Abstract: Prostheses are described for stabilizing dysfunctional sacroiliac (SI) joints. The prostheses are sized and configured to be press-fit into surgically created pilot SI joint openings in dysfunctional SI joint structures. The prostheses have an integral structure with opposed elongated sections connected by a bridge section. The elongated sections, in some instances, have an unequal length.

Abstract: Configurations are described for assisting execution of a percutaneous procedure while protecting the vascular pathway to the target treatment area. One example is directed to an embolic protection system for deploying a device to a distal location across a diseased vessel, the embolic protection system which may include an expandable introducer, an embolic protection device, and a loading sleeve.

Abstract: Systems are described for conducting minimally invasive medical interventions utilizing instruments and assemblies thereof to stabilize and/or fixate a dysfunctional sacroiliac (SI) joint. The systems include a drill guide having a bone dislodging member adapted to create a pilot SI joint opening in the dysfunctional SI joint through an incision comprising a length no greater than 3.0 cm; portions of the pilot SI joint opening being disposed in the sacrum and ilium bone structures. The drill guide includes a tri-mode fixation system adapted to position and stabilize the drill guide during creation of the pilot SI joint opening in the dysfunctional SI joint and delivery of the SI joint prosthesis therein.

Abstract: A method for deploying a medical device such as a heart valve to a desired location in a blood vessel comprising first deploying a tubular filter adjacent to at least one tributary vessel location with a filter deployment member, disengaging said deployment member and removing it, inserting an expandable sheath into the blood vessel, passing a medical device through said sheath to deploy its removing said sheath and removing said filter.

Abstract: Prostheses are described for stabilizing dysfunctional sacroiliac (SI) joints. The prostheses are sized and configured to be press-fit into surgically created pilot SI joint openings in dysfunctional SI joint structures. The prostheses have an integral structure with opposed elongated sections connected by a bridge section. The elongated sections, in some instances, have an unequal length.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a system for deploying a device to a distal location across a vessel, comprising an elongate introducer sheath tubing member comprising open-cell fibrous wall material defining a lumen therethrough, wherein in a collapsed configuration the sheath has a first cross-sectional outer diameter and a first lumen inner diameter, and in an expanded configuration, the sheath has a second cross-sectional outer diameter and a second lumen inner diameter; and a substantially non-porous expandable layer coupled to a proximal portion of sheath and configured to prevent fluids present in the lumen from crossing the fibrous wall material. Also disclosed is a delivery assembly comprising an obturator which releasably captures the distal portion of an introducer sheath which obturator can be removed after the sheath is deployed to a desired location.

Abstract: A system having an elongate assembly, an expandable assembly having a fixed end region and a movable end region, the expandable assembly selectively transitioning between an expanded state and an unexpanded state with movement of the movable end region towards the fixed end region, and an advancement aid extending distally from the expandable assembly.

Abstract: Systems are described for conducting minimally invasive medical interventions utilizing instruments and assemblies thereof to stabilize and/or fixate a dysfunctional sacroiliac (SI) joint. The systems include a drill guide having a bone dislodging member adapted to create a pilot SI joint opening in the dysfunctional SI joint through an incision comprising a length no greater than 3.0 cm; portions of the pilot SI joint opening being disposed in the sacrum and ilium bone structures. The drill guide includes a tri-mode fixation system adapted to position and stabilize the drill guide during creation of the pilot SI joint opening in the dysfunctional SI joint and delivery of the SI joint prosthesis therein.

Abstract: A multi-member prosthesis including first and second elongated members and a central member, said multi-member prosthesis adapted to be advanced into a pilot SI joint opening in said dysfunctional SI joint via a posterior approach, the pilot SI joint opening comprising a sacrum opening and an ilium opening and a sacrum opening. The first elongated member adapted to be press-fit into the sacrum opening and the second elongated member adapted to be press-fit into the ilium opening. The central member including first and second elongated member securing means adapted to secure the first and second elongated members thereto.

Abstract: A system for treating dysfunctional SI joints that includes a multi-function bone structure prosthesis adapted to be delivered to and inserted into a dysfunctional SI joint via a posterior approach, the multi-function bone structure prosthesis, when disposed in a dysfunctional SI joint, being adapted to (i) stabilize the dysfunctional SI joint, (ii) induce proliferation, and/or growth and/or remodeling and/or regeneration of osseous tissue and, thereby, healing and arthrodesis of the dysfunctional SI joint, (iii) attenuate pain associated with the dysfunctional SI joint via neurostimulation, and (iv) monitor physiological and/or biomechanical parameters associated with the dysfunctional SI joint via one or more sensor systems.

Abstract: A musculoskeletal stabilization system adapted to stabilize spine and SI joint structures. The musculoskeletal stabilization system includes a spine structure stabilization sub-system and a pelvic structure stabilization sub-system. The pelvic structure stabilization sub-system comprising two multi-function prostheses that are adapted to be delivered to and inserted into SI joints of a subject via a posterior trajectory. The multi-function joint prostheses are further adapted to stabilize respective SI joints and cooperate with the spine stabilization sub-system to also stabilize the subject's spine jointly.

