Some embodiments are directed to methods for serially expanding an artificial heart valve within a pediatric patient. For example, the artificial heart valve can be implanted into the pediatric patient during a first procedure, and then expanded during a second procedure to accommodate for the pediatric patient’s growth. Some embodiments include introducing an expander into the implanted valve when the frame is expanded to a first working diameter, and then actuating the expander to expand the frame to a second working diameter greater than the first working diameter, to accommodate for the pediatric patient’s growth.

A method of preparing an interpositional implant suitable for a knee. The method includes determining a three-dimensional shape of a tibial surface of the knee. An implant is produced having a superior surface and an inferior surface, with the superior surface adapted to be positioned against a femoral condyle of the knee, and the inferior surface adapted to be positioned upon the tibial surface of the knee. The inferior surface conforms to the three-dimensional shape of the tibial surface. The implant may be inserted into the knee without making surgical cuts on the tibial surface. The tibial surface may include cartilage, or cartilage and bone.

A stent includes a cylindrical main body portion, a linkage portion, and a marker attachment portion. The main body portion extends in an axial direction. The linkage portion extends from an end of the main body portion in the axial direction. The marker attachment portion is linked to the main body portion through the linkage portion. The linkage portion includes a bent portion tilting the marker attachment portion outward in a radial direction of the main body portion.

A stent (scaffold) or other luminal prosthesis comprising circumferential structural elements which provide high strength after deployment and allows for scaffold to uncage, and/or allow for scaffold or luminal expansion thereafter. The circumferential scaffold is typically formed from non-degradable material and will be modified to expand and/or uncage after deployment.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include an implantable assembly for a native heart valve that includes a prosthetic heart valve and a braided support structure. The prosthetic valve includes a frame and prosthetic leaflets. The braided support structure has an inner braided layer and an outer braided layer. The outer braided layer is disposed over the inner braided layer. The outer braided layer is less porous to blood than the inner braided layer. The braided support structure defines a plurality of arms that are angularly spaced around the prosthetic heart valve such that each arm extends radially outwardly from the prosthetic heart valve. Other embodiments are also described.

An intraocular lens, wherein an outer periphery of an optic portion has a peripheral surface, and a radially inner portion of a peripheral portion of the IOL has an inner surface, wherein the peripheral surface is directly adjacent to the inner surface, and wherein the peripheral surface does not directly extend (coupled to or integrally formed therewith) from the inner surface, and wherein the peripheral surface and the inner surface are configured so that the peripheral portion is stabilized in at least one of, and optionally both of, the proximal and distal directions relative to the optic portion.

Stents generally can include a tubular structure having circumferentially positioned undulating wires that extend over a majority of a length of the stent such that the undulations oscillate circumferentially to define a circumference of the stent. The undulations can wrap over and under adjacent undulations to form an interwoven structure. Additionally, or alternatively, adjacent wires can be joined. Wires forming the stent can be cut from elastic tubing such that each wire has a three-dimensional shape.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for customizing an elution rate of a stent. The stent includes a hollow strut that forms the stent, the hollow strut defining a lumenal space, a drug formulation disposed within the lumenal space of the hollow strut, and at least one side port for eluting the drug formulation in vivo. When the stent is in the radially expanded configuration the hollow strut is deformable from a first configuration that has a first elution rate for the drug formulation to a second configuration that has a second elution rate for the drug formulation. The second elution rate is faster than the first elution rate. The hollow strut deforms from the first configuration to the second configuration upon application of an applied pressure above a predetermined threshold.

A method of making a prosthetic liner for use with a prosthetic assembly that acts as the interface between the residual limb of an amputee and the socket assembly. The prosthetic liner comprises an open proximal end, a closed distal end, and sidewalls comprising an inner layer of molded thermoplastic gel. A thermoplastic material is molded over a mandrel that has been sandblasted using #36 grit and, optionally, #320 grit at 100 psi so as to form microcraters and reduce the coefficient of static friction. The liner further includes a sweat port incorporated into the distal end with a one-way valve for the elimination of perspiration.

A mitral repair annuloplasty ring that will accommodate implantation of a transcatheter valve therein for a valve-in-ring reoperation. The ring has a semi-rigid core with features that allow the ring to better conform to the cylindrical geometry of a transcatheter valve when implanted. The inner core defines a continuous peripheral D-shape with a substantially straight anterior side diametrically across from a more rounded posterior side with arcuate lateral sides therebetween. Segments of the ring core are subject to differing rates of bending due to variable radial thicknesses or radial slits opening to both inner and outer edges around the core periphery. One or more expansion joints may also be used to create the more circular final expanded shape. A plastically expandable sealing sleeve may surround the transcatheter valve for sealing gaps between the valve and annuloplasty ring.