Abstract: An intervertebral fusion mechanism includes a disc cage having a scaffolding structure to support bone growth and a porous cancellous bone feeder anchor, connected to the disc cage, for providing a biological material transference interface between cancellous bone and the disc cage.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention, an intervertebral disc replacement includes a first layer having a lower surface for contacting a first vertebral bone, a second layer coupled to the first layer, the second layer comprising a plurality of compressible column springs, and a third layer coupled to the second layer, the third layer having an upper surface for contacting a second vertebral bone. Each of the plurality of compressible column springs comprises a plurality of stacked coils, and each of the plurality of stacked coils has a spring constant (K). At least one of the plurality of compressible column springs includes a first coil having a first spring constant and a second coil comprising a second spring constant, wherein the first spring constant is different from the second spring constant.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention, an intervertebral disc replacement includes a first layer having a lower surface for contacting a first vertebral bone, a second layer coupled to the first layer, the second layer comprising a plurality of compressible column springs, and a third layer coupled to the second layer, the third layer having an upper surface for contacting a second vertebral bone. Each of the plurality of compressible column springs comprises a plurality of stacked coils, and each of the plurality of stacked coils has a spring constant (K). At least one of the plurality of compressible column springs includes a first coil having a first spring constant and a second coil comprising a second spring constant, wherein the first spring constant is different from the second spring constant.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention, an intervertebral disc replacement includes a first layer having a lower surface for contacting a first vertebral bone, a second layer coupled to the first layer, the second layer comprising a plurality of compressible column springs, and a third layer coupled to the second layer, the third layer having an upper surface for contacting a second vertebral bone. Each of the plurality of compressible column springs comprises a plurality of stacked coils, and each of the plurality of stacked coils has a spring constant (K). At least one of the plurality of compressible column springs includes a first coil having a first spring constant and a second coil comprising a second spring constant, wherein the first spring constant is different from the second spring constant.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention, an intervertebral disc replacement includes a first layer having a lower surface for contacting a first vertebral bone, a second layer coupled to the first layer, the second layer comprising a plurality of compressible column springs, and a third layer coupled to the second layer, the third layer having an upper surface for contacting a second vertebral bone. Each of the plurality of compressible column springs comprises a plurality of stacked coils, and each of the plurality of stacked coils has a spring constant (K). At least one of the plurality of compressible column springs includes a first coil having a first spring constant and a second coil comprising a second spring constant, wherein the first spring constant is different from the second spring constant.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a stent comprises a plurality of interconnected framework members defining a plurality of cells. A side branch structure comprises a first serpentine ring extending around an inner side branch cell, a second serpentine ring extending around the first serpentine ring and a plurality of side branch connectors. The first serpentine ring comprises a plurality of curved portions including convex curved portions and concave curved portions. The convex curved portions include first convex curved portions and second convex curved portions, wherein the second convex curved portions are located farther away from a side branch center point than the first convex curved portions. Each side branch connector extends between a concave curved portion of the first serpentine ring and a portion of the second serpentine ring.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for treatment of a bifurcation of a body lumen. The apparatus includes an elongated catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end. A balloon is associated with the distal end of the balloon catheter. The balloon includes a main vessel balloon for treating a main vessel of the bifurcation, and a branch vessel balloon for treating a branch vessel of the bifurcation. The branch vessel balloon includes an accordion configuration capable of being expanded from an unexpanded collapsed accordion configuration to an expanded accordion configuration extending into the branch vessel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stent for use in a bifurcated body lumen having a main branch and a side branch. The stent comprises a radially expandable generally tubular stent body having proximal and distal opposing ends with a body wall having a surface extending therebetween. The surface has a geometrical configuration defining a first pattern, and the first pattern has first pattern struts and connectors arranged in a predetermined configuration. The stent also comprises a branch portion comprised of a second pattern, wherein the branch portion is at least partially detachable from the stent body.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods are provided for use in closing punctures in vessel walls. An apparatus may have various combinations of an anchoring device, a positioning device and a heating element for closing a puncture within a vessel wall. An anchoring device may be a balloon, an expansible cage, a wire operated T-anchor, and/or a floating anchor. A positioning device may be a balloon, a sponge, and/or an expansible cage. A heating element may be flexible or rigid and preferably provides heat to target tissue through conduction and convection. A heating element may be flat-ended or dome-shaped. The heating element and anchoring device may be positioned a fixed distance apart to sandwich tissue between the heating element and the anchoring device. The heating element may operate in multiple stages. An initial stage may non-permanently adhere the heating element to the tissue and the subsequent stage may close the puncture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stent for use in a bifurcated body lumen having a main branch and a side branch. The stent comprises a radially expandable generally tubular stent body having proximal and distal opposing ends with a body wall having a surface extending therebetween. The stent also comprises a branch portion that is deployable outwardly from the stent body into a branch vessel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stent for use in a bifurcated body lumen having a main branch and a side branch. The stent comprises a radially expandable generally tubular stent body having proximal and distal opposing ends with a body wall having a surface extending therebetween. The surface has a geometrical configuration defining a first pattern, and the first pattern has first pattern struts and connectors arranged in a predetermined configuration. The stent also comprises a branch portion comprised of a second pattern, wherein the branch portion is at least partially detachable from the stent body.

