Disclosed embodiments and methods provide solutions for coupling and decoupling of a delivery device from a stented prosthetic heart valve with one or more release mechanisms. In situations when one or more sutures get tangled or caught upon attempted retraction of the delivery device and sutures after deployment of the stented prosthetic heart valve, a secondary release mechanism can be provided to sever the suture(s) or release the suture(s) from the delivery device. Exemplary secondary release mechanisms include high resistance inserts, cutters and balloon expandable devices. Methods of releasing the sutures from the delivery device or severing the suture(s) are also disclosed.

A shield for protecting the eye of a patient who is undergoing treatment of a facial area, such as the nose-bridge, forehead, temple, or an area immediately surrounding the eye. The shield has an outer shell of a formed semi-flexible or rigid metal foil that extends all the way to the edge of the shield, including an adhesive area of the shield that holds the shield around the eye of the patient. The foil layer is combined with one or more layers of polyester to avoid reflection of the light energy on the user or one or more layers of foam to provide for heat insulation, adhesion and patient comfort. The shield is formed at the contact portion to fit over the orbital area of the patient's eye.

The present invention relates to an implant for implanting in a body, in particular in a hollow organ or a vessel of a body, the implant being composed of a filament which comprises at least one polymeric matrix material in which a magnetically heatable filler is arranged, the filament having a cross section with a core-sheath structure characterized in that the core forms a polymeric reinforcing structure, and in that the sheath comprises the polymeric matrix material in which the magnetically heatable filler is disposed, the loading of the filler being greater in the sheath than in the core.

Disclosed embodiments and methods provide solutions for coupling and decoupling of a delivery device from a stented prosthetic heart valve with one or more release mechanisms. In situations when one or more sutures get tangled or caught upon attempted retraction of the delivery device and sutures after deployment of the stented prosthetic heart valve, a secondary release mechanism can be provided to sever the suture(s) or release the suture(s) from the delivery device. Exemplary secondary release mechanisms include high resistance inserts, cutters and balloon expandable devices. Methods of releasing the sutures from the delivery device or severing the suture(s) are also disclosed.

A selectively expandable breast implant and method for tissue expansion are provided herein. The implant includes a flexible shell, an expandable material inside the flexible shell, and a plurality of closed conducting loops within the expandable material. The closed conducting loops absorb energy from a varying magnetic field external to the implant and generate heat, to heat the surrounding expandable material, and the expandable material expands in size based on the amount of heat generated by the closed conducting loops. The expandable material comprises a plurality of expandable microspheres that expands in response to the heat created by the closed conducting loops. The heat induction mechanism enables the closed conducting loops to generate heat for expansion of the expandable material in the implant. The implant can expand uniformly or in areas designated for selective shaping.

The present technology is generally directed to adjustable shunting systems for draining fluid from a first body region to a second body region. The adjustable shunting systems include an actuation assembly for controlling the flow of fluid through the system. For example, the actuation assembly can include one or more fluid inlets in fluid communication with an environment external to the system. The actuation assembly can further include one or more actuators configured to move a corresponding control element to control the flow of fluid through the fluid inlets. The actuator can also have a first actuation element and a second actuation element configured to move the control element between a first position in which the control element substantially prevents fluid flow through the corresponding inlet and a second position in which the control element does not substantially prevent fluid flow through the fluid inlets.

A selectively expandable breast implant and method for tissue expansion are provided herein. The implant includes a flexible shell, an expandable material inside the flexible shell, and a plurality of closed conducting loops within the expandable material. The closed conducting loops absorb energy from a varying magnetic field external to the implant and generate heat, to heat the surrounding expandable material, and the expandable material expands in size based on the amount of heat generated by the closed conducting loops. The expandable material comprises a plurality of expandable microspheres that expands in response to the heat created by the closed conducting loops. The heat induction mechanism enables the closed conducting loops to generate heat for expansion of the expandable material in the implant. The implant can expand uniformly or in areas designated for selective shaping.

Implantable medical devices that contain at least one region that is selectively degradable by electrolytic corrosion are provided. The electrolytic corrosion of the medical device is initiated by the formation of an electrolytic cell that can be activated wirelessly at a designated point in time. The medical device incorporates at least one section or region that is designed to be predisposed to structural failure. The medical device contains a cathode region, a sacrificial anode region, which will undergo degradation, and an antenna region. Electrolytic degradation of a sacrificial anode region may cause a de-anchoring of the medical device or a reconfiguration of the medical device from a first configuration to a second configuration. Alternatively, electrolytic degradation may precipitate the absorption of the medical device. In another embodiment, electrolytic protection may be employed to preserve an implanted device until such a time that its corrosion and subsequent absorption is desired.

A flow diverting apparatus includes a stent frame body, and a stent frame extension.

The stent frame body includes an inlet opening, an outlet opening, and a cavity extending from the inlet opening to the outlet opening. The stent frame body is configured to pass a flow of fluid from the inlet opening to the outlet opening through the cavity. The stent frame body includes a first portion having the inlet opening, and a second portion having the outlet opening. The second portion is tapered from one end of the second portion to a first location of the second portion, thereby forming an indented portion having a plurality of pores. The stent frame extension is configured to be disposed between at least a portion of the indented portion and a vessel wall, thereby preventing a migration of vessel wall cells onto the indented portion.

A shield for protecting the eye of a patient who is undergoing treatment of a facial area, such as the nose-bridge, forehead, temple, or an area immediately surrounding the eye. The shield has an outer shell of a formed semi-flexible or rigid metal foil that extends all the way to the edge of the shield, including an adhesive area of the shield that holds the shield around the eye of the patient. The foil layer is combined with one or more layers of polyester to avoid reflection of the light energy on the user or one or more layers of foam to provide for heat insulation, adhesion and patient comfort. The shield is formed at the contact portion to fit over the orbital area of the patient's eye.