Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or aids and accessories therefor inventions 09/08

20080234795 - Devices and methods for controlling expandable prostheses during deployment: A catheter for delivering a prosthesis to a treatment site in a body lumen comprises an elongate flexible member and a sheath slidably disposed thereover. A plurality of self-expanding tubular prostheses are carried in axially spaced apart locations along the elongate member, within the sheath. The prostheses may be selectively... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP (client No 021629-000000)

20080234796 - Implant delivery device: An implant delivery device preferably includes a first shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The first shaft includes an outer surface and an inner surface defining a first lumen along a longitudinal axis. The distal portion includes a tip defining a taper in the distal direction toward... Agent: Proskauer Rose LLP

20080234797 - Implant delivery device:

20080234798 - Apparatus and methods for delivery of multiple distributed stents: Blood vessels and other body lumens are stented using multiple, discreet stent structures. Stent structures may be balloon expandable or self-expanding and are delivered by a delivery catheter which is repositioned to spaced-apart delivery sights. By coating the stents with particular biologically active substances, hyperplasia within and between the implanted... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP (client No 021629-000000)

20080234799 - Custom-length stent delivery system with independently operable expansion elements: A stent delivery system for delivering a plurality of stent segments to at least one treatment site includes a catheter shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a plurality of expandable members arranged axially along the catheter shaft near the distal end, a plurality of stent segments, and... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP (client No 021629-000000)

20080234800 - Stent including a toggle lock: A stent includes cylindrical rings disposed adjacent to each other. Each cylindrical ring includes longitudinal segments that may be disposed generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the stent. The longitudinal segments are coupled to each other by toggle lock struts. The toggle lock struts are disposed substantially at the... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20080234794 - Implantable stents having a plurality of varying parallelogrammic cells and methods for manufacturing the same: A stent for implantation within a body vessel is provided with a plurality of varying parallelogrammic cells. The stent is radially expandable from a compressed condition, suitable for inserting the device in an introducer, to a deployed or expanded condition within a body vessel. The stent includes a plurality of... Agent: Cook Alex Ltd

20080234805 - Hybrid lower limb artery bypass grafts and systems and methods for producing or modifying the same: Hybrid synthetic grafts and embodiments of systems and methods for producing hybrid vascular grafts that can yield implantable grafts that combine synthetic grafts with living cells. Embodiments of systems can include a pressure/flow loop subsystem having an external flow loop system coupled to a specimen holder, where the pressure/flow loop... Agent: Rene A. Vazquez

20080234804 - Systems and methods of coating a hybrid carotid bybass vascular graft in a mammal: Hybrid synthetic grafts and embodiments of systems and methods for producing hybrid vascular grafts that can yield implantable grafts that combine synthetic grafts with living cells. Embodiments of systems can include a pressure/flow loop subsystem having an external flow loop system coupled to a specimen holder, where the pressure/flow loop... Agent: Rene A. Vazquez

20080234802 - Systems and methods of coating a hybrid carotid bypass vascular graft in a mammal: Hybrid synthetic grafts and embodiments of systems and methods for producing hybrid vascular grafts that can yield implantable grafts that combine synthetic grafts with living cells. Embodiments of systems can include a pressure/flow loop subsystem having an external flow loop system coupled to a specimen holders where the pressure/flow loop... Agent: Rene A. Vazquez

20080234806 - Systems and methods of coating a hybrid lower limb artery bypass vascular graft in a mammal: Hybrid synthetic grafts and embodiments of systems and methods for producing hybrid vascular grafts that can yield implantable grafts that combine synthetic grafts with living cells. Embodiments of systems can include a pressure/flow loop subsystem having an external flow loop system coupled to a specimen holder where the pressure/flow loop... Agent: Rene A. Vazquez

20080234803 - Systems and methods of promoting endothelialization of a hybrid carotid bypass vascular graft in a mammal: Hybrid synthetic grafts and embodiments of systems and methods for producing hybrid vascular grafts that can yield implantable grafts that combine synthetic grafts with living cells. Embodiments of systems can include a pressure/flow loop subsystem having an external flow loop system coupled to a specimen holder, where the pressure/flow loop... Agent: Rene A. Vazquez

20080234807 - Systems and methods of promoting endothelialization of a hybrid lower limb artery bypass vascular graft in a mammal: Hybrid synthetic grafts and embodiments of systems and methods for producing hybrid vascular grafts that can yield implantable grafts that combine synthetic grafts with living cells. Embodiments of systems can include a pressure/flow loop subsystem having an external flow loop system coupled to a specimen holder, where the pressure/flow loop... Agent: Rene A. Vazquez

20080234801 - Systems and methods of promoting engraftment of a hybrid carotid bypass vascular graft in a mammal: Hybrid synthetic grafts and embodiments of systems and methods for producing hybrid vascular grafts that can yield implantable grafts that combine synthetic grafts with living cells. Embodiments of systems can include a pressure/flow loop subsystem having an external flow loop system coupled to a specimen holder, where the pressure/flow loop... Agent: Rene A. Vazquez

20080234810 - Amorphous glass-coated drug delivery medical device: An implantable medical device that can include an amorphous glass primer layer, an amorphous glass drug-containing layer and a nanoporous amorphous glass top-coat layer is disclosed.... Agent: Squire, Sanders & Dempsey LLP

20080234808 - Releasable polymer on drug elution stent and method: A method for treating a vascular condition is disclosed, the method comprising delivering a stent to a target region of a vessel, the stent including a drug polymer coating including an elution portion and a remaining portion, eluting the elution portion from the delivered stent for an elution period, heating... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20080234809 - Stent graft system with injection tube: A stent graft system with injection tube, the stent graft system for injecting an agent into an aneurysmal sac from an external pressurized source, including a stent graft having a permeable graft and a framework supporting the permeable graft; and an injection tube connected to the stent graft adjacent to... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20080234812 - Stent spin coating method: A method is disclosed for spin coating a stent. The method comprises conducting the following acts at the same time: applying a coating substance to the stent; rotating the stent about a first axis of rotation; and rotating the stent about a second axis of rotation.... Agent: Squire, Sanders & Dempsey LLP

20080234811 - Wettable eptfe medical devices: Methods are provided for surface modifying a hydrophobic polymer substrate to increase wettability comprising the steps of pre-treating the hydrophobic polymer substrate with a radio frequency (RF)-generated first plasma and a RF-generated second plasma wherein the first plasma and the second plasma are applied sequentially, coating the hydrophobic polymer substrate... Agent: Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP

20080234814 - Low profile heart valve and delivery system: Apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve, including: a delivery catheter having a diameter of 21 french or less; an expandable anchor disposed within the delivery catheter; and a replacement valve disposed within the delivery catheter. The invention also includes a method for endovascularly replacing a heart valve of... Agent: Shay Glenn LLP

20080234813 - Percutaneous interventional cardiology system for treating valvular disease: A system is provided for treating valvular disease percutaneously though a ventricular apex of the heart. The system includes a needle for piercing through the ventricular apex of the heart and creating a hole whereby a catheter can be passed through the skin and the wall of the heart to... Agent: Kolisch Hartwell, P.C.

