Abstract: A snare for snaring an article in a vessel of a vascular system or other body vessel. The snare includes a core cable having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The snare also includes first, second and third loops each having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and a mid-portion therebetween formed by spaced apart first and second sides connected together at the distal end portion of the loop. The mid-portions of each of the loops cross over mid portions of one of the other two loops, and the loops are only connected together at their proximal end portions, where they are gathered together and attached to the distal end portion of the core cable. The loops are movable between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: A dynamic spine prosthesis (such as a facet joint prosthesis having an articulation surface configured to articulate with a corresponding facet joint element) that has a fixation element with an elongated bone entry portion defining a longitudinal axis and a dynamic spine prosthesis component connected to the fixation element at a connection location by an adjustable connection. The adjustable connection has first and second washers each rotatably supported by the fixation element and each having an angled contact surface in a plane not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fixation element, with the connection location being between the bone entry portion and the first and second washers.

Abstract: A snare for snaring an article in a vessel of a vascular system or other body vessel. The snare includes a core cable having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The snare also includes first, second and third loops each having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and a mid-portion therebetween formed by spaced apart first and second sides connected together at the distal end portion of the loop. The mid-portions of each of the loops cross over mid portions of one of the other two loops, and the loops are only connected together at their proximal end portions, where they are gathered together and attached to the distal end portion of the core cable. The loops are movable between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: A snare for snaring an article in a vessel of a vascular system or other body vessel. The snare includes a core cable having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The snare also includes first, second and third loops each having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and a mid-portion therebetween formed by spaced apart first and second sides connected together at the distal end portion of the loop. The mid-portions of each of the loops cross over mid portions of one of the other two loops, and the loops are only connected together at their proximal end portions, where they are gathered together and attached to the distal end portion of the core cable. The loops are movable between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: A dynamic spine prosthesis (such as a facet joint prosthesis having an articulation surface configured to articulate with a corresponding facet joint element) that has a fixation element with an elongated bone entry portion defining a longitudinal axis and a dynamic spine prosthesis component connected to the fixation element at a connection location by an adjustable connection. The adjustable connection has first and second washers each rotatably supported by the fixation element and each having an angled contact surface in a plane not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fixation element, with the connection location being between the bone entry portion and the first and second washers.

Abstract: A dynamic spine prosthesis (such as a facet joint prosthesis having an articulation surface configured to articulate with a corresponding facet joint element) that has a fixation element with an elongated bone entry portion defining a longitudinal axis and a dynamic spine prosthesis component connected to the fixation element at a connection location by an adjustable connection. The adjustable connection has first and second washers each rotatably supported by the fixation element and each having an angled contact surface in a plane not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fixation element, with the connection location being between the bone entry portion and the first and second washers.

Abstract: A snare for snaring an article in a vessel of a vascular system or other body vessel. The snare includes a core cable having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The snare also includes first, second and third loops each having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and a mid-portion therebetween formed by spaced apart first and second sides connected together at the distal end portion of the loop. The mid-portions of each of the loops cross over mid portions of one of the other two loops, and the loops are only connected together at their proximal end portions, where they are gathered together and attached to the distal end portion of the core cable. The loops are movable between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: The present invention provides tools and methods designed to aid in the placement of artificial facet joints at virtually all spinal levels. One aspect of the present invention is a measurement tool for installing an artificial cephalad facet joint, the tool including a trial marker having a portion configured to be placed in a hole; and a trial body comprising a bore therethrough for slidaby receiving a portion of the trial marker. In some embodiments, the trial body further comprises an arm extending generally radially outward from the bore and configured to contact an opposing spinal prosthesis component. The trial body may further comprise a lower portion configured to be placed in the hole. The trial marker and the trial body are configured to cooperate to indicate a relative positioning between them. This measurement tool assists in the selection and/or configuration of an artificial cephalad facet joint for implantation in a patient.

Abstract: A patient's soft body tissue can be remodelled by implanting first and second anchor structures in the tissue at respective first and second spaced locations. A linking structure between the anchor structures is then operated to change the distance between the first and second anchor structures. Examples of use are repair of a patient's mitral and/or tricuspid valve(s) and/or remodeling of a patient's left ventricle.