Abstract: A system for assessing an intervertebral disc space comprises an elongated catheter with proximal and distal ends and an expandable body carried at the distal end of the elongated catheter. The expandable body includes a distal cap portion. The system further includes a mandrel extending through the elongated catheter and the expandable body and attached to the distal cap portion. The mandrel is movable within the elongated catheter and the expandable body to reposition the distal cap portion relative to the distal end of the elongated catheter while the expandable body is positioned within the intervertebral disc space.

Abstract: A method of deploying an eversible branch stent-graft includes deploying the eversible branch stent-graft into a main vessel such that a collateral opening in a main stent-graft of the eversible branch stent-graft is aligned with an ostium of a branch vessel emanating from the main vessel. A branch stent ring suture threaded though outer exposed crowns of an outer stent ring of the branch stent-graft is grasped and pulled through the collateral opening to evert the branch stent-graft into the branch vessel as a branch anchor suture is removed to release a protruding end of a branch stent-graft from a proximal end of the main stent-graft.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for an anchoring cannula including a first cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis and a lumen extending from the proximal end to the oppositely disposed distal end along the longitudinal axis. A second cannula is concentrically arranged within the lumen of the first cannula, the second cannula having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending from the proximal end to the oppositely disposed distal end along the longitudinal axis. The second cannula includes an expandable portion connected to the distal end that is configured to expand when the second cannula is advanced out of the distal end of the first cannula and to change to an unexpanded configuration when retracted back into the distal end of the first cannula.

Abstract: A device and method for treating bone fractures/lesions using an inflatable body is provided. The inflatable body has a substantially flat horizontal surface for quick easy insertion into bone beneath the fracture so as to align misaligned fragments of the fracture and/or to collapsed bone. The substantially flat horizontal surface having a radio-opaque material has a higher durometer (less elastic), along the balloon web, than the rest of the inflatable body providing for optimum compression of the bone marrow.

Abstract: An endovascular prosthesis includes a tubular body and a flexible springy mobile external coupling. The tubular body includes a graft material and stents coupled thereto with a forms a lumen therethrough. The mobile external coupling extends outwardly from the tubular body. The mobile external coupling includes a graft material and is generally frustoconically shaped. The mobile external coupling includes a base coupled to the tubular body, a top spaced from the tubular body, and a coupling lumen disposed between the base and the top, wherein the coupling lumen is in flow communication with the body lumen. A helically shaped stent may be coupled to the coupling graft material to make it flexible and springy.

Abstract: A method of assessing the volume of a lesion in a bone comprises inserting a steerable catheter comprising an expandable structure, a suction member, and a steerable element into the bone along a longitudinal axis. The method further comprises steering the steerable element away from the longitudinal axis toward the lesion, removing cellular matter from the lesion using the suction member, and inflating the expandable structure with inflation medium to create a cavity defining the boundary of the lesion. The method also comprises measuring the volume of inflation medium in the expandable structure, thereby determining the volume of the cavity.

Abstract: To facilitate the widespread use of the RF plasma catheter to provide in situ fenestration of a main stent-graft, potential side-effects of the fenestration are ameliorated using an electrode from a family of electrodes. Specifically, a family of electrodes is provided so that for a particular application, an appropriate electrode can be selected.

Abstract: Endolumenally sealing a zone around the puncture and dilation area of a stent-graft fenestration or sealing the juncture between two lumens with an expandable sealant delivery device. In exemplary embodiments, an expandable sealant delivery device includes a catheter mounted balloon, which has a microporous membrane or a plurality of pores suitable for delivering a surgical sealant.

Abstract: A system for assessing an intervertebral disc space comprises an elongated catheter with proximal and distal ends and an expandable body carried at the distal end of the elongated catheter. The expandable body includes a distal cap portion. The system further includes a mandrel extending through the elongated catheter and the expandable body and attached to the distal cap portion. The mandrel is movable within the elongated catheter and the expandable body to reposition the distal cap portion relative to the distal end of the elongated catheter while the expandable body is positioned within the intervertebral disc space.

Abstract: A branch prosthesis configured for placement in a branch vessel includes an expandable tubular body portion, an expandable annular flange attached to a proximal end of the body portion, and a sealing sleeve proximally extending from the annular flange. The sealing sleeve is adapted to deform to a generally straight cylindrical hollow shape during implantation. When deployed, the sealing sleeve rolls up to a tightly-wound coil that bears against the annular flange. When used in conjunction with a main prosthesis having a side opening and deployed within in a main vessel, the annular flange of the branch prosthesis engages an outer surface of the main prosthesis around a perimeter of the side opening and the sealing sleeve engages an inner surface of the main prosthesis around the perimeter of the side opening to form a fluid-tight seal between the main prosthesis and the branch prosthesis.

