The present invention disclosed a method of producing a three-dimensional porous tissue in-growth structure. The method includes the steps of depositing a first layer of metal powder and scanning the first layer of metal powder with a laser beam to form a portion of a plurality of predetermined unit cells. Depositing at least one additional layer of metal powder onto a previous layer and repeating the step of scanning a laser beam for at least one of the additional layers in order to continuing forming the predetermined unit cells. The method further includes continuing the depositing and scanning steps to form a medical implant.

Medical devices and method for making and using the same are disclosed. An example medical device may include implantable medical device for use along the biliary and/or pancreatic tract. The implantable medical device may include a tubular member having a first end configured to be disposed within the duodenum of a patient and a second end configured to be disposed adjacent to a pancreatic duct and/or bile duct. The tubular member may have a body including one or more wire filaments that are woven together. The tubular member may also have an outer surface with a longitudinal channel formed therein.

An elbow prosthesis according to the present teachings can include a stem structure and an articulating component. The stem structure can be operable to be positioned in a bone of a joint. The stem structure can include a stem portion that is operable to be positioned in the bone and a C-shaped body portion having a first retaining mechanism formed thereon. The articulating component can have a second retaining mechanism formed thereon. One of the first and second retaining mechanisms can comprise an extension portion and a first anti-rotation portion. The other retaining mechanism can comprise a receiving portion and a second anti-rotation portion. The articulating component can be advanced from an insertion position to an assembled position, such that the first and second mechanisms cooperatively interlock to inhibit translation and rotation of the articulating component relative to the C-shaped body portion of the stem structure.

An endoluminal device can comprise a flexible tubular wall and a frame member. The frame member can be comprised of a shape-memory material having sides with protrusions which are partially or substantially flattened when formed together with the flexible tubular wall to thereby create a bias in the side wall of the endoluminal device that resists deformation from a desired device profile during crush loading and is thereby resistant to invaginations when deployed.

This shoulder prosthesis glenoid component (2) has on one of its faces an articulation surface (S.sub.A) adapted to cooperate with a humeral head and having, on an opposite face (S.sub.G) adapted to be immobilized on the glenoid cavity (G) of a shoulder, a keel (4) for anchoring it in the glenoid cavity (G). This keel (4) comprises a body (5) that extends from the opposite face (S.sub.G). The keel (4) comprises at least one fin (6) projecting from the body (5) 2 which runs over at least a part of the perimeter of the body (5).

A joining arrangement between a main tube and a side arm (5) in a side arm stent graft (1). The side arm (5) is stitched into an aperture (11) in the main tube and is in fluid communication with it. The aperture is triangular, elliptical or rectangular and the side arm is cut off at an angle to leave an end portion having a circumferential length equal to the circumference of the aperture. The side arm can also include a connection socket (76) comprising a first resilient ring (79) around the arm at its end, a second resilient ring (80) spaced apart along the arm from the first ring and a zig zag resilient stent (82) between the first and second rings. The zig-zag resilient stent can be a compression stent. Both the main tube and the side arm are formed from seamless tubular biocompatible graft material.

An enclosure device is disclosed for delivering an implantable sheet-like support or repair device, such as ligament, tendon or other soft tissue support or repair device, to a surgical site. The enclosure device protects the support or repair device from unwanted adhesion and deformation during delivery and facilitates its optimal positioning at the injury or repair site where the support or repair device will be implanted. The enclosure device has a planar body foldable along one or more fold lines into at least two panels configured to contain the repair device between the panels; an optional cutout in one or more panels of the planar body at the panel edge opposite the fold line configured to expose a portion of the repair device; an optional positioning tab extending out from the fold line; and an optional securing mechanism to secure the enclosure device in a folded position. Methods of using the enclosure device are described.

A suture assembly, including a button having two apertures and a suture defining a lumen and forming a double loop, formed by a double trap formed in the suture, opposed to the button, and in which a first portion of the suture is threaded through the lumen of the double trap and a second portion of the suture is also threaded through the lumen of the double trap, so that two portions of suture are positioned together in the double trap. The first portion of the suture, after emerging from the double trap, is threaded through the lumen again, thereby forming a second trap, increasing resistance of the double loop to expansion, the double loop being threaded through the apertures of the button, the suture having two suture ends that are threaded through the button apertures and accessible on a side of the button opposed to the double loop.

A method and device to correctly orient an intracranial occlusion device, such as a stent having differential porosity, with respect to desired areas of greater or lesser blood flow (e.g., branch vessels and aneurysms, respectively), said device being particularly adapted for use in treating aneurysms in intracranial or other tortuous vasculature. An intravascular device comprising a delivery catheter having a hub and angular lumen capable of constraining a pusher wire within a packaging catheter to deploy said stent in an orientation wherein the area of least porosity abuts the aneurysm, and area of maximal porosity permits blood flow to a branch or other vessel. A method of using same.

Methods and assemblies for attaching leaflets to a frame of a prosthetic heart valve using a connecting skirt are disclosed. As one example, a prosthetic heart valve can include a frame, a valvular structure mounted within the frame and comprising a plurality of leaflets, each leaflet comprising tabs on opposite sides of the leaflet and a cusp edge portion, and a plurality of connecting skirts. Each connecting skirt comprises side base portions and a central portion connected to each of the cusp edge portion of a corresponding leaflet and struts of the frame, each connecting skirt further comprising side extension portions that extend away from the cusp edge portion along a length of the frame, where each side extension portion of each connecting skirt extends across struts of the frame, between cusp edge portions of adjacent leaflets and connects to an adjacent side extension portion of an adjacent connecting skirt.