Abstract: Telescoping, self-driving, and laterally-pushing atherectomy devices are provided, each having a flexible sheath, a cutter with helical flutes, and a drive assembly. The drive assembly can have a flexible driveshaft rotatably translational with the lumen of the flexible sheath, a positive displacement pump to transport cut tissue, and a flexible drive shaft that can be longer than the flexible sheath for a reversible telescoping of the drive assembly from the lumen of the flexible sheath. The positive displacement pump can be a screw pump having a drive screw portion exposed for contact with a vascular lumen for a self-driving of the device through the vascular lumen. A reversibly-expandable, lateral pushing member can be included at the distal end of the flexible sheath for a lateral pushing of the cutter. Improved cutting heads, and methods of making them, are provided for cutting a combination of soft and hard plaque.

Abstract: Thrombectomy systems having curved tubular cutting devices, and methods of using them, are provided. These systems, devices, and methods can (i) effectively cut and remove a variety of thrombus tissue from blood vessels, including soft, tough, and hard tissue; (ii) safely self-collect and remove tissue particles to avoid release of emboli; and, (iii) effectively treat a blood vessel with a reduced risk of suffering vessel injuries that can lead to increased stenosis.

Abstract: Technologies are provided for optimizing candidate partners for a user interaction. The technologies can facilitate a trust in facts and identify mutual interest. The technologies can identify the location of users, share personalized information, provide tools for matching users to candidates, exchange data, advertise to users with tracking algorithms, create avatars, host digital interactions between users, and provide user assessments of other users. Nodes of users, and information on user behavior patterns can help identify matches. Users can share their current moods to communicate with other users. Machine learning is included for modeling a user's own feedback from actual interactions in a pool of candidates. The input to the model includes sets of interaction data on users, and the output from the model is an improved, modeled set of user preferences to improve the user's candidate pool. Images of virtual candidates can be created at each iteration of the model.

Abstract: An intervertebral scaffolding system is provided having an expandable frame operable for a reversible collapse from an expanded state into a collapsed state, the expandable frame having a stabilizer, one or more tensioners, or a combination of the stabilizer with one or more tensioners. The stabilizer slidably engages with the distal region of the expandable frame and both the stabilizer and the one or more tensioners are configured for retaining the expandable frame from a lateral movement that exceeds the expanded state, and the stabilizer can include a locking element that engages with the expansion member to lock the expansion member to the stabilizer when the expansion member is fully inserted into the frame. The expanded state, for example, can be configured to have an open graft distribution window that at least substantially closes upon the reversible collapse.

Abstract: Thrombectomy systems having curved tubular cutting devices, and methods of using them, are provided. These systems, devices, and methods can (i) effectively cut and remove a variety of thrombus tissue from blood vessels, including soft, tough, and hard tissue; (ii) safely self-collect and remove tissue particles to avoid release of emboli; and, (iii) effectively treat a blood vessel with a reduced risk of suffering vessel injuries that can lead to increased stenosis.

Abstract: Thrombectomy systems having curved tubular cutting devices, and methods of using them, are provided. These systems, devices, and methods can (i) effectively cut and remove a variety of thrombus tissue from blood vessels, including soft, tough, and hard tissue; (ii) safely self-collect and remove tissue particles to avoid release of emboli; and, (iii) effectively treat a blood vessel with a reduced risk of suffering vessel injuries that can lead to increased stenosis.

Abstract: Disclosed are example embodiments of an endovascular coil having a twisted figure 8 shape. The endovascular coil includes: a first loop; a second loop; and an inflection region where a portion of the first loop transitions into a portion of the second loop. The second loop is rotated about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first loop to create the twisted figure 8 shape. The twist adds more randomness and variability to the filling behavior of the endovascular coil. The added randomness and variability enables the twisted figure 8 coil to better fill the void of irregular-shaped aneurysms than other conventional embolic coils.

Abstract: Telescoping, self-driving, and laterally-pushing atherectomy devices are provided, each having a flexible sheath, a cutter with helical flutes, and a drive assembly. The drive assembly can have a flexible driveshaft that is rotatably translational within the lumen of the flexible sheath, a positive displacement pump that begins pumping at the distal end of the drive shaft adjacent to the helical flutes at the proximal end of the cutter, and the flexible drive shaft can be longer than the flexible sheath to enable a reversible telescoping of the drive assembly from the lumen of the flexible sheath. The positive displacement pump can be a screw pump having a drive screw portion extending beyond the flexible sheath, exposed for contact with a vascular lumen for the self-driving. And, the devices can have a reversibly-expandable, lateral pushing member at the distal end of the flexible sheath for the lateral pushing.

Abstract: Improved methods and devices for performing an endoscopic surgery are provided. Systems are taught for operatively treating gastrointestinal disorders endoscopically in a stable, yet dynamic operative environment, and in a minimally-invasive manner. Such systems include, for example, an endoscopic surgical suite. The surgical suite can have a reversibly-expandable retractor that expands to provide a stable, operative environment within a subject. The expansion can be asymmetric around a stabilizer subsystem to maximize space for a tool and an endoscope to each be maneuvered independently to visualize a target tissue and treat the target tissue from outside the patient in a minimally invasive manner.

