Abstract: A carotid artery stenting system can include a sheath that is inserted into an artery. The sheath can include a distal portion having a first inflatable balloon, a first distal port configured to enable a stent to exit the sheath, and a second distal port configured to enable a second inflatable balloon to exit the sheath. A distance between the first inflatable balloon and the second inflatable balloon can be customized by moving a catheter distally or proximally inside a lumen of the sheath.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a balloon guiding sheath that includes an elongated sheath having a proximal end, a distal end opposite the proximal end, an inner tube extending between the proximal end and the distal end, an outer tube surrounding the inner tube and extending between the proximal end and the distal end, an access port located adjacent in the proximal end, a distal port located adjacent the distal end, and a working lumen extending through the elongated sheath between the access port and the distal port. The balloon guiding sheath also includes an inflatable balloon located on an outer surface of the elongated sheath adjacent the distal end, the inflatable balloon being fluidly coupled to an inflation lumen extending between the inflatable balloon and an inflation port located adjacent the proximal end.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include tools and methods for performing thrombectomy in patients' internal carotid arteries. A balloon guiding sheath in accordance with embodiments comprises an elongated 7-9 Fr sheath having a working section length of about ninety centimeters, an access port on a proximal end portion and a distal port on a distal end portion. A 6-8 Fr working lumen extends through the sheath between the access port and the distal port. An inflatable balloon is on the distal end portion of the sheath. An inflation lumen extends in the sheath between the balloon and an inflation port. The guiding sheath is configured with stiffness and other characteristics to enable direct insertion of the working length of the sheath into a patient's vasculature through an arteriotomy in the femoral artery, and to position the balloon in the internal carotid artery.

Abstract: A method and system for fusing a region in the spine involve the use of at least one guide tube to pass instruments and substances into the spinal region in a minimally invasive manner. In the preferred practice of the method, a guide tube is anchored to a vertebra and the guide tube is moved to thereby position the vertebra. A steerable drilling tool is passed through the guide tube and steered into position to abrade at least a portion of an intervertebral disc and thereby create a cavity in the disc. A flowable substance is passed into the cavity and permitted to solidify to establish fusion in the cavity. Optionally, an uninflated balloon is inserted into the cavity and the balloon is filled with the flowable substance to contain the flowable substance.