A flexible intraocular lens including a reinforcing layer disposed on a sidewall of the intraocular lens is described. An example flexible intraocular lens includes a lens body and a reinforcing layer disposed thereon.

An eye-implantable device including an electrowetting lens is provided that can be operated to control an overall optical power of an eye in which the device is implanted. A lens chamber of the electrowetting lens contains first and second fluids that are immiscible with each other and that differ with respect to refractive index. By applying a voltage to electrodes of the lens, the optical power of the lens can be controlled by affecting the geometry of the interface between the fluids. One or both of the fluids can have a melting point slightly below body temperature. Freezing such an oil or other fluid of the lens can prevent fouling of internal surfaces of the lens due to folding or other manipulation of the lens during implantation. Once implanted, the fluids are melted by body heat such that the optical power of the lens may be controlled.

A tubular structure fabricated by additive manufacturing from non-biological building material formulations, and featuring an elongated core, a shell encapsulating the core and an intermediate shell between the core and the shell. Each of the core, the shell and the intermediate shell is made of a different material or a different combination of materials. Both the core and the intermediate shell are sacrificial. Additive manufacturing of the tubular structure is usable for fabricating an object featuring properties of a blood vessel.

A sutureless ventral hernia meshing system and method of fixation is efficacious for fixating a surgical mesh panel to an abdominal wall for the purpose of hernia repair and prevention of hernia recurrence at the peripheral region of the mesh panel. The mesh panel comprises a hydrophilic face and a meshed face. A plurality of hollow anchors such as spikes or pins or hooks are disposed along the peripheral region of the mesh panel in a spaced apart relationship. A blunt quill or needle presses the hollow spikes or pins or hooks into the fascia around the hernia. The blunt quill or needle is removed after pressing the hollow pin into the fascia. In this manner, no sharp needle or suture is used. Tissue growth occurs in the cavity of the hollow spikes or pins or hooks to provide a sutureless anchor.

A nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric can include a first surface and a second surface and a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on one of the first or second surface. Each of the three-dimensional features can define a microzone comprising a first region and a second region. The first and second regions can have a difference in values for an intensive property, and wherein in at least one of the microzones, the first region exhibits a Contact Angle of greater than 90 degrees, as measured by the Contact Angle Test Method detailed herein, and the second region exhibits a Time to Wick of less than 10 seconds, as measured by the Time to Wick Test Method detailed herein.

A surgical device for assisting in the placement of a prosthetic implant. One or more sheets of polymer are in the form of a conical frustum such that a proximal end is sealed and a distal end is open, with an elongated slit extending from the distal end toward the proximal end. A single opening is formed by the distal opening and the elongated slit with a set of inter-lockable fastener elements disposed along opposing sides and configured to seal the elongated slit such that the distal end remains open to allow for egress of the prosthetic implant for placement into a surgical pocket. A lubricious coating is applied to the interior cavity of the frustum in addition to one or more surface active coatings. Movement of the prosthetic implant across the one or more surface active coatings causes the coatings to provide one or more offered benefits.

A tubular structure fabricated by additive manufacturing from non-biological building material formulations, and featuring an elongated core, a shell encapsulating the core and an intermediate shell between the core and the shell. Each of the core, the shell and the intermediate shell is made of a different material or a different combination of materials. Both the core and the intermediate shell are sacrificial. Additive manufacturing of the tubular structure is usable for fabricating an object featuring properties of a blood vessel.

A nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric can include a first surface and a second surface and a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on one of the first or second surface. Each of the three-dimensional features can define a microzone comprising a first region and a second region. The first and second regions can have a difference in values for an intensive property, and wherein in at least one of the microzones, the first region exhibits a Contact Angle of greater than 90 degrees, as measured by the Contact Angle Test Method detailed herein, and the second region exhibits a Time to Wick of less than 10 seconds, as measured by the Time to Wick Test Method detailed herein.

The present disclosure provides stents, particularly self-expanding stents, useful for the GI tract, and more particularly, useful for treating esophageal strictures. The stents provided herein include a medial region and proximal and distal cuffs having external diameters greater than the medial region diameter when the stent is in the deployed state. The medial region comprises an open weave wire construction. An elastomeric coating circumscribes the medial region, while the may be an extension of the wire construction or separate elements. Preferably, the cuffs have a textured surface for contact with the esophageal wall tissue to resist stent migration. The elastomer coated medial region provides a barrier to tissue ingrowth, and has an enhanced radial restoring force to maintain an open passageway in a body lumen. Optionally, the stent includes an exterior sheath with a surface pattern, to which the stent couples. A low durometer sleeve, between the stent and body lumen, axial positioning of the stent relative to the body lumen. Consequently, precision in stent placement is provided without tissue damage that could result if positioning motion occurred between the surface texture and the body lumen.

A surgical device for assisting in the placement of a prosthetic implant within a surgical pocket of a patient such that placement minimizes tissue stress along and inside the surgical pocket. The surgical device comprises a bag shaped as a conical frustum in which a proximal end of the conical frustum is sealed and a distal end of the conical frustum is open, with an elongated slit extending from the distal end towards the proximal end. An opening formed by the distal opening and the elongated slit is sufficiently large enough to accept the prosthetic implant into the bag. According to one embodiment, an adhesive is affixed along a portion of the elongated slit to seal the elongated slit such that the distal end remains open, thereby allowing for egress of the implant from the bag and placement into the surgical pocket.