Abstract: A nerve monitoring system facilitates monitoring an integrity of a nerve.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface. Conductive electrodes are formed on the endotracheal tube. The conductive electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient. At least wireless sensor is formed on the endotracheal tube, and is configured to wirelessly transmit information to a processing apparatus.

Abstract: A nerve monitoring system facilitates monitoring an integrity of a nerve.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface. Conductive ink electrodes are formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube. The conductive ink electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient. At least one conductor is coupled to the conductive ink electrodes and is configured to carry the EMG signals received by the conductive ink electrodes to a processing apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having a first cuff and a second cuff. Conductive ink electrodes are formed on an exterior surface of the first cuff. The conductive ink electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient. At least one conductor is coupled to the conductive ink electrodes and is configured to carry the EMG signals received by the conductive ink electrodes to a processing apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface and a first location configured to be positioned at the patient's vocal folds. A first electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially below the first location to receive EMG signals primarily from below the vocal folds. A second electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially above the first location to receive EMG signals primarily from above the vocal folds. The first and second electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface and a first location configured to be positioned at the patient's vocal folds. A first electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially below the first location. A second electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially above the first location. The first and second electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface and a first location configured to be positioned at the patient's vocal folds. A first electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially below the first location. A second electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially above the first location. The first and second electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface. Conductive ink electrodes are formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube. The conductive ink electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient. At least one conductor is coupled to the conductive ink electrodes and is configured to carry the EMG signals received by the conductive ink electrodes to a processing apparatus.

Abstract: A nerve monitoring system facilitates monitoring an integrity of a nerve.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for treating aneurysms, vascular occlusions, and vascular lesions. The methods comprise the use of an implantable medical device which includes a bioactive agent substrate associated with its surface. Liposomes are used to encapsulate the bioactive agent and are delivered either systemically or locally to the bloodstream. A means for liberating the bioactive agents from the liposomes is used once an appropriate location is chosen and the liposomes have distributed themselves through the vasculature. Once liberated, the bioactive agent can be sequestered by the bioactive agent substrate associated with the implantable medical device, and slowly released to impart a therapeutic effect on the surrounding tissues.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing and treating a patient having lower urinary tract symptoms caused by insufficient blood flow to the urinary bladder, the urethra, a nerve innervating the urinary bladder, or a nerve innervating the urethra due to atherosclerosis of a pelvic artery is disclosed. A method of diagnosing the patient's condition includes determining if a stenosis exists within a pelvic vessel. A method of treating the patient's condition may include placing a stent within the stenosed pelvic artery.

Abstract: A tubular member adapted for endovascular delivery in a human patient comprises a tubular wire framework and the tubular wire framework forms the core of a signal device. The signal device further includes a coil, which is wrapped around the core to form an inductor, and a capacitor coupled to the inductor to form an inductor capacitor circuit. The signal device can be excited and signals acquired therefrom to determine the position and/or orientation of the signal device and the tubular member. The relative positions and/or orientations of (1) the signal device and/or the tubular member and (2) a device having a signal generating element or a signal generating element being advanced toward the signal device, tubular member or framework can be monitored. Relative positions and/or orientations of a plurality of signal devices in a tubular wire framework also can be determined after the framework is deployed in a vessel and compared to predetermined positions and/or orientations.

Abstract: A representation of a prosthesis opening is created and a device having a marker is tracked through the opening while monitoring the relative positions of the opening representation and the marker on a display. In one alternative, a representation is made on a display of the center of the contralateral stump opening and an electromagnetic marker coil that is secured to an endovascular delivery device, and the marker and delivery device are guided into the opening, while monitoring the relative positions of the opening center and the electromagnetic marker coil representations. In another alternative, one or more markers are positioned in the vicinity of the prosthesis opening and a device having a marker is tracked to the one or more markers and through the opening where the device is one of a guidewire and a catheter, while monitoring the relative position of the markers on a display.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing and treating a patient having benign prostatic hyperplasia caused by insufficient blood flow to the prostate due to atherosclerosis of a pelvic artery is disclosed. A method of diagnosing the patient's condition includes determining if a stenosis exists within a pelvic vessel. A method of treating the patient's condition may include placing a stent within the stenosed pelvic artery.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating hydrocephalus caused by obstructions in the ventricular system and subarachnoid space of the brain. Embodiments include medical devices and methods for use within the subarachnoid space of the central nervous system to gain access to and treat an obstruction within the ventricles of the brain or a subarachnoid hemorrhage. The obstruction may be aspirated by an aspiration catheter for use in the subarachnoid space. A subarachnoid delivery catheter may then be used to deliver an intraventricular shunt to the opening in the obstruction via the subarachnoid space. A distal end of the delivery catheter is navigated across the obstruction to deploy the intraventricular shunt therein. The intraventricular shunt so positioned reopens the pathway between the ventricles and permits the return of normal cerebrospinal fluid flow there through.

Abstract: Methods for simultaneous injection and aspiration of fluids during a medical procedure are disclosed. Embodiments include methods for operating medical devices within the subarachnoid space of the spinal column to gain access to the ventricles of the brain, as well as the surrounding cranial subarachnoid space. A dual lumen constant volume aspiration catheter is disclosed that injects a volume of injectable fluid to break up an obstruction within the brain or cranial subarachnoid space while simultaneously aspirating a same volume of aspirated fluid from the treatment site. Methods hereof include constant volume re-circulation of cerebral spinal fluid to and from a treatment area within one of the brain and the surrounding cranial subarachnoid space, which may be desirable during a ventriculostomy.

Abstract: A signal lead for an electromagnetic localization marker, which is coupled to a prosthesis, is releasably coupled to the prosthesis. In one embodiment, the lead and electromagnetic localization marker are both releasably attached to the prosthesis through a coupling. In another embodiment, a portion of the lead adjacent to the electromagnetic localization marker is electrolytically dissolved in vivo and the lead removed.

Abstract: The position of a prosthesis (e.g., a stent-graft) is monitored using non-ionizing energy during deployment and/or sheath pull-back after the prosthesis has been positioned at a desired location in a vessel.

Abstract: One or more markers or sensors are positioned in the vasculature of a patient to facilitate determining the location, configuration, and/or orientation of a vessel or certain aspects thereof (e.g., a branch vessel), determining the location, configuration and/or orientation of a endovascular devices prior to and during prosthesis deployment as well as the relative position of portions of the vasculature and devices, generating an image of a virtual model of a portion of one or more vessels (e.g., branch vessels) or devices, and/or formation of one or more openings in a tubular prosthesis in situ to allow branch vessel perfusion when the prosthesis is placed over one or more branch vessels in a patient (e.g., when an aortic abdominal artery stent-graft is fixed to the aorta superior to the renal artery ostia).