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: An embodiment of the present invention provides a kit of parts for use in a surgical procedure performed under image guidance, and particularly under real time image guidance. The kit includes a sterilized drape for use with the chosen imaging machine and which can be used to provide a sterile operating environment when the procedure is performed under the imaging beam. The kit also includes a needle holder that can keep the surgeon's hand away from the imaging beam. The needle holder is operable to hold a needle that is made from a material suitable for piercing tissue, but also substantially preserves the appearance of the needle when it is viewed under the imaging beam.

Abstract: A method and kit for navigation and augmentation of bone is provided. In an embodiment, the method comprises creating a passageway in an end of a long bone and inserting a cannula or the like into the passageway. The cannula, or other instrument inserted through the cannula, can be used to break trabecula within the long bone. The cannula can also be used to inject a bone cement into the long bone. Where a biologically active bone cement is used, the method can also comprise adminstering a medication, such as PTH, to stimulate integration of the bone cement with the long bone.

Abstract: An apparatus for administering a therapeutic is provided. In various embodiments, the apparatus includes a syringe having a barrel and a plunger and having an ozone generator associated therewith. The generator is initiated and a therapeutic gas is accumulated within the barrel, at which point it can be delivered from the barrel into a target site via a needle, thereby delivering therapeutic effects to that target site.

Abstract: An apparatus for administering a therapeutic is provided. In various embodiments, the apparatus includes a syringe having a barrel and a plunger and having an ozone generator associated therewith. The generator is initiated and a therapeutic gas is accumulated within the barrel, at which point it can be delivered from the barrel into a target site via a needle, thereby delivering therapeutic effects to that target site.

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: 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: 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: 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: A bone cement apparatus (20) is provided. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a syringe (24) and a needle (120). The syringe and needle are interconnected by a connecting tube (32). Various fittings are employed to join the syringe, needle and connecting tube. The connecting tube and fittings present a pathway along which bone cement is carried. The connecting tube, fittings, and needle are all configured such that a substantially uniform pathway is provided from the end of the syringe to the end of the needle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing exposure to an imaging beam is provided. In an embodiment, such an apparatus comprises a guiding catheter for insertion in the femoral artery until the tip of the guiding catheter is proximal to a blood clot in the brain of the patient. The guiding catheter can then receive a microcatheter which has an angioplasty balloon on the tip and which is passed through the guiding catheter. A graduation towards the proximal end of the microcatheter aligns with a gauge near the proximal end of the guiding catheter and thereby indicates when the microcatheter is about to exit the distal tip of the guiding catheter. The application of doses of an imaging beam can be avoided during the insertion of the microcatheter up to the point where the graduation aligns with the gauge, thereby reducing the amount of imaging beams that would be used during the procedure were the graduation and gauge to be absent.

Abstract: A novel method of spinal catheter insertion via seated lumbar puncture using a surgical chair in which the patient is forward-facing is provided. The chair provides a stable, safe platform for patients, and reduces the need for additional personnel to maintain the patient's position. The seated position provides for ergonomically desirable alignment of the spinous processes, aiding in the successful lumbar puncture and spinal catheter insertion.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for the simulation of image-guided medical procedures and methods of using the same. The system can be used for training and certification, pre-treatment planning, as well therapeutic device design, development and evaluation.

Abstract: The invention provides a stent is made from a material operable to perform a stent's desired therapeutic functions, and also made from a material that has a radioopacity 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: One embodiment of the invention provides a trocar for use in implanting a shunt. The trocar is made from a material with sufficient rigidity to travel through human tissue, and also made from a material that has a radioopacity that substantially preseves the appearance of the trocar when the trocar is viewed under a substantially real-time medical imaging system, such as the Toshiba Acquillon.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a kit of parts for use in a surgical procedure performed under image guidance, and particularly under real time image guidance. The kit includes a sterilized drape for use with the chosen imaging machine and which can be used to provide a sterile operating environment when the procedure is performed under the imaging beam. The kit also includes a needle holder that can keep the surgeon's hand away from the imaging beam. The needle holder is operable to hold a needle that is made from a material suitable for piercing tissue, but also substantially preserves the appearance of the needle when it is viewed under the imaging beam.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel system and method for capturing medical images. In an aspect of the invention, there is provided a wireless mobile unit that houses an ultrasonic transducer and is operable to capture ultrasonic images from a patient, and wirelessly transmit those captured images to a processing unit. The processing unit is operable to receive the images and present those images on an output device, such as a monitor.