Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or aids and accessories therefor inventions 10/07

20070250150 - Medical device delivery system having a sheath with a flared strain relief member operatively coupled by a unidirectional handle: A flared strain relief member for medical device delivery systems for stents, prosthetic valve devices, and other implantable articles inside a patient's body are provided. An elongate outer sheath has proximal and distal end portions defining a passageway, and the proximal end portion having an outer layer including melt bonding... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20070250161 - Cardiac valve annulus restraining device: A catheter based system for treating mitral valve regurgitation includes a reshaping device having a body and a plurality of movable anchoring barbs attached to the body of the device. The reshaping device can be made from a biocompatible material having suitable shape memory properties. The devices of the current... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070250167 - Spine implants: An example device for the fixation and support of bone bodies includes a base member for implantation into a patient at a location between two bone bodies. The base member of the device includes an enclosed chamber for receiving fusion material and apertures for receiving bone fasteners that can be... Agent: Pearne & Gordon LLP

20070250172 - Electronically controlled artificial intervertebral disc with motor assisted actuation systems and an active closed-loop microchip responding by sensors to variable human locomotor activity and spinal motion: An electronically assisted artificial vertebral disc having an upper disc plate and a lower disc plate is disclosed. An actuator imparts movement to at least one of the upper and lower disc plates. A control device controls the actuator and the amount of movement between the disc plates. The actuator... Agent: Mcgrath, Geissler, Olds & Richardson, PLLC

20070250149 - Stiffening support catheters and methods for using the same: A delivery system catheter that can track to a deployment location and has sufficient stiffness to support the catheter within the anatomy, thereby aiding with deployment of a stent with minimal movement of the stent. This results in more accurate placement of the stent at the deployment location. The delivery... Agent: Workman Nydegger

20070250148 - Systems, apparatus and methods related to helical, non-helical or removable stents with rectilinear ends: An intraluminal stent comprising a helical arrangement of elements defined by a successive series of substantially straight struts connected by apex sections alternately pointing in the opposite directions, wherein at least one apex section comprises two struts attached thereto with a length ratio about 1:2.... Agent: Graybeal, Jackson, Haley LLP

20070250151 - Endovascular aortic repair delivery system with anchor: A delivery system is provided for deploying a prosthesis in a body lumen, the prosthesis having a radially compressed configuration. The delivery system includes a primary elongated member positioned coaxially within the prosthesis. A secondary elongated member surrounds a portion of the primary elongated member and a portion of the... Agent: Ratner Prestia

20070250153 - Expandable covered stent with wide range of wrinkle-free deployed diameters: An improved stent-graft device is provided that delivers a smooth flow surface over a range of operative expanded diameters by applying a unique cover material to the stent through a technique that allows the cover to become wrinkle-free prior to reaching fully deployed diameter. The unique cover material then allows... Agent: David J. Johns W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

20070250152 - Stent graft having short tube graft for branch vessel: A stent-graft includes a short tube graft and patch located inside of a primary graft. The patch forms a smooth and reliably sealed transition between the primary graft and the short tube graft. Accordingly, the disruption to fluid, e.g., blood, flowing through the lumen of the primary graft by the... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070250154 - Twin bifurcated stent graft: A stent graft (40) has a tubular body with a first bifurcation (54) with first and second legs (50, 52) extending from the bifurcation. One of the legs (52) has a further bifurcation (62) to define a side arm. The stent graft can be deployed into the vasculature of a... Agent: Cook Group Patent Office

20070250155 - Bioabsorbable medical device: An implantable medical device is provided that degrades upon contact with body fluids so as to limit its residence time within the body. The device is formed of an iron carbon alloy that is subjected to DET heat treatment to impart high strength and high ductility in combination with an... Agent: Fulwider Patton LLP

20070250146 - Expandable stent with wrinkle-free elastomeric cover: An improved stent-graft device is provided that delivers a smooth flow surface over a range of operative expanded diameters by applying a unique cover material to the stent through a technique that allows the cover to become wrinkle-free prior to reaching fully deployed diameter. The unique cover material then allows... Agent: David J. Johns W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

20070250156 - Self-supporting metallic implantable grafts, compliant implantable medical devices and methods of making same: Implantable medical grafts fabricated of metallic or pseudometallic films of biocompatible materials having a plurality of microperforations passing through the film in a pattern that imparts fabric-like qualities to the graft or permits the geometric deformation of the graft. The implantable graft is preferably fabricated by vacuum deposition of metallic... Agent: Rosenbaum & Associates

20070250157 - Stent for placement in body: It is intended to easily provide a stent for placement in body which can hold an increased amount of a drug without causing cracking or peeling in the coating layer with the dilation of the stent and from which the drug can be sustainedly released as far as possible. Namely,... Agent: Hogan & Hartson L.L.P.

20070250158 - Laminated implantable medical device having a metallic coating: A laminated stent encapsulated with a metal coating is provided. The metal coating may be a very thin metal coating. Portions of the metal coating may be removed such that the metal coating covers voids in the laminate, particularly in the area where the different layers of the laminated stent... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070250159 - Medical device having a coating comprising an adhesion promoter: This invention is directed to a coating for a medical device, such as an intravascular stent, in which the coating, which comprises a first coating region comprising an adhesion promoter and a therapeutic agent. The coating can also include a second coating region which is substantially free of the adhesion... Agent: Jones Day

20070250147 - Surgical implant: A surgical implant (10) has an areal base structure (12) and at least one projection (14) which is absorbable or partially absorbable and which is designed to take up at least half the implant's own weight of body fluids. In a preferred embodiment, the projection (14) has an attachment area... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070250160 - Device, system, and method for treating cardiac valve regurgitation: A device, a system and a method for treating heart valve regurgitation. The annulus reshaping device comprises a base and a plurality of legs radially arranged there upon. The device can transform from a delivery configuration wherein it is deliverable by catheter to a treatment site, into a deployment configuration,... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070250162 - Electromagnetic diaphragm assist device and method for assisting a diaphragm function: A diaphragm assist device includes a magnetic mat adapted for mounting inside a human body adjacent the diaphragm. The mat is made from a material responsive to application of an electromagnetic field so as to be movable into compressive relation with the diaphragm in response to application of the electromagnetic... Agent: Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP Eric S. Cherry - Docketing Supervisor

