266 results about "Post implantation" patented technology

Valve prosthesis systems and methods/systems for placement of such valve prostheses are provided that facilitate efficient, reliable and minimally invasive delivery modalities. The placement systems and methods permit remote manipulation and positioning of the valve prosthesis such that desirable placement relative to anatomical structures, e.g., the heart annulus, may be achieved. The valve prosthesis includes a resilient ring, a plurality of leaflet membranes mounted with respect to the resilient ring, and a plurality of positioning elements movably mounted with respect to the flexible ring. The delivery system includes a first elongate element that terminates at the valve prosthesis and is manipulable by an operator to remotely rotate the positioning elements relative to the flexible ring. A second elongate element terminates at the valve prosthesis and is manipulable by an operator to remotely advance the valve prosthesis downward into an anatomical annulus. The second elongate element may be manipulated to remotely advance the valve prosthesis into the anatomical annulus to assume a position for supporting post-implantation function of the valve prosthesis in situ. The first elongate element may be further manipulated to remotely rotate the positioning element relative to the flexible ring to cause the positioning element to engage tissue associated with the anatomical annulus and to thereby maintain the post-implantation position of the valve prosthesis in situ. Methods for valve prosthesis deployment are also provided.

Disclosed are methods and devices for applying pressure to an adjacent tissue structure, such as the annulus of the mitral valve. An adjustable implant is provided with an elongate control line having a distal end connected to the implant and a proximal end spaced apart from the implant. The device enables post implantation adjustment, by accessing the proximal end of the control line and manipulating the control line to adjust the implant.

In one aspect a device is disclosed for use as a bone implant comprising, a body having a pre-implantation shape and a post-implantation shape different from the pre-implantation shape. The body is configured to change from the pre-implantation shape to the post-implantation shape in response to the body being activated. The body is configured to be inserted in a bone recess while the body is in the pre-implantation shape. In another aspect a method is disclosed comprising inserting a cable member into a recess in a bone, inserting a retention device into the recess, the retention device containing a shape memory material, and activating the shape memory material.

A bone implant (10) is implanted in a cavity parallel to an implant axis (I) and without substantial rotation. The implant includes, on an implant portion to be implanted, cutting edges (14), which do not extend in a common plane with the implant axis and are facing toward the distal end of the implant. The implant also includes surface ranges (16) of a material that is liquefiable by mechanical oscillations. The cutting edges (14) are dimensioned such that they are lodged in the cavity wall after implantation. For implantation, the implant is impinged with mechanical oscillations, resulting in the thermoplastic material being at least partially liquefied and pressed into unevennesses and pores of the cavity wall to form a form-fit and/or material-fit connection between implant (10) and cavity wall, when re-solidified. The cutting edges (14) anchor the implant in the cavity wall.

Accommodating intraocular lenses and methods of use which account for changes to a capsular bag post-implantation as well as a mismatch is size between the accommodating intraocular lens and capsule.

An intraocular lens is provided that having optical parameters that may be adjusted in-situ, and is particularly useful in cataract patients that require an adjustment in the optical power of the lens post-implantation. The lens body carries an array of interior fluid-filled cells in which fluid is controllably moved by micropumps upon application of energy from an external source to move a fluid media into the cells to thereby alter the lens surface shape.

Sutureless, implantable fluid shunting devices and associated methods for controlling the pressure of fluids within anatomical spaces or cavities of the body. The device generally comprises a tube having a diffusion barrier (e.g., diffusion chamber) formed on a proximal end thereof. Fluid which flows through the tube will collect within the diffusion chamber and will diffuse outwardly therethrough. However, the presence of the diffusion chamber will prevent microbes, cells or other matter from interfering with or backflowing through the tube. Additionally, the tube may be provided with a pressure-openable aperture through which fluid from the tube may flow into the diffusion chamber. Such pressure-openable aperture will remain closed, until the pressure of fluid within the tube exceeds a predetermined maximum pressure P_MAX. In this manner, the pressure-openable aperture will limit the amount of fluid drained from the anatomical space or cavity of the body, thereby avoiding hypotony within such anatomical space or cavity. The diffusion barrier of the device is preferably configured to fit between, and to be engaged by, adjacent recti muscles of the eye. Such engagement of the diffusion barrier with the adjacent recti muscles serves to prevent unwanted migration or post-implantation movement of the device, without the need for suturing of the device to the tissue of the eye.

