Abstract: A shunt for draining cerebral spinal fluid from the brain and an access port for use therein is provided. In an embodiment, the shunt includes a master control unit that is located in the abdomen, which interconnects a ventricular catheter and a second catheter, typically located in the peritoneal cavity. In a specific embodiment, the master control unit includes a variety of ‘smart’ features including at least one access port to allow the injection of solutions for the prevention or removal of blockages in the catheter, and/or antibiotics. The access port can have other uses, such as allowing a point of access for physical navigation of a catheter or the like within the shunt, thereby providing another option for breaking-up blockages, and/or allowing an access point for repairing the shunt's components.

Abstract: A cerebral ischemia diagnosis assisting apparatus comprises a storing portion for storing multi-slices or volume data with regard to the head portion of a subject, an image generating portion for generating a tomography image of a brain from the multi-slices or the volume data, an image processing portion for processing the tomography image for generating a contrast highlighting image and a brain sulci highlighting image or either thereof, and a display portion for displaying the tomography image along with the contrast highlighting image and the brain sulci highlighting image.

Abstract: An apparatus for administering a therapeutic agent is provided. The apparatus, in an embodiment, includes an ozone generator connected to a scavenger and an ozone administrator via network of tubing and valves. When activated and the valves placed in the proper position, the ozone generator will fill the ozone administrator with ozone. The ozone generator can then be turned off and the valves moved so that the administrator can be disconnected from the remainder of the apparatus. The administrator is typically in the form of a syringe and needle. Once the syringe and needle is filled with ozone, the needle can be inserted into a tissue and the ozone expressed therefrom into the tissue. Various other apparatuses and methods are also contemplated.

Abstract: The invention relates to stent delivery system and method. A stent delivery system includes a self-expandable stent and a sheath configured to surround the stent in a compressed state. A catheter is adapted to deliver the stent and the sheath into a predetermined deployment site. A balloon is mounted on a tip of the catheter and is inflated to expand the stent. Upon deployment of the stent, the sheath is trapped between the stent and a vessel.

Abstract: The invention provides a stent made from a material operable to perform a stent's desired therapeutic functions, and also made from a material that has a radiopacity that substantially preserves the appearance of the stent when the stent is viewed under a CT imaging beam. Such a stent can allow for follow-up of the stent and the surrounding blood-vessel on CT.

Abstract: A shunt for draining cerebral spinal fluid from the brain is provided. In an embodiment, the shunt includes a master control unit that is located in the abdomen, which interconnects a ventricular catheter and a second catheter, typically located in the peritoneal cavity. In a specific embodiment, the master control unit includes a variety of ‘smart’ features including at least one access port to allow the injection of solutions for the prevention or removal of blockages in the catheter, and/or antibiotics. The access port can have other uses, such as allowing a point of access for physical navigation of a catheter or the like within the shunt, thereby providing another option for breaking-up blockages, and/or allowing an access point for repairing the shunt's components. Additionally, the master control unit includes a diagnostic unit that transmits, either wirelessly or through a wired connection via the access port, diagnostic information about the status of the patient and/or the shunt.

Abstract: A shunt for draining cerebral spinal fluid from the brain is provided. In an embodiment, the shunt includes a master control unit that is located in the abdomen, which interconnects a ventricular catheter and a second catheter, typically located in the peritoneal cavity. In a specific embodiment, the master control unit includes a variety of ‘smart’ features including at least one access port to allow the injection of solutions for the prevention or removal of blockages in the catheter, and/or antibiotics. The access port can have other uses, such as allowing a point of access for physical navigation of a catheter or the like within the shunt, thereby providing another option for breaking-up blockages, and/or allowing an access point for repairing the shunt's components. Additionally, the master control unit includes a diagnostic unit that transmits, either wirelessly or through a wired connection via the access port, diagnostic information about the status of the patient and/or the shunt.

Abstract: A shunt for draining cerebral spinal fluid from the brain is provided. In an embodiment, the shunt includes a master control unit that is located in the abdomen, which interconnects a ventricular catheter and a second catheter, typically located in the peritoneal cavity. In a specific embodiment, the master control unit includes a variety of ‘smart’ features including at least one access port to allow the injection of solutions for the prevention or removal of blockages in the catheter, and/or antibiotics. The access port can have other uses, such as allowing a point of access for physical navigation of a catheter or the like within the shunt, thereby providing another option for breaking-up blockages, and/or allowing an access point for repairing the shunt's components. Additionally, the master control unit includes a diagnostic unit that transmits, either wirelessly or through a wired connection via the access port, diagnostic information about the status of the patient and/or the shunt.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing vertebroplasty are provided. In one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a kit for performing vertebroplasty having two packs, each pack having the necessary components for performing vertebroplasty via each pedicle of the damaged vertebrae. Each pack is sterilized, so that if the vertebroplasty performed via one pedicle is sufficient, then the second pack can be saved for later used. In another embodiment, each pack within the kit has two cements, each cement having different imaging properties, such that each cement will appear different when viewed with an imaging device in the lateral plane and/or will be viewable when overlapping. A presently preferred embodiment involves two packs having methylmethacrylate powder but each pack has a different amount of opacifier, either as supplied or added by the vertebroplasty professional, such that when each cement is mixed and injected, each cement is visible when exposed to X-ray lateral fluoroscopy.