20070250163 - Whip stitched graft construct and method of making the same: A whip stitched graft construct and method of formation. The whip stitched graft construct includes a plurality of tendon strand regions or soft tissue grafts placed together so that at least a portion of the plurality of the tendon strand regions are stitched together by employing multiple suture passes placed... Agent: Dickstein Shapiro LLP

20070250164 - Method for grafting whole superficial articular cartilage: Methods for grafting whole superficial articular cartilage are provided. A defect site is prepared to receive the whole superficial cartilage graft by removing a region of tissue. A whole superficial cartilage is obtained from a selected articular cartilage site. The whole superficial cartilage graft is attached to the prepared deficit... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20070250165 - Muscle-polymer constructs for bone tissue engineering: Bone grafting materials containing a polymer scaffold loaded with bone morphogenetic proteins and populated with muscle cells induced by the bone morphogenetic proteins to exhibit an osteoblastic phenotype and to synthesize bone tissue are provided. Also provided are methods for using these polymer scaffolds in bone grafting procedures.... Agent: Licata & Tyrrell P.C.

20070250166 - Facet fusion implants and methods of use: An implant is insertable onto a vertebral facet joint includes a body with an inner surface that mates with one or both articular processes of the facet joint. The inner surface may define an interior cavity that accepts at least a portion of an inferior articular process and a superior... Agent: Coats & Bennett, PLLC

20070250168 - Modular intervertebral implant:

20070250169 - Joint arthroplasty devices formed in situ: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for repairing articular surfaces. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable by patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function.... Agent: Bromberg & Sunstein LLP

20070250170 - Disc prosthesis having remote flexion/extension center of rotation: An intervertebral disc prosthesis comprises a first endplate, a second endplate, and a bearing surface positioned between the first endplate and the second endplate. The bearing surface may be provided by a mobile bearing disc including a convex bearing surface configured to engage the first endplate and a concave bearing... Agent: Maginot, Moore & Beck, LLP Chase Tower

20070250171 - Expandable intervertebral devices and methods of use: The present application is directed to an expandable intervertebral device. One context in which the device may be used is a corpectomy procedure to replace one or more vertebral members. The device is adjustable between a first orientation with a first overall height, and a second orientation with a second... Agent: Coats & Bennett, PLLC

20070250173 - Revisable prosthetic device: A modular prosthetic device is described. The modular prosthetic device is provided with an anchoring device having first and second end members, the first and second end members cooperating to receive a prosthetic insertion device. The first and second end members each include a first surface, at least one vertebral-engaging... Agent: Haynes And Boone, LLP

20070250174 - Ancillary tool for positioning a glenoid implant: The ancillary tool according to the invention comprises a plate which defines a convex surface intended to bear against the glenoid cavity of a patient's scapula and which forms a directional guide for a drilling, fashioning or like member. To allow the surgeon to apply this member in a chosen... Agent: Faegre & Benson LLP Patent Docketing

20070250175 - Method and appartus for acetabular reconstruction: A trial system for a prosthesis is described. The prosthesis can include an acetabular prosthesis generally for implantation in an acetabulum and the surrounding pelvis. The acetabular prosthesis includes an acetabular cup having a substantially concave inner surface and a substantially convex outer surface. One trial shell or a collection... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20070250176 - Hip prosthesis with anatomically bent shank: A hip prosthesis (1) comprising a shank (2) which is inserted into the extremity of the femur (3), in which the longitudinal axis (H-H) of the shank (2) follows a path substantially parallel to the external profile (P) of the head of the femur (3) in the top part of... Agent: Law Offices Of Karl Hormann

20070250177 - Methods for treating a patient using a bioengineered flat sheet graft protheses: This invention is directed to tissue engineered prostheses made from processed tissue matrices derived from native tissues that are biocompatible with the patient or host in which they are implanted. When implanted into a mammalian host, these prostheses can serve as a functioning repair, augmentation, or replacement body part or... Agent: Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP Intellectual Property Department

20070250178 - Lap joint for prosthetic foot: Apparatus and methods for a prosthetic foot for attachment to a socket worn by an amputee. In an embodiment, the prosthetic foot comprises a body including a forefoot portion and a heel portion. In addition, the prosthetic foot comprises at least one attachment member extending from the body and conformable... Agent: Conley Rose, P.C. David A. Rose

20070250179 - Anchoring system for prosthetic and orthotic devices: An anchoring system for cable-activated prosthetic and orthotic devices is provided. Also provided is a prosthetic or orthotic system that includes the anchoring system, as well as methods for securing such a system to a wearer.... Agent: Fish & Richardson PC

20070244558 - System and method for heart valve replacement: A prosthetic heart valve replacement system and method aim to reduce the time duration of the patient on the heart-lung machine during surgery. In one embodiment, the invention uses a two rings (e.g., of Titanium) comprising a first outer anchoring ring installed in a first step in the patient annulus,... Agent: Rama Nath

20070244564 - Glenoid component with an anatomically optimized keel: A glenoid component for a shoulder prosthesis adapted to be mounted in a glenoid cavity of a shoulder. An elongated keel adapted to engage with the glenoid cavity is attached to the internal surface of the base. The keel extends along a longitudinal axis of the base. The keel includes... Agent: Faegre & Benson LLP Patent Docketing

