Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus for guiding medical instruments, including a handle with a handle shaft, an alignment stand configured to interface with a receptacle of a cervical plate, an instrument guide tube coupled to the alignment stand and having a lumen therethrough, such that when the alignment stand is in communication with the receptacle, the instrument guide tube is positioned over a bone screw receiving hole in the cervical plate and an axial centerline of the instrument guide tube passes through the bone screw receiving hole. Instrument guide tube may swivel about the alignment stand via a rotational coupling, or may be one of two fixed instrument guide tubes. Alignment stand may include an angle-limiting post to interface with the receptacle to permit ranges of tilting, or a stem and optional bone pin for holding the alignment stand at a substantially constant angle in the receptacle.

Abstract: A temporary stent catheter and method for use. The catheter is particularly useful for restoring patency to an artery following a Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) procedure. The catheter comprises a catheter tube having a distal end and a proximal end; an elongated balloon inflatable by fluid pressure attached to the catheter tube near its distal end; a stent having a generally tubular configuration attached to the catheter tube near its distal end and surrounding the balloon; a pressurization device near the proximal end of the catheter tube for inflating and deflating the balloon whereby the stent may be pressed against the wall of a blood vessel by the balloon and the balloon may be subsequently deflated to permit blood flow through the expanded stent; and a restriction device near the proximal end of the catheter tube for maintaining the stent in an expanded condition and for subsequently effecting the radial contraction of the stent whereby it may be removed from the blood vessel.