A method for improving data flow and data security in an existing wireless communications network comprising a central node and a plurality of remote nodes, during band-width-limiting conditions, the method including generating, by a processor at the central node, a hybrid network overlay to the existing wireless communications network, the hybrid network overlay including a remote overlay node for each remote node and a central overly node for the central node. The method further includes maintaining a distributed ledger having a blockchain architecture, the distributed ledger storing data transmitted among the central node and the remote nodes, including designating remote nodes as super nodes comprising using a link sensing mechanism and remote node processing characteristics to identify remote nodes having links with sufficient bandwidth and sufficient processing capacity to aggregate transactions and validate blocks, each super node participating in a block validation process using the hybrid network overlay.

Various embodiments are described herein for an ocular device implantable in a user's eye and which has an adjustable optical element for varying one or more optical properties for the eye such as, but not limited to, providing a dynamically adjustable aperture stop to control the amount of incoming light, filtering incoming light, polarizing incoming light, and/or varying a depth of field for the eye.

An implantable vein frame is contemplated in which two ring members are rigidly joined in spaced axial alignment via one or more interconnecting members. One of the one or more interconnecting members defines a protruding region that acts upon the implant placed within the frame and/or the vein that the vein frame is placed within to define a sinus region. The implant is placed within and scaffolded by the vein frame, and the vein frame is subsequently inserted within a vein via a venotomy, or interposed between two vein segments via vein interposition graft. The vein frame acts to support the structural integrity of the implant, and to scaffold and anchor the implant in place with the vein.

An intervertebral implant includes a body formed as an open lattice structure by a plurality of struts. Some of the struts of the plurality of struts intersect at nodes. The nodes can include an enlarged contact member that extends over the node and at least a portion of the width of some of the struts. Enlarged contact members may have an asymmetrical shape with respect to the intersection of struts. The enlarged contact members can provide improved bone contact for the implant. The plurality of struts can have a cross-sectional shape that includes a flattened portion. The flattened portion of the plurality of struts can provide improved bone contact for the implant. An additive manufacturing process can be used to build the implant in a substantially vertical direction.

A support layer for a synthetic root comprises at least a first region and a second region. The pattern, material, density and/or tension of the support layer in the first region is different to that in the second region. The support may be formed from a knitted, woven, braided or 3D-printed material. The support layer may be comprised within a synthetic aortic or pulmonary root. In at least one region the synthetic root may have a multi-layered structure with the support layer disposed between an inner and an outer nanofiber layer.

According to an aspect, an inflatable penile prosthesis includes a fluid reservoir configured to hold fluid, an inflatable member, and a pump assembly configured to transfer the fluid between the fluid reservoir and the inflatable member. The pump assembly includes a valve body having one or more valves, and an outer protective casing disposed over the valve body.

A synthetic resin stent is able to demonstrate self-extensibility, restorability, adhesion to the digestive tract, and ability to follow peristaltic movement. The synthetic resin stent is provided with: a first stent that has a first stent body formed as a cylindrical mesh from fibers made of synthetic resin, and that can be deformed from a reduced-diameter state to an expanded-diameter state; and a second stent that is formed as a cylindrical mesh which is finer than that of the first stent body, is arranged so as to cover the outer periphery of the first stent body, and can be deformed from a reduced-diameter state to an expanded-diameter state.

Disclosed are systems, devices, and methods that overcome limitations of lOLs at least by providing a phakic or aphakic IOL that provides correction of defocus and astigmatism, decreases higher-order monochromatic and chromatic aberrations, and provides an extended depth of field to improve vision quality. The IOL includes a virtual aperture integrated into the IOL. The construction and arrangement permit optical rays which intersect the virtual aperture and are widely scattered across the retina, causing the light to be virtually prevented from reaching detectable levels on the retina. The virtual aperture helps remove monochromatic and chromatic aberrations, yielding high-definition retinal images. For a given definition of acceptable vision, the depth of field is increased over a larger diameter optical zone IOL.

A dimpled stent design has geometrical characteristics, namely dimple width and depth, which generate dimple site specific turbulence and thrust within the blood flow to reduce or eliminate restenosis. The dimpled stent design is produced by laser processing of the stent material to produce different sizes, which may be predicted by a Multiphysics computational model, placements, and spatial layouts of dimples in the stent.

A support layer for a synthetic root comprises at least a first region and a second region. The pattern, material, density and/or tension of the support layer in the first region is different to that in the second region. The support may be formed from a knitted, woven, braided or 3D-printed material. The support layer may be comprised within a synthetic aortic or pulmonary root. In at least one region the synthetic root may have a multi-layered structure with the support layer disposed between an inner and an outer nanofiber layer.