A flexible body comprises a polymer film having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The polymer film has a plurality of apertures extending from the first surface to the second surface and a plurality of raised lips protruding from the first surface such that each of the plurality of apertures is surrounded by one of the plurality of raised lips. A method of producing a polymer film comprises placing a polymer solution into a one sided mold having a plurality of protrusions extending from a bottom of the mold wherein the polymer solution is characterized by a viscosity that inhibits the unaided flow of the polymer throughout the mold; urging the polymer solution around each of the plurality of protrusions; and solidifying the polymer solution.

Embodiments may include an attachable fastener, which may include a bondable material that may be secured to the end of an end effector. Vibration may be tuned to occur at a distal end of the fastener. Accordingly, the fastener may be used to generate heat at a distal point of contact. If the contact surface contains bondable material, that material may be softened. If the fastener includes bondable material at the point of contact, that material may also be softened by heat produced by vibration at the contact area. A hard implant or another polymeric material may function as the anvil.

An implant or endoprosthesis suitable to be implanted in human or animal tissue includes two (or more than two) parts to be joined in situ. Each one of the parts includes a joining location, the two joining locations facing each other when the device parts are positioned for being joined together, wherein one of the joining locations includes a material which is liquefiable by mechanical vibration and the other one of the joining locations includes a material which is not liquefiable by mechanical vibration and a structure (e.g. undercut cavities or protrusions) suitable for forming a positive fit connection with the liquefiable material. The joining process is effected by pressing the two device parts against each other and by applying ultrasonic vibration to one of the device parts when the two parts are positioned relative to each other such that the two joining locations are in contact with each other.

A medical appliance or prosthesis may comprise one or more layers of electrospun nanofibers, including electrospun polymers. The electrospun material may comprise layers including layers of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Electrospun nanofiber mats of certain porosities may permit tissue ingrowth into or attachment to the prosthesis.

A meniscus prosthesis includes a core made of a first biocompatible, non-resorbable material having a first tensile modulus. The core includes an arc-shaped body having: a first end having a first through-hole; a second end having a second through-hole; a curved intermediate section connecting the first end and the second end; a first surface configured to face a first interior surface of the joint during use and a second surface configured to face a second interior surface of the joint during use, an inner edge and an outer edge. The core comprises a transverse cross-section in which the width is greater than the height along the length of the core. A cushioning material surrounds the intermediate section of the core, the cushioning material being made of a second biocompatible, non-resorbable material having a second tensile modulus, which is lower than a tensile modulus of the first material.

An implant or endoprosthesis suitable to be implanted in human or animal tissue includes two (or more than two) parts to be joined in situ. Each one of the parts includes a joining location, the two joining locations facing each other when the device parts are positioned for being joined together, wherein one of the joining locations includes a material which is liquefiable by mechanical vibration and the other one of the joining locations includes a material which is not liquefiable by mechanical vibration and a structure (e.g. undercut cavities or protrusions) suitable for forming a positive fit connection with the liquefiable material. The joining process is effected by pressing the two device parts against each other and by applying ultrasonic vibration to one of the device parts when the two parts are positioned relative to each other such that the two joining locations are in contact with each other.

A human or animal joint is treated by introduction of a device between the suitably prepared articulating surfaces of the joint, and the device is anchored in both these articular surfaces with a material having thermoplastic properties. For allowing at least limited articulation of the joint after implantation, the device includes two articulating portions, wherein one of the articulating portions is anchored in each articulating surfaces of the joint. On implantation a proximal face of the device is contacted with a vibrating tool and the vibration is transmitted through parts of the device to locations in which the material having thermoplastic properties is near the bone tissue of the articulating surfaces of the joint and in which liquefaction is desired. The liquefied material penetrates the bone tissue and, on re-solidification forms a positive fit connection between the device and the bone tissue.

A hemi-prosthesis implant comprises a replacement-joint part with an articulation surface for tribological pairing with a joint surface of a natural joint counterpart. The articulation surface is embodied with a coating applied on a substrate. The substrate provides a relief for the adhesion of the coating. The relief may comprise one or more of a plurality of grooves, a plurality of teeth, a ribbing, and a roughened surface. The relief may be embodied entirely or partially outside the articulation surface. The replacement joint part may optionally comprise a ventilation feature, and the articulation surface may be formed by injection molding on the substrate. The hemi-prosthesis implant may be part of an implant set that includes both a hemi-prosthesis implant and a total prosthesis implant, either of which can be chosen intraoperatively.

A hemi-prosthesis implant comprises a replacement-joint part with an articulation surface for tribological pairing with a joint surface of a natural joint counterpart. The articulation surface is embodied with a coating applied on a substrate. The substrate provides a relief for the adhesion of the coating. The relief may comprise one or more of a plurality of grooves, a plurality of teeth, a ribbing, and a roughened surface. The relief may be embodied entirely or partially outside the articulation surface. The replacement joint part may optionally comprise a ventilation feature, and the articulation surface may be formed by injection molding on the substrate. The hemi-prosthesis implant may be part of an implant set that includes both a hemi-prosthesis implant and a total prosthesis implant, either of which can be chosen intraoperatively.

Medical implant which at least partially comprises a biocompatible, electrically conductive polymer with electrical resistivity p, having the property of being able to be heated and softened by a flow of current through the polymer.