An adjustable annuloplasty device comprising a tube having a basically annular shape or adopted to be brought into an annular shape. At least one portion, preferably three portions, of an outer wall or the whole outer wall of the tube is more rigid than opposite portion(s) of an inner wall or the whole inner wall. The inner wall is arranged nearer to an inside area defined by the annular shape than the outer wall. The inner wall is adapted to be displaced inwardly at least along less rigid portion(s) of the circumference upon actuation by at least one actuation element while the outer wall remains basically constant.

A handheld applicator designed to transfer a liquid drop of ophthalmic medicament into a human eye. The basic structure comprises a finger grip section and a drop retainer section, preferably connected to the grip section with an extension. The device is made from an elastomeric material that will allow for the safe transfer of a liquid drop into the eye. A drop dispensed from a container is placed onto the drop retainer section of the device where the surface tension provides drop adhesion. The user may administer the drop, without having to tilt the head, while maintaining an eyeglass assisted view into a mirror. Application of the drop occurs from the peripheral line of vision. When contact is made to the eye, surface tension is relieved and the drop safely transfers into the eye. The same applicator may have a drop retainer section with a different structure on each side.

A transcatheter prosthesis with radially compressed and expanded configurations. An elongate member encircling at least a portion of the prosthesis, and configured to provide a seal between the prosthesis and a native anatomy when the prosthesis is deployed in the radially expanded configuration. The elongate member may be a resilient elongate member having a radially contracted state, when in tension, to hold at least the portion of the prosthesis in the radially compressed configuration, and having a radially expanded state, when relaxed, to provide the seal between at least the portion of the prosthesis and a native anatomy when the prosthesis is deployed. A system for delivering the transcatheter prosthesis may include a delivery catheter having an elongate cinching member encircling at least a second portion of the prosthesis, wherein the elongate cinching member is configured to hold the second portion of the prosthesis in the radially compressed configuration.

A method for producing a storable molded body made of bacterial cellulose and a molded body produced according to the method. A preferred method includes providing a molded body made of bacterial cellulose. Optionally, mechanically pressing the entire molded body or parts of the molded body at temperatures in the range of 10 C. to 100 C. and pressures in the range of 0.01 to 1 MPa for a pressing time of 10-200 min. Treating the molded body with a solution of 20% by weight to 50% by weight of glycerol and 50% by weight to 80% by weight of a C1-C3-alcohol/water mixture. Drying the treated molded body.

A heart valve implant comprising a supporting stent, a heart valve element, and a skirt. The skirt includes or is formed of at least one molded body, wherein the molded body is made of dried treated bacterial cellulose that has a swelling capacity that is greater than untreated bacterial cellulose of the same type.

An ear cleaner is provided that includes an elongated handle, a spoon, and a disc intermediate the spoon and the disc.

Provided is a covered endovascular stent-graft comprising a first membrana tectoria for modeling a vascular shape and a stent-graft skeleton fitted to the outside of the first membrana tectoria, at least part of the outer surface of the stent-graft skeleton being covered with a second membrana tectoria; the first membrana tectoria and the second membrana tectoria are combined so that at least part of the stent-graft skeleton is covered between the first membrana tectoria and the second membrana tectoria, wherein the first membrana tectoria and/or the second membrana tectoria is/are a polyvinylidene fluoride resin membrana tectoria. The polyvinylidene fluoride resin membrana tectoria of the covered endovascular stent-graft makes the cost reduced and has good mechanical properties and biological properties.

Implantable in vivo sensors used to monitor physical, chemical or electrical parameters within a body. The in vivo sensors are integral with an implantable medical device and are responsive to externally or internally applied energy. Upon application of energy, the sensors undergo a phase change in at least part of the material of the device which is then detected external to the body by conventional techniques such as radiography, ultrasound imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, radio frequency imaging or the like. The in vivo sensors of the present invention may be employed to provide volumetric measurements, flow rate measurements, pressure measurements, electrical measurements, biochemical measurements, temperature, measurements, or measure the degree and type of deposits within the lumen of an endoluminal implant, such as a stent or other type of endoluminal conduit. The in vivo sensors may also be used therapeutically to modulate mechanical and/or physical properties of the endoluminal implant in response to the sensed or monitored parameter.

Particular aspects provide novel devices for bone tissue engineering, comprising a metal or metal-based composite member/material comprising an interior macroporous structure in which porosity may vary from 0-90% (v), the member comprising a surface region having a surface pore size, porosity, and composition designed to encourage cell growth and adhesion thereon, to provide a device suitable for bone tissue engineering in a recipient subject. In certain aspects, the device further comprises a gradient of pore size, porosity, and material composition extending from the surface region throughout the interior of the device, wherein the gradient transition is continuous, discontinuous or seamless and the growth of cells extending from the surface region inward is promoted.

A method for improving the function of a valve in the heart of a patient, comprising attaching, to a leaflet of the valve, an element that is responsive to a magnetic field; positioning, outside of the heart of the patient, a coil connected to a source of electric energy; activating the source of electric energy to provide an oscillating current in the coil; and thereby providing an oscillating magnetic field through the coil to effect movement of the element and the leaflet.