A system for partial ossicular replacement with controllable stapedial engaging function is described; a respective process of manufacturing a partial ossicular replacement prosthesis with controllable stapedial engaging function and a partial ossicular replacement prosthesis are further described; the system comprises: a partial ossicular replacement prosthesis comprising a stapedial part and a tympanic part, an applicator device comprising a handpiece, an essentially planar static face, an elongated essentially cylindrically shaped plunger; the process comprises: providing a preform of at least stapedial part, forming a plurality of elongated cuts, shaping a centrical portion, shaping a distal portion; the partial ossicular replacement prosthesis comprises a stapedial part and a tympanic part.

A method of braiding a stent includes braiding a number of elongate filaments around a mandrel using tensioned braiding carriers without spooling the filaments to the tensioned braiding carriers to form a braided stent having atraumatic ends.

A method for providing blood flow across a surface of a mitral stent-valve frame. A portion of the stent-valve frame is placed into the left atrium and into the left ventricle with a securement band located intermediate that is attached to either the annulus or to a second support frame that is placed initially and above the mitral annulus without affecting native leaflet function. Portions of the frame above the securement band allow blood flow radially inwards to reduce stagnation regions in the atrium or outwards below the securement band to help cleanse native leaflets.

An ostial stent delivery device may include a first elongate shaft including a first lumen and extending along a central longitudinal axis, wherein the first elongate shaft includes a first inflatable balloon fixedly attached proximate a distal end of the first elongate shaft; and a second elongate shaft including a second lumen, the first elongate shaft being at least partially disposed within the second lumen. The second elongate shaft includes a second inflatable balloon fixedly attached proximate a distal end of the second elongate shaft. The second inflatable balloon is disposed at least partially proximal of the first inflatable balloon. The first inflatable balloon has a substantially cylindrical shape along a majority of its length in the deployed configuration. The second inflatable balloon has a substantially biconical shape having a central axis oriented parallel to the central longitudinal axis in the deployed configuration.

Adult autologous stem cells cultured on a porous, three-dimensional tissue scaffold-implant for bone regeneration by the use of a hyaluronan and/or dexamethasone to accelerate bone healing alone or in combination with recombinant growth factors or transfected osteogenic genes. The scaffold-implant may be machined into a custom-shaped three-dimensional cell culture system for support of cell growth, reservoir for peptides, recombinant growth factors, cytokines and antineoplastic drugs in the presence of a hyaluronan and/or dexamethasone alone or in combination with growth factors or transfected osteogenic genes, to be assembled ex vivo in a tissue incubator for implantation into bone tissue.

Disclosed is directed to a method for restoring bone in an animal comprising: accessing a site to be restored; loading a syringe body with a flowable bone graft material; mating the syringe body with a delivery tube; positioning the delivery tube at the site to be restored; using a syringe piston to advance the said material into the delivery tube; using the syringe piston or a plunger that mates with the delivery tube after removal of the syringe body to deliver the bone graft to the site at a force of less than 50 lbs. extrusion force; wherein said material is at least 75% porous with a mineral to polymer ratio of 80:20.

Spinal tissue distraction devices that include a member which has a pre-deployed configuration for insertion between tissue layers and a deployed configuration in which the member, by change of configuration, forms a support structure for separating and supporting layers of spinal tissue.

An embodiment of the invention includes a sewing cuff for aortic heart valves that better approximates native anatomy by better mating with the crown-like anatomical annulus. Limiting distortion of the crown-like annulus provides better blood flow and overall valve function and provides a physician greater ease of implantation since native anatomy is not flattened. Thus, the surgeon may attach sutures to the fibrous tissue of the crown-like anatomical annulus without distorting the shape of the native anatomy. An embodiment includes a scalloped sewing cuff assembly (with semilunar arches) that tracks the crown-like annulus. Another embodiment provides a sewing cuff positioned over the majority of the valve's length, thus allowing the surgeon greater flexibility as to where he or she can attach sutures to the surgical annulus. Conventional valves, which are primarily “low-profile” devices, do not offer such ability. Other embodiments are described herein.

Provided is a stent pusher assembly for positioning a ureteral stent, the stent pusher assembly having an inner and outer stent pusher. The stent pusher assembly positions the ureteral stent in a patient's kidney and bladder without a bladder fixing portion of the stent entering a ureteral passage-way, thereby minimizing irritation to the patient.

Methods are disclosed including thermally processing a scaffold to increase the radial strength of the scaffold when the scaffold is deployed from a crimped state to a deployed state such as a nominal deployment diameter. The thermal processing may further maintain or increase the expansion capability of the scaffold when expanded beyond the nominal diameter.