20070244540 - Short handle for a long stent: A stent delivery system for delivering a self-expanding stent includes a keel. The keel is used to pass a pushrod and a guidewire into a sheath through the tubular sidewall of the sheath, i.e., not through the lumen opening at the proximal end of the sheath. Accordingly, the entire length... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070244541 - Methods and devices for contributing to improved stent graft fixation: Methods and devices are provided to contribute to improved stent graft fixation within vessels at treatment sites. Improved stent graft fixation within vessels at treatment sites is provided by providing stent grafts and methods of making and using stent grafts with bare metal portions comprising a substance that promotes an... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070244542 - Stent graft having a flexible, articulable, and axially compressible branch graft: A stent graft and method for positioning and deploying the stent graft within a vessel system that includes a main vessel and a branch vessel emanating from the main vessel. The stent graft includes a tubular shaped main body formed from graft material, a branch opening (aperture)(ring) in the graft... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070244543 - Stent with movable crown: A system for treating abnormalities of the cardiovascular system includes a stent having a plurality of movable crown portions. When the stent is expanded, the crown portions move to a diameter recoil prevention position. One embodiment of the invention includes crown portions that translate from a concave to a convex... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070244545 - Prosthetic conduit with radiopaque symmetry indicators: A system and method for treating a vascular condition includes a conduit having an elongate tubular member with an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defines a conduit lumen. The system further includes at least one symmetry indicator attached to the elongate tubular member and a replacement... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070244544 - Seal for enhanced stented valve fixation: A valve replacement system that can be used for treating abnormalities of the right ventricular outflow tract includes a prosthetic valve device having a sealant contacting at least a portion of the outer surface of the valve device. The sealant may be breakable, and may be a hydrogel, an expandable... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070244546 - Stent foundation for placement of a stented valve: A valve replacement system that can be used for treating abnormalities of the right ventricular outflow tract in a nonsymmetrical region of a vessel or conduit that includes a prosthetic valve device and a foundation structure. The foundation structure contacts a portion of the inner wall of a vessel or... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070244547 - Device and method for controlling the positioning of a stent graft fenestration: A device and method for controlling the positioning of one or more flexible stent graft fenestrations are disclosed. The stent graft may be for repair of an aneurysm proximate a branch vessel. The stent graft includes a primary graft having an anchoring device, a graft material forming a central lumen... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070244539 - Self-sealing ptfe vascular graft and manufacturing methods: An implantable microporous ePTFE tubular vascular graft exhibits long term patency, superior radial tensile strength and suture hole elongation resistance. The graft includes a first ePTFE tube and a second ePTFE tube circumferentially disposed over the first tube. The first ePTFE tube exhibits a porosity sufficient to promote cell endothelization,... Agent: Hoffmann & Baron, LLP

20070244548 - Sugar-and drug-coated medical device: The present invention relates to a medical device having a surface with a uniform or non-uniform layer posited thereon that includes a mono- or disaccharide sugar and at least one therapeutic agent. The present invention further relates to materials and a method of making such a medical device and methods... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20070244549 - Liquid and low melting coatings for stents: A method for forming liquid coatings for medical devices such as stents and angioplasty balloons is provided. The liquid coatings can be made from biodegradable materials in liquid, low melting solid, or wax forms, which preferably degrade in the body without producing potentially harmful fragments. The liquid coatings may also... Agent: Rissman Jobse Hendricks & Oliverio, LLP

20070244550 - Medical devices including shape memory materials: Medical devices, such as catheters, including shape memory materials, are provided, as well as related methods of making and using such medical devices.... Agent: Fish & Richardson PC

20070244551 - Holders for prosthetic aortic heart valves: A holder for a flexible leaflet prosthetic aortic heart valve that is less bulky than earlier holders and minimizes obstructions to vision and working space around the valve to facilitate implantation thereof. The holder may have a central hub and three outwardly extending legs that connect directly and exclusively to... Agent: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

20070244553 - Annuloplasty device having a helical anchor and methods for its use: A system for modifying a heart valve annulus includes a helically helical anchored annuloplasty device delivered to the annulus via an elongated delivery member. The helical anchors of the devices disclosed herein are rotated into the valve annulus along an anchor guide by using a driver that is movably disposed... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070244554 - Annuloplasty device having a helical anchor and methods for its use: A system for modifying a heart valve annulus includes a helically helical anchored annuloplasty device delivered to the annulus via an elongated delivery member. The helical anchors of the devices disclosed herein are rotated into the valve annulus along an anchor guide by using a driver that is movably disposed... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070244555 - Annuloplasty device having a helical anchor and methods for its use: A system for modifying a heart valve annulus includes a helically helical anchored annuloplasty device delivered to the annulus via an elongated delivery member. The helical anchors of the devices disclosed herein are rotated into the valve annulus along an anchor guide by using a driver that is movably disposed... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070244556 - Annuloplasty device having a helical anchor and methods for its use: A system for modifying a heart valve annulus includes a helically helical anchored annuloplasty device delivered to the annulus via an elongated delivery member. The helical anchors of the devices disclosed herein are rotated into the valve annulus along an anchor guide by using a driver that is movably disposed... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070244552 - Assessing the location and performance of replacement heart valves: Methods and devices for assessing the operation of a replacement heart valve. The method includes endovascularly delivering a replacement heart valve to a vicinity of a heart valve in an unexpanded configuration, and assessing the operation of the replacement heart valve in the vicinity of the heart valve before fully... Agent: Shay Law Group LLP

20070244557 - Minimally invasive procedure for implanting an annuloplasty device: A method for modifying a heart valve annulus includes placing a purse string suture at a puncture site adjacent a heart valve, inserting at least one delivery member through the puncture site, positioning a distal end of the at least one delivery member adjacent a portion of a valve annulus,... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070244559 - Corneal implants and methods and systems for placement: A system comprising a hollow member is used to deliver a constrained corneal implant into a corneal pocket. The hollow member may be tapered and the system may further include an implant deformation chamber and an axial pusher to advance the implant through the hollow member.... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070244560 - Intraocular lens with distortion free valve: The invention provides a medical device and method to reduce the occurrence of pseudophakic pupillary block following implantation of an intraocular lens. The device includes an intraocular lens configured with channels traversing through the surfaces of the lens optic. The invention includes special edge angulations and locations in the optic... Agent: Fulwider Patton LLP

20070244561 - Accommodating intraocular lens (aiol), and aiol assemblies including same: An accommodating intraocular lens (AIOL) including a biasing mechanism for elastically deforming an elastically deformable shape memory disk-like optical element for affording the AIOL a natural positive diopter strength for near vision. The AIOL is intended to be implanted in a human eye such that relaxation of its ciliary body... Agent: Fulbright & Jaworski, LLP

20070244562 - Spinal implants and methods of providing dynamic stability to the spine: Spinal implants and methods to repair annular defects in intervertebral discs and provide dynamic stability to the spine near a repaired disc are described. Some implants include head and tail portions. In some embodiments, the head portion is enlarged relative to the tail portion. Some head portions and tail portions... Agent: Mcdermott Will & Emery LLP

