Described is a catheter for being retained inside the body for extended periods, and a catheter mating device that can connect to the catheter to move the catheter inside of the body or remove it from the body. The catheter mating device has a stem with an apparatus at its distal end. The apparatus is moveable between a first position and a second position. When in its first position, the distal end is configured to fit in the proximal end of the catheter. When in its second position, the distal end engages the proximal end of the catheter and connects the catheter mating device to the catheter.

An edentulous mouth insert appliance for mounting upon the edentulous gum of a patient, comprises a u-shaped frame formed of a rigid flexible material, with a portion to embrace the gum and a portion extending beyond the gum with an exposed surface to replicate a bite aligned with the corresponding occlusal plane. The frame has a base supporting a pair of inner and outer side walls spaced apart by the base a distance allowing the frame to encircle and cover the edentulous gum with a space between inner surfaces of the frame and the gum. A fill within the frame fills the space between the frame and the gum upon which the appliance is fitted, providing a void-free seal between the apparatus and the gum.

One or more sensors are incorporated onto one or more of an implantable device and a surgical tool used for placement and/or adjustment of the implantable device. The implantable device includes an adjustable membrane element for controllable coaptation of a body lumen, such as coaptation of a urethra as treatment for urinary incontinence. In various embodiments, the one or more sensors can be configured to detect information indicative of at least one of a shape of the adjustable membrane element, a position of the adjustable membrane element relative to the body lumen, or a shape of the body lumen.

A system of prosthetic implants for a total knee replacement procedure is provided. The system includes a tibial component of a knee joint implant, a tibial insert configured to be positioned against the superior side of the platform of the tibial component, a first femoral component of a knee joint implant, and a second femoral component of a knee joint implant.

The invention relates to an endoprosthesis (1), in particular a vascular stent or a heart stent, comprising at least one body (3) part. At least one area (5,6) of an outer surface, preferably the whole outer surface, of the at least one body part (3) is provided with thrombogenic fibers (2). The invention further relates to methods of manufacturing endoprostheses (1).

A biocompatible membrane composite including a cell impermeable layer and a mitigation layer is provided. The cell impermeable layer is impervious to vascular ingrowth and prevents cellular contact from the host. Additionally, the mitigation layer includes solid features. In at least one embodiment, mitigation layer has therein bonded solid features. In some embodiments, the cell impermeable layer and the mitigation layer are intimately bonded or otherwise connected to each other to form a composite layer having a tight/open structure. A reinforcing component may optionally be positioned external to or within the biocompatible membrane composite to provide support to and prevent distortion. The biocompatible membrane composite may be used in or to form a device for encapsulating biological entities, including, but not limited to, pancreatic lineage type cells such as pancreatic progenitors.

A suture thread for use in a lifting procedure according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: fixed portions composed of non-stretchable medical thread, wherein the medical thread is formed on both sides thereof and is fixed to the skin; and a variable portion that is positioned between the fixed portions and imparts structural elasticity, wherein the fixed portions and the variable portions are connected continuously, without a separate connecting structure, to form a single integrated medical thread.

A suture thread for use in a lifting procedure according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: fixed portions composed of non-stretchable medical thread, wherein the medical thread is formed on both sides thereof and is fixed to the skin; and a variable portion that is positioned between the fixed portions and imparts structural elasticity, wherein the fixed portions and the variable portions are connected continuously, without a separate connecting structure, to form a single integrated medical thread.

The present invention relates to a patient-specific breast implant. More particularly, the present invention relates to a patient-specific breast implant which, when a breast-conserving surgery (BCS, also called lumpectomy or partial mastectomy) is performed to remove breast cancer while leaving as much normal breast tissue as possible, prevents deformation of breast that may occur due to the depression of breast skin or adhesions of remaining breast tissues after the BCS, shortens surgery time, and facilitates securing breast symmetry, thereby ultimately dramatically increasing the success rate of surgery and maximizing patient satisfaction.

A user-controllable urinary catheter prosthesis (20) is provided for minimally-invasive insertion into a subject. The prosthesis (20) includes a proximal intra-urethral assembly (22), configured to be inserted entirely within a urethra (102) via a meatus (104). A user-activatable hydraulic activator (50) is disposed along a flexible intra-urethral catheter (30, 430), which is shaped so as to define a urinary outlet (40, 440) at a proximal end (41, 441) thereof. A distal bladder assembly (32, 132, 232, 332) is configured to be disposed in a bladder of the subject, and includes a bladder anchor (48). A hydraulic valve (60, 160, 260, 360) is configured to assume an open state, in which urine flow is allowed between the distal bladder assembly (32, 132, 232, 332) and the urinary outlet (40, 440); and a closed resting state, in which urine is entirely blocked from entering the distal bladder assembly (32, 132, 232, 332) and exiting the urinary outlet (40, 440). Application of pressure to the hydraulic activator (50) transitions the hydraulic valve (60, 160, 260, 360) from the closed resting state to the open state. Other embodiments are also described.