Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for controlling and indicating the deployed length of an interventional element on an interventional catheter. The interventional element may be a stent or series of stents, a balloon, or any other interventional element for which length control is necessary or desirable. Devices for controlling the length of the interventional element include gear driven actuators, motors, and other mechanisms. Devices for indicating length of an interventional element to the user include sensors, detents, visual displays and other mechanisms providing visual, audible, and tangible indications of length to the user. The control and indication devices preferably work in tandem to enable highly precise adjustment of interventional element length.

Abstract: Prosthesis delivery devices and methods are provided that enable precise control of prosthesis position during deployment. The prosthesis delivery devices may carry multiple prostheses and include deployment mechanisms for delivery of a selectable number of prostheses. Control mechanisms are provided in the prosthesis delivery devices that control either or both of the axial and rotational positions of the prostheses during deployment. This enables the deployment of multiple prostheses at a target site with precision and predictability, eliminating excessive spacing or overlap between prostheses. In particular embodiments, the prostheses of the invention are deployed in stenotic lesions in coronary or peripheral arteries, or in other vascular locations.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for controlling and indicating the deployed length of an interventional element on an interventional catheter. The interventional element may be a stent or series of stents, a balloon, or any other interventional element for which length control is necessary or desirable. Devices for controlling the length of the interventional element include gear driven actuators, motors, and other mechanisms. Devices for indicating length of an interventional element to the user include sensors, detents, visual displays and other mechanisms providing visual, audible, and tangible indications of length to the user. The control and indication devices preferably work in tandem to enable highly precise adjustment of interventional element length.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for controlling and indicating the deployed length of an interventional element on an interventional catheter. The interventional element may be a stent or series of stents, a balloon, or any other interventional element for which length control is necessary or desirable. Devices for controlling the length of the interventional element include gear driven actuators, motors, and other mechanisms. Devices for indicating length of an interventional element to the user include sensors, detents, visual displays and other mechanisms providing visual, audible, and tangible indications of length to the user. The control and indication devices preferably work in tandem to enable highly precise adjustment of interventional element length.

Abstract: A delivery system having a steerable delivery device and an elastic clip for treating an internal tissue defect, such as septal defects and the like, is provided. The clip can be deformable between a relaxed state and a stressed state and biased towards the relaxed state. The delivery device can include a flexible tubular needle with a lumen for housing the clip while in the stressed state. When used to treat a septal defect, the needle is advancable through overlapping tissue flaps and a pusher member is advancable within the needle lumen to push the clip distally such that one end of the clip is deployed and engages a tissue flap. The needle can then be retracted allowing the clip to deploy over both flaps of tissue, where the biasing force returns the clip to the relaxed state drawing the tissue flaps together and closing the septal defect.

Abstract: Spacer devices for treating spinal stenosis are provided herein. In some example embodiments, these devices are configured for attachment on the interspinous ligaments with minimal injury thereto. Also provided are systems for the delivery of the spacer devices, tools for measuring and assessing the interspinous space and methods for using the same.

Abstract: Prosthesis delivery devices and methods are provided that enable precise control of prosthesis position during deployment. The prosthesis delivery devices may carry multiple prostheses and include deployment mechanisms for delivery of a selectable number of prostheses. Control mechanisms are provided in the prosthesis delivery devices that control either or both of the axial and rotational positions of the prostheses during deployment. This enables the deployment of multiple prostheses at a target site with precision and predictability, eliminating excessive spacing or overlap between prostheses. In particular embodiments, the prostheses of the invention are deployed in stenotic lesions in coronary or peripheral arteries, or in other vascular locations.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for controlling and indicating the deployed length of an interventional element on an interventional catheter. The interventional element may be a stent or series of stents, a balloon, or any other interventional element for which length control is necessary or desirable. Devices for controlling the length of the interventional element include gear driven actuators, motors, and other mechanisms. Devices for indicating length of an interventional element to the user include sensors, detents, visual displays and other mechanisms providing visual, audible, and tangible indications of length to the user. The control and indication devices preferably work in tandem to enable highly precise adjustment of interventional element length.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for controlling and indicating the deployed length of an interventional element on an interventional catheter. The interventional element may be a stent or series of stents, a balloon, or any other interventional element for which length control is necessary or desirable. Devices for controlling the length of the interventional element include gear driven actuators, motors, and other mechanisms. Devices for indicating length of an interventional element to the user include sensors, detents, visual displays and other mechanisms providing visual, audible, and tangible indications of length to the user. The control and indication devices preferably work in tandem to enable highly precise adjustment of interventional element length.

Abstract: An implantable ultrasound transducer device is defined by a plurality of coaxially, longitudinally spaced and acoustically isolated transducer elements, controlled as a phased array to define an exposure annulus within tissue disposed about the transducer array. Operation of the array is controlled to enhance transport of therapeutic substance through the tissue while avoiding thermal damage. The array is configured to enable it to be inserted into the tissue and removed from the tissue through a small surgical or natural opening.