20070244563 - Reverse shoulder prosthesis: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus and method for reverse shoulder arthroplasty (e.g., reverse total shoulder arthroplasty). In one specific example, a glenoid component used to resurface the scapula may be provided. Of note, unlike traditional total shoulder arthroplasty the glenoid component in a reverse shoulder... Agent: Greenberg Traurig, LLP

20070244565 - Prosthetic humeral device and method: A prosthetic humeral device (1) having at least two guide holes (11) located at predetermined locations thereon for the acceptance of a fastening means (29), which is preferably a screw (16) and a predeterminedly-shaped washer (6) with at least one projection (17) located on the underside. After inserting the elongated... Agent: Edward M. Livingston, Pa

20070244566 - Trialing system and method for modular hip joint replacement system: A system and method for trialing a modular hip replacement system (10) permits evaluation and replication of the anatomic anteversion rotational angle of the femur. A distal stem component (18) of the hip replacement system (10) includes a proximal portion (34) having a locator feature (35) that is externally accessible... Agent: Maginot, Moore & Beck, LLP Chase Tower

20070244567 - Artificial joint fixation mechanism: An artificial joint fixation mechanism has a base for being attached to an artificial joint, a stem for guiding an artificial joint to engage with a human bone, and a sleeve. The base defines a conic shaft hole therethrough. At least a positioning section and at least a threaded section... Agent: Troxell Law Office PLLC

20070244568 - Decellularized tissue and method of preparing the same: Decellularization of tissue by means of an amphipathic solvent a well-established practice. However, situations exist where the provision of enhanced decellularization is preferred. There is a demand for treating methods for coping with such situations. Thus, it is intended to provide a method for enhancing decellularization. The method comprises not... Agent: Snell & Wilmer L.L.P. (main)

20070244569 - Endoprosthesis having a fiber meshwork disposed thereon: The present invention comprises a medical device having an underlying structure on which is disposed a fiber meshwork composed of one or more fibers of substantially uniform diameter. The fiber meshwork may optionally have a multi-layer structure disposed upon it. Either or both of the fiber meshwork or the multi-layer... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C.

20070239255 - System and device for helical stent delivery: A self expanding helical medical device is delivered intralumenaly through a very flexible small diameter catheter. The delivery is made possible by the use of a novel locking wrapper that maintains the stent on the guidewire at the delivery diameter and then, in a controlled and gradual fashion, automatically releases... Agent: Richard A. Hines

20070239268 - Adhesion resistant implantable device: The present invention discloses implantable devices that resist adhesion of colloidal particles such as are present in biological fluids, and methods for their manufacture. In a particular embodiment, the device may be an endovascular stent and a method for its production, for reducing, and preferably eliminating, restenosis. This objective is... Agent: Mchale & Slavin, P.A.

20070239252 - A mechanism to ensure placement of ostial renal stents: A method of using a delivery system includes advancing a stent to be located within an ostium of a vessel; advancing a basket actuation button of a handle to deploy a basket of the basket assembly; moving the basket into engagement with a parent vessel, the basket having a larger... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070239253 - Oscillation assisted drug elution apparatus and method: An apparatus includes a base and a coating disposed on the base. A therapeutic agent is disposed on at least one of the base or the coating. A vibration device is coupled to the base. The vibration device is configured to cause movement of the base such that at least... Agent: Cooley Godward Kronish LLP Attn: Patent Group

20070239254 - System for percutaneous delivery and removal of a prosthetic valve: A valve-retrieval device permits a non-deployed valve mounted on a balloon catheter to be retracted back into an introducer sheath for removal from a patient's body. In particular embodiments, the valve-retrieval device is adapted to be placed on a balloon catheter shaft and then advanced over the shaft into the... Agent: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

20070239261 - Aneurysm occlusion system and method: An aneurysm occlusion device is positionable within a cerebral blood vessel covering a neck of an aneurysm on the blood vessel. The device includes a tubular element having a lumen surrounded by an occlusive sidewall including a plurality of gaps. The gaps are sufficiently small to cause at least partial... Agent: Stallman & Pollock LLP

20070239260 - Devices and methods for tissue welding: Tissue implants configured to adhere to biological tissues when activated by electrical energy may include an electrically conductive structure, a connector releasably connected to the electrically conductive structure, and a thermally crosslinkable coating covering at least the exposed portion of the electrically conductive structure. These tissue implants may be used... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20070239258 - Hybrid stent: The present device has increased longitudinal flexibility in a stent by having some curved sections of each circumferential set of strut members being unconnected to the curved sections of the adjacent circumferential set of strut members with the other curved sections being connected by highly flexible, undulating longitudinal connecting links.... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070239256 - Medical devices having electrical circuits with multilayer regions: The present invention relates to implantable or insertable medical devices that contain a substrate and one or more electrical circuits disposed over the substrate. The electrical circuits in the devices of the present invention contain at least one multilayer region, which in turn contains (a) a plurality of polyelectroyte layers... Agent: Fish & Richardson PC

20070239259 - Nitinol alloy design and composition for medical devices: A stent and a delivery system for implanting the stent in a body lumen is disclosed. The stent is made from a superelastic alloy such as nickel-titanium or nitinol, and includes a ternary element in order to minimize the stress hysteresis of the superelastic material. The stress hysteresis is defined... Agent: Finnegan , Henderson , Farabow, Garrett& Dummer L.l.p / Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc.

20070239257 - Stent with overlap and high extension: A stent may comprise a plurality of serpentine bands that overlap along the length of the stent. Each serpentine band may comprise a plurality of alternating first struts and second struts connected by a plurality of alternating proximal turns and distal turns. Each first strut defines a curvilinear path different... Agent: Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A.

