First-in-human study of the CAPTIS embolic protection system during transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Background: Stroke and other clinically significant embolic complications are well documented in the early period following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The CAPTIS device is an embolic protection system, designed to provide neurovascular and systemic protection by deflecting debris away from the brain's circulation, capturing the debris and thus avoiding systemic embolisation.

Aims: We aimed to study the safety and feasibility study of the CAPTIS complete cerebral and full-body embolic protection system during TAVR.

Long-term evaluation of a compliant cushion form acetabular bearing for hip joint replacement: a 20 million cycles wear simulation.

Soft bearing materials that aim to reproduce the tribological function of the natural joint are gaining popularity as an alternative concept to conventional hard bearing materials in the hip and knee. However, it has not been proven so far that an elastic cushion bearing can be sufficiently durable as a long term (∼20 years) articulating joint prosthesis. The use of new bearing materials should be supported by accurate descriptions of the implant following usage and of the number, volume, and type of wear particles generated.

Wear rate evaluation of a novel polycarbonate-urethane cushion form bearing for artificial hip joints.

There is growing interest in the use of compliant materials as an alternative to hard bearing materials such as polyethylene, metal and ceramics in artificial joints. Cushion form bearings based on polycarbonate-urethane (PCU) mimic the natural synovial joint more closely by promoting fluid-film lubrication. In the current study, we used a physiological simulator to evaluate the wear characteristics of a compliant PCU acetabular buffer, coupled against a cobalt-chrome femoral head.