Abstract: A delivery system having a steerable delivery device and an elastic clip for treating an internal tissue defect, such as septal defects and the like, is provided. The clip can be deformable between a relaxed state and a stressed state and biased towards the relaxed state. The delivery device can include a flexible tubular needle with a lumen for housing the clip while in the stressed state. When used to treat a septal defect, the needle is advancable through overlapping tissue flaps and a pusher member is advancable within the needle lumen to push the clip distally such that one end of the clip is deployed and engages a tissue flap. The needle can then be retracted allowing the clip to deploy over both flaps of tissue, where the biasing force returns the clip to the relaxed state drawing the tissue flaps together and closing the septal defect.

Abstract: A delivery system having a steerable delivery device and an elastic clip for treating an internal tissue defect, such as septal defects and the like, is provided. The clip can be deformable between a relaxed state and a stressed state and biased towards the relaxed state. The delivery device can include a flexible tubular needle with a lumen for housing the clip while in the stressed state. When used to treat a septal defect, the needle is advancable through overlapping tissue flaps and a pusher member is advancable within the needle lumen to push the clip distally such that one end of the clip is deployed and engages a tissue flap. The needle can then be retracted allowing the clip to deploy over both flaps of tissue, where the biasing force returns the clip to the relaxed state drawing the tissue flaps together and closing the septal defect.

Abstract: Prosthesis delivery devices and methods are provided that enable precise control of prosthesis position during deployment. The prosthesis delivery devices may carry multiple prostheses and include deployment mechanisms for delivery of a selectable number of prostheses. Control mechanisms are provided in the prosthesis delivery devices that control either or both of the axial and rotational positions of the prostheses during deployment. This enables the deployment of multiple prostheses at a target site with precision and predictability, eliminating excessive spacing or overlap between prostheses. In particular embodiments, the prostheses of the invention are deployed in stenotic lesions in coronary or peripheral arteries, or in other vascular locations.

Abstract: A delivery system having a steerable delivery device and an elastic clip for treating an internal tissue defect, such as septal defects and the like, is provided. The clip can be deformable between a relaxed state and a stressed state and biased towards the relaxed state. The delivery device can include a flexible tubular needle with a lumen for housing the clip while in the stressed state. When used to treat a septal defect, the needle is advancable through overlapping tissue flaps and a pusher member is advancable within the needle lumen to push the clip distally such that one end of the clip is deployed and engages a tissue flap. The needle can then be retracted allowing the clip to deploy over both flaps of tissue, where the biasing force returns the clip to the relaxed state drawing the tissue flaps together and closing the septal defect.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for controlling and indicating the deployed length of an interventional element on an interventional catheter. The interventional element may be a stent or series of stents, a balloon, or any other interventional element for which length control is necessary or desirable. Devices for controlling the length of the interventional element include gear driven actuators, motors, and other mechanisms. Devices for indicating length of an interventional element to the user include sensors, detents, visual displays and other mechanisms providing visual, audible, and tangible indications of length to the user. The control and indication devices preferably work in tandem to enable highly precise adjustment of interventional element length.

Abstract: A therapeutic ultrasound delivery system, comprises: a catheter body, a plurality of axially spaced-apart hollow cylindrical vibrational transducers disposed along a length of the catheter body, a first spring connector wrapped around the outer surfaces of the vibrational transducers, where the first spring connector exerting an inward pre-stress on the outer surfaces of the vibrational transducers; and a second connector disposed in contact with the inner surfaces of the vibrational transducers. The second connector may comprise a spring coil, particularly a spring coil having multiple deflection points which contact an inner surface of the cylindrical vibrational transducer.

Abstract: A therapeutic ultrasound delivery system, comprises: a catheter body, a plurality of axially spaced-apart hollow cylindrical vibrational transducers disposed along a length of the catheter body, a first spring connector wrapped around the outer surfaces of the vibrational transducers, where the first spring connector exerting an inward pre-stress on the outer surfaces of the vibrational transducers; and a second connector disposed in contact with the inner surfaces of the vibrational transducers. The second connector may comprise a spring coil, particularly a spring coil having multiple deflection points which contact an inner surface of the cylindrical vibrational transducer.

Abstract: A therapeutic ultrasound delivery system, comprising: a catheter body; a plurality of axially spaced-apart hollow cylindrical vibrational transducers disposed along a length of the catheter body; a first spring connector wrapped around the outer surfaces of the vibrational transducers, the first spring connector exerting an inward pre-stress on the outer surfaces of the vibrational transducers; and a second connector disposed in contact with the inner surfaces of the vibrational transducers.

Abstract: A therapeutic ultrasound energy delivery system includes a probe having a vibrational transducer. A restraint is disposed about the transducer in order to exert a compressive pre-stress on the transducer. The restraint inhibits tensile failure of the vibrational transducer at high acoustic output.

Abstract: A therapeutic ultrasound delivery system, comprising: a catheter body; a plurality of axially spaced-apart hollow cylindrical vibrational transducers disposed along a length of the catheter body; a first spring connector wrapped around the outer surfaces of the vibrational transducers, the first spring connector exerting an inward pre-stress on the outer surfaces of the vibrational transducers; and a second connector disposed in contact with the inner surfaces of the vibrational transducers.