20070239262 - Endoluminal prostheses for treating vulnerable plaque: The invention provides expandable tubular endoluminal prostheses for the treatment of vulnerable plaque lesions and methods for treating vulnerable plaques using the prostheses. The endoprostheses may include at least two opposing ring-like end sections and a central section including a number of struts having parallel longitudinal axes connecting the ends... Agent: Patton Boggs LLP

20070239263 - Support prosthesis: A uniformly expandable support prosthesis has bending curves which taper in the region of curvature toward a narrowing. This allows uniform bending of the bending curves along the individual support rings.... Agent: St. Onge Steward Johnston & Reens, LLC

20070239264 - Support prosthesis: A support prosthesis for vessels or intracorporeal lumens has a large number of support rings which are connected in a longitudinal direction using non-metallic connecting elements.... Agent: St. Onge Steward Johnston & Reens, LLC

20070239251 - Flexible stent: The present invention is directed to a flexible expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery. The stent generally includes a series of metallic cylindrical rings longitudinally aligned on a common axis of the stent and interconnected by a series of links which be polymeric... Agent: Fulwider Patton LLP

20070239265 - Catheter delivered valve having a barrier to provide an enhanced seal: A system for treating abnormalities of the right ventricular outflow tract includes a prosthetic valve device having a barrier material contacting at least a portion of the outer surface of the valve device. One embodiment of the invention includes a barrier member attached to the exterior surface of the valve... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070239266 - Reinforced surgical conduit for implantation of a stented valve therein: A pulmonary valve replacement system having a vascular conduit and a prosthetic valve device including a valve operably connected to a support structure. The prosthetic valve device is positioned within the vascular conduit. A conduit support includes a substantially circular cross-section. The conduit support is positioned adjacent to and reinforces... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070239267 - Stent graft with healing promoting necks: An endoluminal stent graft includes a healing-promoting material to enhance the “healing” of the proximal and/or distal neck(s) of the endoluminal stent graft and the vessel wall; the risk of migration and the occurrence of Type 1 endoleaks is reduced. The healing-promoting material is located within a proximal anchor region... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070239270 - Mitral valve annuloplasty device with vena cava anchor: The present invention relates to a medical device and uses thereof that supports or changes the shape of tissue near a vessel in which the device is placed. The present invention is particularly useful in reducing mitral valve regurgitation by changing the shape of or supporting a mitral valve annulus.... Agent: Shay Law Group LLP

20070239269 - Stented valve having dull struts: A system for replacing a pulmonary valve includes a conduit having a lumen, a delivery catheter and a replacement valve device disposed on the delivery catheter. The replacement valve device includes a prosthetic valve connected to a valve support region of an expandable support structure. The valve support region includes... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070239271 - Systems and methods for loading a prosthesis onto a minimally invasive delivery system: A system for loading a replacement valve prosthesis onto a minimally invasive delivery system, such as a delivery catheter. The system may include one or more frustoconical housings which define a tapered surface. The prosthesis may be moved along the tapered surface to compress the prosthesis. Desirably, for compression of... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070239272 - Apparatus and methods for repair of a cardiac valve: An apparatus for repairing a cardiac valve includes an annuloplasty ring having an expandable support member with oppositely disposed proximal and distal end portions and a main body portion between the end portions. The proximal end portion includes a plurality of wing members extending from the main body portion. Each... Agent: Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell & Tummino L.L.P.

20070239273 - Riveted stent valve for percutaneous use: A system and method for treating a vascular condition includes a conduit having an inner wall defining lumen and a replacement valve device. The replacement valve device includes a prosthetic valve connected to an expandable support structure; the expandable support structure includes at least one valve attachment portion and a... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070239274 - Intraocular lens with accommodation: An intraocular lens (IOL) assembly or method for correcting myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism using the intraocular lens assembly are provided. In particular, the intraocular lens assembly relates to intraocular lenses which provide accommodation. The intraocular lens assembly comprises a lens extending along an optical axis between an anterior optical surface... Agent: Mark G. Lappin Foley & Lardner LLP

20070239275 - Bundle graft and method of making same: A graft construct formed of a plurality of single tendon strands or soft tissue grafts placed together so that at least a portion of one of the single tendon strands is wrapped around a portion of another of the single provided with at least two suturing, for example. The graft... Agent: Dickstein Shapiro LLP

20070239276 - Artificial disc implants and associated methods and instrumentation: An artificial disc implant and associate methods and instrumentation are provided for the artificial disc implant that includes opposite vertebral endplate members and a spacer member between the vertebral endplate members. An anchoring member extends from at least one of the vertebral endplate members toward an adjacent vertebral endplate when... Agent: Krieg Devault LLP

20070239277 - Intervertebral implant: In an intervertebral implant with at least one contact element having a vertebral body contact face and with a swellable core, which is connected to the contact element on the side remote from the vertebral body contact face, wherein the contact element comprises a support, on one side of which... Agent: Lipsitz & Mcallister, LLC

20070239278 - Intervertebral prosthetic devices and methods: Intervertebral prosthetic devices and methods are provided which include an arthroplasty implant configured to reside within an intervertebral space between first and second vertebral bodies, and at least one implant-to-vertebra staple. Each staple, which includes first and second prongs, is formed of a shape memory material having a memorized state... Agent: Heslin Rothenberg Farley & Mesiti P.C.

20070239280 - 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.

20070239279 - Intervertebral disc nucleus replacement implants and methods: Intervertebral disc nucleus replacement implants and methods are provided. The nucleus replacement implant, which is configured to reside within an intervertebral disc nucleus space, includes a core support structure, including a rotatable member and multiple vertebral support structures. The vertebral support structures are disposed in spaced relation with the rotatable... Agent: Heslin Rothenberg Farley & Mesiti P.C.

20070239281 - Femur head center localization: A method for localizing a femur head center of a knee using only a marker array attached to a tibia, wherein the knee is modeled as a joint having at least one degree of freedom includes: using a geometrical model to describe kinematical behavior of the joint, said geometrical model... Agent: Don W. Bulson (brainlab)

20070239282 - System and method for transmitting orthopaedic implant data: A system and method for transmitting implant data includes an orthopaedic implant, a wireless receiver, and a processing circuit electrically coupled to the wireless receiver. The orthopaedic implant is configured to transmit implant identification data and implant sensor data to the wireless receiver in response to a power signal. The... Agent: Barnes & Thornburg LLP

20070239283 - Acetabular cup conversion ring: An acetabular implant for hip replacement surgery includes a shell component and first and second alternative bearing components interchangeably engageable with the shell component to provide a choice in bearing materials. The shell component has an engagement mechanism suitable for locking engagement with the first alternative shell component. A conversion... Agent: John F. Hoffman, Esq. Baker & Daniels LLP

20070239284 - Coiled intragastric member for treating obesity: An apparatus and method comprising at least one intragastric member comprising a curvilinear axis which extends about and along a central axis of an intragastric device or artificial bezoar made of a digestive-resistant or substantially indigestible material that is introduced into the gastric lumen of a mammal for the treatment... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20070233223 - Device for treating a blood circulation canal and process for preparing this device: P

