Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method for drawing a cranial image trajectory. The method comprises: providing, by a processor, at least one trajectory pattern template for parts of a standard cranial anatomy; acquiring, by a radiation image device, at least one cranial image of a patient, superimposing, by the processor, the trajectory pattern template of each part of the standard cranial anatomy onto the corresponding position of the patient's cranial image, and acquiring the trajectory pattern of the cranial image; and if a deviation is determined between the shape of the respective structure on the trajectory pattern of the patient's cranial image and that of the trajectory pattern template of each part of the standard cranial anatomy, adjusting the shape of the corresponding trajectory pattern template in the cranial anatomy so as to be the same as the respective structure in the cranial image by the processor.

Abstract: An X-ray computed tomography (CT) apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to generate image data based on a detection result obtained by detecting X-rays transmitted through a subject with a detector. The processing circuitry is configured to specify a boundary between a first region and a second region in the image data, based on anatomical landmarks in the image data, and adjust setting of scan conditions relating to a tube current value in accordance with information relating to a position of the boundary.

Abstract: A method is for controlling a medical imaging system. The method includes providing a data record for a patient, the data record including indication data; mapping at least the indication data into an ontology; providing a control data library including control data records for at least one medical imaging system; automatically determining a control data record from the control data library as a function of the at least indication data mapped into the ontology, via at least one of an inference and numerical modeling; and controlling the medical imaging system with the control data record automatically determined. Furthermore, a related control facility and a medical imaging system are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for automatic positioning of a patient relative to a medical device, the patient is positioned on a patient support of the medical device in a detection area of an optical position determining device of the medical device. The optical position determining device has at least one three-dimensional light curtain arrangement. A start position of the patient is detected by the optical position determining device and a position deviation between the start position detected and a target position stored in a control processor is determined. Depending on the position deviation, the patient support is automatically positioned in three dimensions.

Abstract: The present approach relates to the use of augmented or enhanced reality to facilitate positioning of one or more of a patient, X-ray source, or detector during an image acquisition. In certain implementations, sensors and/or cameras provide quantitative information about the position of system components and the patient, which may be used to generate a positioning image based upon reference to an anatomic atlas.

Abstract: The present invention provides a moving type radiation device improved in usability. The stroke of an intermediate member in a conventional configuration can be increased when an effective diameter of a pinion with respect to an effective diameter of a lower sprocket is determined so that a magnitude of a relative movement that occurs when a lower sprocket and the pinion between an X-ray tube and the intermediate member becomes larger than the magnitude of the relative movement between the X-ray tube and the intermediate member. In the device according to the present invention, the intermediate member moves further toward the floor side than in a conventional device. The operator can move the device while feeling high operability in a state in which the visibility is not interrupted by the intermediate member.

Abstract: Acoustic listening methods, devices, and systems herein relate to auscultation of a body. An auscultation device as disclosed herein can be operable to function within a cavity of the body, and can operate in conjunction with other auscultation devices, including with eternal auscultation devices. Individual devices and grouped devices can operate with the addition of a computing device.

Abstract: A subject information acquisition apparatus includes an electromechanical conversion element which receives an elastic wave generated by irradiating with an electromagnetic wave an object in a subject and converts the received elastic wave into an electric signal; a moving device moves the electromechanical conversion element; a signal processing device calculates an image value based on the electric signal. The moving device moves the electromechanical conversion element from a first position to a second position, the electromechanical conversion element receives the elastic wave at the first position and converts the received elastic wave into a first electric signal, and receives the elastic wave at the second position and converts the received elastic wave into a second electric signal; when the electromechanical conversion element is situated at the second position, the signal processing device calculates a first image value at a specified position inside the subject based on the first electric signal.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is described which can diagnose, treat, or monitor the cranial vasculature for obstructions such as blood clots causing ischemic stroke. The system has a headset which maintains two transducer arrays in contact with acoustic windows through the temporal bones on opposite sides of the head. The clinician is aided in properly positioning the arrays over the best acoustic windows through the bone by a signal produced by one of the arrays in response to transmission through the cranium by the other array, which passes through the temporal bones on both sides of the head. The amplitude of this through- transmission signal is detected and displayed to the clinician, either qualitatively or quantitatively, as the arrays are positioned.