A method of treating a biological tissue including contacting the biological tissue with an aqueous sterilizing solution, and maintaining the aqueous sterilizing solution at a temperature of about 50° C. for a time period of about 1 to 2 days. The method of treating a biological tissue may be utilized as a terminal sterilization step in a method for fixation of biological tissues, and bioprosthetic devices may be prepared by such fixation method. The fixation method may include the steps of A) fixing the tissue, B) treating the tissue with a mixture of i) a denaturant, ii) a surfactant and iii) a crosslinking agent, C) fabricating or forming the bioprosthesis (e.g., forming the tissue and attaching any non-biological components thereto) and D) subjecting the bioprosthesis to the terminal sterilization method. The aqueous sterilizing solution may be glutaraldehyde of about 0.625 weight percent buffered to a pH of about 7.4.

Disclosed are accommodating intraocular lenses for implantation in an eye having an optical axis. In certain embodiments, an intraocular lens includes an anterior optic, a posterior optic, and a support structure configured to move the optics relative to each other along an optical axis between an accommodated state and an unaccommodated state. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the support structure can be modified in situ to alter reaction forces between the support structure and at least one structure of the eye. In certain embodiments, a refractive property of one of the anterior or posterior optics can be modified in situ while leaving the refractive properties of the remaining one of the anterior or posterior optics substantially unaffected. Additional embodiments and methods are also disclosed.

Methods and devices to externally create a restriction on the stomach are described. In some embodiments, the devices are contoured to fit the stomach and can be further anchored to the stomach. In further embodiments, the degree of deployment of the extragastric restriction device is controllable after implantation. In other embodiments, specialized wires, catheters, ports, and trocars specific for placement of extragastric restriction devices are presented. In still further embodiments, systems are described in which adjustability of the devices is provided along with sensing and actuating ability.

A minimally invasive method of performing mitral annuloplasty is disclosed. An implantable device is positioned within the coronary sinus and tightened around the mitral annulus. Mitral valve regurgitation is monitored before, during, and/or after the tightening step. An on-going drug therapy may be determined, taking into account post-implantation hemodynamic function.

Implants including non-resorbable frameworks and resorbable components, as well as methods of use thereof are disclosed. The embodiments include different combinations of a non-resorbable framework (in some case structural and in other cases non-structural), and a resorbable component embedded within and/or around the framework (again, in some cases structural and in other cases non-structural). The disclosed implants provide an efficient means of providing structural support for the vertebral bodies post-implantation, as well as encouraging resorption of the implant and fusion of the associated vertebral bodies without negative side effects and/or failure, such as subsidence of the implant or cracking/fracturing of a portion of the implant when implanted.

A segmented intramedullary nail having an implantation state in which the segments are relatively moveable to permit conformation to the curvature of a bone during implantation, and a post-implantation state in which the segments are not relatively moveable, and in which the segments retain the configuration of the curvature of the bone. The nail may be radiolucent and/or contain radiopaque markings. It may be provided independently or as part of a kit with an implantation and a tightening tool. A cap and/or one or more sleeves may be provided to prevent bone in-growth at a point of coupling to an insertion tool and/or at the interface between segments.

An adjustable implantable annuloplasty apparatus suited for post-implantation adjustments according to changing needs of the patient. The apparatus comprises a ring shaped main body, and a designated adjustment section extending from the main body. The main body and designated adjustment section of a deployed apparatus are fully contained within a 5 cm diameter. Optionally, the apparatus is mechanically adjusted in a minimally invasive procedure, for example by engaging the designated adjustment section using a balloon catheter. Optionally, the apparatus is adjusted at least one month post implantation.

This invention provides an antimicrobial annuloplasty rings, and methods for making the same, wherein the annuloplasty rings have a desired degree of initial rigidity to facilitate ease of handling during implantation but which becomes flexible some time after implantation. The annuloplasty ring contains a relatively rigid insert enclosed by a fabric sheath, the insert being at least partly comprised of a biodegradable material. Following surgical implantation of the annuloplasty ring, the rigid insert component of the ring, upon exposure to blood and/or other physiological fluids, undergoes a controlled biodegradation which decreases its rigidity, thereby increasing the flexibility of the implanted annuloplasty ring. Furthermore, at least some portion of the annuloplasty ring of the invention has incorporated therein one or more antimicrobial agents in a manner which reduces the likelihood of device infection following implantation.