20070233228 - Prosthetic cardiac valve formed from pericardium material and methods of making same: A prosthetic stented heart valve which includes a compressible and expandable stent structure having first and second opposite ends, an expanded outer periphery, and a compressed outer periphery that is at least slightly smaller than the expanded outer periphery when subjected to an external radial force. The valve further includes... Agent: Kagan Binder, PLLC

20070233234 - Biological organ dilating stent and method of manufacturing the same: A stent is formed as a substantially tubular body possessing an outer diameter suitable for insertion into an organism, with the body being expandable when a radially outwardly directed expansion force is applied from inside the tubular body. The stent is fabricated from an alloy containing at least two noble... Agent: Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney PC

20070233238 - Devices for imaging and navigation during minimally invasive non-bypass cardiac procedures: Delivery devices for placement of therapeutic devices relative a heart valve annulus of a beating heart that are delivered to the heart via minimally invasive surgical procedures and can be used in the heart during a therapeutic procedure that can be visualized in real time and be guided to specific... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070233253 - Lateral mount implant device: An implant device for the spine suitable for the fixation and support of adjacent vertebrae includes a base member for implantation at a location between the two vertebrae and one or more protrusions extending from the base member. The protrusion(s) are configured for engagement with one of the vertebrae upon... Agent: Pearne & Gordon LLP

20070233249 - Methods for treating bone: The present invention relates in certain embodiments to medical devices for treating vertebral compression fractures. In one embodiment, the invention relate to instruments and methods for introducing fill material into a vertebral body that slowly expands vertebral height without explosive balloon expansion as in kyphoplasty. The system provides a fill... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070233262 - Articulating spinal prosthesis: An endoprosthesis including a first articulating member formed with a generally concave articulating surface, a second articulating member formed with a generally convex articulating surface which articulates with the concave articulating surface, the first and second articulating members each having a generally planar attachment surface for attachment to spine structure,... Agent: David Klein Dekel Patent Ltd

20070233277 - Bioabsorbable tube and production method thereof: To provide an organism absorbency tube for regenerating nerve tissue and a production method thereof, where the low cost tube can produce easier than a conventional one, various kinds of the different thickness tubes, inner diameters and outer shapes can be easily formed. The tube produces by drying polymer solvent... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070233219 - Polymeric heart restraint: Described here are polymer compositions, methods, and systems for reinforcing a wall of a heart. The polymer compositions may be adapted to form networks, e.g., cross-linked networks, semi-interpenetrating networks, or interpenetrating networks, and placed within the pericardial space or on one or more pericardial tissues. The mechanical properties of the... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20070233221 - Esophageal dilation and stent delivery system and method of use: Methods and assemblies for dilating and/or delivering a stent into a body cavity or vessel is described. The assembly is particularly suited for the dilation, delivery and fixation of a stent in a body cavity, such as in a stricture in the esophagus, and includes a guidewire, an endoscope having... Agent: Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP Attn:IPDocketing

20070233220 - Prosthesis with guide lumen: Tubular prosthesis for deployment in a human body passageway comprises a tubular member adapted for placement in a passageway in a human body and a tube. The tubular member has a tubular wall, first and second end openings, and a side opening formed in the tubular wall between the first... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070233222 - Split sheath deployment system: A device for delivering and deploying a radially expandable prosthesis is disclosed and comprises a proximal prosthesis release mechanism having a first resistance and a distal prosthesis release mechanism having a second resistance. The device further comprises an actuation mechanism for actuating the distal and proximal release mechanisms in a... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20070233225 - Delivering a conduit into a heart wall to place a coronary vessel in communication with a heart chamber and removing tissue from the vessel or heart wall to facilitate such communication: Devices and methods for delivering conduits into the wall of a patient's heart to communicate a coronary vessel with a heart chamber. The devices are passed through the coronary vessel and the heart wall to place the conduit and establish a blood flow path between the vessel and the heart... Agent: James R. Keogh Medtronic, Inc.

20070233224 - Implantable medical endoprosthesis delivery system: Implantable medical endoprosthesis delivery systems and articles are provided.... Agent: Fish & Richardson PC

20070233226 - Tissue stabilization and ablation devices and methods: Tissue stabilization and ablation devices and methods provide techniques for stabilizing and ablating body tissues during surgical ablation procedures. In many embodiments, for example, devices may be used in minimally invasive techniques for ablating epicardial tissue adjacent one or more pulmonary veins to treat atrial fibrillation. Tissue stabilization and ablation... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070233229 - Methods and apparatus for treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms: Methods and apparatus for aiding in support and repair of a thoracic aneurysm of the aortic arch. A stent graft provides a window therein, which enables blood to flow freely into branch vessels which would otherwise be occluded by the stent graft. Additionally, the stent portions of the stent graft... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070233227 - Prosthesis with coupling zone and methods: A tubular prosthesis comprises a tubular member having raised portions, which can be formed from and be part of the tubular member. The raised portions form a chamber or discrete space in a body passageway or lumen between the prosthesis and a portion of the passageway or lumen wall in... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070233231 - Customized alloys for stents: A balloon-expandable stent formed from a customized alloy formulation. The stent alloy has a either a high, variable or no work hardening rate, very high modulus of elasticity (Young's modulus), and a low yield point. A stent constructed of a material with this combination of properties undergoes significant plastic deformation... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070233230 - Removable stent: The invention is relative to a stent with a tubular support frame consisting of axially successively following, interconnected annular segments, which support frame is surrounded on its outside by a thread. The thread ends are guided via a deflection from the outside into support frame, where they are coupled by... Agent: Alston & Bird LLP Bank Of America Plaza

20070233232 - Stent and system and method for deploying a stent: The present invention is a vascular stent comprising a cylindrical wall radially expandable from a compressed state to an expanded state and including a plurality of cells. At least one cell includes a first primary member having a first restrainer member and a second primary member having a second restrainer... Agent: Dorsey & Whitney, LLP Intellectual Property Department

20070233235 - Stent with improved flexibility: A stent comprises a plurality of connected serpentine circumferential bands. Adjacent serpentine circumferential bands are connected via a plurality of longitudinal connectors extending between peaks on one serpentine circumferential band and troughs on the serpentine circumferential band adjacent thereto. The struts of the serpentine bands are arranged such that on... Agent: Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A.

