A biomimetic tissue scaffold for repairing an elongated tissue in need of repair can comprise a plurality of coiled flexible polymeric ribbons having a surface on which is formed an array of nanofibers, the ribbons forming a tubular body defining a first open end in which a first end of the elongated tissue is receivable, a second open end in which a second end of the elongated tissue is receivable, and a lumen extending between the first and second open ends.

A biomimetic tissue scaffold for repairing an elongated tissue in need of repair can comprise a plurality of coiled flexible polymeric ribbons having a surface on which is formed an array of nanofibers, the ribbons forming a tubular body defining a first open end in which a first end of the elongated tissue is receivable, a second open end in which a second end of the elongated tissue is receivable, and a lumen extending between the first and second open ends.

An inflatable structure for use in biological lumens and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. The structure can have an inflatable balloon encircled by a shell. The shell can have proximal and distal tapered necks, longitudinally-oriented flutes, and apertures at the proximal and distal ends of the shell. The apertures can be recessed in the flutes in the necks. The shell can also have fiber reinforced walls.

Implants having symmetry are described. The implant may comprise a biocompatible material and have at least two planes of symmetry, including symmetry about an equator of the implant. The implant may be a body contouring implant, wherein a posterior side of the implant is symmetric about the equator to an anterior side of the implant.

The invention relates to an intraocular lens with extended depth of focus including aspheric anterior and posterior optical surfaces.

The present invention relates to: an implant for the reconstruction of the nipple-areola complex; and a method for producing same. The implant for the reconstruction of the nipple- areola complex according to the present invention can be implanted along a central axis inside autologous tissue during nipple-areola complex reconstruction surgery to form a normal nipple-areola complex shape. In addition, the nipple-areola complex implant according to the present invention, due to being formed of a porous structure, has similar flexibility to normal nipple-areola complex tissue, and exhibits a high engraftment rate with autologous tissues since the surrounding tissue can permeate into the implant through the voids thereof following implantation.

Systems and methods for the manufacture of an hourglass shaped stent-graft assembly having an hourglass shaped stent, graft layers, and an assembly mandrel having an hourglass shaped mandrel portion. Hourglass shaped stent may have superelastic and self-expanding properties. Hourglass shaped stent may be encapsulated using hourglass shaped mandrel assembly coupled to a dilation mandrel used for depositing graft layers upon hourglass shaped mandrel assembly. Hourglass shaped mandrel assembly may have removably coupled conical portions. The stent-graft assembly may be compressed and heated to form a monolithic layer of biocompatible material. Encapsulated hourglass shaped stents may be used to treat subjects suffering from heart failure by implanting the encapsulated stent securely in the atrial septum to allow blood flow from the left atrium to the right atrium when blood pressure in the left atrium exceeds that on the right atrium. The encapsulated stents may also be used to treat pulmonary hypertension.

According to an aspect, an implant includes an inflatable member and a pump assembly configured to facilitate a transfer of a fluid from the reservoir to the inflatable member. The inflatable member has a sidewall that defines a lumen. The sidewall has an outer surface and an inner surface disposed opposite the outer surface. The inner surface has a series of undulations.

Embodiments relate to the use of auxetic geometries to construct the pores of membranes. Auxetic geometries expand in the transverse direction when stretched along the longitudinal direction. This behavior is counterintuitive as most materials contract in the transverse direction when stretched longitudinally. A mesh with pores that are auxetic has the potential to overcome the primary limitation of most prolapse meshes—pore collapse with tensile loading.

The invention relates to a method for producing a vascular endoprosthesis for insertion into a natural cavity of a person's body. The method is based on a three-dimensional model including a main channel, at least one branch of the channel extending from the main channel, and an intersection between the main channel and the branch of the channel. The method includes producing an imprint structure which is designed to follow a shape of the main channel, the imprint structure comprising at least one location corresponding to the intersection of the three-dimensional model, placing a reinforcement at the location of the imprint structure, producing a prosthesis wall using the imprint structure, the prosthesis wall being made of polymer, a window or a branch of the prosthesis being produced at the location, producing the vascular endoprosthesis including the window or branch of the prosthesis.