20080234815 - Devices and methods for cardiac annulus stabilization and treatment: Devices and methods generally provide enhanced stabilization, exposure and/or treatment of a cardiac valve annulus. Methods generally involve introducing a stabilizing member beneath one or more leaflets of a heart valve to engage the annulus at an intersection between the leaflets and the interior ventricular wall of the heart. Force... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20080234816 - Device for an orbital implant: There is described a novel orbital implant having a smooth but macroporous outer surface, the said implant containing an integral resorbable platform for guided ocular muscle re-attachment.... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080234817 - Ossicle prosthesis with sensitive top plate: An ossicle prosthesis includes, at one end, a first fastening element designed as a top plate for mechanical connection with the tympanic membrane, and, at the other end, a second fastening element for mechanical connection with a component or parts of a component of the ossicular chain or with the... Agent: Striker, Striker & Stenby

20080234818 - Surgical scaffold: A scaffold for reshaping an ear or a nose, the scaffold being configured to be i) attached to the cartilaginous portion of an ear or ii) attached to the cartilaginous portion of a nose, wherein the scaffold is formed at least in part from a shape-memory material and/or a plastic... Agent: Senniger Powers LLP

20080234819 - All-inside double-bundle acl reconstruction: An “all-inside double-bundle” ACL reconstruction technique, according to which two femoral sockets and two closed tibial sockets are provided to accommodate retrograde fixation of two grafts (for example, two semitendonosus allografts) within the four sockets. At least one of the tibial sockets is formed by using a retrograde drill device... Agent: Dickstein Shapiro LLP

20080234820 - Method and system for mammalian joint resurfacing: A method and system for the creation or modification of the wear surface of orthopedic joints, involving the preparation and use of one or more partially or fully preformed and procured components, adapted for insertion and placement into the body and at the joint site. In a preferred embodiment, component(s)... Agent: Intellectual Property Group Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

20080234821 - Universal interference cleat: A vertebral implant comprises a tubular body sized to fit between two vertebral endplates and a pair of ring-shaped cleat assemblies. Each cleat assembly comprises an outer end wall, an inner end wall, and a side wall which defines a hollow bore. One or more spikes extend from each outer... Agent: Haynes And Boone, LLP

20080234823 - Artificial functional spinal unit system and method for use: A method of stabilizing a human spine is provided. The spine may be stabilized by inserting one or more dynamic interbody devices in a disc space between a first vertebra and a second vertebra. A dynamic interbody device may be inserted using an anterior approach. One or more dynamic interbody... Agent: Meyertons, Hood, Kivlin, Kowert & Goetzel, P.C.

20080234827 - Devices for treating the spine: Various features of spinal implants and systems and methods for implanting the same with or between tissue layers in the human body.... Agent: Cook Alex Ltd

20080234828 - Implant: In order to improve an implant for replacing a vertebral body or for insertion into an intervertebral cavity between adjacent vertebral bodies of a human or animal spinal column, with a first contact face for resting on a joint face of a first vertebral body and with a second contact... Agent: Lipsitz & Mcallister, LLC

20080234824 - Interspinous dynamic stabilization implant and method of implanting: Devices and methods for treating spinal disorders and associated discomfort therefrom. In one embodiment, an interspinous implant device is configured for distracting an adjacent pair of spinous processes while permitting relative flexion, lateral bending and side rotation motions between the vertebrae joined to the adjacent pair of spinous processes. A... Agent: Law Office Of Alan W. Cannon

20080234822 - Method and apparatus for stabilization and fusion of adjacent bone segments: Disclosed are systems and methods for stabilization and fusion of adjacent bone segments. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing a surgical bone implant. Surgical bone implants constructed in accordance with the invention receive improved structural stability and accurate sizing, particularly under expansion and shrinkage caused by hydration and dehydration of... Agent: Thomas, Kayden, Horstemeyer & Risley, LLP

20080234825 - Modular lumbar interbody fixation systems and methods: Modular lumbar interbody fixation systems and methods are provided. A representative system includes: an anterior end opposite a posterior end; a pair of engaging plates adapted to fit between and engage the vertebral bodies to maintain a disc space between the vertebral bodies during use; and an alignment device positionable... Agent: Thomas, Kayden, Horstemeyer & Risley, LLP

20080234826 - Modular lumbar interbody fixation systems and methods with reconstruction endplates: Modular lumbar interbody fixation systems and methods with reconstruction endplates are provided. A representative system includes: a pair of engaging plates adapted to fit between and engage the vertebral bodies, at least one engaging plate of the pair of engaging plates being a reconstruction endplate, the reconstruction endplate having a... Agent: Thomas, Kayden, Horstemeyer & Risley, LLP

20080234829 - Humeral head augment device and method for use in a shoulder prosthesis: A humeral head augment device for use in a modular shoulder prosthesis. The humeral head augment device has an external bearing surface with at least one surface portion that includes a radius of curvature. The radius of curvature is configured to constrain translational movement of the implanted shoulder prosthesis when... Agent: Heslin Rothenberg Farley & Mesiti PC

20080234830 - Femoral head having a spherical backside surface: A prosthesis member or assembly can be implanted in a portion of the anatomy. The prosthesis member, with various portions, defines a selected amount of a sphere to articulate or engage selected portions of the anatomy.... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20080234833 - Method of designing and manufacturing artificial joint stem with use of composite material: The method of designing and manufacturing the artificial joint stem, comprising steps of performing analysis of the internal stress of the artificial joint stem and bone and the adhesive stress of the artificial stem and bone, using the computer, based on the three dimension data indicating the structure of the... Agent: Apex Juris, PLLC

20080234834 - Gastrointestinal implant with drawstring: A gastrointestinal implant device includes a flexible, floppy sleeve, open at both ends, that extends into the duodenum. The device further includes a collapsible anchor coupled to the proximal portion of the sleeve. The device further includes a drawstring that is threaded through a proximal end of the anchor, and... Agent: Hamilton, Brook, Smith & Reynolds, P.C.