20070233233 - Tethered expansion columns for controlled stent expansion: A tethered stent made up of interconnected struts which together form expansion columns. At least some of the struts are connected to each other by tethers. When the stent expands, the tethers pull on the interconnected struts and limit how far apart from each other the struts can move when... Agent: Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A.

20070233236 - Flexible resheathable stent design: A self-expanding stent includes capture segments including a first capture segment and a second capture segment. The first capture segment includes a first crown coupled to a first crown of the second capture segment and a second crown, where the second crown is spaced apart from an adjacent second crown... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070233237 - Valved conduit designed for subsequent catheter delivered valve therapy: A system for treating a vascular condition includes a conduit having an inner wall and at least one locking member positioned within the inner wall of the conduit. The system also includes a stented valve positioned in contact with the locking member within the inner wall of the conduit. A... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070233239 - Apparatus and method for reducing cardiac valve regurgitation: An apparatus for modifying the annulus of a cardiac valve to reduce regurgitation of blood flow through the cardiac valve includes a first annuloplasty ring having a first diameter and being disposed about a first aspect of the annulus of the cardiac valve. The apparatus also includes an elongate flexible... Agent: Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell & Tummino L.L.P.

20070233240 - Intraocular lens implant: The present invention provides a hydrogel-based intraocular lens (IOL) implant that can covalently attach to a lens capsule on implantation into an eye. The inventive IOL has a high refractive index, high elasticity, and is of a similar size to a naturally occurring lens. In addition, the IOL can be... Agent: Lumen Intellectual Property Services, Inc.

20070233241 - Tissue graft fixation: The present disclosure relates to a graft fixation device including a body configured and arranged for passage through a bone tunnel when oriented generally longitudinally with respect to the bone tunnel, and for residing against bone defining an opening to the bone tunnel when oriented generally transversely with respect to... Agent: Norman F. Hainer, Jr. Smith & Nephew, Inc.

20070233242 - Ligament and tendon replacement constructs and methods for production and use thereof: Degradable, polymeric fiber-based, three-dimensional braided scaffolds for use as graft materials in ligament and tendon repair, reconstruction and replacement are provided. Also provided are methods for preparing these scaffolds.... Agent: Licata & Tyrrell P.C.

20070233243 - Prosthetic element: The invention concerns a prosthetic element (1) with an outer surface defining an interface to the surrounding bone or fibrous tissue, wherein the prosthetic element (1) is provided with at least one internal anchoring cavity (6) for the growing of tissue and a least one guide means (5) for a... Agent: Christian D. Abel

20070233248 - Anterior hybrid implant: An implant configured for placement through an anterior surgical approach made of at least two different materials. The implant may include materials with varying radiolucency and mechanical properties. Such a hybrid implant may offer controlled radiographic visibility and optimized structural properties for implant placement, including placement for use in spinal... Agent: Krieg Devault LLP

20070233244 - Artificial disc replacement using posterior approach: Methods and devices are provided for replacing a spinal disc. In an exemplary embodiment, artificial disc replacements and methods are provided wherein at least a portion of a disc replacement can be implanted using a posterolateral approach. With a posterolateral approach, the spine is accessed more from the side of... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20070233257 - 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.

20070233252 - Devices, systems and methods for treating intervertebral discs: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for treating intervertebral discs. In one embodiment, the systems include instruments for implanting the disc repair devices in a minimally invasive manner. The methods are directed to the minimally invasive implantation of one or more of the disc repair devices to within the intervertebral... Agent: Patterson & Sheridan, L.L.P.

20070233256 - Facet and disc arthroplasty system and method: The invention discloses devices, methods and systems for implanting articulating devices on the human spine. In some embodiments, three or more vertebrae are movable interconnected with artificial joints. Some embodiments are particularly well suited for implanting in the lumbosacral area of the spine. Some embodiments employ hybrid systems combining translaminar... Agent: Shay Law Group LLP

20070233247 - Hybrid intervertebral spinal fusion implant: An implant made of at least two different materials. The implant may include materials with varying radiolucency and mechanical properties. Such a hybrid implant may offer controlled radiographic visibility and optimized structural properties for implant placement, including placement for use in spinal arthrodesis.... Agent: Krieg Devault LLP

20070233255 - Intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis: An intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis for placement between two adjacent vertebrae which comprises two bone cantacting members and an intermediate member with a cavity. A first bone contacting member has bone contacting surface for contacting and/or incorporating to a first vertebra and a bearing surface which substantially mates with the... Agent: John K Song

20070233245 - Methods and instruments for delivering intervertebral devices: A method comprises selecting an intervertebral implant having a predetermined shape with a height dimension and a width dimension. The implant further comprises an empty or partially filled reservoir. The method further comprises selecting a deformation instrument and inserting the intervertebral implant into the deformation instrument. The deformation instrument comprises... Agent: Haynes And Boone, LLP

20070233254 - Selectively expanding spine cage, hydraulically controllable in three dimensions for vertebral body replacement: A selectively expanding spine cage has a minimized diameter in its unexpanded state that is smaller that the diameter of the neuroforamen through which it passes in the distracted spine. The cage conformably engages between the endplates of vertebrae to effectively distract the anterior disc space, stabilize the motion segments,... Agent: Glenn Patent Group

20070233246 - Spinal implants with improved mechanical response: A method of treating a patient includes determining a patient characteristic associated with the patient, determining a property value based at least in part on the patient characteristic, and determining a crosslinking parameter based at least in part on the property value.... Agent: Larson Newman Abel Polansky & White, LLP

20070233250 - Systems for treating bone: The present invention relates in certain embodiments to medical devices for treating vertebral compression fractures. In one embodiment, the invention relate to systems for introducing fill material into a vertebral body that slowly expands vertebral height without explosive balloon expansion as in kyphoplasty. The system provides a fill material that... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070233251 - Use of magnetic fields in orthopedic implants: An orthopedic device is adapted to be implanted between a first bone and a second bone of a skeletal structure. The device includes magnetically charged members that emit magnetic fields that determine the interaction of members of the device.... Agent: Fish & Richardson, PC

