An inflatable structure for use in biological lumens and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. The structure can have an inflatable balloon encircled by a shell. The shell can have proximal and distal tapered necks, longitudinally-oriented flutes, and apertures at the proximal and distal ends of the shell. The apertures can be recessed in the flutes in the necks. The shell can also have fiber reinforced walls.

An endoluminal prosthesis system for a branched body lumen comprises a branch vessel prosthesis. The branch vessel prosthesis is deployable within a branch vessel body lumen and comprises a stent having a generally tubular body portion, a flareable proximal end portion, and a coupling portion disposed intermediate the body portion and the flareable portion. The coupling portion is more crush-resistant than the body portion. The flareable proximal end may be disposed within a fenestrated stent graft with coupling portion disposed in the fenestration of the fenestrated stent graft.

The present invention relates to a device (1) for stabilising joints, comprising a receptacle (20), wherein the receptacle (20) is filled with a filling medium (30), a first body (40) for interaction with the filling medium (30), wherein the first body is arranged displaceably in the receptacle (20), a force-transmission means (50) for the transmission of an external force onto the first body (40), a second body (60) for interaction with the filling medium (30) which is arranged displaceably in the receptacle (20), wherein the second body is coupled elastically to the first body (40) via a coupling element (70), wherein at least one of the second body (60) and the first body (40) have at least one outlet opening (64) through which the filling medium (30) can flow, and wherein the first body (40) forms a valve body and the second body (60) forms a valve seat so that a flow of the filling medium (30) through the outlet opening (64) can be allowed or prevented as a function of the valve position.

An endoluminal prosthesis system for a branched body lumen comprises a branch vessel prosthesis. The branch vessel prosthesis is deployable within a branch vessel body lumen and comprises a stent having a generally tubular body portion, a flareable proximal end portion, and a coupling portion disposed intermediate the body portion and the flareable portion. The coupling portion is more crush-resistant than the body portion. The flareable proximal end may be disposed within a fenestrated stent graft wit with coupling portion disposed in the fenestration of the fenestrated stent graft.

Catheter systems and methods including a hydraulic shock arrestor. A system may include an inflatable balloon for insertion within a patient's body. The inflatable balloon may be configured to be inflated with a fluid within the patient's body. The system may further include an elongate shaft. The elongate shaft may be configured to extend within the patient's body. The system may further include a fluid conduit. The system may further include a hydraulic shock arrestor configured to mitigate pressure surge within the fluid conduit.

The disclosure provides biodegradable implantable devices such as a stent comprising a biodegradable polymeric wherein the polymeric material is treated to control crystallinity and/or Tg. The stent is capable to expand at body temperature in a body lumen from a crimped configuration to a deployed diameter and have sufficient strength to support a body lumen.

Implantable passive engineered mechanisms and a method for implanting such devices in a subject are described. The implantable passive engineered mechanism may be made of or comprise a biocompatible material and is appropriately sized for implantation in a subject. Exemplary implantable passive engineered mechanisms may be selected from a strut, a pulley, a lever, a compliant mechanism, a scissor lift, a tendon network, springs, planetary gears, rigid or soft hydraulics, a linkage system, a cam/clutch system, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments the system comprises plural inserts, such as pulleys, levers, and/or tendon networks. Plural inserts may be arranged hierarchically to distribute force differentially from an input to one or more outputs.

The disclosure provides biodegradable implantable devices such as a stent comprising a biodegradable polymeric material wherein the polymeric material is treated to control crystallinity and/or Tg. The stent is capable of expanding at body temperature in a body lumen from a crimped configuration to a deployed diameter and will have sufficient strength to support a body lumen when expanded.

A surgical instrument includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end along an axis, the distal end configured to abut an implant, and an anchor rod disposable within the lumen of the body for contacting the implant to secure the implant at the distal end of the body. When the anchor rod is disposed within the lumen of the body in a working configuration, the anchor rod is connected to the body at the proximal end of the body and at the distal end of the body to substantially fix the anchor rod from moving along the axis of the lumen. The body includes a handle, a shaft extending distally from the handle, and a torque limiting mechanism.

A bone cement delivery system including a mixer, a reservoir for holding bone cement, a cannula that is connected to the reservoir and through which the bone cement is delivered into living tissue. A plunger that is advanced by a drive assembly, pushes the bone cement out of the delivery tube into the cannula for discharge from the cannula. A valve is located upstream of the cannula. A control unit regulates both drive assembly and the setting of the valve. The control unit is configured to, when deactivating the valve so as to stop the advancement of the plunger, close the valve. The closing of the valve reduces the extent to which the bone cement, which is under pressure continues to flow into and be discharged out of the cannula.