20080234831 - Bioresorbable stent and method of making: A method of making a polymeric stent includes providing a molding apparatus including a central core pin and a plurality of slides, wherein each of the slides includes grooves on an inner surface the slide, wherein the grooves are formed in the shape of the stent. A molten polymer is... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20080234832 - Prostatic stent and a detachable catheter apparatus comprising the same: The present invention is an endo-prostatic stent and a detachable catheter apparatus including the same, allowing the correct positioning of the stent using tactile feed-back of the operator during insertion i.e. without the need for any imaging means like endoscopy or sonography.... Agent: Oliff & Berridge, PLC

20080234835 - Textile prosthesis: A textile prosthesis comprising a unitary body of predetermined shape having structural integrity, the body including at least one anchorage body portion for attachment to an anatomical body part, the body being composed of a combination of binding yarns and tensile load bearing filaments, the binding yarns being located at... Agent: Jonathan Spangler Nu Vasive, Inc.

20080234836 - Socket preform/adapter combination for prosthetic device and method of manufacture: A socket for connecting a prosthetic limb to the residual limb of a amputee, including an adapter having at least one resin port extending therethrough and a generally conical composite material extending from the adapter. The composite material further includes a resin matrix and a multilayer triaxially woven preform embedded... Agent: Daniel L. Boots, Bingham Mchale LLP

20080228253 - Surface modifying macromolecules with high degradation temperatures and uses thereof: The invention relates to surface modifying macromolecules (SMMs) having high degradation temperatures and their use in the manufacture of articles made from base polymers which require high temperature processing. The surface modifier is admixed with the base polymer to impart alcohol and water repellency properties.... Agent: Clark & Elbing LLP

20080228256 - Braided flange branch graft for branch vessel: A braided flange branch graft formed of a braided super elastic memory material includes a neck between an inner flange and an outer flange. The neck is positioned in a side opening in a sidewall of a main stent graft and the inner flange and outer flange are deployed on... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20080228257 - Covered stent balloon and method of using same: An improved stent delivery system which provides a covered stent as a section of a deployment balloon is disclosed. The invention satisfies the need for a highly deliverable stent system with maximum flexibility, reduced profile, and consistent, smooth shaping along its length. The stent system described further minimizes damage to... Agent: Morgan & Finnegan, L.L.P.

20080228259 - Endovascular devices and methods to protect aneurysmal wall: Methods and systems for preventing aneurysm rupture and reducing the risk of migration and endoleak are disclosed. Specifically, a hardenable liner is applied directly to treat the interior of the aneurysm site. The hardening agent remains flexible in the pliable mode so that the liner can be collapsed and compressed... Agent: Jack Chu

20080228258 - Medical systems and related components and methods: This invention relates to medical systems and related components and methods. In some embodiments, the systems include a sleeve configured to be disposed between an adaptor and a catheter assembly including an outer sheath surrounding an inner member.... Agent: Fish & Richardson PC

20080228255 - Positionable stent-graft delivery system and method: A positionable stent-graft delivery system includes a stent-graft, a tip capture mechanism radially constraining a proximal portion of an anchor stent ring of the stent-graft, and a positioning mechanism for positioning the tip capture mechanism. The positioning mechanism includes tensioner guides and cords. To position the tip capture mechanism, a... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20080228260 - Helical arm tie down: An arrangement for temporarily retaining a side arm (36) of a stent graft (30) in a selected position during loading thereof onto a deployment device, the side arm extending from an ostium (38) in the tubular body (32) and substantially helically around and along the tubular body to an open... Agent: Cook Group Patent Office

20080228261 - Intravascular stent with integrated link and ring strut: An expandable stent is implanted in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen. The stent includes a plurality of rings connected by links. The stent has a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet has adequate vessel wall coverage and radial... Agent: Fulwider Patton LLP

20080228254 - Delivery systems and methods of implantation for replacement prosthetic heart valves: A method of delivering a replacement prosthetic valve to a previously implanted prosthetic valve including the steps of compressing a replacement prosthetic valve having an expandable stent within a sheath of a delivery system, wherein the delivery system comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and a centering structure positioned... Agent: Kagan Binder, PLLC

20080228262 - Nonwoven vascular prosthesis and process for its production: The object of the invention is a nonwoven vascular prosthesis (1) with pleats (3) in the vessel wall (2). In a process for producing the pleated, nonwoven vascular prosthesis, the vessel wall is formed on a rod-shaped core (6) having a corrugated surface (7) corresponding to the pleats.... Agent: Nath & Associates

20080228263 - Delivery systems and methods of implantation for replacement prosthetic heart valves: A delivery system and method for positioning and partially deploying a replacement valve at an implantation site, verifying the location of the replacement valve relative to the implantation site, and retrieving the partially deployed stent for repositioning relative to the implantation site.... Agent: Kagan Binder, PLLC

20080228264 - Prosthetic heart valves with flexible leaflets: A prosthetic heart valve of the type that includes a hollow annular stent and a plurality of flexible leaflets that are attached to the stent. One or more fixture structures are used to attach the leaflets to the stent so that sutures do not have to be used for that... Agent: Ropes & Gray LLP

20080228267 - Devices and methods for introducing elements into tissue: Systems, devices and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems, devices and methods may employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.... Agent: Wood, Herron & Evans, LLP

20080228266 - Plication assistance devices and methods: Systems, devices and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems, devices and methods may employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.... Agent: Wood, Herron & Evans, LLP

20080228265 - Tissue anchors, systems and methods, and devices: Systems, devices and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems, devices and methods may employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.... Agent: Wood, Herron & Evans, LLP

20080228270 - Implantable medical device with a voltage protection circuit: An implantable medical device has a hermetically sealed housing with at least one feedthrough therein for a conductive path between an RF antenna carried by the housing, and an RF telemetry circuit contained in the housing. The feedthrough has a feedthrough housing with a capacitor element therein having first and... Agent: Schiff Hardin, LLP Patent Department

20080228268 - Method of formation of viscous, shape conforming gels and their uses as medical prosthesis: This invention provides a viscous, shape conforming gel, comprising between about 1% and 50% by weight (dry) of a plurality of polymeric nanoparticles suspended in a liquid or liquids, at least one of which is polar. The plurality of polymeric nanoparticles contained in the gel have an average diameter of... Agent: Foley & Lardner LLP

20080228269 - Moulded article and mass and method for production thereof: Embodiments are directed to moulded article, provided with granules made of a bio-compatible material, which granules have a substantially porous structure and are interconnected, forming a rigid or semi-rigid structure; a mass for forming such a moulded article; and a method for forming a moulded article, comprising the steps of... Agent: Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.

