The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, and a method for making it from a single length of tubing. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common axis and interconnected by one or more links. A Y-shaped member comprised of a link and a U-shaped member has relief dimples formed in the curved portion of a valley to reduce localized stress and thereby reduce fatigue failure that can lead to link structure failure.

A hair implant suitable for subcutaneous implantation is provided having an anchor comprising an anchor body, and at least one collagen receiving structure selected from the group consisting of at least one tunnel disposed through the anchor body or an external surface feature of the anchor body. The anchor further comprises at least one hair strand projecting from a distal end of the anchor body and alternatively wherein the at least one hair strand includes a bend, wherein the at least one collagen receiving structure, or the external surface feature, is configured to support collagen ligature growth after subcutaneous implantation of the hair implant so as to anchor the hair implant in the recipient. The hair implant includes a two-part construction having a base module formed of the anchor body and at least one hair stem configured for coupling with a long hair strand. Another hair implant alternative includes a hair strand having a first end that is passed through the skin, underneath and the up through the skin at another location to result in the hair strand having two portions projecting from the skin surface.

A hair implant includes: (a) a hair strand anchor including: an anchor body; at least one hair chamber disposed within the anchor body; and at least one tunnel through the anchor body, where the tunnel is free of a hair; and (b) at least one hair strand having a portion thereof retained in the at least one of the hair chamber; wherein the tunnel is configured to support collagen ligature growth after subcutaneous implantation by receiving and retaining collagen ligatures that anchor the hair implant to a hair implant recipient. Also disclosed is a hair implant including an anchor with first and second anchor bodies and at least one bridge connecting the anchor bodies and bridging at least one void between the anchor bodies, wherein the bridge supports and retains collagen ligature growth. One-piece implants are also disclosed, as are anchors, hair restoration and manufacturing methods.

Anchor devices and methods used to secure a prosthetic valve to a native valve annulus are described. The anchor device can be a separate expandable element from the prosthetic valve that is first advanced to the annulus and deployed, after which an expandable prosthetic valve is advanced to within the annulus and deployed. The combination of the two elements can apply a clamping force to the valve leaflets which holds the prosthetic valve in place. The anchor device can have a lower or ventricular portion and an upper or atrial portion. The anchor device can include one or more leaflet clamping portions. One, two, or more upstanding vertical posts between the clamping portions can extend upward at the valve commissures and support the upper portion, which can include one or more structures for leak prevention.

A stent is formed from an at least partially cylindrical non-bioresorbable framework with a longitudinal zone of the stent that extends from the proximal end of the framework to the distal end and is defined by opposing longitudinal edges. A plurality of bioresorbable struts are secured to opposing longitudinal edges of the longitudinal zone. The bioresorbable struts hold the opposing longitudinal edges a first distance apart at an expanded deployed diameter to apposition the framework against a wall defining the vessel. After the stent is endothelialized, degradation of the bioresorbable struts causes the stent to contract to a reduced deployed diameter so that the opposing longitudinal edges are a second distance apart that is less than the first distance.

Embodiments include a valve leaflet for an implantable valve device comprising a leaflet body. The leaflet body comprising a free edge configured for coaptation with free edges of one or more other valve leaflets; and a root edge disposed opposite the free edge. The free edge defining an edge profile comprising a peak and valleys disposed on opposite sides of the peak. Other embodiments are also included herein.

A stent delivery system includes an inner tubular member, a stent disposed over a distal section of the inner tubular member, a locking member positioned over the inner tubular member proximal of the stent, and an outer tubular member covering the stent and the locking member in a delivery configuration. A portion of the stent can be positioned in the locking member in the delivery configuration. The locking member can include a tubular proximal section, and a plurality of fingers extending distally from the tubular proximal section. The plurality of fingers can include a first finger and a second finger. The plurality of fingers can have a locked configuration with each of the first finger and the second finger parallel to a longitudinal axis, and an unlocked configuration with one of the first finger and/or the second finger forming an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis.

Anchor devices and methods can be used to secure a prosthetic valve to a native valve annulus. The anchor device can be a separate expandable element from the prosthetic valve that is first advanced to the annulus and deployed, after which an expandable prosthetic valve is advanced to within the annulus and deployed. The combination of the two elements can apply a clamping force to the valve leaflets which holds the prosthetic valve in place. The anchor device can have a lower or ventricular portion and an upper or atrial portion. The anchor device can include one or more leaflet clamping portions. One, two, or more upstanding vertical posts between the clamping portions can extend upward at the valve commissures and support the upper portion, which can include one or more structures for leak prevention.

An implantable biocompatible expander suitable for implantation into a urinary duct, comprises an elongated sinusoidal ring comprising at least two proximal prongs and at least two distal prongs, wherein the expander is resiliently deformable from a relaxed radially expanded orientation to a radially contracted orientation suitable for transluminal delivery through the urinary duct. The expander is configured to exert an outward radial force against a wall of the urinary duct when in-situ within the urinary duct. In particular, the expander is suitable for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and configured for implantation into the prostatic urethra between, and substantially spanning the prostatic urethra between, the bladder neck and external sphincter.

A method of making an intraluminal device having an implanted configuration and a modified configuration following the implanted configuration. The method includes preparing the implanted configuration of the intraluminal device by forming a support scaffold, creating a patch, and coupling the patch to the support scaffold. The support scaffold can include a lumen defined by a luminal surface. The patch can be coupled to the support scaffold along a length of the luminal surface such that the patch covers less than a full circumference of the luminal surface along the length. The patch is designed to be removed from the support scaffold following implantation of the intraluminal device to transition the intraluminal device from the implanted configuration to the modified configuration.