Patent classifications
A61F2250/0003
URINARY CATHETER OR PLUG AND METHOD FOR MANAGING URINARY INCONTINENCE
The disclosure provides a device and method for managing urinary incontinence. The device includes a platform, a balloon, and a valve. The platform and balloon can include a silicone material, a thermoplastic material, and an adhesive and/or a cement for sealing the urethra. The thermoplastic and silicone materials can soften at the body temperature so that their shape can be adapted to fit the three-dimensional contour of surfaces of the urethra. The balloon seals the internal orifice of the urethra, and the platform can block the leakage associated with the balloon. The valve permits selective urine voiding. The method includes inserting the device into the urethra and the bladder. The method can also include inflating the balloon. The method can further include pulling the balloon so that the balloon is in sealing contact with the neck of the bladder and moving the platform to a suitable position for sealing the urethra.
PRESSURE CHANGER FOR A BREAST IMPLANT
Apparatus, including an enclosure, a fluid-tight bag located within the enclosure, and a fluid-tight valve connected to the fluid-tight bag. The apparatus also has a tube, having a first end connected to the fluid-tight bag via the fluid-tight valve, and a second end connected to a balloon within a breast implant fitted to an implantee. The apparatus further includes a spindle, located within the enclosure, connected to the fluid-tight bag, and configured to rotate under control of the implantee so as to roll the fluid-tight bag onto the spindle or to unroll the fluid-tight bag from the spindle, and thus transfer a fluid, contained in the balloon, the tube, and the fluid-tight bag, therebetween.
Device and method for improving the function of a heart valve
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.
Surgical method
A method is provided for maintaining the position of pelvic organs, such as components of the urinary tract. The method may involve anchoring the pelvic organs by inserting the implant via an anterior approach, avoiding complications and side effects that result when implants are inserted through the wall of the vagina.
Timing controlled in-situ cross-linking of halyuronic acid during injection
Systems and methods are disclosed for cosmetic augmentation by forming a biocompatible cross-linked polymer having a multi-phase mixture with a time release catalyst; injecting the mixture into a patient as a viscous fluid; after injection, activating the catalyst to cross-link the polymer after a predetermined period after injection into a patient; and augmenting soft tissue with the biocompatible cross-linked polymer.
Intraocular lens, in particular ciliary intraocular lens
The present invention relates to an intraocular lens, in particular a ciliary intraocular lens having at least one optic and one haptic element. In order to create an intraocular lens that enables a symmetrical deformation of one or several optic elements of the intraocular lens as well as a relative displacement of these optic elements on their optical axis to each other, so that a sufficient change in refractive power is achieved, it is proposed that the haptic element is composed of several haptic elements, preferably connected to the optic element in equiangular manner, wherein a) the haptic elements have an essentially trapezoidal portion in a plan view and the bases of two adjacent haptic elements are connected to each other at the transition to the optic element and b) the haptic elements on the side of the trapezoidal portions facing away from the optic element have a part of annular haptic ring segment, wherein the haptic ring segments of two adjacent haptic elements in the unloaded state are spaced slightly away from one another, Furthermore, a method for implantation of an intraocular lens having at least one optic element and one haptic element, and a filling is claimed. According to the invention, the intraocular lens is folded or rolled to reduce the volume so that the filling is at least partially disposed in one or possibly several reservoir/s and the filling is at least partially pressed from the reservoir into the cavity after implantation.
Apparatuses and methods for at least partially supporting a valve leaflet of a regurgitant heart valve
An apparatus for partially supporting a leaflet of a regurgitant heart valve comprises at least one subvalvular device including a subvalvular supporting portion including a leaflet-contacting upper supporter surface longitudinally spaced from an oppositely facing lower supporter surface. A supporter perimeter wall extends longitudinally between the upper and lower supporter surfaces, with at least a portion contacting a subvalvular cardiac wall adjacent to the heart valve. An anchor portion is adjacent to, and longitudinally spaced from, the upper supporter surface. The anchor portion includes a leaflet-contacting lower anchor surface longitudinally spaced from an oppositely facing upper anchor surface. A connector neck is interposed longitudinally between, and is directly attached to both of, the upper supporter surface and the lower anchor surface. The connector neck penetrates longitudinally through at least one of a base of the leaflet and an annulus of the heart valve at a manufactured puncture site.
Orthopedic device
An orthopedic device includes a base shell having ankle and foot receiving portions. The base shell forms an opening over a dorsal aspect of the base shell. A dorsal shell is contoured to generally correspond to the opening in the base shell. The dorsal shell includes a proximal member connected to distal member via a flexible or resilient connecting portion arranged to accommodate a portion of a user's lower leg or ankle. A first flexible edge portion is attached to a distal terminal end of the distal member. The first flexible edge portion is arranged to bend or flex relative to the distal member so as to reduce the likelihood of pressure points on the user's toes from the distal member.
MODULAR STENT GRAFT SYSTEMS AND METHODS WITH INFLATABLE FILL STRUCTURES
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.
System and methods for endovascular aneurysm treatment
Methods and systems for treating aneurysms using filling structures filled with a curable medium are described herein. Such methods can include positioning a double-walled filling structure across the aneurysm and filling with a filling medium so that an outer wall conforms to the inside of the aneurysm and an inner wall forms a generally tubular lumen to provide for blood flow. The lumen is supported with a balloon or other expandable device during and/or after filling. The pressure within the structure and/or in the space between an external wall of the structure and the aneurysm wall is monitored and a flow of the medium into the structure is controlled responsive to the pressure. The pressure can also be used to determine a filling endpoint.