20080228271 - Method and apparatus for graft fixation: A method and apparatus for surgically coupling a soft tissue replacement into a tunnel of a bone are disclosed. The method includes forming a loop of a soft tissue or soft tissue replacement. A pair of prosthetics are coupled to the loop of soft tissue to form an artificial bone-tendon-bone... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20080228272 - Dynamically adjustable suture and chordae tendinae: Embodiments of a dynamically adjustable artificial chordae tendinae implant are described. In some embodiments the implant includes a body portion, including an adjustable portion. In some embodiments, the implant includes a plurality of adjustable portions. In some embodiments the adjustable element can include a shape memory material. The adjustable portion... Agent: Mcdermott Will & Emery LLP

20080228273 - Implants: Disc prostheses, particularly for use in the lumbar region of the spine are provided. The disc prosthesis includes an outer component manufactured at least in part from fibre and at least one filling element introduced into the outer component in situ.... Agent: Jonathan Spangler Nu Vasive, Inc.

20080228274 - Intervertebral prosthesis: An intervertebral prosthesis for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes upper and lower prosthesis plates locatable against respective vertebrae and having opposing, concavely curved recesses therein, and a core located between the plates. The core has opposed, convexly curved surfaces received in the recesses of the plates to allow the plates... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080228275 - Intervertebral implant component with three points of contact: An intervertebral implant is made up of components which each have an inner surface and an outer surface which engages an adjacent vertebra and presents only three distinct points of contact with a cortical rim of the vertebra. Preferably, the outer surface has a footprint which is sized to be... Agent: Stites & Harbison PLLC

20080228277 - Intervertebral prosthesis: An intervertebral prosthesis for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes upper and lower prosthesis plates locatable against respective vertebrae and having opposing, concavely curved recesses therein, and a core located between the plates. The core has opposed, convexly curved surfaces received in the recesses of the plates to allow the plates... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080228276 - Intervertebral prosthesis, instruments, and methods of implanting: A method of implanting an intervertebral prosthesis in an intervertebral space between a first and a second vertebra of a patient's spinal column may include making a first aperture at a first location to permit access to the intervertebral disc space. The first aperture may be sized to allow passage... Agent: Haynes And Boone, LLP

20080228279 - Arrangement of two or more implants provided with growth-stimulating substance(s): Two or more implants (8, 9, 10) are arranged in succession in the jaw bone (1) and bear or comprise growth-stimulating substances (25), here called GSS, which, as a function of secretion of body fluid at the implants, are intended to be released and form new bone (11-15) around the... Agent: Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz LLP

20080228278 - Modular prosthesis for mandibular reconstruction: A prosthetic module for a mandible bone includes a body having a form corresponding to the mandible bone and extending between a first end and a second end positioned opposite the first end. A first stem extends from the body at the first end and is configured to extend into... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20080228280 - Tribological applications of polyelectrolyte multilayers: One aspect of the present invention relates to an implantable medical device comprising a surface coated with a polyelectrolyte multilayer, wherein said surface is glass, metal, plastic, polymer, or fiberglass. Another aspect of the present invention involves a method of preparing a PEM-coated implantable medical device, comprising the step of... Agent: Foley Hoag, LLP Patent Group, World Trade Center West

20080228281 - Insert and shell of a joint ball receptacle: An insert (11) of a joint ball receptacle of a prosthetic shoulder joint according to the invention has a first side (I) with a depression (15) for receiving a joint ball, and a second side (II) which is provided and formed for being received in a shell (13) of the... Agent: Zimmer Technology - Baker & Daniels

20080228282 - Artificial hip with grooved ball or cup for improved lubrication by capillary action: Prosthetic hips are well known in the arts and have been successfully used for many years. There are, however, some inherent health problems associated with present art designs. All of the prosthetic hip designs utilize a variety of materials. Most used are plastic, ceramic and metal materials. One of the... Agent: John Brodowski

20080228283 - Femur component for a hip joint prosthesis: The specified implant for use as a femur component in a hip joint prosthesis comprises a shaft, being intended for the implantation in a cavity of a proximal femur, a head section, for fastening a femoral head prosthesis and a femoral neck section, being arranged between the shaft and the... Agent: Zimmer Technology - Baker & Daniels

20080228284 - Specific polyphosphazene-containing three-dimensional bone support implants and methods for their use: The present invention relates to expandable semi-compliant devices that may be used for the treatment of diseased or injured bone tissues, and methods of using the same. The semi-compliant device of the present invention is inserted into an interior space of a cancellous bone tissue, and is filled with a... Agent: Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP

20080228285 - Transoral endoscopic gastroesophageal flap valve restoration device, assembly, system and method: The invention provides a device, assembly, and method for transoral endoscopic restoration of a gastroesophageal flap valve. The invention also provides a self-steering and self-closing tissue fixation device for tissue fixation and an invaginator device for gripping and maneuvering tissue. The restoration device includes a longitudinal member arranged for transoral... Agent: Hoekendijk & Lynch, LLP

20080228286 - Liner: The invention relates to a liner for connecting a prosthesis with the stump of an amputated lower leg. The liner comprises a stocking from a substantially flexible material for surrounding the stump with a first, open end for receiving the stump there through and a second, closed end which is,... Agent: Swanson & Bratschun, L.L.C.

20080228287 - Prosthetic leg: In a prosthetic leg installed with a hydraulic cylinder for adjusting bending and extension resistance of a knee joint portion, a buffer device is provided between a lower leg portion and a foot portion below the knee joint portion for displacing movably in opposite directions when the toe and the... Agent: Oliff & Berridge, PLC

20080228288 - Composite prosthetic foot: A prosthetic foot is provided with an ankle plate for attachment to a lower leg prosthesis and supporting a composite frame having a hollow composite biasing structure, preferably in the form of a generally helical spring curved about a vertical axis.... Agent: Douglas T. Johnson Miller & Martin

20080221655 - Bifurcated balloon and stent: A stent (22) for the treatment of a vascular bifurcation includes a distal member (40) and a proximal member (42), the distal member and the proximal member comprising tubular bodies, the distal member comprising first struts (64, 66) oriented in the proximal direction and the proximal member including second struts... Agent: Darby & Darby P.c.

