Abstract: Methods for surgical navigation use a trajectory frame/guide assembly for use with surgical navigation systems that includes a base having a patient access aperture formed therein. A yoke is mounted to the base and is rotatable about a roll axis. A platform is mounted to the yoke and is rotatable about a pitch axis and interchangeably holds a single lumen or multi-lumen guide array and a device guide. A device guide can be rotated to align an access channel with a desired lumen path. No x-y actuators are required and a virtual guide array may also or alternatively be used to identify a desired open channel in the device guide for the preferred trajectory path.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring fluid to or from a subject use a set of MRI compatible components that can aspirate intrabody structure and/or fluids. The components include a device guide, a semi-rigid guide sheath configured to slidably extend through the device guide, a stylet releasable coupled to the guide sheath and extending a fixed distance out of a distal end thereof, and a cannula coupled to flexible tubing that is releasably interchangeably held in the guide sheath in lieu of the stylet.

Abstract: Devices for transferring fluid to or from a subject include an extension tube assembly with an axially extending inner tube configured to couple to an elongate tubular cannula having opposing proximal and distal ends with an axially extending lumen and an axially extending inner tube. The inner tube extending through the tubular cannula defines an exposed needle tip and is in fluid communication with the inner tube of the extension tube assembly. The needle tip extends out of a distal end of the tubular cannula a suitable distance.

Abstract: A trajectory frame/guide assembly for use with surgical navigation systems includes a base having a patient access aperture formed therein. A yoke is mounted to the base and is rotatable about a roll axis. A platform is mounted to the yoke and is rotatable about a pitch axis and interchangeably holds a single lumen or multi-lumen guide array and a device guide. No x-y actuators are required and a virtual guide array may also or alternatively be used to identify a desired open channel in the device guide for the preferred trajectory path.

Abstract: Devices for transferring fluid to or from a subject include an elongate tubular cannula having opposing proximal and distal ends with an axially extending lumen. The devices also include an elongate needle having opposing proximal and distal ends. The elongate needle is configured so that the distal end of the needle extends out of the distal end of the cannula a suitable adjustable distance. The devices also include a housing with a length adjustment mechanism that adjusts a length between the tip of the needle and the distal end of the tubular cannula.

Abstract: Devices for transferring fluid to or from a subject include an elongate tubular cannula having opposing proximal and distal ends with an axially extending lumen. The devices also include an elongate needle having opposing proximal and distal ends. The elongate needle is configured so that the distal end of the needle extends out of the distal end of the cannula a suitable adjustable distance. The devices also include a housing with a length adjustment mechanism that adjusts a length between the tip of the needle and the distal end of the tubular cannula.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring fluid to or from a subject use a set of MRI compatible components that can aspirate intrabody structure and/or fluids. The components include a device guide, a semi-rigid guide sheath configured to slidably extend through the device guide, a stylet releasable coupled to the guide sheath and extending a fixed distance out of a distal end thereof, and a cannula coupled to flexible tubing that is releasably interchangeably held in the guide sheath in lieu of the stylet.

Abstract: Trajectory frame assemblies for image guided surgical systems have a trajectory frame with a support column that can removably secure different components such as a tracking probe and an MER driver adapter to define and/or follow a desired intrabody trajectory. The trajectory frame assemblies include fins attached to the column support and a platform optionally with an X-Y table and/or arcuate reference brackets that are attached to the trajectory frame assemblies and can hold a reference frame with fiducials.

Abstract: Trajectory frame assemblies for image guided surgical systems have a trajectory frame with a support column that can removably secure different components such as a tracking probe and an MER driver adapter to define and/or follow a desired intrabody trajectory. The trajectory frame assemblies include fins attached to the column support and a platform optionally with an X-Y table and/or arcuate reference brackets that are attached to the trajectory frame assemblies and can hold a reference frame with fiducials.

Abstract: A trajectory frame/guide assembly for use with surgical navigation systems includes a base having a patient access aperture formed therein. A yoke is mounted to the base and is rotatable about a roll axis. A platform is mounted to the yoke and is rotatable about a pitch axis and interchangeably holds a single lumen or multi-lumen guide array and a device guide. No x-y actuators are required and a virtual guide array may also or alternatively be used to identify a desired open channel in the device guide for the preferred trajectory path.

Abstract: Devices for transferring fluid to or from a subject include an elongate tubular cannula having opposing proximal and distal ends with an axially extending lumen. The devices also include an elongate needle having opposing proximal and distal ends. The elongate needle is configured so that the distal end of the needle extends out of the distal end of the cannula a suitable adjustable distance. The devices also include a housing with a length adjustment mechanism that adjusts a length between the tip of the needle and the distal end of the tubular cannula.

Abstract: Trajectory frame assemblies for image guided surgical systems have a trajectory frame with a support column that can removably secure different components such as a tracking probe and an MER driver adapter to define and/or follow a desired intrabody trajectory. The trajectory frame assemblies include fins attached to the column support and a platform optionally with an X-Y table and/or arcuate reference brackets that are attached to the trajectory frame assemblies and can hold a reference frame with fiducials.

Abstract: A stent having helical elements, a geometry for improved crimping, and a good stent-to-vessel ratio is disclosed. In one embodiment, the stent has a plurality of first helical segments and a plurality of second opposing helical segments. The first helical segments are comprised of a plurality of first expandable elements and the second helical segments are comprised of a plurality of second helical elements. The expandable elements are joined to each other by a plurality of struts. When the stent is crimped a portion of one of the first expandable elements nest within another portion of the same expandable element and a portion of two first expandable elements nestle between the same two portions of second expandable elements.

Abstract: A stent having helical elements, a geometry for improved crimping, and a good stent-to-vessel ratio is disclosed. In one embodiment, the stent has a plurality of first helical segments and a plurality of second opposing helical segments. The first helical segments are comprised of a plurality of first expandable elements and the second helical segments are comprised of a plurality of second helical elements. The expandable elements are joined to each other by a plurality of struts. When the stent is crimped a portion of one of the first expandable elements nest within another portion of the same expandable element and a portion of two first expandable elements nestle between the same two portions of second expandable elements.

Abstract: A stent delivery system for medical treatment of a patient and for performing primary or direct stenting includes a balloon catheter, a stent, a sheath, and a flexible tapered introducer tip. The balloon catheter has a hub, shaft, and inflatable balloon, as well as a tubular stent mounted about the deflated balloon and crimped to an initial diameter. The introducer tip is affixed to the distal end of the balloon catheter and tapers to a maximum outer diameter equal to the crimped stent outer diameter plus the sheath wall thickness. The composite sheath has a multiple diameter design with a distal portion adapted to retractably cover the crimped stent, and a proximal portion having a smaller diameter. This smaller diameter enables greater flow of a radiopaque contrast fluid around the outside of the proximal sheath and through the inside of a guiding catheter, thus providing the system with a high visibility capability.