Prosthesis (1) comprising one porous mesh (2) comprising a first face and a second face opposite the first face, the prosthesis (1) comprising: —one porous strengthening means (6) which strengthens the mesh (2) and is intended to cover at least part of one of said first and second faces of the mesh (2), —fastening means for fastening the strengthening means (3) to the mesh (2), in a position fastened to the mesh (2), the strengthening means (6) covers a peripheral part (7) of one of said first and second faces of the mesh.

An adjustable orthopedic back support includes a posterior panel assembly, a circumferential rail strap having ends attached to the posterior panel assembly, and at least one selectively positioned anterior panel assembly. The rail strap has an unattached intermediate length extending between its attached ends. The anterior panel assembly is carried on the unattached intermediate length of the rail strap, and is adapted for sliding linear adjustment along the rail strap relative to the posterior panel assembly. The anterior panel assembly overlaps a portion of the posterior panel assembly, and has a extension portion selectively linearly extending from the posterior panel assembly such that the back support is custom adjusted to circumferentially fit around a lumbar region of the wearer.

Apparatus and methods are described herein for use in the delivery of a prosthetic mitral valve. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an epicardial pad configured to engage an outside surface of a heart to secure a prosthetic heart valve in position within the heart. The epicardial pad defines a lumen configured to receive therethrough a tether extending from the prosthetic valve. The epicardial pad is movable between a first configuration in which the epicardial pad has a first outer perimeter and is configured to be disposed within a lumen of a delivery sheath and a second configuration in which the epicardial pad has a second outer perimeter greater than the first outer perimeter. The epicardial pad can be disposed against the outside surface of the heart when in the second configuration to secure the prosthetic valve and tether in a desired position within the heart.

A prosthetic insertion apparatus and related methods of use in delivering filled prosthetic bladders through a skin incision and into a surgical cavity or pocket. The prosthetic insertion apparatus imparts control and retention properties to a surgical professional such the prosthetic bladder can be oriented and manipulated into the surgical cavity without risk of inadvertent dropping of the prosthetic bladder and without imparting damaging stress or torque to the bladder. Suitable materials can be utilized that are selected as having advantageous properties including lubricity, rigidity, easily sterilizable, and high strength.

A heart valve prosthesis (1), including: a stent framework (2), which can be transferred from a collapsed state into an expanded state, in which the stent framework (2) extends along an axis (A′), wherein the stent framework (2) has a plurality of struts (20, 24), which form a plurality of cells (21a, 21b, 25) connected to one another; and a heart valve (3), which is fixed to the stent framework (2). In accordance with the invention, the thickness (d′) of the struts varies in the peripheral direction (U) of the expanded stent framework (2).

Apparatus and methods are described herein for use in the transvascular delivery and deployment of a prosthetic mitral valve. In some embodiments, a method includes inverting an outer frame of a prosthetic mitral valve when the valve is in a biased expanded configuration. After inverting the outer frame, the prosthetic mitral valve is inserted into a lumen of a delivery sheath such that the mitral valve is moved to a collapsed configuration. The distal end portion of the delivery sheath is inserted into a left atrium of a heart. The prosthetic mitral valve is moved distally out of the delivery sheath such that the inverted outer frame reverts and the prosthetic mitral valve assumes its biased expanded configuration. In some embodiments, actuation wires are used to assist in the reversion of the outer frame. The prosthetic mitral valve is then positioned within a mitral annulus of the heart.

A detachment and retrieval mechanism for a central venous access filter includes a catheter body, and an outer sheath concentrically disposed about the catheter body. The outer sheath and the catheter body are moveable relative to one another. A filter member includes a first end coupled to the catheter body and a second end movable relative to the catheter body. The first end may have a collar that is immovably coupled to the catheter body in a first state and movably coupled to the catheter body upon transition to a second state.

Provided is a flexible stent with which it is possible to further improve visibility of an impermeable member which is disposed upon a stent and to further improve operability of the stent. Provided is a flexible stent 11, comprising: a plurality of ring-shaped pattern bodies 13 which have a wavy line-shaped pattern and are positioned side by side in an axial direction LD; and a plurality of connecting elements 15 which connect the adjacent ring-shaped pattern bodies 13. When viewed in a radial direction RD which is perpendicular to the axial direction LD, a ring direction CD of the ring-shaped pattern bodies 13 is or is not oblique with respect to the radial direction RD. A plurality of impermeable members 31 which are highly impermeable to radiation are disposed upon and/or positioned in proximity to struts which configure the ring-shaped pattern bodies 13 and/or the connecting elements 15. The plurality of impermeable members 31 are arrayed regularly along one or more of the ring direction CD, an axial direction LD, or a circumference direction of the flexible stent.

A prosthetic implant delivery assembly can include a prosthetic implant and an elongate catheter. The prosthetic implant can include an expandable stent portion having a longitudinal axis extending from a first end portion of the stent to a second end portion of the stent. The catheter can include a longitudinal axis extending from a proximal end portion of the catheter to a distal end portion of the catheter and a plurality of arms extending axially from the distal end of the catheter. The first end portion of the stent can be releasably and pivotably coupled to at least one the arms of the catheter such that the stent can pivot about the at least one of the arms so that the longitudinal axis of the stent is tilted relative to the longitudinal axis of the catheter.

A quick-connect heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The heart valve includes a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a plastically-expandable frame, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A small number of guide sutures may be provided for aortic valve orientation. The prosthetic valve may be a commercially available valve with a sewing ring with the frame attached thereto. The frame may expand from a conical deployment shape to a conical expanded shape, and may include web-like struts connected between axially-extending posts. A system and method for deployment includes an integrated handle shaft and balloon catheter. A valve holder is stored with the heart valve and the handle shaft easily attaches thereto to improve valve preparation steps.