20070233260 - Articulating spinal implant: Disclosed are methods and devices for accessing and treating the spine, while minimizing trauma to surrounding tissue. A device is introduced through tissue, to an access point on the spine. The device is thereafter advanced axially within the spine, from the access point across a treatment zone. In one embodiment,... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070233259 - Intervertebral disc prosthesis and methods of implantation: Various materials, constructs, and methods for maintaining an intervertebral space are provided.... Agent: Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC

20070233258 - Vertebroplasty- device and method: A device for treating a vertebral body may include a hollow device made from a permeable fabric and having at least one opening for introducing bone treatment material into the device. Introduction of the bone treatment material may cause the bone treatment material to permeate through the permeable fabric of... Agent: Wood, Herron & Evans (zimmer Spine)

20070233261 - Artificial disc replacement using posterior approach: Methods and devices are provided for replacing a spinal disc. In an exemplary embodiment, artificial disc replacements and methods are provided wherein at least a portion of a disc replacement can be implanted using a posterolateral approach. With a posterolateral approach, the spine is accessed more from the side of... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20070233263 - Intervertebral implants with radial teeth and methods of use: The present application is directed to intervertebral implants including teeth arranged in a radial pattern to resist expulsion in multiple directions. The teeth may include a variety of shapes and orientations. In one embodiment, the implant includes an annular shape with a central opening. The implant may further be tapered... Agent: Coats & Bennett, PLLC

20070233265 - Artificial bone and joint compositions and methods of use and manufacture: The present invention provides a ceramic porous body for in-vitro and in-vivo use comprising a composition comprising a calcium aluminate (CA) containing phase and optionally at least one of an accelerator, a retarder, a surfactant, a foaming agent, a reactive alumina, water, a fiber, and a biologically active material, and... Agent: Craig G. Cochenour, Esq. Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC

20070233264 - Osteochondral plug graft, kit and method: Each of an osteochondral plug graft and a kit comprises a trapezoid shaped construct configured for osteochondral implanting. An osteochondral regeneration method comprises forming a recipient socket in a chondral area of an articular joint in need of repair; harvesting a trapezoid shaped graft from another chondral area; and implanting... Agent: Philip D Freedman PC Philip D Freedman

20070233267 - Application of neural networks to prosthesis fitting and balancing in joints: The present invention provides systems and methods for prosthesis fitting in joints that employ a trained neural network to predict at least one unknown set of data, such as position and contact force. The unknown data is predicted based on at least one known sensor value that is obtained intraoperatively.... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione

20070233266 - Composite joint implant: The present invention relates to a femoral component for use in connection with knee anthroplasty. The implant includes a support having a contoured inner bone engaging surface, and a shell affixed to the support. The shell has an outer surface spaced so as to provide an articulation surface for engaging... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20070233268 - Interpositional knee arthroplasty: An interpositional knee arthroplasty is disclosed for attachment to a knee condyle. The interpositional knee arthroplasty comprises a spacer and at least one fastener extending from the spacer. The at least one fastener is designed and dimensioned to extend into the condyle without penetrating through the subcondylar plate. The spacer... Agent: Maginot, Moore & Beck, LLP Chase Tower

20070233269 - Interpositional joint implant: A method of preparing an interpositional implant suitable for a knee. The method includes determining a three-dimensional shape of a tibial surface of the knee. An implant is produced having a superior surface and an inferior surface, with the superior surface adapted to be positioned against a femoral condyle of... Agent: Bromberg & Sunstein LLP

20070233271 - Osteogenic implant matrices and endosseous tooth implants with improved osteointegration properties: Implant articles with improved osseointegrating properties, osteogenic implant materials, and process of inducing differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells, proliferation of osteoblast and attachment of cells to implant surface, comprising the step of impregnating the surface with a solution containing osteoactive bone sialoprotein, recombinant human bone sialoprotein, recombinant His-Myc-Ek-BSP or substantive... Agent: James C. Lydon

20070233272 - Shaped load-bearing osteoimplant and methods of making same: A load-bearing osteoimplant which comprises a shaped, coherent aggregate of bone particles.... Agent: Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP

20070233270 - Stent with overlap and high expansion: A stent can comprise a tubular body having a first region and a second region. The tubular body is defined by a plurality of serpentine bands. Each serpentine band comprises a plurality of alternating proximal turns and distal turns connected by struts. The second region comprises a first serpentine band... Agent: Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A.

20070233275 - Artificial dura mater and process for producing the same: wherein L(LA), L(GA) and L(CL) represent average chain lengths of lactic acid units, glycolic acid units and of caprolactone units, LA %, GA % and CL % represent molar ratios of a lactic acid component, a glycolic acid component caprolactone component in the copolymer and X is a polymerization degree... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070233274 - Artificial tissue and process for producing the same: A main object of the present invention is to provide an artificial tissue capable of transporting the nutrition necessary for maintaining the activity of the cells or tissues. To achieve the object, the present invention provides an artificial tissue including a blood vessel-containing tissue layer having at least two adjacent... Agent: Ladas & Parry LLP

20070233273 - Differential tissue expander implant: A tissue expander implant (10) arranged to be anchored in position within a cavity formed in the body for the controlled expansion of overlying tissue. The tissue expander implant (10) comprises a first expandable envelope (18) defining a first closed chamber (18a), first inflation means for enabling the controlled inflation... Agent: Perkins Coie LLP

20070233276 - Tongue implant: An airway condition of a patient's is treated by selecting an implant sized to be implanted within a tongue of the patient. The implant has a tissue-engaging member sized to be implanted within the tongue near a base of the tongue to oppose relative movement between the tissue-engaging member and... Agent: Attention Of Timothy R. Conrad Merchant & Gould P.C.

20070233278 - Implantable graft to close a fistula: An implantable graft, which may be inserted into a fistula tract to occlude the primary opening of the fistula, is provided. The graft may have a curved, generally conical shape with a trumpet-like head end that continuously tapers to a smaller tail end. The graft may be an integral unit... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20070233279 - Power generating leg: A power generating leg, configurable to be coupled to a person's lower limb, comprising a thigh link, a shank link, a knee mechanism, a torque generator, and a power unit. The knee mechanism is connected to said thigh link and said shank link, and configured to allow flexion and extension... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP