The articulating joint prostheses of the invention demonstrate reduced wear and can include a cup (101) formed of UHMWPE. An insert (150) of a hard material, such as metal, ceramic or cross-linked UHMWPE is positioned within the cup at a location of the contact between the cup and head (102). The shape of either component of the kinematic pair may be modified so as to result in an annular surface contact between the two components, with the insert positioned at the annular surface contact. Fluid trapped between the two components within the inner contour of the annular contact area is pressurized under load due to elastic deformation of the components and exuded out through an inter-articular gap over the surface of contact of the insert. This aids lubrication and reduces wear.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to synthetic tissue or organ scaffolds and methods and compositions for promoting or maintaining their structural integrity. Aspects of the disclosure are useful to prevent scaffold damage (e.g., delamination) during or after implantation into a host. Aspects of the disclosure are useful to stabilize tissue or organ scaffolds that include electrospun fibers.

A novel earplug is disclosed. The earplug comprises an elastomeric insert and a metal casing. The elastomeric insert is substantially cylindrical in shape and has a first end and a second end. The metal casing is substantially cylindrical in shape and comprises a circular outer wall, an internal cavity disposed within the circular outer wall, and a first end and a second end disposed the opposite end of the first end. The first end has a substantially flat base covering the first end and the second end has an opening into the internal cavity. The first end of the elastomeric insert is disposed through the second end of the metal casing and is secured with an adhesive within the internal cavity of the metal casing. The second end of the elastomeric insert extends outward from the metal casing.

The present invention includes a method of implanting a urethral prosthesis. The method includes making an incision, positioning arms of the prosthesis in the pelvic region of the patient, and positioning a stem of the prosthesis in the scrotum of the patient.

Segmented scaffolds composed of disconnected scaffold segments with overlapping end rings are disclosed. Scaffolds with at least one discontinuous link are also disclosed.

Segmented scaffolds composed of disconnected scaffold segments with overlapping end rings are disclosed. Scaffolds with at least one discontinuous link are also disclosed.

A holder for a hybrid heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The hybrid heart valve includes a non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a self-expandable anchoring stent, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A first suture connects the holder to the valve and constricts an inflow end of the anchoring stent. A second suture connects the holder to the valve and extends down three holder legs to loop through fabric on the valve. Both sutures may loop over a single cutting well on the holder so that severing the first and second sutures at the single cutting well simultaneously releases the tension in the first suture, permitting the inflow end of the anchoring stent to expand, and disconnects the valve holder from the prosthetic heart valve.

Aspects of the disclosure include systems including a delivery device having a handle assembly, a shaft assembly having a distal portion, and a helical elongated member positioned at least partially over the shaft assembly and interconnected to the handle assembly. The system also includes a prosthesis positioned over the distal portion. The prosthesis has a stent frame having an inner surface and an outer surface, a valve structure positioned within the stent frame, and a track formed by one or more guides positioned on and extending from one of the inner or outer surfaces of the stent frame. The helical elongated member is configured to be moved in and out of the track to selectively compress or allow the prosthesis to expand. Methods of loading and delivering the prosthesis using systems of the disclosure are also disclosed.

An implantable vein frame is contemplated in which two ring members are rigidly joined in spaced axial alignment via one or more interconnecting members. One of the one or more interconnecting members defines a protruding region that acts upon the implant placed within the frame and/or the vein that the vein frame is placed within to define a sinus region. The implant is placed within and scaffolded by the vein frame, and the vein frame is subsequently inserted within a vein via a venotomy, or interposed between two vein segments via vein interposition graft. The vein frame acts to support the structural integrity of the implant, and to scaffold and anchor the implant in place with the vein.

A tool may include a forceps tip including: a tip body having a proximal longitudinal end, a distal longitudinal end, and a contact surface therebetween, wherein the contact surface includes: a first convex lobe proximate the proximal longitudinal end and a second convex lobe adjacent to the first convex lobe in a distal longitudinal direction.