A method and apparatus is provided for creating a modified tissue graft, wherein an anatomical site at which the modified tissue graft is to be placed is identified, desired characteristics for the modified tissue graft are identified based at least upon the anatomical site, one or more types of graft modifications and regions of the tissue graft to be modified are identified to achieve the desired characteristics; and at least a first area and a second area of the exterior surface of the tissue graft are modified by compressing, cutting and/or removing one or more portions thereof to create first designed surface features which cause the tissue graft to have first characteristics in the first area and second designed surface features which cause the tissue graft to have second characteristics in the second area.

An implantable tissue marker device is provided to be placed in a soft tissue site through a surgical incision. The device can include a bioabsorbable body in the form of a spiral and defining a spheroid shape for the device, the spiral having a longitudinal axis, and turns of the spiral being spaced apart from each other in a direction along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of markers can be disposed on the body, the markers being visualizable by a radiographic imaging device. The turns of the spiral are sufficiently spaced apart to form gaps that allow soft tissue to infiltrate between the turns and to allow flexibility in the device along the longitudinal axis in the manner of a spring.

The present invention provides system for shaping at least a foam portion of an earpiece, the system including a sizer configured to receive at least the foam portion of the earpiece such that at least the foam portion of the earpiece is reduced in size before being placed into an ear of a user, wherein the sizer includes a hollow structure having an open first end and a second end, wherein the first end has a first cross-sectional area, wherein the second end has a second cross-sectional area, and wherein the first cross-sectional area is larger than the second cross-sectional area.

An implantable tissue marker device is provided to be placed in a soft tissue site through a surgical incision. The device can include a bioabsorbable body in the form of a spiral and defining a spheroid shape for the device, the spiral having a longitudinal axis, and turns of the spiral being spaced apart from each other in a direction along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of markers can be disposed on the body, the markers being visualizable by a radiographic imaging device. The turns of the spiral are sufficiently spaced apart to form gaps that allow soft tissue to infiltrate between the turns and to allow flexibility in the device along the longitudinal axis in the manner of a spring.

A variety of configurations of implant management devices are provided. The configurations provide different combinations of features for maintaining a location of an implant with respect to the device and managing filaments of the implant. One exemplary embodiment of a device includes a generally rectangular-shaped body having an implantable body retainer, an opening disposed a distance apart from the retainer and configured to receive a ligament graft therein, and a fold extending across the body and intersecting the opening. Folding one end of the body towards a bottom surface of the body along the fold can form a filament loop engaging region to hold in tension a filament loop extending from the implant. Additional filament(s) associated with the implant can be managed by various filament retention features. Methods for preparing a ligament graft for implantation by relying upon indicia formed on a surface of the device body are also provided.

Methods for generating aortic heart valve leaflets are disclosed wherein the aortic sinus surfaces (the inner surfaces of the sinuses of Valsalva) are used as a template to generate geometric representations of replacement aortic heart valve leaflets. As such, sinus-matched replacement leaflets can be sized and shaped according to the patient-specific geometry of the aortic root. Patient-specific aortic valve assemblies based on aortic root and sinus geometry are also described. Methods for estimating the coaptation area of a sinus-matched valve and assessing whether the valve is functionally competent for implantation are described.

Provided are intraoperative devices, the devices comprising a substrate having a plurality of discontinuous cuts formed therein, the plurality of discontinuous cuts being formed such that when the substrate is subjected to deformation, the substrate is capable of deformation beyond an initial state so as to achieve a first shaped three-dimensional state. Through design of the cut patterns in 2D, one can locally control the stretchability and elasticity within the substrate. The substrate can then be deformed into a 3D structure that can provide shape and support to reconstructed tissue in the desired regions while also minimizing operative time and cost. Also provided are related methods of using the disclosed devices; the devices can be used in autologous tissue donation procedures as well as prosthetic procedures.

A pancreatic stent includes a main body convertible between a compressed configuration for delivery and an expanded configuration once deployed, the main body including an inner surface defining a stent lumen and an outer surface. A plurality of drainage features are formed within the outer surface of the main body, the plurality of drainage features permitting placement of the pancreatic stent within a patient's pancreas without blocking side branches of the pancreas.

The invention relates to components for fusing vertebral bodies and to methods for the production and use thereof.

A prosthetic heart includes a support structure, an actuator member, a plurality of leaflets, and a sealing material. The support structure includes a plurality of struts movably coupled together such that the support structure moves incrementally between a radially compressed state and a radially expanded state. The struts include a plurality of commissure struts. The actuator member is coupled to the struts of the support structure and is configured to incrementally move the support structure between the radially compressed state and the radially expanded state and to automatically lock the support structure in a particular state. The leaflets are coupled to the commissure struts of the support structure and configured to allow unidirectional blood flow through the prosthetic heart valve. The sealing material is coupled to the support structure and includes a plurality of commissure extensions that wrap around and are coupled to the commissure struts of the support structure.