A method for force, displacement, and rate control of shape memory material implant. The rate of implant shape change as well as the force exerted on the surrounding tissue of the implant can be controlled by the surgeon and the extent of movement is controlled in circumstances where the bone element is free to move. The invention allows for the first time the fine control of force when fixating osteoporotic bone and rate of bone transport when working near the spinal cord. This heating profile of the implant provides the surgeon to control the extent of microstructure phase transformation so that the rate, force or extent of tissue movement can be controlled individually or together.

It is proposed to provide and implantable tube valve for implanting in a urinary tract, comprising: an implantable tube; a valve member mounted inside the tube and pivotable between an open position and a closed position and an actuator for pivoting the valve member; wherein the valve member comprises a pivot part, said pivot part formed as a single beak part; said valve member provided with a safety mechanism including a biasing element, an actuator, and the pivot part, wherein the beak part is arranged to pivot the pivot part towards the open position when a pressure exerted on the beak part exceeds a predetermined pressure.

Methods for draining pseudocysts and stent delivery systems for use therein are disclosed. An illustrative system may include a catheter shaft having an inflatable balloon affixed to a distal end region thereof. A cutting electrode may be disposed at the distal end of the system and at least one heating electrode may be disposed within the inflatable balloon. A self expandable stent may be disposed about the inflatable balloon. The stent may be formed of a shape memory polymer. The inflation fluid may be heated within the balloon to facilitate expansion of the stent.

A spacer including a first part made from a first shape memory material, and a second part made from a second shape memory material.

Methods for draining pseudocysts and stent delivery systems for use therein are disclosed. An illustrative system may include a catheter shaft having an inflatable balloon affixed to a distal end region thereof. A cutting electrode may be disposed at the distal end of the system and at least one heating electrode may be disposed within the inflatable balloon. A self expandable stent may be disposed about the inflatable balloon. The stent may be formed of a shape memory polymer. The inflation fluid may be heated within the balloon to facilitate expansion of the stent.

A system, method, and apparatus to insert and remove a thermally activated vaginal pessary (102), by employing a nitinol core material that is integrated into the construction of the thermally activated vaginal pessary and configured to increase in radial size upon contact with body temperature by undergoing a configurational phase change in the underlying nitinol core material.

Methods for draining pseudocysts and stent delivery systems for use therein are disclosed. An illustrative system may include a catheter shaft having an inflatable balloon affixed to a distal end region thereof. A cutting electrode may be disposed at the distal end of the system and at least one heating electrode may be disposed within the inflatable balloon. A self expandable stent may be disposed about the inflatable balloon. The stent may be formed of a shape memory polymer. The inflation fluid may be heated within the balloon to facilitate expansion of the stent.

A delivery device may include a support structure for imparting a desired stiffness, springiness, and kink-resistance. The delivery device may include a core wire and/or one or more electrical wires which are electrically connected to a detachment mechanism. A medical device such as an implant may be attached to the delivery device by a detachment mechanism. A support structure may extend alongside or around the core wire to provide support for the delivery device, particularly when pushing a larger implant through a smaller catheter. The support structure may include a support wire alongside the core wire, a hypotube surrounding the core wire, a braid braided around the core wire, and/or a coil coiled around the core wire. The core wire may be formed from a non-memory-shape material such as stainless steel and the support structure may be formed from a memory-shape material such as Nitinol.

Methods for draining pseudocysts and stent delivery systems for use therein are disclosed. An illustrative system may include a catheter shaft having an inflatable balloon affixed to a distal end region thereof. A cutting electrode may be disposed at the distal end of the system and at least one heating electrode may be disposed within the inflatable balloon. A self expandable stent may be disposed about the inflatable balloon. The stent may be formed of a shape memory polymer. The inflation fluid may be heated within the balloon to facilitate expansion of the stent.

A system, method, and apparatus to insert and remove a thermally activated vaginal pessary, by employing a nitinol core material that is integrated into the construction of the thermally activated vaginal pessary and configured to increase in radial size upon contact with body temperature by undergoing a configurational phase change in the underlying nitinol core material.