20080221656 - Endovascular deployment device: An endovascular delivery device (1) has a portion, such as the nose cone dilator (8), being formed from a radiopaque material and that portion has a selected transverse profile such as a notch (26) so that in a selected rotational orientation of the endovascular delivery device the nose cone dilator... Agent: Cook Group Patent Office

20080221654 - Systems and methods for delivering a detachable implantable device: Disclosed herein are various systems and methods for delivering implantable devices, such as, for example detachable embolic coils. The systems can include an embolic coil mated to a pusher wire via a detachable link comprising first and second engaging members and an expandable member or a sleeve. The expandable member... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20080221657 - Delivery system and method for vascular prosthesis: A delivery system for an implantable vascular prosthesis is provided for a vascular prosthesis including at least first and second helical sections having alternating directions of rotation that are coupled to one another at apices. The delivery system includes an elongate body, a plurality of retainers and an outer sheath.... Agent: Mitchell P. Brook Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps LLP

20080221658 - Vascular prosthesis and methods of use: An implantable vascular prosthesis is provided for use in a wide range of applications wherein at least first and second helical sections having alternating directions of rotation are coupled to one another. The prosthesis is configured to conform to a vessel wall without substantially remodeling the vessel, and permits accurate... Agent: Mitchell P. Brook Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps LLP

20080221659 - Endoscopic delivery device: An endoscopic or laparoscopic conduit delivery device (1) comprises first and second separately manipulable introducers (3, 5) with a laparoscopic conduit (80) having first and second ends (83, 84) and an intermediate portion being mounted onto the introducers in a substantially U shape. The first end and a first portion... Agent: Cook Group Patent Office

20080221660 - Platelet gel for treatment of aneurysms: Methods for ameliorating stent graft migration and endoleak using treatment site-specific platelet gel compositions in combination with stent grafts are disclosed. Also disclosed are platelet gel compositions directly to treatment sites before, during or after stent graft implantation. Additional embodiments include medical devices having platelet gel coatings and/or platelet gel... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc. Ip Legal Department

20080221661 - Stent design with struts of various angles and stiffness: The present invention is directed to stent that has a plurality of axially spaced serpentine bands. Each serpentine band comprises a plurality of struts, wherein adjacent struts are connected to each other forming a plurality of peaks and valleys. The plurality of struts comprise a plurality of adjacent pairs of... Agent: Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.a.

20080221662 - Endoluminal prosthesis: An endoluminal prosthesis, comprising a tubular body, said tubular body developing along a longitudinal axis, said tubular body comprising a plurality of serpentines, which develop along a substantially circumpherential direction, each of said serpentines comprising arm portions of a preset width transversal to their main longitudinal extension, and bend portions... Agent: Shoemaker And Mattare, Ltd

20080221663 - Vascular prosthesis and methods of use: An implantable vascular prosthesis is provided for use in a wide range of applications wherein at least first and second helical sections having alternating directions of rotation are coupled to one another. The prosthesis is configured to conform to a vessel wall without substantially remodeling the vessel, and permits accurate... Agent: Mitchell P. Brook Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps LLP

20080221667 - Spiral stent assembly: A stent assembly includes a spiral shaped elongate member having a first end and a second end. The elongate member includes a plurality of loops spaced apart from each other. A first contact is attached to and near the first end of the elongate member, and a second contact is... Agent: Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP

20080221666 - Stent 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 can be used in the treatment of atherosclerosis in stenting procedures or be used in variety of other procedures. The systems can employ a self... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080221664 - Tapered helical stent and method for manufacturing the stent: A tapered helical implantation device for peripheral arteries and other body lumina of locally varying diameter, including struts connected by loops and shaped in a helical winding. The helical winding defines turns and, when expanded, has a first end with a first expanded circumference and a second end with a... Agent: Mayback & Hoffman, P.a.

20080221665 - Vascular prosthesis and methods of use: An implantable vascular prosthesis is provided for use in a wide range of applications wherein at least first and second helical sections having alternating directions of rotation are coupled to one another. The prosthesis is configured to conform to a vessel wall without substantially remodeling the vessel, and permits accurate... Agent: Mitchell P. Brook Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps LLP

20080221668 - Expandable supportive branched endoluminal grafts: A method of manufacturing an endoluminal graft which is both expandable and supportive is provided in a form suitable for use in a branched body vessel location. The graft expands between a first diameter and a second, larger diameter. The support component is an expandable stent endoprosthesis. A liner is... Agent: Ratner Prestia

20080221669 - Endovenous stent and venous neovalvular endobioprosthesis: Endovenous stent for restoring the function of an incompetent venous valve having slackened cusps. The stent includes two parallel struts; two terminal elastic elements, connecting the struts at their extremities and compressing them apart, and make them, once the stent implanted into the vein to be cured, to dilate the... Agent: Young & Thompson

20080221670 - Radiopaque polymeric stent: The invention relates to an implantable radiopaque stent adapted to be disposed in a body lumen. In one aspect of the invention, at least one radiopaque filament is arranged for permanent attachment to a hollow tubular structure. The filament is desirably arranged in a linear direction traverse to a longitudinal... Agent: Hoffmann & Baron, LLP

20080221671 - Braided endoluminal device having tapered filaments: A stent comprising a plurality of continuous filaments braided together, at least one filament comprising a tapered filament having at least one first region having a first, relatively-larger cross-sectional area and at least one second region having a second, relatively-smaller cross-sectional area. The stent itself may have a tapered diameter,... Agent: Ratner Prestia

20080221672 - Mitral valve system: Valve prostheses are disclosed that are adapted for secure and aligned placement relative to a heart annulus. The valve prostheses may be placed in a non-invasive manner, e.g., via trans-catheter techniques. The valve prosthesis may include a resilient ring, a plurality of leaflet membranes mounted with respect to the resilient... Agent: Mccarter & English , LLP Stamford Office

20080221673 - Medical implant with reinforcement mechanism: An improved medical implant for treating mitral regurgitation is provided. The medical implant comprises proximal and distal anchors connected by a bridge. The medical implant is configured to be delivered into a coronary sinus using a minimially invasive procedure. The bridge is preferably made of a shape memory material which... Agent: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

20080221674 - High performance corneal inlay: A corneal inlay protects ocular structures from harmful wavelengths of light while maintaining acceptable color cosmetics, color perception, overall light transmission, photopic vision, scotopic vision, color vision, and/or cirdadian rhythms. The corneal inlay can also include a pinhole effect to increase depth of focus. In some embodiments, the corneal inlay... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080221676 - Accommodating intraocular lens and methods of use: The present invention relates to a first intraocular lens (120) embodiment having a retainer plate (124) with an annular region surrounding a central opening and an optical lens (122) removably attached to the retainer plate within the central opening. Also disclosed is a second intraocular lens embodiment having a retainer... Agent: Nixon Peabody LLP - Patent Group

20080221675 - Dual function uv-absorbers for ophthalmic lens materials: Disclosed are UV absorbers that contain a labile functional group capable of initiating free radical polymerization.... Agent: Alcon

20080221677 - Artificial eye socket system and method: An artificial eye socket for use in the mounting of artificial eye is disclosed. The artificial eye socket is of substantially unitary construction and made from a flexible material such as rubber. The artificial eye socket comprises an outer base surface; an inner base surface; a substantially contiguous outer sclera... Agent: John W. Goldschmidt, Jr. Esquire Dilworth Paxon LLP

20080221678 - Collapse-resistant breast implant with partial internal shells: A surgically-implantable breast prosthesis comprises a first shell enclosing a lumen; a second shell enclosing a lumen, and one or more fitted partial shells situated between the exterior of the second shell and the interior of the first shell.... Agent: The Webb Law Firm, P.c.

