A process for arranging a stent, especially a drug-coated stent, on a balloon of a balloon catheter. At a stent implantation site (e.g., during an angioplasty procedure), the balloon of the balloon catheter serves to expand the stent radially, so that the stent, e.g., opens a vascular stenosis and is securely fixed to the vessel wall. Pressure plates are arranged and operate to maintain a protection device that avoids contamination of the stent.

Patient-adapted articular repair systems, including implants, instruments, and surgical plans, and methods of making and using such systems, are disclosed herein. In particular, various embodiments include methods of selecting and/or designing patient-adapted surgical repair systems using parameterized models and/or multibody simulations.

A multi-element, vascular stent may be used to maintain or enhance patency of a blood vessel. The stent may be used in peripheral blood vessels, which may be long and/or tortuous. By using multiple, separate stent elements that are balloon expandable, the multi-element stent may be stronger than a traditional self-expanding stent but may also be more flexible, due to its multiple-element configuration, than a traditional balloon-expandable stent. The distance between stent elements may be based on characteristics of the stent and the target vessel location such that the stent elements do not touch one another during skeletal movement. Thus, the multi-element, vascular stent described herein may be particularly advantageous for treating long lesions in tortuous peripheral blood vessels.

An anchor for implantation in body tissue has a number of hooks for engagement with the body tissue. The anchor is made of an elastic material such that it can be elastically deformed into a folded position by application of a constraining force, and will return to an unfolded position when no constraining force is applied. A plugging device is combined with one or more parts of the anchor to provide enhanced contact with the body tissue. The plugging device encircles at least one of the hooks. The anchor may be combined with a line which is a part of the plugging device. The line is optionally joined to the anchor by a knotting configuration having a plurality of loops around the anchor. At least one loop of the plurality of loops encircles at least two of the hooks.

Provided are a silicone stent (100), an implantation system, and a manufacturing method. The silicone stent (100) includes a stent body (110). The stent body (110) includes a mesh frame (112) and a silicone body (111) molded on the mesh frame (112). A circumferentially sealed space (116) is defined within the silicone body (111). A distal end and a proximal end of the silicone body (111) respectively have a distal-end opening (115) and a proximal-end opening (114) that communicate with the space (116). The mesh frame (112) circumferentially covers the silicone body (111), and runs in an axial direction of the silicone body (111). The mesh frame (112) extends from the proximal end of the silicone body (111) to the distal end of the silicone body (111).

A size adjustable cover used for soft tissue reinforcement which is adapted to envelop an implantable device, such as a breast implant, in a surgical application. The cover is formed using a circular two-dimensional implantable matrix material having an inner circle and a plurality of fringes which radiate circumferentially from the inner circle. The implantable device is positioned upon the inner circle, and the plurality of fringes are folded inwardly to form an overlapping implant pocket which envelops the implantable device. Each fringe further has a punched opening, allowing a loop of suture thread to link each fringe together. Certain fringes are excluded from the loop to create stabilization tabs which radiate from the inner circle and are attached to a site of host implantation to stabilize the cover and the implantable device within.

The present invention discloses bioengineered corneal grafts for treating either or both Keratoconus and visual impairment, selected from (i) a corneal Onlay comprises or coated by at least one member of Group A, consisting of biocompatible synthetic materials; at least one member of Group B, consisting of at least one type of biological polymer and optionally, at least one member of Group C, consisting of at least one type of protein and (ii) An intrastromal corneal lenticule graft, configured to mimic native corneal stroma tissue by means of its optical properties, mechanical properties, permeability and interaction with corneal stromal cells; wherein at least one portion of said lenticule comprises or coated by at least one member of Group D, consisting of transparent crosslinked hydrogel; at least one member of Group E, consisting of collagen; collagen methacrylate, recombinant mammal collagen, mammal-sourced collagen; and optionally, at least one member of Group F, consisting of Keratocytes and/or stem cells and any combination thereof. The present invention further discloses compositions, methods for production, implementation and treatment of medical indications by aforesaid corneal graft.

Systems, dies, and methods are provided for processing pericardial tissue. The method includes positioning a die-cut assembly over the pericardial tissue, the die-cut assembly including a die having a plate, a die pattern, and an opening, the die pattern attached to the plate, the opening formed in the plate to provide access to the pericardial tissue, and measuring a thickness of the tissue through the opening. The die-cut assembly may be mounted for automated vertical movement, and a platen on which the tissue is placed is capable of automated horizontal movement. Different target areas on the tissue can be assessed by measuring the thickness through the die, and when an area is deemed suitable the die pattern cuts a shape therefrom. The system is useful for cutting uniform thickness heart valve leaflets, and can be automated to speed up the process.

There is disclosed a collagen construct comprising a plurality of elongate strips, wherein each strip contains a plurality of collagen fibres that are substantially aligned along the length of the respective strips, and the strips are braided or woven together to produce a collagen construct in the form of a rope that can be used for replacing tendons or ligaments, such as cruciate ligaments. Also disclosed is a method for making or producing the collagen construct from a collagen membrane having a plurality of collagen fibres being substantially aligned parallel to each other in a common direction. The membrane is cut along cut lines that are orientated substantially parallel to that common direction, thereby to separate elongate strips from the membrane. The strips are then braided or woven together to form the collagen construct.

Provided herein are methods, compositions, devices, and systems for the 3D printing of biomedical implants. In particular, methods and systems are provided for 3D printing of biomedical devices (e.g., endovascular stents) using photo-curable biomaterial inks (e.g., or methacrylated poly(diol citrate)).