Some target anatomies within the ear, nose and/or throat of a patient may be difficult to access and treat. To provide a means of treating such target anatomies over time, drug delivery devices that are sized to be positioned within a naturally occurring or man-made anatomical cavity or passageway are preloaded with active agent(s). The drug delivery devices are affixed directly to, or in the vicinity of, a target anatomy. Once affixed, the drug delivery devices are configured to deliver active agent(s) at desired dosage(s) to the target anatomy through controlled elution of the active agent(s) as various structural features of the drug delivery devices are bio-eliminated.

A composite implant device for use in a medical application, comprising a synthetically-derived mesh that mimics particular critical aspects of a biologically-derived mesh. The composite implant device can be used for the reinforcement and reconstruction of tissues within the body and can be comprised of a majority of synthetic components and minority of naturally-derived components which mimic the structure and function of a naturally-derived mesh.

A system of prosthetic implants for a total knee replacement procedure is provided. The system includes a tibial component of a knee joint implant, a tibial insert configured to be positioned against the superior side of the platform of the tibial component, a first femoral component of a knee joint implant, and a second femoral component of a knee joint implant.

The invention relates to a mesh support device (10) for supporting a breast implant, which mesh support device (10) comprises a first mesh panel (11), which comprises a first arm (31) having a length L.sub.1 and a second arm (32) having a length L.sub.2, and a second mesh panel (12), which comprises a first opening (21), which is arranged to receive the first arm (31), and a second opening (22), which is arranged to receive the second arm (32), wherein 30 mm <L.sub.1<210 mm and 30 mm L.sub.2<210 <mm.

Described here are delivery devices for delivering one or more implants to the body, and methods of using. The delivery devices may deliver implants to a variety of locations within the body, for a number of different uses. In some variations, the delivery devices have a cannula with one or more curved sections. In some variations, a pusher may be used to release one or more implants from the cannula. In some variations, one or more of the released implants may be a self-expanding device. Methods of delivering implants to one or more sinus cavities are also described here.

Medical stent designs are disclosed. An example stent includes a tubular scaffold having a proximal end and a distal end. The tubular scaffold includes a first filament extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the first filament including a first biodegradable region positioned adjacent to a second biodegradable region. Further, the first biodegradable region includes a first biodegradable material, the first biodegradable material having a first rate of degradation. The second biodegradable region includes a second biodegradable material, the second biodegradable material having a second rate of degradation, wherein the first rate of degradation is different from the second rate of degradation.

The present disclosure relates to valve replacement devices that are foldable for catheter-based deployment to the site of implantation, as well as systems for the delivery of valve prostheses, including prostheses having the special characteristics of the disclosed valve replacement devices. The devices include highly effective adhering mechanisms for secure and enduring precision implantation. The adhering mechanisms may employ a unique sealing mechanism that includes a cuff that expands slowly whereby the device is not secured in place until the completion of the implantation procedure. The implanted device, optionally together with the cuff, prevents perivalvular leaks and incorporate an appropriate leaflet system for reliable functioning in situ.

The present invention relates to a prosthesis (1) for the repair of an inguinal hernia, which prosthesis (1) is intended to be implanted by a posterior or open laparoscopic route and comprises: an openworked textile (2) made of biocompatible material, comprising a first face (2a) intended to be placed facing the biological tissues of the inguinal region, and a second face (2b) arranged opposite said first face and intended to be placed facing the peritoneum, said first face being provided with fastening means that are able to fix said textile in said biological tissues of the inguinal region, characterized in that at least a part of said second face (2b) is covered with a non-porous coating (7) composed of a material that is hydrosoluble at 37° C. and non-hydrosoluble at 25° C. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a prosthesis.

A multi-element, vascular stent may be used to maintain or enhance patency of a blood vessel. The stent may be used in peripheral blood vessels, which may be long and/or tortuous. By using multiple, separate stent elements that are balloon expandable, the multi-element stent may be stronger than a traditional self-expanding stent but may also be more flexible, due to its multiple-element configuration, than a traditional balloon-expandable stent. Individual stent elements shorten upon expansion creating a space between stent elements. The distance between stent elements when deployed may be based on characteristics of the stent and the target vessel location such that the stent elements do not touch one another during skeletal movement. Thus, the multi-element, vascular stent described herein may be particularly advantageous for treating long lesions in tortuous peripheral blood vessels

Medical stent designs are disclosed. An example stent includes a tubular scaffold having a proximal end and a distal end. The tubular scaffold includes a first filament extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the first filament including a first biodegradable region positioned adjacent to a second biodegradable region. Further, the first biodegradable region includes a first biodegradable material, the first biodegradable material having a first rate of degradation. The second biodegradable region includes a second biodegradable material, the second biodegradable material having a second rate of degradation, wherein the first rate of degradation is different from the second rate of degradation.