Abstract:
A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent having a proximal end, a distal end, an annulus section adjacent the proximal end and an aortic section adjacent the distal end. The stent is formed of a plurality of struts. A cuff is coupled to the stent. The cuff has one or more features configured to reduce abrasion and/or perivalvular leakage.
Abstract:
A prosthetic heart valve includes a base and a plurality of polymeric leaflets. Each leaflet has a root portion coupled to the base, and each leaflet has an edge portion substantially opposite the root portion and movable relative to the root portion to coapt with a respective edge portion of at least one of the other leaflets of the plurality of leaflets. Each leaflet includes) at least two polymers along at least one portion of the leaflet, and each leaflet has a composition gradient of each of the at least two polymers along at least one portion of the leaflet.
Abstract:
An implant can include a plurality of polymeric fibers associated together into a fibrous body. The fibrous body is capable of being shaped to fit a tracheal defect and capable of being secured in place by suture or by bioadhesive. The fibrous body can have aligned fibers (e.g., circumferentially aligned) or unaligned fibers. The fibrous body can be electrospun. The fibrous body can have a first characteristic in a first gradient distribution across at least a portion of the fibrous body. The fibrous body can include one or more structural reinforcing members, such as ribbon structural reinforcing members, which can be embedded in the plurality of fibers. The fibrous body can include one or more structural reinforcing members bonded to the fibers with liquid polymer as an adhesive, the liquid polymer having a substantially similar composition of the fibers.
Abstract:
The disclosure describes medical constructs with a plurality of collagen fibers twisted together and methods of twisting the collagen fibers to form the medical constructs.
Abstract:
Prosthetic intervertebral discs and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower end plates (110, 120) separated by a compressible core member (130). Fibres (140) or a fibrous material extend between the endplates and hold them together. The core member may be tillable or may be slidably introduced between the endplates. The distance between the endplates may be varied by a threaded mechanism or by shifting the endplates or the core member with respect to each other.
Abstract:
Implants for the treatment of pelvic support conditions and methods of implementing the same. The implants comprise relatively soft, flexible bodies and relatively strong arms extending in predetermined orientation therefrom. Methods and devices for placing the implants minimize trauma to the pelvic floor and provide well- anchored support to pelvic organs without interfering with sexual or other bodily functions.
Abstract:
Disc prostheses, particularly for use in the lumbar region of the spine are provided. The disc prosthesis includes a core comprising one or more filling elements provided within an inner component of fabric. The inner component is provided within an outer component of fabric. By providing a smooth inner contact surface between the inner component and the core filling, movement between the inner and outer components is facilitated in preference to movement between the inner component and core. Core abrasion is thus avoided. The use of an inner component and an outer component also means that the characteristics of each can be optimised to meet different aims.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for enhancing the third stage of breast reconstruction involves sampling an artificial nipple prosthetic device attachable to a female human breast by trying on and wearing different sized and colored devices at different locations of the breast. This allows the female patient to advise her surgeon where, what size and what color nipple she wants the surgeon to reconstruct. The nipple prosthetic devices (10) have substantially cylindrical solid nipple portion (20) made of a breathable water-resistant natural or microporous polymeric material and areola portion (30) surrounding the nipple portion (20) made of the same material. The inside of the device, at both the nipple and areola portions, has a concave shape that conforms to an outer contour of a female human breast and the device (10) is attached by means of a water resistant adhesive layer (40). The shades of color of the nipple and areola portions conform to the female anatomy.