Abstract: Systems and methods to adjust an adjustable medical device that is implanted subcutaneously within the body of a patient. The adjustable medical device is coupled to an adjustment mechanism configured to, when powered, effect a desired adjustment to the adjustable medical device. The adjustment mechanism is electrically coupled to a receiving coil configured to resonate at a desired frequency such that an electric current induced in the receiving coil powers the adjustment mechanism. An induction activation system is configured to utilize magnetic resonance to wirelessly activate the adjustable medical device assembly, from outside the patient's body, through a skin barrier of the patient. The induction activation system comprises a power source and a delivery coil. The power source creates an alternating electrical signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is an expandable percutaneous sheath, for introduction into the body while in a first, low cross-sectional area configuration, and subsequent expansion to a second, enlarged cross-sectional configuration. The sheath is maintained in the first, low cross-sectional configuration by a removable tubular restraint. In one application, the sheath is utilized to introduce a formed in place orthopedic fixation rod such as for use in spinal fixation procedures.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating diseases and conditions that change the spacial relationship between the vertebral bodies and the intervertebral disks, or that cause instability of the vertebral column, or both, and a method and devices that allow the surgeon to access the intervertebral space to restore a more normal three-dimensional configuration of the space, with or without additionally fusing two adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are provided for improving the hemodynamic efficiency of a patient's heart by implanting one or more reinforcement elements on or with the heart and providing electrical stimulation to the heart. The reinforcement elements may include magnetic and/or shape memory material and are configured to reshape the heart so as to boost the heart's mechanical energy during a response to the electrical stimulation. In some embodiments, at least one reinforcement element includes an electrode configured to sense electrocardiogram signals within the heart. An electrical stimulation device such as an implantable or external pacemaker/defibrillator may be configured to control delivery of electrical pulses to the heart based on the sensed electrocardiogram signals. In addition, or in other embodiments, at least one reinforcement element includes an electrode configured to deliver the electrical pulses to the heart.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating diseases and conditions that change the spacial relationship between the vertebral bodies and the intervertebral disks, or that cause instability of the vertebral column, or both, and a method and devices that allow the surgeon to access the intervertebral space to restore a more normal three-dimensional configuration of the space, with or without additionally fusing two adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tubular endoluminal vascular prosthesis, useful in treating, for example, an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The prosthesis comprises a self-expandable wire support structure having a tubular main body support and first and second branch supports. The prosthesis can have a plurality of radially outwardly extending barbs. The branch supports may articulate with the main body to permit the branches to pivot laterally from the axis of the main body throughout a substantial range of motion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tubular endoluminal vascular prosthesis, useful in treating, for example, an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The prosthesis comprises a self-expandable wire support structure having a tubular main body support and first and second branch supports. The prosthesis can have a plurality of radially outwardly extending barbs. The branch supports may articulate with the main body to permit the branches to pivot laterally from the axis of the main body throughout a substantial range of motion.

Abstract: An implantable inflatable orthopedic device is provided. The device comprises a flexible wall, defining an interior cavity, a reinforcing element exposed to the cavity, an inflation pathway in communication with the cavity, and a valve, for closing the pathway. A delivery catheter is also provided for removably carrying the orthopedic device to the treatment site.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating diseases and conditions that change the spacial relationship between the vertebral bodies and the intervertebral disks, or that cause instability of the vertebral column, or both, and a method and devices that allow the surgeon to access the intervertebral space to restore a more normal three-dimensional configuration of the space, with or without additionally fusing two adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: A subcutaneous needle conduit attaches directly to a blood vessel or other biological boundary structure. The subcutaneous needle conduit is tapered such that a proximal end is wider than a distal end. A body of the subcutaneous needle conduit guides the tip of a needle or other canula from the proximal end to the distal end. The subcutaneous needle conduit may be funnel-shaped. An elongated funnel shape may be used to selectively provide access to a plurality of desired access sites along an axis of a blood vessel. Other shapes, such as sluice-shaped, may also be used. The subcutaneous needle conduit may be located beneath the skin surface using, for example, tactile sensation, magnetism, metal detection, detection of a signal emitted from a minute transponder, detection of light emission, or through other detection methods.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is directed to methods and devices for treating diseases and conditions that change the special relationship between vertebral bodies and intervertebral disks. A method for performing a transpedicular discectomy procedure may include creating a transpedicular channel to a first vertebral body through a first pedicle of a first vertebra; inserting a flexible drill through the transpedicular channel causing the flexible drill to make an approximately 90 degree angle, the flexible drill creating a channel through the first vertebral body into an intervertebral disk; and removing a portion of the intervertebral disk with a laser device.

