Tissue anchors and systems and methods for delivering and removing them are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the tissue anchor may include an outer shell including a proximal end, a distal end, a passage extending therebetween, and a plurality of expandable arms; an expander including a proximal portion disposed within the passage and distal portion that extends distally from the outer shell distal, the expander movable proximally relative to the outer shell to a deployed position wherein the distal portion directs the plurality of arms outwardly to engage adjacent bone. A fork extends from the distal portion of the expander including a pair of tines spaced apart from one another and a concave distal surface extending between the tines. A suture loop extends from the distal portion of the expander for capturing a tissue structure.

The present invention relates to a soft actuator moving linearly against external stimuli whose expansion and contraction can be actively controlled, suggesting that the actuator of the invention overcomes the problems of the conventional soft actuators, The soft actuator of the present invention can be repetitively driven quickly and accurately by controlling heating and cooling by using thermoelectric effect and, the soft actuator of the present invention can realize bending, tensioning, compression, and rotational driving of a tubular device containing a driver.

A soft buckling linear actuator is described, including: a plurality of substantially parallel bucklable, elastic structural components each having its longest dimension along a first axis; and a plurality of secondary structural components each disposed between and bridging two adjacent bucklable, elastic structural components; wherein every two adjacent bucklable, elastic structural components and the secondary structural components in-between define a layer comprising a plurality of cells each capable of being connected with a fluid inflation or deflation source; the secondary structural components from two adjacent layers are not aligned along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; and the secondary structural components are configured not to buckle, the bucklable, elastic structural components are configured to buckle along the second axis to generate a linear force, upon the inflation or deflation of the cells. Methods of actuation using the same are also described.

A securing device for securing a flexible line to another object. The clip has a working end and a clip end, the former for attachment to the other object and the latter for securing the line. The clip end has two loops and a locking clip. The two loops extend in opposite directions away from the locking clip, and are connected by a crossbar which is perpendicular to and against the locking clip. The locking clip is formed from two parallel shafts, closely spaced together. The line is secured by wrapping it at least twice around the loops, then up over the crossbar and down into the locking clip.

Disclosed herein is a wireless implantable communication system, method and sensing device, wherein an implantable data conversion module is adapted for operative coupling to a distinct or integrated implantable sensing device for the conversion of a characteristic signal for transmission thereof to an external receiver, e.g. by way of an inductive element. Upon positioning an external inductive element in the vicinity of the implanted device, a corresponding signal is induced within the external element allowing for reconstruction of the converted signal, and thereby allowing for recovery of the characteristic signal. Embodiments for the communication of data across a biological barrier, including communications from an external transmitter to an implanted receiver, an implanted transmitter to an external receiver, and an implanted transmitter/receiver pair are also disclosed.

A joint implant device is presented. In embodiments, the device may include a central cylindrical anchor with a sharp distal end and a substantially flat proximal portion. In embodiments, the anchor may be provided with at least one longitudinally extending microtube, to convey at least one of blood and nutrients from the distal end to a proximal end. In embodiments, there may be a plurality of microtubes, each having an intake in the distal end and multiple outflows in the proximal portion. In some embodiments the device may include an eyelet through which a suture may be provided for additional fixation into a joint.

Tissue compositions and methods of preparation thereof are provided. The tissue compositions can be used to treat or regenerate muscle tissue. The compositions can be configured to provide increased strength compared to other muscle matrices.

A method of producing organized skeletal muscle tissue from precursor muscle cells in vitro comprises: (a) providing precursor muscle cells on a support in a tissue media; then (b) cyclically stretching and relaxing the support at least twice along a first axis during a first time period; and then (c) optionally but preferably maintaining the support in a substantially static position during a second time period; and then (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) for a number of times sufficient to enhance the functionality of the tissue formed on the support and/or produce organized skeletal muscle tissue on the solid support from the precursor muscle cells.

Implants are provided, comprising the implant and a plurality of sensors.

A corrective device for the positioning of a foot is an apparatus used to treat foot drop. The apparatus includes a spring, a bone anchor assembly, and a tendon anchor assembly. The spring is used to prevent the foot from drooping downward. The spring includes a coil, a first spring coupler, and a second spring coupler. The first spring coupler is used to connect the coil to the bone anchor assembly. The bone anchor assembly anchors the apparatus to a human tibia. The second spring coupler is used to connect the coil to the tendon anchor assembly. The tendon anchor assembly is used to anchor the apparatus to one or more tendons in the foot. Because the coil is anchored above and below the ankle, rotations about the ankle may be limited by the coil.