The invention includes an improved flow graft. The graft has a portion where the radius r expands with length L over the portion, so that r.sup.n/L is a constant in that portion, where n≥4.0, or 1<n<4. It is preferred that the graft has a beginning section that has constant diameter. The invention also includes a method of designing such an expanding graft to suit the application, such as in the venous system, the arterial system, or for dialysis. The invention also includes near constant conductance stents whose radius r can grow with length, so the R.sup.n/L is constant where n>4.

A hearing prosthesis, comprising: a microphone; a sound processor; an external transmitter unit including a coil; an internal receiver unit including a coil; a stimulator unit, wherein the stimulator unit includes a control circuit, a voltage measurement component, a resistor and a signal generator, wherein the measurement circuit is configured to output a signal indicative of the voltage across the resistor; and a stimulating lead assembly array, wherein at least a portion of the hearing prosthesis is configured to apply an electrical signal to tissue inside a cochlea of a recipient, and at least a portion of the hearing prosthesis is configured to sense an electrical property inside of the cochlea that results from the applied electrical signal and the interaction of the applied electrical signal to the tissue.

An implantable prosthesis for mending anatomical defects, including a groin hernia. The prosthesis includes a prosthetic repair patch that may be implanted in different tissue planes to mend a defect. The patch may include a medial portion configured to be positioned in a first tissue plane and a lateral portion configured to be positioned in a second tissue plane offset from the first tissue plane. The patch may include a transition region configured to extend through tissue and/or muscle, such as fascia, separating the tissue planes and transition the patch from one tissue plane to the other tissue plane. The transition region may be configured to inhibit buckling and/or bunching of the patch when implanted through the fascia. The lateral portion of the patch may have a level of stiffness that facilitates implantation of the patch in different tissue planes while inhibiting patient sensation to the implanted patch.

An artificial valve and a valve delivery system are provided. The artificial valve includes a top stent, a middle stent and a bottom stent. The top stent, the middle stent and the bottom stent are connected in sequence; the top stent is circumferentially provided with at least three locking stents; each locking stent has a locking end at the top; the middle stent is provided with at least three valve leaflet fixing parts; in the unlocked state of each locking end, the diameter of the circumference where the uppermost edges of the three valve leaflet fixing parts are located is Φ1, and in the locked state of each locking end, the diameter of the circumference where the uppermost edges of the three valve leaflet fixing parts are located is Φ2, which is larger than or equal to 74% of Φ1.

An implantable prosthesis for mending anatomical defects, including a groin hernia. The prosthesis includes a prosthetic repair patch that may be implanted in different tissue planes to mend a defect. The patch may include a medial portion configured to be positioned in a first tissue plane and a lateral portion configured to be positioned in a second tissue plane offset from the first tissue plane. The patch may include a transition region configured to extend through tissue and/or muscle, such as fascia, separating the tissue planes and transition the patch from one tissue plane to the other tissue plane. The transition region may be configured to inhibit buckling and/or bunching of the patch when implanted through the fascia. The lateral portion of the patch may have a level of stiffness that facilitates implantation of the patch in different tissue planes while inhibiting patient sensation to the implanted patch.

A test fixture for mechanically testing breast implants includes a frame, a base plate coupled with the frame, and a first actuator coupled with the base plate for providing reciprocating motion to the base plate along a first axis. The test fixture includes a compression plate coupled with the frame that opposes the base plate, a second actuator coupled with the compression plate for providing reciprocating motion to the compression plate along a second axis that intersects the first axis, and a third actuator coupled with the compression plate for providing reciprocating motion to the compression plate along a third axis that intersects both the first axis and the second axis. The test fixture includes a control system in communication with the first, second, and third actuators for controlling the movement of the base plate along the first axis and the movement of the compression plate along the second and third axes.

The present invention relates to novel methods and materials particularly useful for ophthalmic applications and to methods for making and using the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to relatively soft, optically transparent, foldable, high refractive index materials particularly suited for use in the production of intraocular lenses, contact lenses, and other ocular implants and to methods for manufacturing and implanting IOLs made therefrom.

A method for the rapid optical inspection of stents is described wherein a stent is mounted on a mandrel with optical properties suitable for machine vision inspection of the stent is conveyed to a first inspection station containing a camera and illumination light source. A driving member securely contacts the mandrel and the stent is rotated in view of the inspection camera. The stent is then transferred to a second location for further operations. A unique identification tag is associated with each mandrel and tracks the location of the stent through the inspection process.

Systems and methods for conducting contact-free thickness and refractive-index measurements of transparent objects, such as intraocular lenses using a dual confocal microscopy system are disclosed.

A surgical spacer equipped to measure important parameters for determining the optimal placement of a surgically-implanted sling.