Abstract: Prostheses are described for stabilizing dysfunctional sacroiliac (SI) joints. The prostheses are sized and configured to be press-fit into surgically created pilot SI joint openings in dysfunctional SI joint structures. The prostheses have a pontoon shape with opposed elongated partially cylindrical sections connected by a bridge section. The partially cylindrical sections and, in some instances, the bridge section have a porous structure.

Abstract: Systems are described for conducting minimally invasive medical interventions utilizing instruments and assemblies thereof to stabilize and/or fixate a dysfunctional sacroiliac (SI) joint. The systems include a drill guide adapted to create a pilot SI joint opening in the dysfunctional SI joint through an incision comprising a length no greater than 3.0 cm; portions of the pilot SI joint opening being disposed in the sacrum and ilium bone structures. The drill guide includes a tri-mode fixation system adapted to position and stabilize the drill guide during creation of the pilot SI joint opening in the dysfunctional SI joint and delivery of the SI joint prosthesis therein. The systems also include a SI joint prosthesis configured to be inserted into the pilot SI joint opening of the dysfunctional SI joint, and a prosthesis deployment assembly configured to engage the SI joint prosthesis and advance the SI joint prosthesis into the dysfunctional SI joint.

Abstract: Systems are described for conducting minimally invasive medical interventions utilizing instruments and assemblies thereof to stabilize and/or fixate a dysfunctional sacroiliac (SI) joint. The systems include a drill guide adapted to create a pilot SI joint opening in the dysfunctional SI joint through an incision comprising a length no greater than 3.0 cm; portions of the pilot SI joint opening being disposed in the sacrum and ilium bone structures. The drill guide includes a tri-mode fixation system adapted to position and stabilize the drill guide during creation of the pilot SI joint opening in the dysfunctional SI joint and delivery of the SI joint prosthesis therein. The systems also include a SI joint prosthesis configured to be inserted into the pilot SI joint opening of the dysfunctional SI joint, and a prosthesis deployment assembly configured to engage the SI joint prosthesis and advance the SI joint prosthesis into the dysfunctional SI joint.

Abstract: Prostheses are described for stabilizing dysfunctional bone structures. The prostheses have proximal and distal ends, and an expandable mid-region disposed therebetween. The expandable mid-region includes a plurality of deflectable elongate members that are configured and adapted to transition from a compressed configuration to a deflected configuration when released from a deployment apparatus, whereby the plurality of deflectable elongate members deflects outwardly when the elongated member is inserted into a pilot opening of a dysfunctional bone structure, whereby the plurality of elongate members exerts a retaining force on the internal surface of the pilot opening and secures the elongated member in the pilot opening and, thereby, the dysfunctional bone structure.

Abstract: Methods are described for conducting minimally invasive medical interventions utilizing instruments and assemblies thereof to stabilize and/or fixate a dysfunctional sacroiliac (SI) joint. The methods include the initial steps of providing a drill guide assembly adapted to create a pilot opening in the dysfunctional SI joint, a prosthesis configured to be inserted into the pilot opening created by the drill guide assembly and a prosthesis deployment assembly adapted to engage and advance the prosthesis into the pilot opening in the dysfunctional SI joint. The drill guide assembly includes a drill guide having a prosthesis access opening therethrough; the opening having a configuration that corresponds to the shape of the prosthesis.

Abstract: Methods are described for stabilizing dysfunctional bone structures. The methods include the step of providing prostheses having an elongated body with dual, i.e., first and second, threaded ends and an intervening central region. The threaded ends have helical threads wound thereon that extend from the intervening central region to the ends of the first and second threaded ends. The methods further include the steps of creating a pilot opening in the dysfunctional bone structures and inserting the prostheses into the pilot opening and, thereby dysfunctional bone structure.

Abstract: Methods are described for conducting minimally invasive medical interventions utilizing instruments and assemblies thereof to stabilize and/or fixate a dysfunctional sacroiliac (SI) joint. In one embodiment, a drill assembly is advanced from a posterior approach into the SI joint to create a pilot SI joint opening; portions of which being disposed in the sacrum and ilium bone structures. After the pilot SI joint opening is created, a SI joint prosthesis is inserted into the pilot SI joint opening, wherein the SI joint prosthesis is positioned in the dysfunctional SI joint at a distance of at least 3.0 mm away from the SI joint dorsal recess.

Abstract: Methods are described for conducting minimally invasive medical interventions utilizing instruments and assemblies thereof to stabilize and/or fixate a dysfunctional sacroiliac (SI) joint. In one embodiment, a drill assembly is advanced from a posterior approach into the SI joint to create a pilot SI joint opening; portions of which being disposed in the sacrum and ilium bone structures. After the pilot SI joint opening is created, a SI joint prosthesis is inserted into the pilot SI joint opening, wherein the SI joint prosthesis is positioned in the dysfunctional SI joint at a distance of at least 3.0 mm away from the SI joint dorsal recess.