Abstract: A device and system for simulating normal and disease state cardiovascular functioning, including an anatomically accurate cardiac simulator for training and medical device testing. The system and device uses pneumatically pressurized chambers to generate ventricle and atrium contractions. In conjunction with the interaction of synthetic valves, which simulate mitral and aortic valves, the system is designed to generate pumping action that produces accurate volume fractions and pressure gradients of pulsatile flow, duplicating that of a human heart. Through the use of a control unit and sensors, one or more parameters, such as flow rates, fluidic pressure, and heart rate, may be automatically controlled, using feedback loop mechanisms to adjust parameters of the hydraulic system to simulate a wide variety of cardiovascular conditions including normal heart function, severely diseased or injured heart conditions, and compressed vasculature, such as hardening of the arteries.

Abstract: A method of restoring perfusion to a blood vessel with an obstruction. The method includes delivering an expandable member into the blood vessel, said expandable member having a tubular mesh defined between a proximal end and a distal end; causing the expandable member to expand and compress the obstruction; and dislodging the obstruction to restore blood flow through the blood vessel.

Abstract: The present invention describes a device and system for simulating normal and disease state cardiovascular functioning, including an anatomically accurate left cardiac simulator for training and medical device testing. The system and device uses pneumatically pressurized chambers to generate ventricle and atrium contractions. In conjunction with the interaction of synthetic valves, which simulate mitral and aortic valves, the system is designed to generate pumping action that produces accurate volume fractions and pressure gradients of pulsatile flow, duplicating that of a human heart.

Abstract: A device and system for simulating normal and disease state cardiovascular functioning, including an anatomically accurate cardiac simulator for training and medical device testing. The system and device uses pneumatically pressurized chambers to generate ventricle and atrium contractions. In conjunction with the interaction of synthetic valves, which simulate mitral and aortic valves, the system is designed to generate pumping action that produces accurate volume fractions and pressure gradients of pulsatile flow, duplicating that of a human heart. Through the use of a control unit and sensors, one or more parameters, such as flow rates, fluidic pressure, and heart rate, may be automatically controlled, using feedback loop mechanisms to adjust parameters of the hydraulic system to simulate a wide variety of cardiovascular conditions including normal heart function, severely diseased or injured heart conditions, and compressed vasculature, such as hardening of the arteries.

Abstract: The present invention describes a device and system for simulating normal and disease state cardiovascular functioning, including an anatomically accurate left cardiac simulator for training and medical device testing. The system and device uses pneumatically pressurized chambers to generate ventricle and atrium contractions. In conjunction with the interaction of synthetic valves which simulate mitral and aortic valves, the system is designed to generate pumping action that produces accurate volume fractions and pressure gradients of pulsatile flow, duplicating that of a human heart. Through the use of a control unit and sensors, one or more parameters such as flow rates, fluidic pressure, and heart rate may be automatically controlled, using feedback loop mechanisms to adjust parameters of the hydraulic system to simulate a wide variety of cardiovascular conditions including normal heart function, severely diseased or injured heart conditions, and compressed vasculature, such as hardening of the arteries.

Abstract: A method of restoring perfusion to a blood vessel with an obstruction. The method includes delivering an expandable member into the blood vessel, said expandable member having a tubular mesh defined between a proximal end and a distal end; causing the expandable member to expand and compress the obstruction; and dislodging the obstruction to restore blood flow through the blood vessel.

Abstract: A method of restoring perfusion to a blood vessel with an obstruction. The method includes delivering an expandable member into the blood vessel, said expandable member having a tubular mesh defined between a proximal end and a distal end; causing the expandable member to expand and compress the obstruction; and dislodging the obstruction to restore blood flow through the blood vessel.

Abstract: An interbody spacer is provided including a body portion, first orifices, and second orifices. The body portion includes a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, first and second side surfaces that extend between the distal and proximal end portions, and top and bottom surfaces configured and adapted to engage vertebral bodies. The body portion includes a cavity defined through the first side surface and the cavity increases in volume at an interior portion of the body portion. The first orifices are defined through the top surface and the second orifices are defined through the bottom surface. One of the first orifices has a cross-sectional configuration different from that of one of the second orifices. A method of use therefor is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention describes a device and system for simulating normal and disease state cardiovascular functioning, including an anatomically accurate left cardiac simulator for training and medical device testing. The system and device uses pneumatically pressurized chambers to generate ventricle and atrium contractions. In conjunction with the interaction of synthetic valves which simulate mitral and aortic valves, the system is designed to generate pumping action that produces accurate volume fractions and pressure gradients of pulsatile flow, duplicating that of a human heart. Through the use of a control unit and sensors, one or more parameters such as flow rates, fluidic pressure, and heart rate may be automatically controlled, using feedback loop mechanisms to adjust parameters of the hydraulic system simulate a wide variety of cardiovascular conditions including normal heart function, severely diseased or injured heart conditions, and compressed vasculature, such as hardening of the arteries.

Abstract: A method of increasing blood flow through an obstructed blood vessel includes providing an expandable member substantially made of a mesh having a plurality of interstices. The expandable member is inserted into the blood vessel, positioned within the blood vessel with the proximal member end upstream of the distal member end and the member body located radially adjacent at least a portion of an obstruction, and expanded to bring at least a portion of the member body into contact with the obstruction. An outward radial force is exerted on the obstruction to dislodge at least one fragment from the obstruction and to enhance blood flow through the blood vessel past the obstruction. The at least one fragment is passed through at least one interstice of the member body in the radial direction, and is selectively retained within the expandable member.