20080221679 - Collapse-resistant breast implant with stiffened walls: A surgically-implantable breast prosthesis comprises an enclosing shell having an exterior surface and enclosing a lumen, the exterior surface defining an edge portion separating front and rear portions of the enclosing shell, wherein the lumen enclosed by the shell is able to accommodate a fluid, and the front rear portions... Agent: Scott Ladere

20080221684 - Devices, systems, and methods to fixate tissue within the regions of body, such as the pharyngeal conduit: Devices, systems and methods develop static and/or kinetic and/or pressure forces to fixate or brace tissue in targeted pharyngeal structures and individual anatomic components within the pharyngeal conduit.... Agent: Daniel D. Ryan Ryan Kromholz & Manion, S.c.

20080221682 - Instant face-lifter: The Instant Face-Lifter is an intra-scalp beautifying device that stretches the face's skin creating a younger appearance with minimum scarring. It consists of an oval-shaped device made of solid medical grade silicone, typically measuring 5 12/16″ long×4 12/16″ wide, with sloping edges and an ever increasing thickness in the direction... Agent: Ricardo A. Fuenmayor A. 2nd Floor

20080221681 - Methods for improving fatigue performance of implants with osteointegrating coatings: A method which may be used for introducing a residual compressive stress into a body portion of an implantable device configured for implantation in a patient. The body portion may include an outer surface. The method also may include texturing the outer surface of the implantable device to increase a... Agent: Haynes And Boone, LLP

20080221680 - Optimized articular geometry: Various embodiments of orthopaedic implants which optimize the articular geometries of the implants. An exemplary implant may include a plurality of protrusions which provide an articulating surface and which create paths for fluid movement relative to the implant.... Agent: Zimmer Technology - Baker & Daniels

20080221683 - Orthopaedic implants having self-lubricated articulating surfaces designed to reduce wear, corrosion, and ion leaching: Mechanical devices such as prosthetic knees, hips, shoulders, fingers, elbows, wrists, ankles, fingers and spinal elements when implanted in the body and used as articulating elements are subjected to wear and corrosion. These prosthetic implants are usually fabricated in modular form from combinations of metallic materials such as stainless steels,... Agent: Baker & Hostetler LLP

20080221686 - Devices used to treat disc herniation and attachment mechanisms therefore: A method for retaining an intra-discal material within an annulus fibrosis having a posterior annulus, an inside surface, and an opening is described. The opening has a lateral and a vertical dimension. A retention device that includes a shape memory alloy is inserted through the opening in the annulus fibrosis.... Agent: O''melveny & Myers LLP Ip&t Calendar Department La-1118

20080221690 - Artificial disc with post and modular collar: An apparatus and method is provided relating to artificial discs. An artificial disc is provided that facilitates simultaneous and independent articulation of flexion/extension, lateral bending, anterior/posterior translation, and axial rotation. The artificial disc provides these four simultaneous and independent articulations by independently addressing each type of articulation in the design... Agent: Johnson & Associates

20080221689 - Artificial disc with unique articulating geometry and associated methods: An apparatus and method is provided relating to artificial discs. An artificial disc is provided that facilitates simultaneous and independent articulation of flexion/extension, lateral bending, anterior/posterior translation, and axial rotation. The artificial disc provides these four simultaneous and independent articulations by independently addressing each type of articulation in the design... Agent: Johnson & Associates

20080221687 - Deployable segmented tlif device: A segmented intervertebral body fusion support includes a plurality of segments, the segments including an initial segment, a final segment and at least one intermediate segment. The intermediate segment has a generally trapezoidal configuration and the initial and final segments include tapered side walls providing triangular gaps between adjacent segments.... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, Llc

20080221692 - Interspinous process implants and methods of use: Systems and method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention can includes an implant comprising a first wing, a spacer extending from the first wing, and a distraction guide. The distraction guide is arranged in a first configuration to pierce and/or distract tissue associated with adjacent spinous processes... Agent: Cooley Godward Kronish LLP Attn: Patent Group

20080221693 - Intervertebral prosthesis: An intervertebral prosthesis is disclosed for utilisation as an intervertebral disc replacement in the skeleton of the human body. The intervertebral prosthesis includes a first prosthesis plate, on which is formed a first coupling element, e.g., in the form of a spherical cap, and a second prosthesis plate, in which,... Agent: Summa, Allan & Additon, P.a.

20080221696 - Intervertebral prosthetic disc: A prosthetic disc for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes upper and lower plates, a core disposed between the plates, and at least one projection extending from at least one of the upper and lower curved surfaces of the core into at least one recess of one of the inner surfaces... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080221688 - Method of maintaining fatigue performance in a bone-engaging implant: This disclosure is directed to a method capable of maintaining the fatigue performance of a bone-engaging implant after surface texturing through the imparting of a residual compressive stress. A residual compressive stress is imparted via peening or another process. The peened surface is then roughened to improve mechanical adhesion for... Agent: Haynes And Boone, LLP

20080221694 - Pivotable interbody spacer system and method: A spinal spacer system includes a handle member, an extension member including a first and a second end, wherein the first end of the extension member is coupled to the handle member. Additionally, a coupling device configured to selectively couple a spacer to the second end of the extension member... Agent: Rader, Fishman & Grauer Pllc

20080221695 - Spinal interbody spacer device: There is described an instrument set for use in spinal surgery that includes as elements a spinal body spacer, a placement tool, and an extraction tool. The spacer may be constructed with a body having a first wall and a second wall connected by a top face, a bottom face,... Agent: Gallagher & Kennedy, P. A.

20080221691 - Surgical implant secured by pegs and associated methods: An apparatus and method is provided relating to artificial discs. An artificial disc is provided that facilitates simultaneous and independent articulation of flexion/extension, lateral bending, anterior/posterior translation, and axial rotation. The artificial disc provides these four simultaneous and independent articulations by independently addressing each type of articulation in the design... Agent: Johnson & Associates

20080221697 - Hemi-implant for first metatarsophalangeal joint: An improved implant for use primarily within the first metatarsophalangeal joint. The implant includes an elliptical, concave, joint surface positioned on a stem and is designed to be placed into a prepared proximal face of the phalanx. The implant is sized according to the patient and may be provided in... Agent: Kammer Browning Pllc

20080221698 - Semi-constrained 1st carpometacarpal implant arthroplasty: A first carpometacarpal joint implant. One embodiment of the invention includes proximal and distal components. The proximal component includes a fixation portion for attachment to one or more elements of a patient's distal carpal row, a ball-type joint portion cantilevered off the fixation portion, and a skid having a concave... Agent: Faegre & Benson Attn: Patent Docketing

20080221699 - Method and apparatus for removing an acetabular bearing: A system for replacing a portion of a hip joint can include a cup having an outer surface and an inner surface. A bearing can include an outer bearing surface and an inner articulating surface. The outer bearing surface can be positioned adjacent to the cup. A ring can be... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20080221700 - Implant: The invention relates to a cap-shaped implant for implanting on a prepared stump of a femoral head. The implant is in the form of a ball section (11), having a flat base surface (13) and a polar axis (15) which is arranged in a perpendicular in relation to the base... Agent: Zimmer Technology - Baker & Daniels

20080221701 - Osteostimulative settable bone graft putty: A settable osteostimulative bone graft putty composition having a bioactive glass particulate component composed of a long-term and a short-term component; the long-term component having particle sizes greater than 90 micrometers and the short-term component having particle sizes less than 90 micrometers; the long-term component comprising about 60% to 90%... Agent: Rogers Towers, P.a.