Abstract: A subcutaneously formed in place orthopedic fixation device is provided, such as for fixation of the spine or other bone or bones. The device comprises an inflatable member, such as a tubular balloon. A heat source is provided in thermal communication with the interior of the balloon. The balloon is positioned at a treatment site while in a flexible, low crossing profile configuration. The balloon is thereafter inflated with a hardenable media, and heated to accelerate hardening of the media. Methods and delivery structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the endoluminal repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms at the aortic and iliac bifurcation. In particular, a deployment system and graft are disclosed for deploying the bifurcated graft within both iliac branches, as well as the aortic trunk, from a single vascular access.

Abstract: A subcutaneously formed in place orthopedic fixation device is provided, such as for fixation of the spine or other bone or bones. The device comprises an inflatable member, such as a tubular balloon. A heat source is provided in thermal communication with the interior of the balloon. The balloon is positioned at a treatment site while in a flexible, low crossing profile configuration. The balloon is thereafter inflated with a hardenable media, and heated to accelerate hardening of the media. Methods and delivery structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for support of a body structure. The devices can be adjusted within the body of a patient in a minimally invasive or non-invasive manner such as by applying energy percutaneously or external to the patient's body. The energy may include, for example, acoustic energy, radio frequency energy, light energy and magnetic energy. Thus, as the body structure changes size and/or shape, the size and/or shape of the annuloplasty rings can be adjusted to provide continued reinforcement. In certain embodiments, the devices include a body member including a shape memory material, and an energy absorption enhancement material configured to absorb energy in response to an activation energy. The energy absorption enhancement material is in thermal communication with said shape memory material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the endoluminal repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms at the aortic and iliac bifurcation. In particular, a deployment system and graft are disclosed for deploying the bifurcated graft within both iliac branches, as well as the aortic trunk, from a single vascular access.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are provided for treating heart failure patients suffering from various levels of heart dilation. Such heart dilation is treated by reshaping the heart anatomy with the use of shape memory elements. Such reshaping changes the geometry of portions of the heart, particularly the right or left ventricles, to increase contractibility of the ventricles thereby increasing the stroke volume which in turn increases the cardiac output of the heart. The shape memory elements have an original shape and at least one memory shape. The elements are implanted within the heart tissue or attached externally and/or internally to a surface of the heart when in the original shape. The elements are then activated to transition from the original shape to one of the at least one memory shapes. Transitioning of the elements cause the associated heart tissue areas to readjust position, such as to decrease the width of the ventricles.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating diseases and conditions that change the spacial relationship between the vertebral bodies and the intervertebral disks, or that cause instability of the vertebral column, or both, and a method and devices that allow the surgeon to access the intervertebral space to restore a more normal three-dimensional configuration of the space, with or without additionally fusing two adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: An inflatable corpectomy device comprises a balloon, which defines a cavity for receiving a hardenable media. The device can be inserted in an un-inflated form into a space formerly occupied by a diseased or damaged vertebrae bone. When inflated with a hardenable material, the device expands and fills the space. Various bone anchors or plates can be used in combination with the inflatable device to bridge the space and stabilize the spine while the device hardens.

Abstract: An inflatable corpectomy device includes a balloon, which defines a cavity for receiving a hardenable media. The device can be inserted in an un-inflated form into a space formerly occupied by a diseased or damaged vertebrae bone. When inflated with a hardenable material, the device expands and fills the space. Various bone anchors or plates can be used in combination with the inflatable device to bridge the space and stabilize the spine while the device hardens.