Abstract: System for non-invasive measuring of an intracranial reserve space (ICRS) parameter of a mammalian subject, comprising a multi-frequency ultrasound probe configured, beginning at a start time, to emit and receive ultrasound waves into and from the subject's head and to produce a signal of brain tissue pulsation; an instrument configured to non-invasively partially occlude an internal jugular vein (IJV) starting at the start time and including a second ultrasound probe producing a second signal; and a computer system configured to receive the signal, the second signal and the start time, the computer system also configured, using one or more processors, to derive from the signal an intracranial brain tissue pulsation waveform and from the second signal images of the IJV, and to determine a length of time from the start time to a subsequent time at which the waveform is sufficiently compressed so as to exhibit a predefined decline in variability.

Abstract: A method of positioning a catheter in a blood vessel. The method includes ultrasonically imaging the blood vessel using an ultrasound probe to generate an ultrasound image, communicating the ultrasound image to a console, and displaying the ultrasound image on the console. The method further includes coupling a stylet to the catheter, the stylet including a stylet control module including a timer circuit, and a coil assembly connected to the stylet control module. The method further includes introducing and advancing the catheter and the coil assembly in the blood vessel, sending an electric pulse signal from the timer circuit to the coil assembly at a pulse signal frequency, emitting an electromagnetic field from the coil assembly, and detecting the electromagnetic field by an external sensor. The method may further include synchronizing the pulse signal frequency, and determining a position of the coil assembly with respect to the external sensor.

Abstract: An ultrasound endoscope includes: a transducer unit arranged on a distal end side in an insertion direction to an inside of a subject and configured to transmit and receive an ultrasonic wave; a bendable tube arranged on a proximal end side relative to the transducer unit, the bendable tube including a plurality of ring-shaped members that are joined with each other along the insertion direction and bendable in at least two directions; a flexible tube arranged to be continuous to the proximal end side of the bendable tube; and a flexible board inserted to an inside of the bendable tube and configured to electrically connect the transducer unit. The flexible board includes a helical portion that is formed in a helical shape following an inner surface of the bendable tube, and that is fixed to the inner surface of the bendable tube at a part.

Abstract: A dual frequency transducer array includes one or more low frequency transducer arrays and a high frequency transducer array. Unfocused ultrasound such as plane waves are transmitted by the one or more low frequency transducer arrays in a number of different directions into an imaging region of the high frequency transducer array. High frequency echo signals produced by excited contrast agent in the imaging region are received by the high frequency transducer array to produce a contrast agent image. In another embodiment, the high frequency transducer produces unfocused ultrasound to excite the contrast agent in the imaging region and the low frequency transducer(s) receives low frequency echo signals from the excited contrast agent. A tissue image is created from echo signals received by the high or low frequency transducer. Echo data from the tissue image and the contrast agent image are combined to produce a combined tissue/contrast agent image.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe includes: a plurality of transducer elements each configured to perform at least one selected from between transmission of an ultrasound wave and reception of an ultrasound wave; first circuitry that is arranged on a rear face side of the transducer elements, is provided with electronic circuitry corresponding to two or more of the transducer elements organized in a first group, and is provided with a through silicon via corresponding to two or more of the transducer elements organized in a second group; and second circuitry that is arranged on a rear face side of the first circuitry, is provided with a through silicon via corresponding to the two or more of the transducer elements organized in the first group, and is provided with electronic circuitry corresponding to the two or more of the transducer elements organized in the second group.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasound image diagnosis apparatus includes a display, an input circuit, and processing circuitry. The display is configured to display an ultrasound image generated in response to a reflected signal of ultrasound waves transmitted toward a target site to be diagnosed from an ultrasound probe. The input circuit includes a first button that is used to set a start point as a measurement start position and an end point as a measurement end position upon measuring the size of a measurement object on the ultrasound image displayed on the display. The processing circuitry is configured to cause the display to display the ultrasound image, and determine whether the end point is set with the first button or with a second button other than the first button.

Abstract: A workflow is disclosed to accurately register ultrasound imaging to co-modality imaging. The ultrasound imaging is segmented with a convolutional neural network to detect a surface of the object. The ultrasound imaging is calibrated to reflect a variation in propagation speed of the ultrasound waves through the object by minimizing a cost function that sums the differences between the first and second steered frames, and compares the first and second steered frames of the ultrasound imaging with a third frame of the ultrasound imaging that is angled between the first and second steered frames. The ultrasound imaging is temporarily calibrated with respect to a tracking coordinate system by creating a point cloud of the surface and calculating a set of projection values of the point cloud to a vector. The ultrasound imaging, segmented and calibrated, is automatically registered to the co-modality imagine.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high resolution intravascular ultrasound imaging system including a catheter with a rotatable imaging assembly and an image processor. The image processor in turn features a pulser configured to energize the ultrasound transducer of the rotatable imaging assembly with a multi-frequency ultrasound waveform signal. The image processor further contains a receiver configured to decompose received ultrasound energy as reflected by the target vessel into a plurality of individual subband signals, individually process these signals and reconstitute these signals into a high resolution image of the blood vessel. The IVUS system of the invention may be useful in characterizing cap thickness of vulnerable plaques or other detailed studies of blood vessels.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for acquiring raw ultrasound data from an ultrasound machine using a wirelessly connected device. The systems can be configured to display ultrasound images on a display device and receive input to select the ultrasound images for which to retrieve corresponding raw ultrasound data from the ultrasound machine. A raw data buffer provided at the ultrasound machine may be capable of storing a first time duration of raw ultrasound data. An image display buffer provided at the wireless device may store: processed ultrasound image data corresponding to the raw ultrasound data stored in the raw data buffer; and previously-received processed ultrasound image data that has no corresponding raw ultrasound data stored in the raw data buffer.

Abstract: A device comprising a trocar having a first end and comprising a cannulation and at least one fenestration proximal the first end; and a housing comprising a first port configured for the attachment of a first syringe and a second port configured for the attachment of a collection vessel, a first valve configured to selectively permit fluid flow through the cannulation of the trocar to the first port, and a second valve configured to selectively permit fluid flow through the cannulation of the trocar to the second port. The device allows the first syringe to draw up bone marrow in small volumes with high vacuum and then transfer the small draws into the collection vessel. The device may increase the recovery of desired cells residing in the bone marrow to be recovered during a bone marrow aspiration procedure.

Abstract: A combined system for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures includes a needle extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a lumen extending therethrough, the distal end including a sharp grind for cutting a tissue sample to be collected in the lumen of the needle and a protective sheath sized and shaped to be inserted through the lumen of the needle such that a distal end of the protective sheath extends distally past the distal end of the needle, the protective sheath extending longitudinally from a proximal end to the distal end and including a lumen extending therethrough.

Abstract: A power pack removably loadable into a housing of a surgical instrument having a motor having a motor shaft, a rotatable disc operably connected to the motor shaft, a drive mechanism operably connected to the rotatable disc, and an engagement member linearly movable by the drive mechanism. The engagement member is configured to removably engage an axially movable member in the housing of the surgical instrument, wherein actuation of the motor causes linear movement of the engagement member to effect movement of the axially movable member in an axial direction.

Abstract: Embodiments of a surgical instrument including an actuation lockout system as well as its method of use are disclosed. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument includes a trigger and a driveshaft coupled to the trigger such that actuation of the trigger causes the driveshaft to move from a first position to a second position, thereby resulting in deployment of a surgical fastener. An actuation lockout system restrains distal movement of the driveshaft until a force greater than or equal to a threshold force is applied to the trigger.

Abstract: A retractor assembly for positioning tissue during a surgical procedure, having two opposing arms disposed adjacent to one another and sized and configured to be urged substantially laterally away from one another during actuation of the retractor assembly into an open position, and one or more posts, each post being connected to, or integral with, and extending radially outwardly from a respective one of the opposing arms, each of the one or more posts having a length sufficient so that each of the one or more posts will extend through a respective aperture defined by a modular component to be detachably attached to the respective one of the opposing arms. Related methods of positioning tissue during surgery are also described.

Abstract: A method includes forming a bone tunnel through a first bone and a second bone and inserting a flexible construct through the bone tunnel. The flexible construct includes a first anchoring element and a second anchoring element coupled by at least one flexible strand defining an adjustable loop. The at least one flexible strand includes a first end extending from the first anchoring element in an opposite direction from the adjustable loop. A length of the adjustable loop is adjusted to position the first bone and the second bone in a selected spacing. The first end of the at least one flexible strand is coupled to a tissue section using a third anchoring element.

Abstract: A tissue anchor is provided that is configured to be delivered in a constrained state within a deployment tool. The tissue anchor includes a shaft and a tissue-coupling element, which (a) extends from a distal end of the shaft, and (b) is configured to be advanced through a heart wall and be coupled to a far side of the heart wall. The tissue anchor further includes a sealing element, which is (a) disposed around the shaft, (b) sized and shaped to be disposed entirely within the heart wall, and (c) configured to promote hemostasis. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A surgical staple insertion system for compressing bone fragments includes a staple and an insertion tool. The staple has first and second legs and an elastically deformable bridge monolithically formed with the first and second legs. In a relaxed configuration, the bridge is curved such that a central region of the bridge is directed away from the first and second legs, and free ends of the first and second legs are positioned closer to one another than are portions of the first and second legs connected to the bridge. The bridge includes engagement portions at each of its first and second end sections that extend away from each other. The insertion tool includes an end defining a cavity configured to receive the engagement portions at the end sections of the bridge to retain the bridge in a deformed configuration with the first and second legs retained parallel to each other.

Abstract: A medical stapler according to the present invention is provided with: a staple housing provided with a gripping surface from which a staple for suturing tissue is ejected, and a cutter that cuts the tissue by being made to protrude from the gripping surface; an anvil that is disposed facing a direction in which the staple is ejected, and that is configured so that the tissue can be gripped between the gripping surface and the anvil; and a receiving member that is provided in the anvil, and that has a receiving surface that receives a cutting edge of the cutter, wherein the receiving surface of the receiving member has a shape in which only a portion thereof comes into contact with the cutting edge of the cutter at individual time points during a cutting step over the entire length of a cut length of the tissue.

Abstract: A suturing kit includes a suture and a suture holder for holding the suture. The suture has a first end and a second, opposite, end. The suture holder includes an elongated wall defining a suture receiving passage that is elongated along a longitudinal axis and terminates at a suture exit opening. The suture receiving passage has a width at least twice the diameter of the suture and receives the suture such that the suture is folded over forming a half loop section spaced from the suture exit opening. A first second of the suture extends from the half loop section toward the first end and a second section of the suture extends from the half loop section towards the second end. The first section and the second section of the suture within the suture receiving passage are aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A loading unit removably loadable into a surgical instrument positioned within a body of a patient having an elongated member, first and second jaws at a distal portion and a firing mechanism movable within the elongated member to effect firing of fasteners into the tissue clamped between the first and second jaws. The loading unit is insertable into a proximal opening of the instrument and through a lumen in the shaft of the instrument while the instrument is positioned in the body of the patient. The first and second jaws extend distally of the shaft of the instrument and the loading unit is actuable by the instrument. A surgical instrument to receive the loading unit and a method for reloading the instrument are also provided.

Abstract: A surgical fastener applier including a housing containing a compartment, an elongated member extending distally from the housing, first and second jaws and a firing mechanism positioned within the housing. The firing mechanism is movable between a first position and a second position to effect firing of fasteners into the tissue clamped between the first and second jaws. A cover on the housing is openable to access the compartment. A power pack is removably loadable into the compartment, the power pack having a motor and an engagement member removably engageable with the firing mechanism within the compartment when the power pack is loaded into the compartment to effect movement of the firing mechanism from the first position to the second firing position.

Abstract: A system for stapling tissue comprises a flexible endoscope and an operative head including a pair of opposed, curved tissue clamping jaws sized to pass through an esophagus, the jaws being moveable with respect to one another between an open tissue receiving configuration and a closed tissue clamping configuration, a first one of the curved jaws including a stapling mechanism and a second one of the jaws including a staple forming anvil surface, the stapling mechanism including staple slots through which staples are fired arranged in a row extending from a proximal end of the first jaw to a distal end thereof in combination with a control handle which, when the operative head is in an operative position within one of a patient's stomach and esophagus, remains outside the patient, the control handle including a first actuator for moving the jaws relative to one another and a second actuator for operating the stapling mechanism.

Abstract: An endovascular anastomotic connector and method of using the same. The endovascular anastomotic connector includes a vascular conduit and a supply conduit. The vascular conduit has proximal and distal ends that reside within a vascular structure. The supply conduit extends at an angle from the vascular conduit. The proximal end of the supply conduit is configured to be attached to an auxiliary device.

Abstract: An external uterine compression wrap has a sheet like structure with an unfolded configuration and a folded configuration. The sheet is configured to be wrapped around the uterus and secured in the folded configuration to provide external compression to the uterus to treat postpartum hemorrhage. The wrap may include securement members attached to the sheet at one end that extend through corresponding passageways at the opposite end, such that the sheet when folded may be retained in the folded configuration after the securement members have been secured. The wrap may include a securement member in the form of a suture that extends along at least a portion of the perimeter of the sheet through spaced apart holes, and the suture may be pulled to cinch the sheet around the uterus in a folded configuration.

