The invention relates to a device (1) and method for selecting the size and shape of a prosthesis and/or for determining the location of marks to be made on the external face of the skin of a patient intended to receive such a prosthesis, for example for repairing a hernia, comprising a sheet (2) of transparent material, the said sheet comprising: a plurality of graphical representations (3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) concentrically embodying the respective outlines of various shapes and sizes of prosthesis, a plurality of first holes (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) arranged along the transverse line passing through the centre of the said sheet, and a plurality of second holes (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f, 8g, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, 9f, 9g) arranged along the longitudinal line passing through the centre (C) of the said sheet.

A vascular graft with trim lines is described, the trim lines providing a guide for precision shaping of the cuff. The trim lines may be printed or otherwise disposed on a surface of the cuff or included on a template designed for disposition over the cuff. The trim lines may also be disposed on a side of a pocket into which the cuff is positioned for trimming. Also described is an apparatus and method for precise trimming of a vascular graft.

An implantable tissue marker device is provided to be placed in a soft tissue site through a surgical incision. The device can include a bioabsorbable body in the form of a spiral and defining a spheroid shape for the device, the spiral having a longitudinal axis, and turns of the spiral being spaced apart from each other in a direction along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of markers can be disposed on the body, the markers being visualizable by a radiographic imaging device. The turns of the spiral are sufficiently spaced apart to form gaps that allow soft tissue to infiltrate between the turns and to allow flexibility in the device along the longitudinal axis in the manner of a spring.

A surgical sizer for creating a tissue pocket for an implantable medical device may include a replica of the device and a (preferably ergonomic) handle portion, optionally with marking features that facilitate marking the tissue for precise implant placement and alignment.

Methods for manufacturing an endovascular stent having channel(s) formed therein for containing a therapeutic material. A molding and sintering process forms a thin-walled tubular component having a tubular core structure encapsulated therein. Portions of the thin-walled tubular component are removed to form at least a portion of the endovascular stent in a pattern corresponding to that of the tubular core structure such that the tubular core structure or corresponding channel(s) left thereby are captured within a wall of the formed stent. The tubular core structure is removed to leave a corresponding channel(s) in its stead. A plurality of holes is formed in the stent wall for filling the stent channel(s) with the therapeutic material and for eluting the therapeutic material therefrom.

The present invention relates to a connection stent and a method of manufacturing the stent. The connection stent includes: a body configured to form a plurality of cells through the intersection of wires, and provided in a hollow cylindrical shape; an upper head formed to extend from one end of the body to have a diameter larger than that of the body; and a lower head formed to extend from a remaining end of the body to have a diameter larger than that of the body. The upper head and the lower head are respectively placed to come into contact with insides of heterogeneous tissues. Accordingly, according to the present invention, there can be manufactured a stent which can connect heterogeneous tissues and form a bypass and which can provide sufficient expansion force and minimum axial force for the maintenance of the bypass formed as described above.

The invention relates to a device (1) and method for selecting the size and shape of a prosthesis and/or for determining the location of marks to be made on the external face of the skin of a patient intended to receive such a prosthesis, for example for repairing a hernia, comprising a sheet (2) of transparent material, the said sheet comprising: a plurality of graphical representations (3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) concentrically embodying the respective outlines of various shapes and sizes of prosthesis, a plurality of first holes (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) arranged along the transverse line passing through the center of the said sheet, anda plurality of second holes (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f, 8g, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, 9f, 9g) arranged along the longitudinal line passing through the center (C) of the said sheet.

An implantable tissue marker device is provided to be placed in a soft tissue site through a surgical incision. The device can include a bioabsorbable body in the form of a spiral and defining a spheroid shape for the device, the spiral having a longitudinal axis, and turns of the spiral being spaced apart from each other in a direction along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of markers can be disposed on the body, the markers being visualizable by a radiographic imaging device. The turns of the spiral are sufficiently spared apart to form gaps that allow soft tissue to infiltrate between the turns and to allow flexibility in the device along the longitudinal axis in the manner of a spring.

A thin, biocompatible, high-strength, composite material is disclosed that is suitable for use in various implanted configurations. The composite material maintains flexibility in high-cycle flexural applications, making it particularly applicable to high-flex implants such as a prosthetic heart valve leaflet. The composite material includes at least one porous expanded fluoropolymer layer and an elastomer present in the pores of the porous expanded fluoropolymer.

Embodiments of the invention include implants, instruments, and methods for attaching or reattaching soft tissue (200, 2200) to a bone (100), that enable independent tensioning of multiple connectors such as sutures (60, 160, 2060, 2160) and enable redundant fixation between bone (100) and soft tissue (200, 2200). Some embodiments provide for improved accuracy of the placement of substantially parallel tunnels through which soft tissue (200, 2200) to bone (100) connectors such as sutures (60, 160, 2060, 2160) are passed.