The present disclosure relates to a three-dimensional, degradable medical implant for regeneration of soft tissue comprising a plurality of volume-building components and a mesh component which is substantially made of monofilament or multifilament fibers, wherein each volume-building component is attached to at least one point on a surface of the mesh component, and wherein the projected surface area of each volume-building component, when projected on the surface of the mesh component, corresponds to a maximum of one tenth of the surface area of the mesh component.

A method of manufacturing an artificial muscle fiber device includes: tethering an artificial muscle fiber around one or more shape-setting pieces; annealing the artificial muscle fiber so that the artificial muscle fiber will retain specific shapes established by the shape-setting pieces; and removing the shape-setting pieces from the artificial muscle fiber.

A worm gear-worm retractor for an implanted tongue retraction device is provided. The retractor of the present invention includes a control switch capable of adjusting a retraction force of a pull line, a pull line fixing device capable of fixing the pull line, and a casing. The control switch and the pull line fixing device are mounted in the casing, and the control switch is a worm gear-worm structure formed by a worm and a worm gear. Because the control switch adopts the worm gear-worm structure, by rotating the worm, the worm gear can be driven, so that the pull line fixing device connected to the worm gear rotates, thereby tensioning or loosening the pull line to adjust the retraction force of the pull line fixing device. The retractor has advantages of a compact structure, a small size and convenient adjustment.

An artificial muscle including an internal electromechanically charged rod extending beyond two attach points. A plurality of mesh cylinders having a mesh cylinder top and a mesh cylinder bottom surrounding the charged rod. A fiber surrounding the mesh cylinders and mechanically attached to the mesh cylinders at an attachment spacing and wherein an electromagnetic source activates the artificial muscle through at least one microprocessor. The artificial muscle fiber may be nylon and the attach points may be titanium. The artificial muscle fiber may be coated with nylon. The artificial muscle fiber may contain a viscous fluid.

Guide tools for installation of fixation devices. At least one example embodiment includes: a delivery tube, the delivery tube defines a slot that runs from the distal end to the proximal end; a guide tube coupled to the delivery tube; and a handle coupled to the proximal end of the delivery tube and coupled to the proximal end of the guide tube. The handle may include a first channel into an interior of the delivery tube through the slot, and a receptacle in operational relationship to the delivery tube and the first channel.

Studies of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying human myopathies and muscular dystrophies often require animal models, but models of some human diseases are not yet available. The present invention provides methods to promote the engraftment and development of myogenic cells from individuals with such diseases into mature muscle tissue in mice to treat muscle diseases, muscle injury and reduced muscle function. Immortalized human myogenic precursor cells (hMPCs) form mature human myofibers following implantation into the hindlimbs of immunodeficient mice. The engraftment of the cells and their development into mature muscle myofibers is promoted by intermittent neuromuscular electrical stimulation (iNMES) of the peroneal nerve of the engrafted limb. The human myofibers that form are innervated, their contractile apparatus is fully differentiated, and they are comprised of human myonuclei, with minimal contamination by murine myonuclei.

A fixation device. At least one example embodiment is a bone anchor comprising: a proximal head; a bollard coupled to the proximal head; a first barb coupled to the bollard, the first barb extends outward a first distance measured perpendicularly from an anchor central axis, the first distance greater than half the transverse dimension of the bollard, and the first barb extends outward at a first radial from the anchor central axis; and a second barb coupled to the first barb, the second barb extends outward a second distance measured perpendicularly from the anchor central axis, the second distance greater than half the transverse dimension of the bollard, and the second barb extends outward at a second radial from the anchor central axis, the second radial at a second rotational orientation at least 36 angular degrees from the first radial.

A bone anchor including an outer sleeve defining slots and an inner sleeve including fins extendable radially outward through the slots to engage surrounding cancellous bone. The outer sleeve includes an outward extending flange disposed about an opening defined by the outer sleeve configured to receive a fastener. The flange can seat against cortical bone around an opening sized for the anchor. The anchor can be a suture anchor including the fastener that engages the inner sleeve when installed therein and pushes the fins outward to engage the cancellous bone as the fastener is installed, better securing the anchor to the bone, particularly where the bone is osteoporotic, weak, broken, diseased, and/or compromised. The outer sleeve can include projections between fins to prevent rotation as the fastener is installed. A related method of using the suture anchor is provided to anchor soft tissue with a suture to bone.

A worm gear-worm retractor for an implanted tongue retraction device is provided. The retractor of the present invention includes a control switch capable of adjusting a retraction force of a pull line, a pull line fixing device capable of fixing the pull line, and a casing. The control switch and the pull line fixing device are mounted in the casing, and the control switch is a worm gear-worm structure formed by a worm and a worm gear. Because the control switch adopts the worm gear-worm structure, by rotating the worm, the worm gear can be driven, so that the pull line fixing device connected to the worm gear rotates, thereby tensioning or loosening the pull line to adjust the retraction force of the pull line fixing device. The retractor has advantages of a compact structure, a small size and convenient adjustment.

Apparatus consisting of a plurality of mechanically connected magnetic elements implanted around the lower esophagus sphincter with the purpose to restore its normal function in patients suffering from gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), while avoiding dysphagia.