20080221703 - Loading a device for a pulmonary implant: Devices for loading a collapsible implant onto a delivery catheter. In one aspect, a loading device comprises an outer tubular structure and an inner tubular structure. The outer tubular structure comprises a narrowing passage configured to receive a catheter at one end and a collapsible implant at another end. The... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080221702 - Methods and devices for intragastrointestinal prostheses: An intragastric and/or intragastrointestinal device may include a prosthesis, which may reside within the gastrointestinal tract lumen. The device may include a restrictive element that constricts or restricts the gastrointestinal tract lumen, limiting the amount of food and/or fluid an individual consumes.... Agent: Davol Inc. (anthony Colesanti, Esq.)

20080221704 - Three (3) distinct improvements (different fields of use) to the prior art or invention entitled instant face-lifter: There are three distinct improvements on the Instant Face-Lifter -the prior art-: Field of Use “A”, an intra-scalp round or oval-shaped device made of a biocompatible material, typically measuring 5 12/16″ long×4 12/16″ wide, stretches the face's skin, instantly producing a younger look, by injecting saline through a septum into... Agent: Ricardo A. Fuenmayor A. 2nd Floor

20080221705 - Vacuum assisted prosthetic sleeve and socket: A prosthetic sleeve and socket system, the sleeve including a flap or skirt concentrically arranged about the sleeve and configured to form a sealed chamber between the sleeve and socket when the sleeve is inserted into the socket. An air permeable material is interposed between the skirt and the sleeve... Agent: Maynard Cooper & Gale, Pc

20080221706 - Vacuum assisted prosthetic sleeve and socket utilizing a double membrane liner: A prosthetic sleeve and socket system, the sleeve including dual flaps or skirts concentrically arranged about the sleeve and configured to form a sealed chamber between the sleeve and socket when the sleeve is inserted into the socket. An air permeable material is interposed between one of the skirts and... Agent: Maynard Cooper & Gale, Pc

20080221685 - Systems and methods for posterior dynamic stabilization of the spine: Devices, systems and methods for dynamically stabilizing the spine are provided. The devices include an expandable spacer having an undeployed configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein the spacer has axial and radial dimensions for positioning between the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae. The systems include one or more spacers and... Agent: Perkins Coie LLP Patent-sea

20080215129 - Endolumenal prosthesis with bioresorbable portions: The present invention relates to an endolumenal prosthesis comprising a tubular body adapted to convert from a contracted condition to an expanded condition. The tubular body develops along a longitudinal axis and comprises: a plurality of coils and at least one bridge. The coils develop along a substantially circumferential direction... Agent: Shoemaker And Mattare, Ltd

20080215130 - Medical device delivery catheter: Apparatus for delivering a medical device to a location in a patient's body includes an elongate catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end, a pod coupled with the distal end of the catheter body and adapted to house the medical device during delivery to the location and... Agent: Levine Bagade Han LLP

20080215131 - Method for loading a medical device into a delivery system: A process to load a medical device comprising a shape memory material into a delivery system is described herein. According to one aspect, the method includes applying a force to the medical device to obtain a delivery configuration thereof, where the device is at a first temperature within an R-phase... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20080215132 - Implantable devices having textured surfaces and methods of forming the same: Textured coatings for implantable medical devices can be provided in metallic or polymer surface layers having surface texture factors down to nanometer and sub-nanometer levels. Implantable devices having such textured surfaces and methods of coating such devices comprises providing a substrate surface of an implantable device and forming a coating... Agent: Mills & Onello LLP

20080215133 - Longitudinally flexible stent: An intravascular stent especially suited for implanting in curved arterial portion. The stent retains longitudinal flexibility after expansion. The stent is formed of intertwined meander patterns forming triangular cells. The cells are adapted to provide radial support, and also provide longitudinal flexibility after expansion. The cells also provide increase coverage... Agent: Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP

20080215134 - Vascular band: A vascular band (1) comprises a biocompatible flexible material (2) and a plurality of radiopaque bars (4) extending transversely across the width of the material and spaced apart along the length of the biocompatible material. The bars provide some rigidity to the flexible material in the width direction thereby preventing... Agent: Cook Group Patent Office

20080215135 - Device allowing the treatment of bodily conduits at an area of a bifurcation: The device includes a stent and a separating device, the stent having a number of areas of separation and the separating device being able to be introduced through the wall of the stent at an area of separation. According to embodiments of the invention, each area of separation has a... Agent: Oliff & Berridge, PLC

20080215136 - Differential drug release from a medical device: The invention relates to a medical device, such as an intravascular stent, useful for delivering two or more therapeutic agents to a body tissue of a patient at different rates, and methods for making and using such medical device. The medical device includes a substrate and/or coating having a plurality... Agent: Jones Day

20080215138 - Coated implantable medical device: A coated implantable medical device 10 includes a structure 12 adapted for introduction into the vascular system, esophagus, trachea, colon, biliary tract, or urinary tract; at least one coating layer 16 posited on one surface of the structure; and at least one layer 18 of a bioactive material posited on... Agent: Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarty, Mcnett & Henry LLP

20080215137 - Therapeutic driving layer for a medical device: The present invention regards the delivery of therapeutic at a target site. Systems that employ the present invention may employ a medical device sized to be inserted into a target site, a driving layer covering at least a portion of an accessible surface of the medical device, and a therapeutic... Agent: Kenyon & Kenyon LLP

20080215139 - Stent with a coating for delivering a therapeutic agent: The invention relates generally to a medical device for delivering a therapeutic agent to the body tissue of a patient, and methods for making such a medical device. More particularly, the invention is directed to a stent, such as an intravascular stent, having an inner and outer coating compositions disposed... Agent: Jones Day

