Implant apparatus and methods directed toward treating conditions involving the knee joint are disclosed. Full range of motion of the knee joint and tissue integrity are maintained in treatment approaches. In one particular approach, osteoarthritis of the knee joint is addressed by unloading one or more of the lateral and medial compartments.

A convertible nephroureteral catheter is used in the treatment of urinary system complications, particularly on the need for a single surgically delivered device to treat patients who must be seen by an interventional radiologist (IR). In many current procedures, patients need to return to the operating room to remove a previously delivered nephroureteral catheter to exchange this catheter with a fully implanted ureteral stent delivered though the same access site at the flank. The present convertible nephroureteral catheter reduces the need to return for a second surgical procedure. Two weeks after initial implantation, the proximal portion of the convertible nephroureteral catheter extending out from the body may simply be removed. A simple action at the catheter hub allows this proximal portion to be removed, leaving behind the implanted ureteral stent within the patient's urinary system. Other medical procedures, devices, and technologies may benefit from the described convertible catheter.

Various embodiments of craniofacial implants, surgical instruments, and techniques are described to provide improved surgical results.

Prosthetic feet that provide improved rollover and performance are provided. A prosthetic foot can include a lower foot member extending from a heel end to a toe end, a second foot member disposed above the lower foot member, and an optional third foot member disposed above the second foot member. The second foot member is tapered such that its thickness decreases toward the proximal end. Optionally, the second foot member can taper toward its distal end as well as toward its proximal end from an intermediate location on the second foot member. The third foot member can be tapered such that its thickness decreases toward the distal end. There can be a gap between a distal end of the third foot member and the second foot member that closes during dorsiflexion of the prosthetic foot during use and provides dynamic stiffness control to the prosthetic foot.

Embodiments of the present specification provide surgical methods and apparatuses to deploy at least one stent through an optic nerve sheath in order to maintain an opening/fenestration for intracranial fluid egress. The surgical method creates a fenestration, an opening, a slit, or a hole, through an optic nerve sheath of a human patient. The fenestration is created in a minimally invasive manner using an applicator, such as an endoscopic visualization apparatus, that includes a stent or shunt for deploying through the fenestration. The presently disclosed specification is indicated to treat papilledema and/or intracranial hypertension and to deliver therapeutic compositions through the optic nerve sheath.

In various embodiments, a stent member is provided. The stent member may include a self-expanding stent frame defining in its expanded position a central annular opening along a longitudinal axis, the opening extending from a first end to a second end of the stent frame. The stent member may include at least one anchoring structure extending radially outwards from the second end of the stent frame. The stent member may further include a biocompatible coating on the stent frame.

Soft tissue grafts, packaged soft tissue grafts, and methods of making and using soft tissue grafts are disclosed. One soft tissue graft includes processed tissue material having first and second opposed surfaces. The first and second opposed surfaces are bounded by first and second edges. The first edge has a concave shape that curves toward the second edge. The second edge has a convex shape that curves away from the first edge. The first surface comprises a plurality of apertures. At least one of the apertures is formed from a multi-directional separation in the first surface. One method of making a soft tissue graft includes positioning a cutting die on a surface of tissue material, pressing the cutting die into the tissue material to cut the tissue material, and processing the cut tissue material to create processed tissue material.

An elbow prosthesis includes a stem structure and an articulating component. The stem structure is operable to be positioned in a bone of a joint and includes a stem portion and a C-shaped body portion. The stem portion is operable to be positioned in the bone. The C-shaped body portion includes a first articulating surface bound by a medial wall and a lateral wall. The medial and lateral walls are separated by a first distance. The articulating component includes a second articulating surface positioned between a medial side surface and a lateral side surface. The medial and lateral side surfaces are separated by a second distance that is less than the first distance. The second articulating surface is configured to slidably communicate in a medial/lateral direction along the first articulating surface of the C-shaped body portion.

Various embodiments of craniofacial implants, surgical instruments, and techniques are described to provide improved surgical results.

The present invention relates to treating or preventing stenosis at an anastomosis site. In one embodiment, the present invention is a stent is curved along the longitudinal axis for placement in and adjacent to the graft orifice. In a further embodiment, the stent is drug coated to allow delivery of antivasculoproliferative drugs directly to the vicinity of the graft orifice. In a further embodiment, the stent is expandable by use of an external wire. In another embodiment, the present invention is a kit comprising the specially configured stent together with a sleeve comprising a biocompatible matrix material and a pharmaceutical agent, wherein the sleeve is applied to the external surface of the vessel or graft, resulting in extravascular delivery of a pharmaceutical agent. Methods for treating or preventing stenosis at an anastomosis site by applying the extravascular sleeve and the intravascular stent are also provided.