Abstract: Telescoping, self-driving, and laterally-pushing atherectomy devices are provided, each having a flexible sheath, a cutter with helical flutes, and a drive assembly. The drive assembly can have a flexible driveshaft that is rotatably translational with the lumen of the flexible sheath, a positive displacement pump that begins pumping at the distal end of the drive shaft adjacent to the helical flutes at the proximal end of the cutter, and the flexible drive shaft can be longer than the flexible sheath to enable a reversible telescoping of the drive assembly from the lumen of the flexible sheath. The positive displacement pump can be a screw pump having a drive screw portion extending beyond the flexible sheath, exposed for contact with a vascular lumen for the self-driving. And, the devices can have a reversibly-expandable, lateral pushing member at the distal end of the flexible sheath for the lateral pushing.

Abstract: Improved methods and devices for performing an endoscopic surgery are provided. Systems are taught for operatively treating gastrointestinal disorders endoscopically in a stable, yet dynamic operative environment, and in a minimally-invasive manner. Such systems include, for example, an endoscopic surgical suite. The surgical suite can have a reversibly-expandable retractor that expands to provide a stable, operative environment within a subject. The expansion can be asymmetric around a stabilizer subsystem to maximize space for a tool and an endoscope to each be maneuvered independently to visualize a target tissue and treat the target tissue from outside the patient in a minimally invasive manner.

Abstract: An intervertebral scaffolding system is provided having a laterovertically-expanding frame operable for a reversible collapse from an expanded state into a collapsed state, the laterovertically-expanding frame having a stabilizer that slidably engages with the distal region of the laterovertically-expanding frame and is configured for retaining the laterovertically-expanding frame from a lateral movement that exceeds the expanded state. The expanded state, for example, can be configured to have an open graft distribution window that at least substantially closes upon the reversible collapse.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an intervertebral implant having a laterovertically-expanding shell operable for a reversible expansion from a collapsed state into an expanded state, the laterovertically-expanding shell having one or more connectors, and a pair of lateral extension elements that function to laterally expand the footprint of the implant within an intervertebal disc space.

Abstract: Improved methods and devices for performing an endoscopic surgery are provided. Systems are taught for operatively treating gastrointestinal disorders endoscopically in a stable, yet dynamic operative environment, and in a minimally-invasive manner. Such systems include, for example, an endoscopic surgical suite. The surgical suite can have a reversibly-expandable retractor that expands to provide a stable, operative environment within a subject. The expansion can be asymmetric around a stabilizer subsystem to maximize space for a tool and an endoscope to each be maneuvered independently to visualize a target tissue and treat the target tissue from outside the patient in a minimally invasive manner.

Abstract: Dual coil ablation systems are provided. Methods of using the systems to ablate tissue are also provided. The dual coil ablation systems can include a first guide needle and a second guide needle, and the methods can include securing the tissue and guiding the dual coil ablation system into the tissue for the ablation, the securing and the guiding facilitated by the first guide needle and the second guide needle. The dual coil ablation systems can also include a phase-offset between the coils to achieve a significant and surprising enhancement to the energy density provided by the systems, and the uniformity of ablation provided by the methods.

Abstract: An intervertebral scaffolding system is provided having an expandable frame operable for a reversible collapse from an expanded state into a collapsed state, the expandable frame having a stabilizer, one or more tensioners, or a combination of the stabilizer with one or more tensioners. The stabilizer slidably engages with the distal region of the expandable frame and both the stabilizer and the one or more tensioners are configured for retaining the expandable frame from a lateral movement that exceeds the expanded state, and the stabilizer can include a locking element that engages with the expansion member to lock the expansion member to the stabilizer when the expansion member is fully inserted into the frame. The expanded state, for example, can be configured to have an open graft distribution window that at least substantially closes upon the reversible collapse.

Abstract: An intervertebral scaffolding system is provided having a laterovertically-expanding frame operable for a reversible collapse from an expanded state into a collapsed state, the laterovertically-expanding frame having a stabilizer that slidably engages with the distal region of the laterovertically-expanding frame and is configured for retaining the laterovertically-expanding frame from a lateral movement that exceeds the expanded state. The expanded state, for example, can be configured to have an open graft distribution window that at least substantially closes upon the reversible collapse.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an intervertebral implant having a laterovertically-expanding shell operable for a reversible expansion from a collapsed state into an expanded state, the laterovertically-expanding shell having one or more connectors, and a pair of lateral extension elements that function to laterally expand the footprint of the implant within an intervertebal disc space.

Abstract: An intervertebral scaffolding system is provided having a laterovertically-expanding frame operable for a reversible collapse from an expanded state into a collapsed state, the laterovertically-expanding frame having a stabilizer, one or more tensioners, or a combination of the stabilizer with one or more tensioners. The stabilizer slidably engages with the distal region of the laterovertically-expanding frame and both the stabilizer and the one or more tensioners are configured for retaining the laterovertically-expanding frame from a lateral movement that exceeds the expanded state, and the stabilizer can include a locking element that engages with the expansion member to lock the expansion member to the stabilizer when the expansion member is fully inserted into the frame. The expanded state, for example, can be configured to have an open graft distribution window that at least substantially closes upon the reversible collapse.

Abstract: Dual coil ablation systems are provided. Methods of using the systems to ablate tissue are also provided. The dual coil ablation systems can include a first guide needle and a second guide needle, and the methods can include securing the tissue and guiding the dual coil ablation system into the tissue for the ablation, the securing and the guiding facilitated by the first guide needle and the second guide needle. The dual coil ablation systems can also include a phase-offset between the coils to achieve a significant and surprising enhancement to the energy density provided by the systems, and the uniformity of ablation provided by the methods.