Abstract: A balloon catheter can include an actively steerable element for adjusting the configuration of the balloon after placement at a target location. By coupling the actively steerable element to the balloon, any articulation of the actively steerable element will also re-configure the position of the balloon, thereby enabling greater control over procedures that make use of such a balloon catheter. The active steering capability can also enhance the material manipulation capabilities of the balloon catheter, and enable operations and actions that are not possible with a non-steerable balloon catheter.

Abstract: An endovascular prosthesis includes a tubular body and a flexible springy mobile external coupling. The tubular body includes a graft material and stents coupled thereto with a forms a lumen therethrough. The mobile external coupling extends outwardly from the tubular body. The mobile external coupling includes a graft material and is generally frustoconically shaped. The mobile external coupling includes a base coupled to the tubular body, a top spaced from the tubular body, and a coupling lumen disposed between the base and the top, wherein the coupling lumen is in flow communication with the body lumen. A helically shaped stent may be coupled to the coupling graft material to make it flexible and springy.

Abstract: A branch prosthesis configured for placement in a branch vessel includes an expandable tubular body portion, an expandable annular flange attached to a proximal end of the body portion, and a sealing sleeve proximally extending from the annular flange. The sealing sleeve is adapted to deform to a generally straight cylindrical hollow shape during implantation. When deployed, the sealing sleeve rolls up to a tightly-wound coil that bears against the annular flange. When used in conjunction with a main prosthesis having a side opening and deployed within in a main vessel, the annular flange of the branch prosthesis engages an outer surface of the main prosthesis around a perimeter of the side opening and the sealing sleeve engages an inner surface of the main prosthesis around the perimeter of the side opening to form a fluid-tight seal between the main prosthesis and the branch prosthesis.

Abstract: To facilitate the widespread use of the RF plasma catheter to provide in situ fenestration of a main stent-graft, potential side-effects of the fenestration are ameliorated using an electrode from a family of electrodes. Specifically, a family of electrodes is provided so that for a particular application, an appropriate electrode can be selected.

Abstract: A tubular synthetic endoluminal graft having at least one radiopaque ink marker pattern to radiographically delineate the surface of the graft cloth. The radiopaque ink marker includes a matrix of ink dots defining an annular band about a circumference of the graft. The endoluminal graft including at least one stent attached to the graft. The at least one stent may overlap or be positioned adjacent the radiopaque ink marker. The radiopaque ink marker may be utilized to facilitate creation of a fenestration in the side wall of the graft in situ to perfuse a side branch vessel.

Abstract: Endolumenally sealing a zone around the puncture and dilation area of a stent-graft fenestration or sealing the juncture between two lumens with an expandable sealant delivery device. In exemplary embodiments, an expandable sealant delivery device includes a catheter mounted balloon, which has a microporous membrane or a plurality of pores suitable for delivering a surgical sealant.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering a self-expanding stent graft within a segment of a body vessel having a branch vessel extending therefrom. The graft includes one or more self-expanding stents for anchoring the graft to the vessel wall and has a stent-free body portion positionable across the branch vessel. The graft delivery system includes an expandable fenestration support structure at the distal end thereof that is positioned within the graft during delivery. Once the graft has been delivered and expanded into apposition with the vessel wall, the support structure may be expanded therein to press the unsupported body portion of the graft against the branch vessel such that a separate puncture device may be delivered to create a fenestration in the graft for perfusion of the branch vessel. In addition, the expanded fenestration support structure reduces any wrinkles in the graft without a secondary procedure.

Abstract: A method of deploying an eversible branch stent-graft includes deploying the eversible branch stent-graft into a main vessel such that a collateral opening in a main stent-graft of the eversible branch stent-graft is aligned with an ostium of a branch vessel emanating from the main vessel. A branch stent ring suture threaded though outer exposed crowns of an outer stent ring of the branch stent-graft is grasped and pulled through the collateral opening to evert the branch stent-graft into the branch vessel as a branch anchor suture is removed to release a protruding end of a branch stent-graft from a proximal end of the main stent-graft.

Abstract: An anchoring balloon of an anchoring balloon catheter is advanced through the branch vessel to be adjacent to the main stent graft within a main vessel. The anchoring balloon is inflated to center an inner member of the anchoring balloon catheter within the branch vessel and to anchor the anchoring balloon within the branch vessel. A needle assembly is advanced to pierce the graft material of the main stent graft with a needle forming a needle hole in the graft material. A dilator assembly is advanced to dilate the needle hole with a dilator.