20080215141 - Coating for a stent and a method of forming the same: A coating for a stent and methods for coating a stent are provided. The coating may be used for the sustained delivery of an active ingredient or a combination of active ingredients.... Agent: Squire, Sanders & Dempsey LLP

20080215140 - Stents coated with biomolecules and process for their production: c

20080215142 - Cross-linking of antioxidant-containing polymers: The present invention relates to methods for making cross-linked, oxidatively stable, and highly crystalline polymeric materials. The invention also provides methods of treating irradiation-cross-linked antioxidant-containing polymers and materials used therewith.... Agent: Proskauer Rose LLP

20080215143 - Assembly for placing a prosthetic valve in a duct in the body: The present invention is an assembly comprising a prosthetic valve to be implanted; a radially expandable stent comprising at least one zone intended to be expanded to allow the stent, in the expanded state, to bear against the wall of the body duct to be fitted with the valve, this... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080215144 - Replacement prosthetic heart valves and methods of implantation: A replacement prosthetic heart valve for engagement with a structure of a previously implanted prosthetic heart valve, the replacement heart valve including a stent structure and at least two leaflets attached within the interior area of a tubular body portion of the stent structure. The stent structure includes a generally... Agent: Kagan Binder, PLLC

20080215145 - Cardiac valve implant with energy absorbing material: Methods and devices are provided for support of a body structure. The devices can be adjusted within the body of a patient in a minimally invasive or non-invasive manner such as by applying energy percutaneously or external to the patient's body. The energy may include, for example, acoustic energy, radio... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080215146 - Intra-ocular artificial lens for iris-driven accommodation: An intra-ocular artificial lens with variable optical strength, wherein the artificial lens comprises two optical elements which are movable relative to each other in a direction extending transversely of the optical axis, wherein the optical elements have a form such that in different relative positions they together have different optical... Agent: Powell Goldstein LLP

20080215147 - Intraocular lens system: The present invention discloses a multi-component intraocular lens implanted in an optical system of a human eye, including one or more foldable removable components, each component being foldable. One component acts as a base lens, including a flange with a slot. Another component acts is an optical assembly that may... Agent: Arent Fox LLP

20080215148 - Implanting a therapeutic appliance into the cochlea: A set of fenestration burrs, for fenestrating otic capsule bone (34), includes an initial burr (150) and a sequence of fenestration polishing burrs (180). A polishing burr (152, 1521), of each of the burrs (150, 180), carries at least one spiraling flute (166, 166′). Fenestrations (36) piercing the bone (34)... Agent: Donald E. Schreiber Donald E. Schreber A Professional Corporation

20080215149 - Lightweight silicone implant and manufacturing method thereof: Disclosed herein are a lightweight silicone implant which is manufactured by filling a foamed silicone sponge and/or vacant silicone capsules in a silicone bag or a cohesive gel bag and sealing the bag, and a method for manufacturing the same.... Agent: Park Law Firm

20080215150 - Tendon or ligament bioprostheses and methods of making same: The disclosure describes implantable bioprosthesis having an implantable construct with a multi-fiber array of collagen fibers attached together.... Agent: Myers Bigel Sibley & Sajovec

20080215151 - Bone barrier device, system, and method: A bone barrier device can comprise a barrier material that can be inserted into the interior of a bone and adapted to prohibit substantially all of a bone filler material from flowing through and/or around the barrier material into and through a compromised portion of the bone. Such a barrier... Agent: Kilpatrick Stockton LLP - 55461

20080215152 - System and method for restoration of nutrient flow to nucleus pulposa: Disclosed are methods and devices for restoring or establishing nutrient flow to the nucleus pulposa. An implant comprises a nutrient flow path for extending between a source of nutrients and the nucleus pulposa. The implant is positioned within the patient such that a first end is in nutrient flow communication... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080215153 - Apparatus and method for performing spinal surgery: An embodiment of an intervertebral prosthetic device for implantation in a spine includes a rigid fixation member and a compressible member. The fixation member is configured to be placed in a cavity of a first vertebral body and against bone of the first vertebral body. The compressible member is configured... Agent: Foley And Lardner LLP Suite 500

20080215154 - Intervertebral disc anulus implant: Systems for minimally invasive disc augmentation include an anulus augmentation implant suited for minimally invasive deployment. A nucleus augmentation component may be included. The anulus augmentation implant shields weakened regions of the anulus fibrosis and/or resists escape of natural nucleus pulposus and/or the nucleus augmentation component. Methods and deployment devices... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080215155 - Intervertebral prosthetic disc: A prosthetic disc for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes upper and lower plates, a core disposed between the plates, and at least one projection extending from at least one of the upper and lower curved surfaces of the core into at least one recess of one of the inner surfaces... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080215156 - Joint prostheses: The present invention provides an implantable joint prosthesis configured to replace a natural joint, and methods for implantation. The prosthesis may include a first component implantable in a first bone, having a first bearing surface, and a second component implantable in a second bone, having a second bearing surface which... Agent: Medicinelodge Inc.

20080215157 - Modular femoral provisional: A provisional prosthetic system that replicates the characteristics of a corresponding, nonprovisional femoral prosthesis. The provisional prosthetic system may include a frame component and a shell component. The frame component of the provisional prosthetic system may be configured to be attached directly to a resected femur. In one exemplary embodiment,... Agent: Zimmer Technology - Baker & Daniels

20080215158 - Prosthetic hip joint having polycrystalline diamond articulation surfaces and at least one solid polycrystalline diamond compact: A prosthetic joint in which at least one bearing component is made from solid diamond.... Agent: Randall B. Bateman BatemanIPLaw Group

20080215159 - Orthopaedic surgical instrument: A method of manufacturing an orthopaedic surgical instrument comprising the steps of forming a generally planar shim having a predetermined shape; creating a plurality of holes or slots in the plane of the shim; temporarily shielding said holes or slots. from a plastic moulding process; overmoulding said shim with a... Agent: Sheridan Ross PC

20080215160 - Resurfacing-hip implant construction set: Described here is a set for the construction of a resurfacing hip implant. It comprises a thin metal cup for cemented insertion into the natural acetabulum, a thin metal cap for cemented placement upon the natural femoral head, and an inlay which can be placed in the cup of the... Agent: Flaster/greenberg P.C. 8 Penn Center

20080215161 - System and method for motion-controlled foot unit: A system and method associated with the movement of a limb. In one example, the system, such as a prosthetic or orthotic system, includes an actuator that actively controls, or adjusts, the angle between a foot unit and a lower limb member. A processing module may control movement of the... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080215162 - System and method for using a digit to position a prosthetic or orthotic device: A method and system for determining a grip or grasp pattern of a prosthetic terminal device or other orthotic device using the position of the thumb or other digit as the initial determination of the grasping function. The system comprising sensors, an electronic control system and a motor drive.... Agent: Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP