An apparatus includes a first stent graft that is at least partially insertable into a first blood vessel. The first stent graft has a first end, a second end, an inside surface, and an outside surface. The apparatus also includes an inflatable fill structure fixed to a portion of the outside surface of the first stent graft. The inflatable fill structure includes an outer membrane that is configured to extend beyond the first end of the first stent graft when the inflatable fill structure is in a filled state.

Systems for the minimally invasive repair, stabilization and/or fixation of a fractured bone, such as a rib, are disclosed. The systems include one or more rods/support members that are designed to extend along a dimension of a bone being repaired and secure the fractured bone. The support members can be photodynamic and are formed using an expandable member that is filled with a light-sensitive liquid that is cured to form the rigid support member. Two or more clamps are used to secure the support member(s) to the rib or other bone. Minimally invasive surgical methods for securing the systems to a fractured bone are also disclosed.

In a representative embodiment, a method comprises implanting first and second inflatable bodies within an annulus of a native heart valve by securing the inflatable bodies to tissue of the native heart valve with sutures, and implanting a prosthetic heart valve between the inflatable bodies such that the prosthetic heart valve is retained within the annulus by the inflatable bodies.

The present invention provides an anchor system for musculoskeletal applications, e.g., for anchoring tendons or ligaments to bone or anchoring two or more bone sections. The anchor system comprises a substantially solid pre-manufactured distal portion (i.e., anchor component) and a settable, biodegradable composite. The biodegradable composite is flowable at the time of delivery and is introduced into the fixation site before or after the anchor component. Both the anchor component and the biodegradable composite may be manufactured from citrate-based polymers.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include an implantable assembly for a native heart valve that includes a prosthetic heart valve and a braided support structure. The prosthetic valve includes a frame and prosthetic leaflets. The braided support structure has an inner braided layer and an outer braided layer. The outer braided layer is disposed over the inner braided layer. The outer braided layer is less porous to blood than the inner braided layer. The braided support structure defines a plurality of arms that are angularly spaced around the prosthetic heart valve such that each arm extends radially outwardly from the prosthetic heart valve. Other embodiments are also described.

A method of forming and implanting a synthetic corneal lenslet in an eye of a patient includes the steps of: forming a synthetic lenslet from a collagen solution using a mold or a 3-D printer that are configured to form the synthetic lenslet into a predetermined shape for correcting a particular refractive error of the patient; forming a cavity for receiving the synthetic lenslet in the cornea of the eye of the patient; inserting the synthetic lenslet into the cavity of the eye; applying a photosensitizer into the cavity of the eye so that the photosensitizer permeates at least a portion of the tissue surrounding the cavity and at least a portion of the synthetic lenslet; and irradiating the cornea so as to activate cross-linkers in the synthetic lenslet and cross-linkers in the portion of the tissue surrounding the cavity, and thereby prevent an immune response.

Injectable bone graft material having a biocompatible, resorbable polymer and a biocompatible, resorbable inorganic material exhibiting macro, meso, and microporosities.

Spinal tissue distraction devices that include a member which has a pre-deployed configuration for insertion between tissue layers and a deployed configuration in which the member, by change of configuration, forms a support structure for separating and supporting layers of spinal tissue.

A primary stent-graft is deployed into a primary vessel to exclude an aneurysm. To maintain perfusion to a branch vessel covered by the primary stent-graft, a gutter filling stent-graft is deployed in parallel to the primary stent-graft. The gutter filling stent-graft includes a balloon that is pressurized and inflated by the patient's own blood thereby sealing any gutters formed around the gutter filling stent-graft. By sealing the gutters, the chance of type I endoleaks, migrations, and overall failure to exclude the aneurysm is minimized.

A device for improving the function of a heart valve comprises: a support member formed from a shape memory material, and a restraining member providing a restraining action on a course of the support member. The support member may abut one side of the valve conforming to the shape of the valve annulus upon said shape memory material assuming an activated shape while the restraining member restrains the course of the support member. The restraining action is removable for allowing the support member to assume a desired, altered course. The restraining member may be biodegradable to be degraded within a patient or may be detachable from the support member to be withdrawn. The support member according to another embodiment presents a shape change in that an increased cross-section is associated with a shortened length of the support member. The support member according to yet another embodiment has a first and a second activated shape.