This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for robotically assisted positioning of an implant in a patient to alter position and shape of a soft tissue. A soft-tissue manipulator system includes an implantable positioning unit (IPU) to engage a soft-tissue implant, and an external control console to dynamically control the IPU to position the implant to interface with the target soft tissue. A user may use the external control console to remotely and transcutaneously control the position and motion of the implant, and to adjust shape and contour of the implant via a micro-actuator array on the implant. The system may be used in a thyroplasty surgery to position and manipulate a thyroplasty implant to modify a vocal cord, such as to medialize or lateralize the vocal cord to restore or improve voice quality.

A loading device for inserting a bushing into a through-aperture in a flexible wall or a cap, said bushing having flanges projecting transversely at each end thereof, said flanges being resiliently foldable towards the longitudinal axis of said bushing, said loading device comprising: an inserter rod, a pincher and a loading. When the inserter is pushed distally in an insertion direction, the bushing is forced towards the loading tube which will receive the bushing therein with said flanges folded and projecting substantially axially.

To achieve the object of making available an insertion aid for a voice prosthesis, which insertion aid can be used universally and permits a secure hold on the voice prosthesis, such an insertion aid is proposed comprising a rod-shaped device with a head region arranged at a first end of a rod, said head region comprising a limit stop element for a voice prosthesis and, adjoining this limit stop element, a locking element for a voice prosthesis, wherein a first ring surface is formed between the limit stop element and the locking element, which ring surface is configured extending radially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the rod.

[Problem] The present invention provides a voice disorder treatment tool in which a clamping section thereof does not break easily. [Solution] The present invention includes a plurality of clamping sections 1, 1 that are provided with a front surface piece 1b disposed on a front surface 11a of incised thyroid cartilage 11 and a rear surface piece 1c disposed on a rear surface of the thyroid cartilage 11, and fit to cut ends 12 of the incised thyroid cartilage 11 that are facing each other, and a bridging section 2 that connects the plurality of clamping sections 1, 1. The front surface piece 1b includes a bending region 15 deformable about a virtual line K extending in a width direction of this front surface piece 1b, and the bending region 15 has a reinforcing structure S.

[Problem] The present invention provides a voice disorder treatment tool in which a clamping section thereof does not break easily. [Solution] The present invention includes a plurality of clamping sections 1, 1 that are provided with a front surface piece 1b disposed on a front surface 11a of incised thyroid cartilage 11 and a rear surface piece 1c disposed on a rear surface of the thyroid cartilage 11, and fit to cut ends 12 of the incised thyroid cartilage 11 that are facing each other, and a bridging section 2 that connects the plurality of clamping sections 1, 1. The front surface piece 1b includes a bending region 15 deformable about a virtual line K extending in a width direction of this front surface piece 1b, and the bending region 15 has a reinforcing structure S.

The present invention provides a jig for forming a dysphonia treatment tool, the jig being capable of bending a front piece in a position not through a hole. A jig 20C for forming a dysphonia treatment tool X by deformation, the dysphonia treatment tool X including: a plurality of clamping sections each having a front piece 1a disposed on a front surface of incised thyroid cartilage and a rear piece disposed on a rear surface of the thyroid cartilage, the clamping sections configured to be fit to respective cut ends of the thyroid cartilage facing each other; and a bridging section linking the clamping sections to each other, the front piece having a hole 3 formed therein, the forming jig includes a clip section 22 having a pair of maintaining sections 21a, 21b configured to sandwich the front piece 1a from both surfaces to cover at least a portion of the hole 3.

The present invention provides a jig for forming a dysphonia treatment tool, the jig being capable of bending a front piece in a position not through a hole. A jig 20C for forming a dysphonia treatment tool X by deformation, the dysphonia treatment tool X including: a plurality of clamping sections each having a front piece 1a disposed on a front surface of incised thyroid cartilage and a rear piece disposed on a rear surface of the thyroid cartilage, the clamping sections configured to be fit to respective cut ends of the thyroid cartilage facing each other; and a bridging section linking the clamping sections to each other, the front piece having a hole 3 formed therein, the forming jig includes a clip section 22 having a pair of maintaining sections 21a, 21b configured to sandwich the front piece 1a from both surfaces to cover at least a portion of the hole 3.

A biocompatible soft tissue implant for introduction into a human body includes at least one layer comprising an elastomeric material, and at least one textile fabric arranged on the at least one layer comprising the elastomeric material. The at least one textile fabric forms a surface of the biocompatible soft tissue implant. The at least one textile fabric includes bioresorbable fibers which are embedded at least partially in the at least one layer comprising the elastomeric material.

A biocompatible composite material for complete or partial insertion into a human body includes at least one layer comprising an elastomeric material, and at least one textile fabric arranged on the at least one layer comprising the elastomeric material. The at least one textile fabric forms a surface of the biocompatible composite material. The at least one textile fabric includes bioresorbable fibers that are embedded at least partially in the at least one layer comprising the elastomeric material.

A biocompatible composite material for complete or partial insertion into a human body includes at least one layer comprising an elastomeric material, and at least one textile fabric arranged on the at least one layer comprising the elastomeric material. The at least one textile fabric forms a surface of the biocompatible composite material. The at least one textile fabric includes bioresorbable fibers that are embedded at least partially in the at least one layer comprising the elastomeric material.