Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments and related methods of an aspiration catheter configured for removal of an occlusion from a vessel of a patient. The aspiration catheter (2200) can include an elongated body (2110) with a reinforcement element (2241) extending along a first length of the elongated body. In some embodiments, the aspiration catheter can include one or more of a deformer (2230), such as a movable deformer, a shaped distal end, and an occlusion grasper for efficiently and effectively securing and removing the occlusion to allow blood flow to be restored.

Abstract: Described herein are devices and systems that can be used to perform minimally-invasive procedures including dilation, distraction and delivery of an implant. In one aspect, disclosed herein is a surgical access and orthopedic distraction device having a first cannula element including a first elongate portion and a first head portion; and a second cannula element including a second elongate portion and a second head portion. The first and second head portions reversibly mate to define a lip surrounding at least a portion of a proximal access portal of an elongate, tubular working channel formed by the first and second elongate portions.

Abstract: Described herein are devices, systems and methods for minimally-invasive treating spinal conditions. In one aspect, disclosed is an intervertebral fixation device having a housing sized to be positioned between adjacent inferior and superior vertebrae. The housing includes an internal volume defined by an inferior coupling element, a superior coupling element, and first and second sidewalls. The device includes at least one flexible element coupled to an internal surface of at least one of the inferior or superior coupling elements. The at least one flexible element projects into the internal volume of the housing when in a first configuration. The device includes at least one fixation member coupled to the flexible element and sized to extend through a corresponding aperture in the inferior or superior coupling element.

Abstract: An implantable coil stent comprises at least a first curved segment and a second curved segment which arc about the longitudinal axis of the stent. An expandable link extends between the second end of the first curved segment and the first end of the second curved segment.

Abstract: Disclosed are products and methods for delivery of a material to an internal body part such as bone. In one variation, the product includes an access member having a side port aperture positioned near the distal end of the access member for extruding a material to a body part within a subject, wherein the access member comprises a variation in the internal diameter adjacent to the side port aperture, and wherein the variation in the internal volume adjacent to the side port aperture reduces the tendency of the material extruded from the side port to adhere to the material remaining in the access member.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for performing minimally invasive medical procedures are disclosed herein. In one example, an apparatus includes an elongate body that has a deformable distal portion and defines a lumen, the lumen extends through the deformable distal portion. The deformable distal portion has a cutting portion and defines an opening. The elongate body has a first configuration in which the opening is a first size and a second configuration in which the opening is a second size smaller than the first size of the opening. The elongate body in the first configuration is configured to be percutaneously inserted at least partially into a tissue such that at least a portion of the tissue is disposed within the lumen. The elongate body is configured to move to the second configuration when the elongate body reaches a threshold temperature while inserted in the tissue.

Abstract: Apparatuses for performing minimally invasive medical procedures are disclosed herein. In one example, an apparatus includes an outer body that defines an opening at a distal end, and a cutting portion disposed at an edge of the opening. An inner body is movably disposed within the outer body and defines an opening at a distal end. The outer body and the inner body collectively have a first configuration in which the opening on the outer body is substantially aligned with the opening on the inner body and the opening on the outer body is configured to receive a portion of a tissue, and a second configuration in which the opening on the outer body and the opening on the inner body are substantially misaligned and the cutting portion on the outer body is configured to sever the portion of the tissue from a remaining portion of the tissue.

Abstract: A mechanical cavity-creation surgical device and methods and kits for using such devices is described. In one variation, the mechanical cavity-creation surgical device contains a side window at the distal end of a shaft that allows the articulation of a blade, pick, or tip from a position that is inside the shaft to a position that protrudes at least partially from the side window.

Abstract: A catheter comprising an elongate tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a passageway defining a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. The elongate tubular member comprises a relatively stiff proximal section and a relatively flexible distal section. The proximal section includes an inner tubular liner, a first stiffener comprising a metal alloy, and a second stiffener comprising a non-metal alloy. The first and second stiffeners are coaxially wound exterior to the proximal inner liner. The distal section includes a distal inner tubular liner and the second stiffener coaxially wound exterior to the distal inner liner. The first stiffener terminates before reaching the distal section.

Abstract: An intravascular balloon catheter having an ultra soft tip. The catheter includes a braided reinforcement member extending substantially the length of the elongate shaft. A balloon is disposed at the distal end of the elongate shaft. An ultra soft tip is formed from a distal portion of balloon material extending distal of the distal end of the elongate shaft.

Abstract: An implantable coil stent comprises at least a first curved segment and a second curved segment which arc about the longitudinal axis of the stent. An expandable link extends between the second end of the first curved segment and the first end of the second curved segment.

Abstract: A stent comprising a serpentine portion extending about the circumference of the stent, the serpentine portion having a first end and a second end, the serpentine portion having a plurality of turns at the first end and a plurality of turns at the second end and struts extending therebetween, at least one of the turns at the first end, at least one of the turns at the second end, at least one of the struts therebetween, or some combination thereof having a plurality of shaped recesses thereon.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for treating a bone structure (such as, e.g., reducing a bone fracture, e.g., a vertebral compression fracture, or stabilizing adjacent bone structure, e.g., vertebrae) is provided. The device comprises rigid or semi-rigid members, each of which comprises a common base and a plurality of ribs that extent along the a longitudinal portion of the common base. The device is configured to be placed in a collapsed state by engaging the pluralities of ribs of the members in an interposed arrangement, and configured to be placed in a deployed state by disengaging the pluralities of ribs. The ribs can be any shape, e.g., flutes, that allows opposing ribs to intermesh with one another. In this manner, the device has a relatively small profile when placed in the collapsed state, so that it can be introduced through small openings within the bone structure, while preserving the shear strength of the members during deployment of the device.

Abstract: Devices, kits, and methods are provided for treating a bone structure, e.g., a vertebra, with a compression fracture. Wedges can be introduced into the bone structure in a direction that is lateral to the compression fracture, and stacked on tope of each to apply forces to the bone structure to reduce the compression fracture. The wedges can be introduced into the bone structure using a cannula. The wedges can be introduced as wedge pairs, in which case, a subsequent wedge pair can be introduced between a previously introduced wedge pair in order to drive the previously introduced wedges apart to create the stacking arrangement. Optionally, the wedges can be provided with longitudinal bores, in which case, they can be introduced into the bone structure, over a guide member that is threaded through the bores.

Abstract: Devices, kits, and methods are provided for reducing a bone fracture, e.g., a vertebral compression fracture, is provided. The device comprises a plurality of resilient wires composed of a biocompatible material, such as a biocompatible polymer (e.g., polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)). The wires can be introduced into the cavity of the bone structure to form a web-like arrangement therein. The web-like arrangement can be stabilized by applying uncured bone cement onto the arrangement to connect the wires at their contacts point. The bone cavity can then be filled with a bone growth enhancing medium.

Abstract: A guidewire for use with a catheter has varying radiopacity as well as at least one radiopaque marker in its distal end. In one embodiment, the guidewire includes a shaft that supports a distal radiopaque coil and a proximal radiopaque coil. The proximal and distal coils are spaced apart from one another. The non-radiopaque area between the two coils has at least one radiopaque marker band attached to the shaft. The marker bands provide several radiographically visible reference Lengths. A polymer sleeve encases the marker bands and the shaft between the first and second coils providing a uniform outer diameter to the distal region of the guidewire. In another embodiment, the proximal coil may be omitted. In a further embodiment, a radiopaque coil having varying pitch along its length is supported by and attached to a distal region of the core wire.