An implantable muscle closing prosthesis system, particularly for opening and closing the rectum, characterized in that it has a compression unit, which comprises a compression cuff (1) and a reservoir cuff (2) molded as hollow bodies, and may integrate a bidirectional micropump (4) of arbitrary construction via a support ring (3), the cuffs primarily being subjected to a material compression during the inflation and deflation and communicating with one another via the micropump (4), which may be activated using a separate control unit, or is also manually operable from the outside.

An ossicle prosthesis (10) that replaces or bridges component(s) or parts of a component of the ossicular chain, comprises a rotary joint between two fastening elements (11, 12) comprising a silicone or polytetrafluoroethylene receiving part (13) in which a metal rotary element (14) fixedly connected with a metal longitudinal shank (16) that connects the two fastening elements is hingedly supported. The elastic plastic receiving part is rigidly connected with first fastening element. It comprises a cavity that encloses at least half of the surface of the rotary element in its installed state. An ossicle prosthesis that replaces or bridges component(s) or parts of a component of the ossicular chain, comprises a first fastening element at one end designed as a top plate for mechanical connection with the tympanic membrane; a second fastening element at the other end for mechanical connection with a component or parts of the ossicular chain or with the inner ear; and a rotary joint between the two fastening elements comprising a silicone or polytetrafluoroethylene receiving part in which a metal rotary element fixedly connected with a metal longitudinal shank that connects the two fastening elements is hingedly supported. The receiving part is made of an elastic plastic. It is rigidly connected with the first fastening element, and comprises a cavity shaped in such a way that when in an installed state, it encloses at least half of the surface of the rotary element.

A restraint and exercise device (1,50,60,80, 101) is provided to treat acute or chronic mechanical pain, particularly lumbopelvic and/or leg pain, and to restore and/or increase range of motion in suitable users. The device is particularly useful during exercise. The device may contain a restraint, such as two straps(5,6), connected to a support structure (2). The straps (5, 6) help restrain a portion of a person' s body (30) such as the pelvic region (31 ). The portion of the person's body (30) may be restrained in a substantially pain-free position so as to reduce the pain that would otherwise be felt during exercise.

A restraint and exercise device (1,50,60,80, 101) is provided to treat acute or chronic mechanical pain, particularly lumbopelvic and/or leg pain, and to restore and/or increase range of motion in suitable users. The device is particularly useful during exercise. The device may contain a restraint, such as two straps(5,6), connected to a support structure (2). The straps (5, 6) help restrain a portion of a person' s body (30) such as the pelvic region (31 ). The portion of the person's body (30) may be restrained in a substantially pain-free position so as to reduce the pain that would otherwise be felt during exercise.

A medical device delivery apparatus is provided which comprises a catheter having an expandable and contractible member and an expandable medical device disposed about the expandable and contractible member. At least portions of at least one of the medical device and the expandable and contractible member have a pressure sensitive adhesive applied thereto to adhere the medical device to the expandable and contractible member. The pressure sensitive adhesive is selected so as to release the medical device from the expandable and contractible member upon contraction of the member from an expanded state. Suitable medical devices include stents.

A medical device delivery apparatus is provided which comprises a catheter having an expandable and contractible member and an expandable medical device disposed about the expandable and contractible member. At least portions of at least one of the medical device and the expandable and contractible member have a pressure sensitive adhesive applied thereto to adhere the medical device to the expandable and contractible member. The pressure sensitive adhesive is selected so as to release the medical device from the expandable and contractible member upon contraction of the member from an expanded state. Suitable medical devices include stents.

Osteosynthesis device, particularly for the spine by means of internal implantation, comprising firstly one or more bars (2) used to support or move the spine, and secondly at least one implant (3) connecting the bars and the vertebrae, said implant comprising firstly bone anchorage means attached to the body of said implant and secondly fixation means for said bars, said fixation being carried out by clamping means (31) clamping said bar against the internal walls (320) of a channel (32), with an opening, formed in said body of the implant (3), characterised in that said bars comprise a transversal bearing surface (21) on at least part of their length, said transversal bearing surface being produced by a cross-section of said bars comprising at least one part of lower or opposed convexity in relation to the rest of said cross-section, and in that the axis of the clamping means is merged with or parallel to the symmetrical axis of the bone anchorage means of the body, and the clamping means comprise a surface (310) which is adapted to the transversal bearing surface (21) of the bar (2),the contact surface, between the bar and surface (310) of the clamping means or the internal wall (320) of the channel (32), being adapted to allow to carry out a rotation or transversal shift of the bar to adjust the transversal position and the angular position of this bar on the body.

A device for fixing a fabric includes a frame of polygonal shape that is able to accommodate at least one insert, whereby the fabric is wedged between the frame and the insert, the frame includes a groove with a shrunken mouth, and the insert includes a horseshoe-shaped body that can be deformed elastically and can be inserted forcibly into the groove, characterized in that the body includes, on the one hand, a first wall that delimits a housing that opens toward the outside, and, on the other hand, a second wall that defines a retaining surface that can work with the groove, whereby a recess is arranged between the two walls (26, 32) so as to make the deformations of each wall (26, 32) independent, whereby junction zones are provided to connect the first wall and the second wall on both sides of the mouth of the housing.

A tubular prosthetic semilunar or atrioventricular heart valve is formed by cutting flat, flexible leaflets according to a pattern. The valve is constructed by aligning the side edges of adjacent leaflets so that the leaflet inner faces engage each other, and then suturing the leaflets together with successive stitches along a fold line adjacent the side edges. The stitches are placed successively from a proximal in-flow end of each leaflet toward a distal out-flow end. During operation, when the leaflets open and close, the leaflets fold along the fold line. Distal tabs extend beyond the distal end of each leaflet. The successive stitches terminate proximal of the distal tab portion so that no locked stitches are placed along the distal portion of the fold line. The tab portions of adjacent leaflets are folded over each other and sewn together to form commissural attachment tabs. The commissural tabs provide commissural attachment points to accommodate sutures and the like in order to secure the tab to a vessel wall, if a semilunar valve, and papillary muscles and/or chordae tendineae if an atrioventricular valve.

The invention relates to an artificial intervertebral disc for placement between adjacent vertebrae. The artificial intervertebral disc is preferably designed to restore disc height and lordosis, allow for a natural range of motion, absorb shock and provide resistance to motion and axial compression. Furthermore, the intervertebral disc may be used in the cervical, the thoracic, or the lumber regions of the spine. The artificial intervertebral disc may include either singularly or in combination: an interior at least partially filled with a fluid; a valve for injecting fluid into the interior of the disk; a central region having a stiffness that is preferably greater than the stiffness of the outer regions thus enabling the disc to pivot about the central region. The central pivot may be formed by a center opening, a central chamber, an inner core or a central cable.