Abstract: An assembly including a connector element including a receptacle from which extends a neck, a lug element sized to fit in the receptacle of the connector element, ears pivotally connected to the lug element, and a mechanical fastener that fastens the connector element together with the lug element, thereby causing the ears to pivot and grip a connector rod placed between the ears.

Abstract: An expandable bone device including first and second bone support elements, a manipulator positioned between the first and second bone support elements and connected to them by link members, the manipulator adapted to move the first and second bone support elements between a collapsed orientation and an expanded orientation, wherein in the collapsed orientation the first and second bone support elements are drawn towards the manipulator and in the expanded orientation the first and second bone support elements are moved outwards away from a longitudinal axis of the manipulator, and deformable support struts connected between the manipulator and the first and second bone support elements that deform when moved by the manipulator from the collapsed orientation to the expanded orientation and vice versa, wherein in the expanded orientation the deformable support struts form a structure that maintains the first and second bone support elements in the expanded orientation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stent for use in a bifurcated body lumen having a main branch and a side branch. The stent comprises a radially expandable generally tubular stent body having proximal and distal opposing ends with a body wall having a surface extending therebetween. The surface has a geometrical configuration defining a first pattern, and the first pattern has first pattern struts and connectors arranged in a predetermined configuration. The stent also comprises a branch portion comprised of a second pattern, wherein the branch portion is at least partially detachable from the stent body.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a stent comprises a plurality of interconnected framework members defining a plurality of cells. A portion of the interconnected framework members comprise a side branch structure defining an inner side branch cell that is shaped differently from other cells of the stent. The side branch structure comprises a serpentine ring that extends around the inner side branch cell. The serpentine ring comprises alternating struts and turns. The turns comprise alternating inner turns and outer turns, and the inner turns comprise alternating first inner turns and second inner turns. The second inner turns are located farther away from a side branch center point than the first inner turns.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a stent comprises a plurality of interconnected framework members defining a plurality of cells. A portion of the interconnected framework members comprise a side branch structure defining an inner side branch cell that is shaped differently than other cells of the stent. The side branch structure comprises a first serpentine ring extending around the inner side branch cell. The first serpentine ring comprises alternating inner turns and outer turns connected by straight struts. The inner turns are distributed around a reference circle centered upon a side branch center point. The side branch structure further comprises a second serpentine ring extending around the first serpentine ring. The second serpentine ring comprises alternating inner turns and outer turns connected by straight struts. The second serpentine ring has the same number of inner turns and outer turns as the first serpentine ring.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stent for use in a bifurcated body lumen having a main branch and a side branch. The stent comprises a radially expandable generally tubular stent body having proximal and distal opposing ends with a body wall having a surface extending therebetween. The surface has a geometrical configuration defining a first pattern, and the first pattern has first pattern struts and connectors arranged in a predetermined configuration. The stent also comprises a branch portion comprised of a second pattern, wherein the branch portion is at least partially detachable from the stent body.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a stent comprises a plurality of interconnected framework members defining a plurality of cells. A portion of the interconnected framework members comprise a side branch structure having an inner side branch cell that is shaped differently from other cells of the stent. The side branch structure further comprises a serpentine ring extending around the inner side branch cell, the serpentine ring having alternating struts and turns. Each strut includes curvature along its length and is oriented with the curvature being concave with respect to a center point of the inner side branch cell.

Abstract: In at least one other embodiment, a stent comprises a plurality of interconnected framework members defining a plurality of cells. A portion of the interconnected framework members comprise a side branch structure defining an inner side branch cell that is shaped differently from other cells of the stent. The side branch structure comprises a first serpentine ring, a second serpentine ring and a plurality of side branch connectors. The first serpentine ring extends around the inner side branch cell and comprises alternating inner turns and outer turns. The second serpentine ring extends around the first serpentine ring and comprises alternating inner turns and outer turns. The second serpentine ring has the same number of outer turns as the first serpentine ring. Each side branch connector spans between the first serpentine ring and the second serpentine ring in a side branch radial direction.

Abstract: A stent for use in a bifurcated body lumen having a main branch and a side branch. The stent comprises a radially expandable generally tubular stent body having proximal and distal opposing ends with a body wall having a surface extending therebetween. The surface has a geometrical configuration defining a first pattern, and the first pattern has first pattern struts and connectors arranged in a predetermined configuration. The stent also comprises a branch portion comprised of a second pattern, wherein the branch portion is outwardly expandable from the stent body.