An artificial tongue is provided. The artificial tongue includes tongue tissue formed by a bioprinting process, an antenna embedded within the tongue tissue and configured to wirelessly receive power from an external device, a processor embedded within the tongue tissue and operatively coupled to the antenna, and a piezoelectric element embedded within the tongue tissue and operatively coupled to the processor. The piezoelectric element is configured to deform in response to an applied electric bias, and the processor is configured to cause the electric bias to be applied to the piezoelectric element based on the power received by the antenna.

Adjustable flow glaucoma shunts are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, for example, an adjustable flow shunt can include an outflow drainage tube having a proximal inflow region and a distal outflow region. The proximal inflow region can include aperture(s) defining a fluid inlet area positioned to allow fluid to flow therethrough. The shunt further comprises an inflow control assembly at the proximal inflow region. The inflow control assembly can include a control element configured to slidably engage the proximal inflow region and a spring element. The spring element is configured to be activated by non-invasive energy and, upon activation, slidably move the control element along the proximal inflow region such that (a) the one or more apertures are accessible and have a first fluid flow cross-section or (b) the one or more apertures are at least partially covered by the control element and have a second, different fluid-flow cross-section.

A shape memory material-based minimally invasive implantation with end part self-expanding structure, and an implant having the structure. The implant includes an actuating component; the implant has a first shape and a second shape, and comprises a central part and multiple end parts which are substantially symmetrically distributed; the second shape has a larger area than the first shape; the actuating component is able to enable the end parts to move along a direction away from the central part of the implant, so that the implant is transformed from the first shape to the second shape. The present invention can allow an implant to have a small size before it is implanted and to be expanded into a structure having a larger size after implantation.

A device for controlling the functioning of a cardiac prosthesis, the device for controlling includes a control path, the control path having a control system designed and arranged to monitor and regulate the electrical supply of a cardiac prosthesis; a first insulating system designed and arranged to electrically insulate the cardiac prosthesis from the electrical supply; and a controller designed and arranged to monitor and regulate the electrical supply.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for treating urinary retention of a patient by assisting the discharging of urine from a natural urinary bladder. The apparatus is provided with an expandable member, adapted to be implanted inside the natural urinary bladder of the patient, for discharging urine from the natural urinary bladder as a result of its expansion in volume and an implantable control device for controlling the volume of the expandable member. Also provided is an interconnecting device configured to connect the expandable member to the implantable control device.

An apparatus for the treatment of acid reflux disease comprising two or more movement restriction device segments adapted to be movement restriction device of a controlled size. The movement restriction device can at least partly be invaginated by a patient's stomach fundus wall. A substantial part of the outer surface of the movement restriction device is adapted to rest against the stomach wall without injuring the latter in a position between the patient's diaphragm and at least a portion of the lower part of the invaginated stomach fundus wall, such that movement of the cardiac notch of the patient's stomach towards the patient's diaphragm is restricted, to thereby prevent the cardia from sliding through the patient's diaphragm opening into the patient's thorax, so as to maintain the supporting pressure against the patient's cardia sphincter muscle exerted from the patient's abdomen.

Peristaltic micropump assemblies configured to pump fluid from a patient and/or deliver pharmaceutical agents to the patient are provided. In some embodiments, a micropump assembly can include a rotor configured to rotate about an axis and comprising a compressing member configured to rotate along a circumference, and a fluid chamber positioned at least partially around the circumference. The fluid chamber includes a round outer ring and a membrane attached to the outer ring and opposing an inner face of the outer ring. The compressing member is configured to compress the fluid chamber and move a fluid through the fluid chamber. The assembly can fit within a housing that is sized and shaped to be implanted in the patient. For example, the micropump assembly can be inserted into the patient's ocular cavity and configured to displace fluid from the patient's eye.

Methods and devices are adapted for implanting into the eye. An incision is formed in the cornea of the eye and a shunt is inserted through the incision into the anterior chamber of the eye. The shunt includes a fluid passageway. The shunt is passed along a pathway from the anterior chamber through the scleral spur of the eye into the suprachoroidal space and positioned in a first position such that a first portion of the fluid passageway communicates with the anterior chamber and a second portion of the fluid passageway communicates with the suprachoroidal space to provide a fluid passageway between the suprachoroidal space and the anterior chamber.

The present disclosure provides a system for delivery of therapeutic energy. The system includes an energy unit configured to convert the acoustic energy signals transmitted to therapeutic ultrasound directed to fragment tumors and carcinogenic tissue in the body. The system also includes an energy unit configured to convert the acoustic energy signal transmitted from the energy unit to ultrasonic energy to image and monitor the treatment site with ultrasound. The system also includes a control unit including a computer for data storage and display.

A gastroscopic method and instrument for treating obesity of a patient, using a device adapted to stretch a part of the stomach wall of said patient. The method comprises the steps of: inserting the device into the stomach through the esophagus, placing the device in contact with the stomach wall, and fixating the device to the stomach wall such that the device can stretch a part of the stomach wall.