A swing phase control device for an artificial knee joint is disclosed. The swing phase control device has a piston-cylinder device having a piston having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, a first chamber associated with the first side of the piston; and a second... Agent: Barley Snyder, LLC