Implants or systems of implants and methods apply a selected force vector or a selected combination of force vectors within or across the left atrium, which allow mitral valve leaflets to better coapt. The implants or systems of implants and methods make possible rapid deployment, facile endovascular delivery, and full intra-atrial adjustability and retrievability years after implant. The implants or systems of implants and methods also make use of strong fluoroscopic landmarks. The implants or systems of implants and methods make use of an adjustable implant and a fixed length implant. The implants or systems of implants and methods may also utilise an adjustable bridge stop to secure the implant, and the methods of implantation employ various tools.

A system for implanting a heart valve includes a radially self-expandable tubular body having an inflow end and an outflow end, a decorrelation portion, and a preformed groove disposed at an outer surface of the tubular body between the decorrelation portion and the outflow end. The preformed groove extends at least partially around the tubular body, and has a circumferential opening facing radially outward of the tubular body. A valve is disposed within and attached to the tubular body. The decorrelation portion is configured to dissociate axial and radial movements between the inflow end of the tubular body and the outflow end of the tubular body.

Delivery systems for expandable and stented implants include adjustable tensioning members that control the expansion of the implant along the length of the implant. The tensioning members are wound onto one or more rotors located on the distal segment of the delivery system, which are rotated to unwind the tensioning members and incrementally expand the implant. Positioning mechanisms are also provided to adjust the position and orientation of the implant during delivery.

Methods and devices for tissue graft fixation include fixation devices attached to an adjustable fixation loop of suture without compromising the graft or requiring additional material to complete the repair. Other fixation devices are attachable to an independent adjustable suture system. Adjustable fixation loops minimize slip/creep of the suture within the loop.

A method for controlling an artificial orthotic or prosthetic knee joint, on which a lower-leg component is arranged and with which a resistance device is associated, the bending resistance (R) of which resistance device is changed in dependence on sensor data that are determined by means of at least one sensor during the use of the orthotic or prosthetic knee joint, wherein a linear acceleration (a.sub.F) of the lower-leg component is determined, the determined linear acceleration (a.sub.F) is compared with at least one threshold value, and, if a threshold value of the linear acceleration (a.sub.F) of the lower-leg component is reached, the bending resistance (R) is changed.

A dynamic ligament repair device includes a suture, a femoral side suture anchor and a threaded screw or housing implant. The screw is configured for placement in the tibia, or alternatively in the femur. A spring is housed inside an axial bore in the threaded screw. In some embodiments, the spring is a compression spring. A moveable spring button is positioned inside the axial bore adjacent a distal end of the spring. The spring button engages the spring directly in some embodiments. In alternative embodiments, an intermediate structure such as a spacer is positioned between the spring button and the spring. The suture extends between the spring button and the suture anchor. When the joint flexes or extends, the spring button travels inside the axial bore and dynamically compresses or relaxes the spring.

A ligament assembly comprising a first ligament anchor (9) connected to a second ligament anchor (14) by a ligament (18) a resilient element (40) being associated with the first ligament anchor (9) and a ligament tension adjuster (44, 50) being associated with the second ligament anchor (14). The resilient element (40) may be disposed within the first ligament anchor (9) and the ligament tension adjuster (44, 50) may be disposed within the second ligament anchor (14).

An artificial knee joint comprises a femoral condyle prosthesis and a tibial plateau prosthesis; wherein the tibial plateau prosthesis includes a medial tibial plateau prosthesis and a lateral tibial plateau prosthesis disposed at both sides of the tibial plateau intercondylar eminence, respectively. The artificial knee joint further comprises a locating pin for fixing the tibial plateau prosthesis. The bottom surface of the tibial plateau prosthesis is provided with a prosthetic notch, and the tibia below the tibial plateau prosthesis is provided with a tibial notch. The prosthetic notch corresponds to the tibial notch, together forming a limiting hole for accommodating the locating pin. The cooperation between the locating pin and the limiting hole can ensure relative position stability and balance between the medial tibial plateau prosthesis and the lateral tibial plateau prosthesis.

The present invention refers to a medical device for tensioning grafts in orthopedic reconstruction of ligaments comprising two subsets: the force applicator subset and the adapter subset. The first subset comprises two identical and symmetrical side arms and uses a helical spring system with a brake to quantify the tensile force. Each side arm comprises a rack (9) linked with a helical compression spring (4), a guiding axle (1), a suture wire securing part (8) and an outer chute (10) in which the rack (9) slides. The adapter subset has a “U” shape and comprises an alignment cone (17) which engages in the graft housing tunnel for controlling the direction of the traction force, and a fixation system composed of an adapter (16), by spikes (19) to be adjustable to the anatomical region and to promote a stable fixation.

Apparatus is provided for repairing a cardiac valve, the apparatus including a catheter sized for delivery through vasculature of a subject and an elongated and flexible annuloplasty structure having an annuloplasty structure axis. The annuloplasty structure is sized and configured for delivery to a heart of the subject through the catheter substantially along a catheter axis of the catheter while the annuloplasty structure axis is substantially parallel to the catheter axis. The apparatus also includes a plurality of anchors configured for delivery to a region of cardiac tissue from a proximal end of the catheter toward a distal end of the catheter and substantially along the annuloplasty structure axis and the catheter axis while at least a portion of the annuloplasty structure is within a delivery passage of the catheter. Other embodiments are also described.