Abstract: A sensor system for sensing a stimulus in vivo includes an implantable sensor. The sensor comprises a passive resonator circuit having a resonant frequency and including at least a pair of generally parallel spirally wound unconnected conductive coils sandwiching a layer of solid dielectric material that manifest a change in property affecting the resonant frequency in response to application of the stimulus to the layer. A resonant frequency of the sensor is modulated by altering the spacing or gap between the coils or altering the overlapping area of the coils. The sensor is energized through application of radiofrequency energy and the responding resonant frequency is detected. The sensor can be advantageously attached to a medical implant to form a practical smart implant for clinical purposes.

Abstract: A system, method, computer-readable medium, apparatus, and device for simulating placement of an expandable device in a cavity is provided. For example, a three or more dimensional image of a cavity, e.g., a tubular cavity, geometry is acquired. A centerline of the cavity, and a perimeter of the cavity based on the centerline of the cavity and the three-dimensional image of the cavity geometry, are determined. The length of a wire of the expandable device as the wire rotates along the perimeter of the cavity in a deployment direction is determined. A pitch of the rotation of the wire based on a local diameter at the centerline site of rotation and in-air parameters of the expandable device is determined. A deployed device length of the expandable device along the centerline of the cavity is determined. A processor is usable to determine and/or calculate each of the above.

Abstract: An interbody spacer is provided including a body portion, first orifices, and second orifices. The body portion includes a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, first and second side surfaces that extend between the distal and proximal end portions, and top and bottom surfaces configured and adapted to engage vertebral bodies. The body portion includes a cavity defined through the first side surface and the cavity increases in volume at an interior portion of the body portion. The first orifices are defined through the top surface and the second orifices are defined through the bottom surface. One of the first orifices has a cross-sectional configuration different from that of one of the second orifices. A method of use therefor is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention describes a device and system for simulating normal and disease state cardiovascular functioning, including an anatomically accurate left cardiac simulator for training and medical device testing. The system and device uses pneumatically pressurized chambers to generate ventricle and atrium contractions. In conjunction with the interaction of synthetic valves which simulate mitral and aortic valves, the system is designed to generate pumping action that produces accurate volume fractions and pressure gradients of pulsatile flow, duplicating that of a human heart. Through the use of a control unit and sensors, one or more parameters such as flow rates, fluidic pressure, and heart rate may be automatically controlled, using feedback loop mechanisms to adjust parameters of the hydraulic system simulate a wide variety of cardiovascular conditions including normal heart function, severely diseased or injured heart conditions, and compressed vasculature, such as hardening of the arteries.

Abstract: An extender comprises a first extension including a first wall and extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The first wall defines an axial cavity including a distal portion, at least one ramp and a proximal portion. A second extension includes a projection. The projection is disposable in a first position with the distal portion of the axial cavity and the distal end of the first extension is disposed in a non-expanded orientation. The projection is slidably engageable with the at least one ramp for movement to a second position such that the projection is disposed with the proximal portion of the axial cavity and the distal end of the first extension is disposed in an expanded orientation. Methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: A sensor system for sensing a stimulus in vivo includes an implantable sensor. The sensor comprises a passive resonator circuit having a resonant frequency and including at least a pair of generally parallel spirally wound unconnected conductive coils sandwiching a layer of solid dielectric material that manifest a change in property affecting the resonant frequency in response to application of the stimulus to the layer. A resonant frequency of the sensor is modulated by altering the spacing or gap between the coils or altering the overlapping area of the coils. The sensor is energized through application of radiofrequency energy and the responding resonant frequency is detected. The sensor can be advantageously attached to a medical implant to form a practical smart implant for clinical purposes.

Abstract: A method of increasing blood flow through an obstructed blood vessel includes providing an expandable member substantially made of a mesh having a plurality of interstices. The expandable member is inserted into the blood vessel, positioned within the blood vessel with the proximal member end upstream of the distal member end and the member body located radially adjacent at least a portion of an obstruction, and expanded to bring at least a portion of the member body into contact with the obstruction. An outward radial force is exerted on the obstruction to dislodge at least one fragment from the obstruction and to enhance blood flow through the blood vessel past the obstruction. The at least one fragment is passed through at least one interstice of the member body in the radial direction, and is selectively retained within the expandable member.

Abstract: A method of increasing blood flow through an obstructed blood vessel includes providing an expandable member substantially made of a mesh having a plurality of interstices. The expandable member is inserted into the blood vessel, positioned within the blood vessel with the proximal member end upstream of the distal member end and the member body located radially adjacent at least a portion of an obstruction, and expanded to bring at least a portion of the member body into contact with the obstruction. An outward radial force is exerted on the obstruction to dislodge at least one fragment from the obstruction and to enhance blood flow through the blood vessel past the obstruction. The at least one fragment is passed through at least one interstice of the member body in the radial direction, and is selectively retained within the expandable member.

Abstract: An extender comprises a first extension including a first wall and extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The first wall defines an axial cavity including a distal portion, at least one ramp and a proximal portion. A second extension includes a projection. The projection is disposable in a first position with the distal portion of the axial cavity and the distal end of the first extension is disposed in a non-expanded orientation. The projection is slidably engageable with the at least one ramp for movement to a second position such that the projection is disposed with the proximal portion of the axial cavity and the distal end of the first extension is disposed in an expanded orientation. Methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention describes a device and system for simulating normal and disease state cardiac functioning, including an anatomically accurate left cardiac simulator for training and medical device testing. The system and device uses pneumatically pressurized chambers to generate ventricle and atrium contractions. In conjunction with the interaction of synthetic mitral and aortic valves, the system is designed to generate pumping action that produces accurate volume fractions and pressure gradients of pulsatile flow, duplicating that of a human heart. Through the use of a remote handheld electronic controller and manual adjustments from a main control panel, the air pressure level, fluidic pressure, and heart rate is controlled to induce contractions that simulate a wide variety of heart conditions ranging from normal heart function to severely diseased or injured heart conditions.