Abstract: Described herein are flexible implantable devices or stents that can conform to the shape of vessels of the neurovasculature. In some embodiments, the devices can direct blood flow within a vessel away from an aneurysm or limit blood flow to the aneurysm. In some embodiments, a vascular remodeling device includes a first section and a protruding section. During deployment, the device expands from a compressed configuration to an expanded configuration. The first section anchors the device in an afferent vessel and/or in an efferent vessel of a bifurcation and the protruding section is positioned in the junction of the bifurcation having an aneurysm and across the neck of the aneurysm or at least partially within the aneurysm.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to anchoring systems for occluder devices, and more specifically, to an anchoring system and method for implanting an occluder device within a left atrial appendage (“LAA”) of the heart. The anchoring system is configured so that an anchor penetrates the inner endocardium layer, middle myocardium layer, and outer epicardium layer of an LAA wall. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an occluder device anchor that has a low risk of embolization and/or causing injury to neighboring valve structures. An additional purpose of the present invention is to provide an anchoring system and method for implanting an occluder device within the LAA that allows for the occluder device to be retrievable after initial placement, reusable, and repositionable for an optimal final placement within the LAA.

Abstract: Methods and systems for regulating aortic regurgitation during aortic valve replacement or repair procedures utilize a temporary aortic valve (TAV) catheter and a controller. The temporary aortic valve catheter has an expandable occlusion device which can partially occlude the aortic lumen during ventricular diastole with a lesser occlusion during ventricular systole. Exemplary balloon structures include multiple, independently inflatable balloons which are inflated in synchrony with the cardiac cycle by the controller. By controlling aortic regurgitation, the repair or replacement protocols can be conducted with less interference from blood flow.

Abstract: A low profile, self-expandable, blood flow resisting device comprising: a tubular channel being a hollow channel with open axial ends configured to allow passage of fluids, said tubular channel being a mesh channel, said tubular channel having a sandglass profiled, characterised in that, a pre-defined intermittent portion across axial orientation of said tubular channel being relatively and substantially narrower in width, said tubular channel being made of a shape memory alloy; a retrieval mechanism advantageously located at an operative proximal end of said device.

Abstract: The invention includes a transradial introducer sheath support and integral hemostasis device. The device includes a wristband and an introducer sheath support mount attached to the wristband. The wristband is made from a flexible and resilient material that is applied to the distal forearm of the patient or other desired location on the patient. The support mount may be a molded unitary structure, such as made from a thermoplastic material, and is attached directly to the outer surface of the wristband. An inflatable hemostatic element is incorporated in the wristband and mounted to an interior surface of the wristband. The hemostatic element may be selectively inflated to apply pressure to a radial access point of the patient during and after removal of the transradial introducer sheath from the patient. Another embodiment provides a hemostatic element by a rotatable clasp of the sheath support mount.

Abstract: A hemostatic device is provided to stop bleeding at a puncture site on an artery of a patient, the device comprising a transparent flexible band to be wrapped at the site where the bleeding is to be stopped, a curved compression member having an inner peripheral side and possessing a first curved portion in its first half and a second curved portion in its second half, a first balloon provided on the inner peripheral side in the first half of the curved compression member and a second balloon provided on the inner peripheral side in the second half of the curved compression member. The bleeding from a first artery is stopped by compressing the first artery at the puncture site using inflation of the first balloon and blood flow in the first artery is increased by compression of a second artery using inflation of the second balloon.

Abstract: A device to aid in performing a revision surgery on a joint can comprise: a body member having a bone facing bottom surface, an opposing top surface, a first end portion configured to be disposed on a bone, and a second end portion opposite the first end portion and configured to be disposed on the bone nearer to the joint relative to the first end portion; a connecting member attached to the body member and configured to extend beyond an end of the bone; and a guide member attached to the connecting member and including an opening configured to receive a cutting tool. The device can be sized and shaped based on a computed tomography scan of the bone, and the guide member can be configured so that when the device is installed on the bone, the longitudinal axis of the opening is aligned with a longitudinal direction of the bone.

Abstract: A method tracks a tool with respect to a bone in computer-assisted surgery. A reference tracker with a MEMS unit is secured to the bone. The tracker outputs data relating to its orientation. A tool provided with a MEMS unit and secured to the bone is preset with an initial orientation. The tool outputs tracking data related to orientation of the tool once initialized. A trackable frame of reference relating the bone to the orientation of the tracker is created. The MEMS unit of the tool is initialized. A relation between the initial orientation of the tool and the orientation of the tracker at initialization of the MEMS unit of the tool is recorded. Orientational data of the tool relative to the frame of reference of the bone calculated using the relation is displayed. A computer-assisted surgery system for tracking a tool with respect to a bone after an initialization of a MEMS unit is also described.

