A fluidic bridging tube (1), for bridging membranes in the human or animal body allowing the passage of fluid, has a proximal flange (2), an inter lumen connector (3) with a lumen (5) and a distal flange (4). The tube comprises a metal skeleton or scaffold structure (51) and a surrounding polymer which is softer than the scaffold structure. The scaffold structure (51) has a tubular mesh providing structural strength to the inter lumen connector. The tubular mesh has members (61) defining substantial rectangular mesh apertures, and distal crowns (64). At its proximal end the scaffold structure comprises spines (68) extending from a proximal tubular mesh rim (63). The spines provide structural strength to the proximal flange (2). In the preferred embodiment the tube is a tympanostomy tube. A method of manufacturing the tube comprises providing the scaffold structure and over-moulding the outer material to form the shape of the proximal flange, the inter lumen connector with a lumen, and the distal flange.

A prosthetic heart valve is provided with a cuff having features which promote sealing with the native tissues even where the native tissues are irregular. The cuff may include a portion adapted to bear on the LVOT when the valve is implanted in a native aortic valve. The valve may include elements for biasing the cuff outwardly with respect to the stent body when the stent body is in an expanded condition. The cuff may have portions of different thickness distributed around the circumference of the valve in a pattern matching the shape of the opening defined by the native tissue. All or part of the cuff may be movable relative to the stent during implantation.

A tubular prosthesis that includes a scaffolding formed by at least one scaffolding filament; a cover; and at least one controlled ingrowth feature constructed and arranged to abut an inner surface of a lumen wall when the prosthesis is implanted in the body lumen. The controlled ingrowth feature may extend inwards or outwards from the prosthesis outer surface. The controlled ingrowth feature may be formed by a scaffolding filament; by a separate filament; by the cover; and combinations thereof.

A heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The prosthetic valve has a base stent that is deployed at a treatment site, and a valve component configured to quickly connect to the base stent. The base stent may take the form of a self- or balloon-expandable stent that expands outward against the native valve with or without leaflet excision. The valve component has a non-expandable prosthetic valve and a self- or balloon-expandable coupling stent for attachment to the base stent, thereby fixing the position of the valve component relative to the base stent. The prosthetic valve may be a commercially available to valve with a sewing ring and the coupling stent attaches to the sewing ring. The system is particularly suited for rapid deployment of heart valves in a conventional open-heart surgical environment. A catheter-based system and method for deployment is provided.

A vascular intervention device delivery system includes a catheter with a proximal end attached to a handle, and a distal carrier segment for mounting a vascular intervention device thereon. A retractable sheath is movable from a first position covering the distal carrier segment to a second position retracted proximally uncovering the distal carrier segment. A pull is attached to the retractable sheath and extends proximally from the retractable sheath toward the handle. A majority of the length of the pull has a cross sectional shape with a concave side that faces the longitudinal axis and is opposite to a convex side that faces away from the longitudinal axis. The cross sectional shape has a width that is greater than a thickness.

The invention discloses an auxiliary balloon structure for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), which comprises a balloon head and a balloon body. When unexpanded, the balloon body has two conical ends and a cylindrical middle part. The conical ends are defined as a front and a rear conical part. The cylindrical middle part is provided with a mastoid structure. The front and rear conical parts are made of a semi-compliant material, while the cylindrical middle part is made of a non-compliant material.

The present invention relates to a stem for or of an implant having a longitudinal axis and at least one recess adapted for cemented implantation into the medullary cavity and/or a cavity created by surgery of a long bone, characterized in that the recess is interrupted by a barrier. Further the present invention relates to a method for preparing a stem of an implant according to any one of the preceding claims for implantation, comprising the step of placing cement into the recess (12) on both sides of the barrier.

A prosthetic apparatus for implantation in a native heart valve includes a main body for placement within the native annulus. The main body is compressible to a radially compressed state for delivery into the heart and is self-expandable from the compressed state to a radially expanded state for implantation. A valve structure is mounted within a lumen of the main body and preferably forms three leaflets made of pericardium. Ventricular anchors are coupled to a ventricular end portion of the main body. The ventricular anchors are adapted to be straightened for delivery to the native heart valve and are biased to spring back to a pre-formed bent shape for capturing the native heart valve leaflets between the main body and the ventricular anchors. An atrial sealing member may be provided along an atrial portion of the main body for impeding the flow of blood between the main body and the native annulus.

A disposable device for treating a condition of a ureter or kidney having a cylindrical body about 1-2 mm in diameter by about 5 to 10 mm in length and having a top and bottom end. The body is made of absorbent material that expands upon contact with pharmaceutical agent and bodily fluids and includes a string connected to the bottom end of the body for removing the device. The device can be used to treat a condition of the ureter or kidney by inserting into the ureter or kidney, delivering a pharmaceutical agent, and removing the device after it has been impregnated with fluid. The device can be included in a kit with an insertion device and/or appropriate pharmaceutical agents.

A breast implant is provided which includes a filling, or core having a lower overall density relative to silicone gel-filled or saline-filled implant. The core may be a composite including flexible bodies, for example, air-containing or gas-containing bodies, and a gel medium between or around the bodies.