The present invention is directed generally to (1) an articulating junction, and articulation method thereof, wherein articulation is facilitated by a plurality of magnetic particles; (2) an articulating junction, and articulation method thereof, wherein the stability and fluidity of the junction is based, at least in part, on the magnetic field(s) of the plurality of magnetic particles; and (3) reducing the resistance to articulation and/or increasing the structural integrity and support, of the articulating junction, via electro-magnetism. Further, the present invention is directed generally to the synergistic combination of magnetic particles and preferred bio-implant-materials and additive-manufacturing methods along with Baker correlation codes. Further, the present invention is directed to an artificial joint for implantation into a living body and methods for constructing such an artificial joint.

An orthopedic device for implanting between adjacent vertebrae comprising: an arcuate balloon and a hardenable material within said balloon. In some embodiments, the balloon has a footprint that substantially corresponds to a perimeter of a vertebral endplate. An inflatable device is inserted through a cannula into an intervertebral space and oriented so that, upon expansion, a natural angle between vertebrae will be at least partially restored. At least one component selected from the group consisting of a load-bearing component and an osteobiologic component is directed into the inflatable device through a fluid communication means.

A femoral stem prosthesis features a proximal section and a distal section, both of which have a medial edge and a lateral edge. The proximal section is generally wider in a medio-lateral direction than the distal section. The proximal section and the distal section both taper inwardly in a medio-lateral direction such that an anterior-posterior thickness of the medial edge is greater than an anterior-posterior thickness of the lateral edge.

A method of forming an implant having a porous tissue ingrowth structure and a bearing support structure. The method includes depositing a first layer of a metal powder onto a substrate, scanning a laser beam over the powder so as to sinter the metal powder at predetermined locations, depositing at least one layer of the metal powder onto the first layer and repeating the scanning of the laser beam.

A prosthetic atrioventricular valve may include a collapsible frame including an atrial disk, a ventricular disk, and a center portion between the two. The frame may include commissure attachment features (CAFs) that include struts extending from the center portion. Prosthetic leaflets may be mounted to the CAFs. A sealing fabric may be coupled to the frame. A commissure support ring may couple to and extend around the plurality of CAFs. The atrial disk and the ventricular disk may each flare outwardly from the center portion of the frame. The center portion of the frame may define a minimum diameter of the frame. Each of the CAFs may be spaced from adjacent ones of the CAFs so that gaps in the frame are present between adjacent ones of the CAFs.

A method of forming an implant having a porous tissue ingrowth structure and a bearing support structure. The method includes depositing a first layer of a metal powder onto a substrate, scanning a laser beam over the powder so as to sinter the metal powder at predetermined locations, depositing at least one layer of the metal powder onto the first layer and repeating the scanning of the laser beam.

A system for managing female incontinence includes a body of biocompatible material configured to fit between the labia minora and the vestibule floor, the body having a surface configured to occlude the urethral meatus, an adhesive carried on at least a first portion of the surface and configured to provide a sealing engagement between the body and the urethral meatus, and a substance carried by at least one of the body and the adhesive and configured for controlling the odor of the general vaginal-urethral area of a female.

An orthopedic device for implanting between adjacent vertebrae comprising: an arcuate balloon and a hardenable material within said balloon. In some embodiments, the balloon has a footprint that substantially corresponds to a perimeter of a vertebral endplate. An inflatable device is inserted through a cannula into an intervertebral space and oriented so that, upon expansion, a natural angle between vertebrae will be at least partially restored. At least one component selected from the group consisting of a load-bearing component and an osteobiologic component is directed into the inflatable device through a fluid communication means.

A surgical implant adapted for repairing a tissue or muscle wall defect comprises an areal, flexible basic structure which defines a primary region and at least one arm starting from the primary region and having a free end and an end area extending up to the free end. The arm is folded back and fixed (e.g. welded, sutured or glued), in its end area, to the primary region of the basic structure. Preferably, the basic structure is made from one piece and comprises a mesh.

Pinch devices and access systems that can be used to secure a prosthetic heart valve to a heart valve annulus and to treat valvular insufficiency. A pinch device can be a separate expandable element from the prosthetic heart valve that is first advanced to the annulus and deployed, after which an expandable prosthetic heart valve can be advanced to within the annulus and deployed. The two elements can clamp/pinch the heart valve leaflets to hold the prosthetic heart valve in place. The pinch device can have a flexible, expandable annular frame. A combined delivery system can deliver the pinch device and prosthetic heart valve with just a single access point and aid more accurate coaxial deployment. The pinch device can be mounted near distal end of an access sheath, and a catheter for delivering the prosthetic heart valve can be passed through a lumen of the same access sheath.