Abstract: Spinal stabilization devices, systems, and methods are described. In a first aspect, a foramenal spacer includes a rigid member adapted to maintain the integrity of the foramenal space. In a second aspect, facet joint stabilizing members and prosthetic facet joints are provided to augment or replace the native facet joint. In a third aspect, lateral spinal stabilization systems are adapted to be attached to the lateral surfaces of adjacent vertebral bodies. In a fourth aspect, anterior spinal stabilization systems are adapted to be attached to the anterior surfaces of adjacent vertebral bodies. In a fifth aspect, several embodiments of dynamic spinal stabilization devices and systems are described. Each of the foregoing devices, systems, and methods is suitable for use independently, in combination with other devices, systems, and methods described herein, and/or in combination with prosthetic intervertebral discs known in the art.

Abstract: Prosthetic intervertebral discs, systems including such prosthetic intervertebral discs, and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower endplates separated by a compressible core member. The subject prosthetic discs exhibit stiffness in the vertical direction, torsional stiffness, bending stiffness in the saggital plane, and bending stiffness in the front plane, where the degree of these features can be controlled independently by adjusting the components, construction, and other features of the discs.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for induction of therapeutic hypothermia of the heart by selective hypothermic perfusion of the myocardium through the patient's coronary arteries. The apparatus consists of a guiding catheter into which blood is drawn from the aorta, directed over a heat exchanger and expelled directly into a coronary artery.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for quickly inducing therapeutic hypothermia of the heart by perfusing the myocardium with hypothermic fluid in alternatingly antegrade and retrograde directions. The apparatus and method provide rapid cooling of the affected myocardium to achieve optimal myocardial salvage in a patient experiencing acute myocardial infarction. The therapeutic hypothermia system includes one or more coronary artery perfusion catheters, a coronary sinus perfusion catheter and a fluid source for delivering a hypothermically-cooled physiologically-acceptable fluid, such as saline solution, oxygenated venous blood, autologously-oxygenated arterial blood and/or an oxygenated blood substitute. The system may also include one or more guidewires, subselective catheters and/or interventional catheters introduced through a lumen in one or more of the perfusion catheters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catheter or cannula system that facilitates cardiopulmonary bypass surgeries and enables prolonged circulatory support of the heart. More specifically, the present invention provides an aortic catheter system including a porous aortic root balloon capable of occluding the aorta, delivering cardioplegia and providing tactile feedback and helping to maintain the competency of regurgitant aortic valves.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for efficiently cooling the myocardium while minimizing blood dilution as well as volume buildup within the patient. A flow of cooled fluid is conducted through a percutaneously introduced catheter into the aorta where only a portion thereof is discharged while the remainder is withdrawn from the patient. The much greater flow rate through the catheter that can thereby be maintained without adverse physiological effect serves to minimize the heat gained by the fluid as a result of the catheter's immersion in blood at body temperature. By arranging the catheter such that the return flow surrounds and thereby insulates the supply flow, even colder fluid can be delivered to the myocardium.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems and devices for performing cardipulmonary bypass (CPB), cardioplegic arrest, suction of fluid from the aorta to remove embolic or other fluid from the general circulation and the selective segmentation of the arterial system to perform differential perfusion eliminating hypoperfusion. An aortic catheter having an arch lumen which extends at least in part along the length of the catheter shaft has a proximal opening coupled to a CPB machine and a distal arch opening. A corporeal lumen extends at least in part along the length of the catheter shaft and has a proximal opening coupled to a CPB machine and a distal corporeal opening. A suction lumen extends at least in part along the length of the catheter shaft and has a proximal suction opening coupled to a suction source and a distal suction opening residing in the aortic lumen of a patient.

Abstract: The cannula of the present invention is useful for standard gravity drainage or vacuum assisted/suction drainage. The cannula of the present invention has a flexible shaft composed of a tubular body and an expandable scaffolding. The expandable scaffolding has a contracted position, facilitating insertion into a vessel and an expanded condition configured to allow optimal drainage in a vessel. The cannula is inserted into a vessel and navigated into an operative position within the patient's venous system. Once the cannula is in the proper position, the scaffolding is expanded either through passive, active, mechanic, hydraulic, pneumatic, thermal or electrical actuation. The cannula of the present invention is capable of expanding a collapsed vein to its normal diameter and/or capable of supporting the vein when suction is applied to the cannula to help increase fluid flow through the cannula.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for therapeutic hypothermia of the heart by selective hypothermic perfusion of the myocardium through the patient's coronary arteries. The apparatus and method provide rapid cooling of the affected myocardium to achieve optimal myocardial salvage in a patient experiencing acute myocardial infarction. The therapeutic hypothermia system includes one or more selective coronary perfusion catheters and a fluid source for delivering a hypothermically-cooled physiologically-acceptable fluid, such as saline solution, oxygenated venous blood, autologously-oxygenated arterial blood and/or an oxygenated blood substitute. The system may also include one or more guidewires, subselective catheters and/or interventional catheters introduced through a lumen in the selective coronary perfusion catheter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catheter or cannula system that facilitates cardiopulmonary bypass surgeries and enables prolonged circulatory support of the heart. More specifically, the present invention provides an aortic catheter system including a porous aortic root balloon capable of occluding the aorta, delivering cardioplegia and providing tactile feedback and helping to maintain the competency of regurgitant aortic valves.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and methods for differentially perfusing a patient undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. A cardiopulmonary bypass machine is configured to provide hypothermic oxygenated blood and normothermic oxygenated blood to an aortic balloon catheter. The catheter has arch perfusion ports and corporeal perfusion ports and is introduced into a patient's aorta and navigated transluminally until the occlusion balloon is located in the descending aorta. The occlusion balloon is inflated and hypothermic oxygenated blood is perfused to the arch vessels while normothermic oxygenated blood is perfused to the corporeal circulation. This procedure offers the benefit of cerebral protection from embolic events during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catheter or cannula system that facilitates cardiopulmonary bypass surgeries and enables prolonged circulatory support of the heart. More specifically, the present invention provides an aortic catheter system including a porous aortic root balloon capable of occluding the aorta, delivering cardioplegia and providing tactile feedback and helping to maintain the competency of regurgitant aortic valves.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and methods for differentially perfusing a patient undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. A cardiopulmonary bypass machine is configured to provide hypothermic oxygenated blood and normothermic oxygenated blood to an aortic balloon catheter. The catheter has arch perfusion ports and corporeal perfusion ports and is introduced into a patient's aorta and navigated transluminally until the occlusion balloon is located in the descending aorta. The occlusion balloon is inflated and hypothermic oxygenated blood is perfused to the arch vessels while normothermic oxygenated blood is perfused to the corporeal circulation. This procedure offers the benefit of cerebral protection from embolic events during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.