A prosthesis has a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending through the tubular body and open at each of the proximal end and the distal end. The tubular body defines a longitudinal axis and has a first width in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The prosthesis also includes a first flange at one of the proximal end and the distal end with the lumen extending through the first flange. The first flange has a second width in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis that is greater than the first width. The tubular body and the first flange form a structurally self-supporting, body compatible, and body absorbable device. The device is formed of a composite structure and is adapted for insertion into an opening through a tympanic membrane.

A thrombus capture and lysis device including a filter sized to be implanted within a blood vessel. The filter includes a plurality of hollow elements defining a mesh sized to span an area of the blood vessel. Each of the plurality of hollow elements defines a plurality of pores being sized to allow passage of a thrombolytic drug out through the pores and to prevent a thrombus forming component from entering the pores.

A coaxial stent system is described in which an inner treatment stent is configured to be coaxially positioned inside an outer anchoring stent. The outer anchoring stent is adapted for insertion into a blood vessel and anchoring to the blood vessel at a position where the outer anchoring stent spans a neck of an aneurysm. A method for endovascular treatment of aneurysms is also described.

A wrist endoprosthesis (2) for functional replacement of the human wrist, containing a radius component (4) that has a shaft (10) for anchoring in the radius, a head (12), and a first joint surface (16), which is implemented on a distal head face (14), and a carpal component (6) that has a proximal carpal face (22), a distal carpal face (20) and a second joint surface (24) which is formed on the proximal carpal face (22) and interacts with the first joint surface (169) of the radius component (4), characterized in that the carpal component (6) is substantially trough-shaped, in order to at least partially surround the carpal bones. Also, a wrist endoprosthesis (2) that has anti-luxation protection (8), a method for producing wrist endoprostheses (2) and a computer program product.

Cell encapsulation devices for biological entities and/or cell populations that contain at least one biocompatible membrane composite are provided. The cell encapsulation devices mitigate or tailor the foreign body response from a host such that sufficient blood vessels are able to form at a cell impermeable surface. Additionally, the encapsulation devices have an oxygen diffusion distance that is sufficient for the survival of the encapsulated cells so that the cells are able to secrete a therapeutically useful substance. The biocompatible membrane composite is formed of a cell impermeable layer and a mitigation layer. The cell encapsulation device maintains an optimal oxygen diffusion distance through the design of the cell encapsulation device or through the use of lumen control mechanisms. Lumen control mechanisms include a reinforcing component that is also a nutrient impermeable layer, internal structural pillars, internal tensioning member(s), and/or an internal cell displacing core.

An implantable medical device and methods for making and using the same are provided. In various embodiments, the device comprises a central hub structure in communication with at least one housing or pod capable of containing cells and therapeutic materials. Also provided are membrane structures and methods of forming the same, the membranes comprising a gradient of varying porosity for use with devices of the present disclosure, as well as other uses.

Methods for the diagnosis and treatment of nonstenotic carotid plaques and symptomatic nonstenotic carotid disease (SyNC) are described. In particular, methods of evaluating the presence of unstable plaque/thrombus and methods of treatment that include deploying plaque stabilizers (PSs) into the cerebral vasculature are described. The invention further describes plaque stabilizers, uses of plaque stabilizers and plaque stabilizer kits.

A blood filter device having occlusion-resistant characteristics. The occlusion-resistant characteristics decrease the likelihood of the filter being blocked by thrombi. The filter device includes at least one anchor portion for anchoring the filter device within an aortic branch artery, and a filter portion for filtering thrombi from the blood entering the artery. The filter portion includes an open channel at an open end that, in an implanted configuration, flares outward to increase the width of the filter portion. The open end may accommodate passage of surgical instruments into the artery and may enable blood flow to bypass the filter should the filter become heavily occluded.

The present invention disclosed a method of producing a three-dimensional porous tissue in-growth structure. The method includes the steps of depositing a first layer of metal powder and scanning the first layer of metal powder with a laser beam to form a portion of a plurality of predetermined unit cells. Depositing at least one additional layer of metal powder onto a previous layer and repeating the step of scanning a laser beam for at least one of the additional layers in order to continuing forming the predetermined unit cells. The method further includes continuing the depositing and scanning steps to form a medical implant.

An aortic stent graft includes a stent with a framework attached to a fabric tube by a plurality of suture ties. The fabric tube includes a plurality of discrete attachment areas that are at least partially surrounded by at least one permeable graft area. The fabric tube is one of a weave and a knit of thermoplastic yarn. Each of the suture ties associated with the discrete attachment areas at least one of penetrates through and encircles a respective one of the discrete attachment areas. The weave or knit of the discrete attachment areas is identical to that of the permeable graft area with an exception that a wall thickness of each of the discrete attachment areas is flattened relative to, and thinner than, a wall thickness of the permeable graft area.