A moldable ankle flexible brace is disclosed. The flexible ankle brace may include a heat-moldable, multi-layer leg support portion, a heat-moldable, multi-layer foot support portion, a pair of hinges connecting the leg support portion to the foot support portion, an opening for receiving a user's ankle, and a closure mechanism. The flexible ankle brace may include a middle layer that is substantially stiff at a temperature below about 130° F. and moldable at temperatures above 130° F. Also disclosed is a method of using a flexible ankle brace to treat an ankle. The method may include, for example, heating the brace to above 130° F. placing the heated brace on a patient's ankle and molding the brace to conform to the shape of the patient's ankle.

A stent includes a main body having a plurality of rings that form a helix. Each of the plurality of rings includes a plurality of skewed v-shaped elements that each have a first leg and a second leg that is longer than the first leg. The stent further includes a first end ring and a second end ring positioned to an opposite side of the main body from the first end ring. Each of the plurality of rings of the main body is angled with respect to the first end ring and the second end ring. The stent further includes a first transitional region for connecting the first end ring to the main body, and a second transitional region for connecting the second end ring to the main body.

A length extensible implantable device includes a porous member and a longitudinal constraining member. The longitudinal constraining member can constrain at least a portion, up to the entire length of, the porous member in the longitudinal direction. The length of the longitudinally constrained portion can be expanded by applying force to the porous member. The porous member may be a porous tubular member.

There are provided tissue repair laminates which promote cellular in-growth but also prevent or mitigate tissue adhesion. The laminates comprise a biodegradable polyurethane foam layer which facilitates cellular infiltration and a polyurethane barrier layer which is non-adhesive to tissue. The laminates resist shrinkage under in vivo conditions and possess desirable mechanical properties. The laminates find use in, for example, the repair of herniated tissue, particularly, but not limited to hernias in the abdominal wall.

Implantable devices including conduits that have markings along the length of the conduit are described herein.

Embodiments include prosthetic valves and related methods. In an embodiment, an implantable valve is included having a frame that includes a plurality of frame struts. The frame can define a central lumen. An outer skirt can be disposed on an abluminal surface of the frame. The outer skirt can include a flap having a first end and a second end. The first end of the flap can be fixed to the abluminal surface of the frame and the second end can be free to move away from the abluminal surface of the frame. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Implantable devices including conduits that have markings along the length of the conduit are described herein.

Synthetic composite materials for use, for example, as orthopedic implants are described herein. In one example, a composite material for use as a scaffold includes a thermoplastic polymer forming a porous matrix that has continuous porosity and a plurality of pores. The porosity and the size of the pores are selectively formed during synthesis of the composite material. The example composite material also includes a plurality of a anisometric calcium phosphate particles integrally formed, embedded in, or exposed on a surface of the porous matrix. The calcium phosphate particles provide one or more of reinforcement, bioactivity, or bioresorption.

An intervertebral device comprises a plurality of struts that are rotatably associated with each adjacent strut to form a modifiable inner volume V for bone graft containment.

A system to be used for transmitting ultrasonic vibration, the system including a sonotrode designed to vibrate in a stationary wave having at least one node position between the distal end and the proximal end of the sonotrode, and a guide shaft with a through opening. During operation the sonotrode extends through the through opening of the guide shaft and the distal end of the guide shaft is situated on a distal side of the most distal node position of the sonotrode. The sonotrode and the guide shaft are adapted to each other for radial clearance between the sonotrode and the guide shaft to be a minimum for a sonotrode portion comprising the most distal node position.