Absorbable implants for breast surgery that conform to the breast parenchyma and surrounding chest wall have been developed. These implants support newly lifted breast parenchyma, and/or a breast implant. The implants have mechanical properties sufficient to support a reconstructed breast, and allow the in-growth of tissue into the implant as it degrades. The implants have a strength retention profile allowing the support of the breast to be transitioned from the implant to regenerated host tissue, without significant loss of support. Three-dimensional implants for use in minimally invasive mastopexy/breast reconstruction procedures are also described, that confer shape to a patient's breast. These implants are self-reinforced, can be temporarily deformed, implanted in a suitably dissected tissue plane, and resume their preformed three-dimensional shape. The implants are preferably made from poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB) and copolymers thereof. The implants have suture pullout strengths that can resist the mechanical loads exerted on the reconstructed breast.

A fiber-based surgical implant stabilized against fraying, includes a thermally crimped flat-knitted fabric of a biocompatible, optionally biodegradable, polymer material having a glass transition temperature or other thermally induced secondary conformational mobility threshold in the temperature range of from 20 C. to +170 C. Also disclosed is a corresponding fabric and methods of producing the implant and the fabric.

Provided herein is an artificial muscle capable of being miniaturized, realizing precision movement, and performing selective relaxation/contraction deformation according to the power output necessary in the muscle, the muscle including a first operation unit that includes electro-active polymer where relaxation-deformation occurs based on electric energy being applied; a heating unit that generates heat energy based on the electric being applied; a second operation unit that has a yarn structure and where contraction-deformation occurs based on the heat energy generated in the heating unit; and a control unit that applies electric energy to the first operation unit and the heating unit.

This application relates to a method of covering a pessary device for relief of female incontinence with an overwrap. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods of conforming the overwrap to the pessary device using a profile seal.

Absorbable implants for breast surgery that conform to the breast parenchyma and surrounding chest wall have been developed. These implants support newly lifted breast parenchyma, and/or a breast implant. The implants have mechanical properties sufficient to support a reconstructed breast, and allow the ingrowth of tissue into the implant as it degrades. The implants have a strength retention profile allowing the support of the breast to be transitioned from the implant to regenerated host tissue, without significant loss of support. Three-dimensional implants for use in minimally invasive mastopexy/breast reconstruction procedures are also described, that confer shape to a patient's breast. These implants are self-reinforced, can be temporarily deformed, implanted in a suitably dissected tissue plane, and resume their preformed three-dimensional shape. The implants are preferably made from poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB) and copolymers thereof. The implants have suture pullout strengths that can resist the mechanical loads exerted on the reconstructed breast.

A fibre-based surgical implant stabilized against fraying, includes a thermally crimped flat-knitted fabric of a biocompatible, optionally biodegradable, polymer material having a glass transition temperature or other thermally induced secondary conformational mobility threshold in the temperature range of from 20 C. to +170 C. Also disclosed is a corresponding fabric and methods of producing the implant and the fabric.

Apparatus and methods are described for killing cancer cells (44) of a subject, the subject having cancer cells and healthy cells. The apparatus includes a plurality of first molecules (40) configured to be coupled to the cancer cells to a greater extent than to the healthy cells, in response to being administered to the subject. A plurality of clusters (42) of phase-change molecules are provided, each of the clusters coupled to a respective one of the first molecules. An energy transmission unit (50) kills cancer cells coupled to the first molecules by heating the cancer cells, by transmitting energy toward the clusters that selectively heats the clusters. Other embodiments are also described.

A prosthesis includes an outer capsule that is made of biosorbable material. An inner capsule is encapsulated by the outer capsule. A layer of fluid is interposed between the outer capsule and the inner capsule. In one implementation, the inner capsule surrounds autologous fluids or saline. Also, the layer of fluid interposed between the outer capsule and the inner capsule may comprise autologous fluids or saline.

Absorbable implants for breast surgery that conform to the breast parenchyma and surrounding chest wall have been developed. These implants support newly lifted breast parenchyma, and/or a breast implant. The implants have mechanical properties sufficient to support a reconstructed breast, and allow the in-growth of tissue into the implant as it degrades. The implants have a strength retention profile allowing the support of the breast to be transitioned from the implant to regenerated host tissue, without significant loss of support. Three-dimensional implants for use in minimally invasive mastopexy/breast reconstruction procedures are also described, that confer shape to a patient's breast. These implants are self-reinforced, can be temporarily deformed, implanted in a suitably dissected tissue plane, and resume their preformed three-dimensional shape. The implants are preferably made from poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB) and copolymers thereof. The implants have suture pullout strengths that can resist the mechanical loads exerted on the reconstructed breast.

Absorbable implants for breast surgery that conform to the breast parenchyma and surrounding chest wall have been developed. These implants support newly lifted breast parenchyma, and/or a breast implant. The implants have mechanical properties sufficient to support a reconstructed breast, and allow the in-growth of tissue into the implant as it degrades. The implants have a strength retention profile allowing the support of the breast to be transitioned from the implant to regenerated host tissue, without significant loss of support. Three-dimensional implants for use in minimally invasive mastopexy/breast reconstruction procedures are also described, that confer shape to a patient's breast. These implants are self-reinforced, can be temporarily deformed, implanted in a suitably dissected tissue plane, and resume their preformed three-dimensional shape. The implants are preferably made from poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB) and copolymers thereof. The implants have suture pullout strengths that can resist the mechanical loads exerted on the reconstructed breast.