Abstract: Systems and methods of delivering and deploying a stent into a curvilinear cavity within a vertebral body or other bony or body structure. In some instances, the system can include an elongate shaft for delivering a self-expanding, cement-directing stent and devices that may be used to perform the steps to deliver and deploy the stent.

Abstract: According to aspects described herein, there is disclosed an improved hot balloon catheter delivery system for shape memory tubular stents. An outer sheath is provided on the delivery system that facilitates stent placement on a balloon during delivery through an endoscope. In one embodiment, the stent may be positioned between radiopaque markers/electrodes and the balloon may be heated. The stent may be prevented from moving proximally relative to the catheter as the delivery system is tracked through the patient's anatomical passageways. The outer sheath may be positioned to ride over the proximal cone of the hot balloon catheter and abut the proximal end of the stent to facilitate proper alignment of the balloon for deployment. Upon deployment of the stent in an appropriate position, the sheath may be pulled away from the stent to expose the proximal cone of the balloon and thereby allow balloon and stent expansion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cement director for insertion within a vertebral body or other body structure, and related methods of use. An example method includes creating a cavity in a vertebral body, inserting a collapsible mesh structure into the cavity in a collapsed state, wherein the collapsible mesh structure comprises regions of different permeability to a bone cement, inflating a balloon within the collapsible mesh structure to expand the mesh structure, and injecting a bone cement into the mesh structure, wherein the bone cement flows preferentially out of the mesh structure through at least one region of greater permeability.

Abstract: A radially-expandable stent for implantation in a bodily passageway, being expandable from an initial unexpanded state to an expanded state, having an outer surface with a geometric pattern covering said outer surface to minimize migration after implantation is provided. Also provided is a method of manufacturing such a stent.

Abstract: Systems and methods of delivering and deploying a stent into a curvilinear cavity within a vertebral body or other bony or body structure. In some instances, the system can include an elongate shaft for delivering a self-expanding, cement-directing stent and devices that may be used to perform the steps to deliver and deploy the stent.

Abstract: Systems and methods of delivering and deploying a stent into a curvilinear cavity within a vertebral body or other bony or body structure. In some instances, the system can include an elongate shaft for delivering a self-expanding, cement-directing stent and devices that may be used to perform the steps to deliver and deploy the stent.

Abstract: Endoprostheses are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods of delivering and deploying a stent into a curvilinear cavity within a vertebral body or other bony or body structure. In some instances, the system can include an elongate shaft for delivering a self-expanding, cement-directing stent and devices that may be used to perform the steps to deliver and deploy the stent.

Abstract: The present invention generally is directed toward a spinal fixation system whereby a coupling element allows the physician to selectively lock or unlock either the connection between the coupling element and a fastener, such as to allow for repositioning of the coupling element, or the connection between the coupling element and an elongate rod. The locking or unlocking of these connections may be made independently and as desired by the physician.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cement director for insertion within a vertebral body or other body structure, and related methods of use. An example method includes creating a cavity in a vertebral body, inserting a collapsible mesh structure into the cavity in a collapsed state, wherein the collapsible mesh structure comprises regions of different permeability to a bone cement, inflating a balloon within the collapsible mesh structure to expand the mesh structure, and injecting a bone cement into the mesh structure, wherein the bone cement flows preferentially out of the mesh structure through at least one region of greater permeability.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cement director for insertion within a vertebral body or other body structure, and related methods of use. An example method includes creating a cavity in a vertebral body, inserting a collapsible mesh structure into the cavity in a collapsed state, wherein the collapsible mesh structure comprises regions of different permeability to a bone cement, inflating a balloon within the collapsible mesh structure to expand the mesh structure, and injecting a bone cement into the mesh structure, wherein the bone cement flows preferentially out of the mesh structure through at least one region of greater permeability.

Abstract: A medical device includes a balloon catheter having an expandable member, e.g., an inflatable balloon, at its distal end and a stent or other endoprosthesis. The stent is, for example, an apertured tubular member formed of a polymer and is assembled about the balloon. The stent has an initial diameter for delivery into the body and can be expanded to a larger diameter by inflating the balloon.

Abstract: Disclosed are implantable or insertable medical devices that provide resistance to microbial growth on and in the environment of the device and resistance to microbial adhesion and biofilm formation on the device. In particular, the invention discloses implantable or insertable medical devices that comprise at least one biocompatible matrix polymer region, an antimicrobial agent for providing resistance to microbial growth and a microbial adhesion/biofilm synthesis inhibitor for inhibiting the attachment of microbes and the synthesis and accumulation of biofilm on the surface of the medical device. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing such devices under conditions that substantially prevent preferential partitioning of any of said bioactive agents to a surface of the biocompatible matrix polymer and substantially prevent chemical modification of said bioactive agents.

Abstract: Stabilizing an object in the body of a patient involves the injection of a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) material or other flowable material into the body of the patient so that the material contacts the object. The LCST material or other flowable material then forms a gel in the body such that the object is contained at least partially within the gel and thereby stabilized by the gel such that the object can then be easily fragmented within the body and/or retrieved from the body.

Abstract: According to aspects described herein, there is disclosed an improved hot balloon catheter delivery system for shape memory tubular stents. An outer sheath is provided on the delivery system that facilitates stent placement on a balloon during delivery through an endoscope. In one embodiment, the stent may be positioned between radiopaque markers/electrodes and the balloon may be heated. The stent may be prevented from moving proximally relative to the catheter as the delivery system is tracked through the patient's anatomical passageways. The outer sheath may be positioned to ride over the proximal cone of the hot balloon catheter and abut the proximal end of the stent to facilitate proper alignment of the balloon for deployment. Upon deployment of the stent in an appropriate position, the sheath may be pulled away from the stent to expose the proximal cone of the balloon and thereby allow balloon and stent expansion.

Abstract: A medical device includes a balloon catheter having an expandable member, e.g., an inflatable balloon, at its distal end and a stent or other endoprosthesis. The stent is, for example, an apertured tubular member formed of a polymer and is assembled about the balloon. The stent has an initial diameter for delivery into the body and can be expanded to a larger diameter by inflating the balloon.

Abstract: A medical device includes a balloon catheter having an expandable member, e.g., an inflatable balloon, at its distal end and a stent or other endoprosthesis. The stent is, for example, an apertured tubular member formed of a polymer and is assembled about the balloon. The stent has an initial diameter for delivery into the body and can be expanded to a larger diameter by inflating the balloon.

Abstract: The present invention generally is directed toward a spinal fixation system whereby a coupling element allows the physician to selectively lock or unlock either the connection between the coupling element and a fastener, such as to allow for repositioning of the coupling element, or the connection between the coupling element and an elongate rod. The locking or unlocking of these connections may be made independently and as desired by the physician.

Abstract: Stabilizing an object in the body of a patient involves the injection of a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) material or other flowable material into the body of the patient so that the material contacts the object. The LCST material or other flowable material then forms a gel in the body such that the object is contained at least partially within the gel and thereby stabilized by the gel such that the object can then be easily fragmented within the body and/or retrieved from the body.

Abstract: A medical device includes a balloon catheter having an expandable member, e.g., an inflatable balloon, at its distal end and a stent or other endoprosthesis. The stent is, for example, an apertured tubular member formed of a polymer and is assembled about the balloon. The stent has an initial diameter for delivery into the body and can be expanded to a larger diameter by inflating the balloon.