Abstract: A connection assembly between a spinal implant rod and a vertebral anchor. The connection assembly includes a spindle and a housing. The spindle has an aperture for receiving a spinal implant rod in a spinal implant system. And structure for urging the rod within the aperture, such as a setscrew, is provided through a suitable threaded opening in the spindle so as to be extendable into the aperture. The housing has an aperture for receiving a shaft or shank of a vertebral anchor of a spinal implant system. The housing also has an aperture for receiving a generally cylindrical projection portion of the spindle. Structure for urging the shank of the vertebral anchor against the projection portion, such as a setscrew, is provided through a suitable threaded opening in the housing.

Abstract: A catheter includes a first plurality of expandable leads and a second plurality of expandable leads separate and longitudinally spaced-apart from the first plurality to deliver energy to a hollow anatomical structure, such as vein, fallopian tube, hemorrhoid, esophageal varix, to effectively ligate that structure. Each of the leads includes an electrode located at the distal end of the respective electrode lead. Polarizations of the leads may be selected to achieve the power distribution desired. Each electrode lead includes an outward bend such that when a movable sheath is moved out of contact with the leads, they expand outwardly into apposition with an inner wall of the structure to be ligated. High frequency energy can be applied from the leads to create a heating effect in the surrounding tissue of the anatomical structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for diagnosing, treating, monitoring and modifying the treatment of cancer and other illnesses in humans and animals is described. A radioscope is used to test a biological sample from a subject, and the results of that test are compared to a tabulation of prior test results in order to diagnose the illness of the subject. The illness is then treated using a therapeutic apparatus involving the low-power, pulsed application of radio frequency tuned with precision of at least one half part per million. A radioscope is then used to monitor the results of the treatment, and the results of the later tests are again compared to a tabulation of prior test results in order to adjust the treatment if necessary.

Abstract: A method for treating cardiac arrest includes defibrillating the patient and/or ventilating the patient and/or administering a cardiac arrest drug such as epinephrine to resuscitate the patient, and then cooling the patient using one or more cooling catheter positioned in the central venous system of the patient.

Abstract: A device and system designed for use in a pre-hospital setting to cool the brain after injury is described. The device incorporates a cold insert into an arch that fits around the neck of a subject, without obstructing the airway of the subject. A cold insert, such as a frozen fluid or endothermic packet, is disposed within one or both of the terminal ends of the arch, adjacent to one or both of the subject's carotid arteries. The cooling effect is specifically directed to cool the blood flowing through the carotid artery to the brain. A system incorporating the device with a temperature monitor is also disclosed. The system allows a health care professional to monitor and regulate cooling as required in the pre-hospital setting.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and device for heating or cooling a surrounding fluid in a feeding vessel. The device includes a catheter assembly capable of insertion to a selected feeding vessel in the vascular system of a patient. The assembly includes a heat transfer element at a distal end of the catheter assembly, the heat transfer element having a plurality of exterior surface irregularities shaped and arranged to create turbulence in a surrounding fluid, the surface irregularities having a depth at least equal to the boundary layer thickness of flow of the surrounding fluid in the feeding vessel. The assembly also includes a supply catheter to deliver a working fluid to an interior of the heat transfer element, a return catheter to return a working fluid from the interior of the heat transfer element, and a drug delivery catheter running substantially parallel to the axis of the catheter assembly.

Abstract: A modular biopsy, ablation and track coagulation needle apparatus is disclosed that allows the biopsy needle to be inserted into the delivery needle and removed when not needed, and that allows an inner ablation needle to be introduced and coaxially engaged with the delivery needle to more effectively biopsy a tumor, ablate it and coagulate the track through ablation while reducing blood loss and track seeding. The ablation needle and biopsy needle are adapted to in situ assembly with the delivery needle. In a preferred embodiment, the ablation needle, when engaged with the delivery needle forms a coaxial connector adapted to electrically couple to an ablating source. Methods for biopsying and ablating tumors using the device and coagulating the track upon device removal are also provided.