Abstract: A flexible bone tool including a plurality of links pivotly coupled to each other and collectively define a substantially tubular, bendable body coupled (a) at a proximal end to a holding portion and (b) at a distal end to a bone tissue removing element. The plurality of links includes one or more proximal links having an engaging portion, a wall of which comprising a first aperture and one or more distal links comprising a receiving portion, a wall of which comprising one or more second apertures, the receiving portion being sized and fitted to receive the engaging portion such that the first and second apertures are aligned and at least one pin sized and fitted to be received by the aligned first and second apertures and pivotly couple said proximal and distal links.

Abstract: An orthopedic device includes a femoral implant having a non-custom internal bone engagement surface. The femoral implant includes at least nine parameters adjusted preoperatively to correspond to a specific patient. The parameters can include patient-specific lengths, such as, for example, medial and lateral condyle widths and notch height, and patient-specific medial and lateral angles.

Abstract: Drill guides are disclosed herein that allow an implant to be partially inserted after the holes are drilled and before the drill guide has been removed from the surgical location.

Abstract: A positioning and alignment instrument, and methods of use thereof, are provided for facilitating the alignment and insertion of a device, such as a guide wire, into bone. The instrument includes a handheld anchoring component and a rotatable guidance component. During use, the anchoring component is anchored into bone via anchoring protrusions, such that the position and orientation of the anchoring component is fixed relative to the bone. The guidance component, which is mechanically supported by the anchoring component, includes a device guide channel for receiving the device and guiding the device towards an insertion location adjacent to the distal end of the anchoring component. The guidance component is rotatable relative to the anchoring component about a rotation axis that is located adjacent to the distal end of the anchoring component, such that the insertion location remains adjacent to the distal end of the anchoring component under rotation.

Abstract: A drill guide includes a body, a stabilizing member, a tubular guide sleeve, and an engagement member. The body includes a first channel aligned with a longitudinal axis and a second channel transverse to the longitudinal axis. The first channel is dimensioned to receive the sleeve, while the second channel is dimensioned to receive an engagement member. The engagement member is adapted to move within the second channel between an engaged position, where the engagement member inhibits proximal motion of the sleeve, and a second position, where motion of the sleeve is not inhibited. An alignment member is further mounted to the distal end of the sleeve that includes a distally extending member, spaced from the sleeve. In use, the distally extending member may be employed to exert a force upon a bone or other tissue lateral to the longitudinal axis for improved positioning of the bone or tissue.

Abstract: A guide for placing a landmark(s) in a patient tissue comprises a central portion defining at least one guiding bore configured to receive and guide a tool for placing the at least one landmark in the patient tissue. Extended portions project away from the central portion, each of the extended portions having respective lower base surfaces contoured to mate with the patient tissue, at least the respective lower base surfaces being customized as a function of preoperative imaging of the patient tissue, whereby the guide is specific to the patient.

Abstract: A catheter for recanalizing a blood vessel having an occlusion therein via a subintimal pathway. The catheter includes a catheter shaft having an inflatable balloon mounted to the distal end portion of the catheter shaft. A flexible tubular member extends from the catheter shaft and along an exterior of the inflatable balloon. Inflation of the inflatable balloon deflects the flexible tubular member into a deflected configuration away from a longitudinal axis of the catheter shaft to effect re-entry into the true lumen distal of the occlusion.

Abstract: A tool for use by a surgeon for operating a basket device for capturing an object to be removed from a body of an animal. The tool includes a first controller and a second controller. The first controller is adapted to be coupled to the basket device for selectively controlling the basket device and moving the basket device between a first, closed position and a second, open position. The first controller includes a plunger and cylinder mechanism; and a handle coupled to the plunger for operating the relative position of the plunger with respect to the cylinder. The second controller is positioned adjacent to the first controller and adapted to be coupled to the basket device for selectively independently controlling the rotation of the relative to the first controller.

Abstract: A valvuloplasty system comprises a balloon adapted to be placed adjacent leaflets of a valve. The balloon is inflatable with a liquid. The system further includes a shock wave generator within the balloon that produces shock waves. The shock waves propagate through the liquid and impinge upon the valve to decalcify and open the valve.