摘要:
A dilatation catheter having a balloon with an inflated length than can be adjusted according to the length of stenosis to be dilated. In one embodiment an exterior sheath having an expandable distal tip is employed about a elongated balloon which can be longitudinally adjusted so as to expose a length of balloon which provides a working balloon length required to dilate the stenosis. In another embodiment, the balloon has independently inflatable chambers. In yet another embodiment, the balloon has longitudinal tubular sections which expand sequentially higher pressures. Other means are also described.
摘要:
The present invention is directed to a drug eluting stent system, including: a stent; a tocopherol agent coupled to the stent; wherein the stent is adapted to elute the tocopherol agent into a surrounding lumenal wall tissue when implanted along the lumen within a body of a patient.
摘要:
A long-term implantable ultrasound therapy system and method is provided that provides directional, focused ultrasound to localized regions of tissue within body joints, such as spinal joints. An ultrasound emitter or transducer is delivered to a location within the body associated with the joint and heats the target region of tissue associated with the joint from the location. Such locations for ultrasound transducer placement may include for example in or around the intervertebral discs, or the bony structures such as vertebral bodies or posterior vertebral elements such as facet joints. Various modes of operation provide for selective, controlled heating at different temperature ranges to provide different intended results in the target tissue, which ranges are significantly effected by pre-stressed tissues such as in-vivo intervertebral discs. In particular, treatments above 70 degrees C., and in particular 75 degrees C., are used for structural remodeling, whereas lower temperatures achieves other responses without appreciable remodeling.
摘要:
A stent is provided with modified ends (782, 786) and enhanced drug delivery. The stent assembly also provides for enhanced overlapping between adjacent stents.
摘要:
An endolumenal medical device assembly is provided for use in a bifurcation region of a body lumen. An expandable prosthesis, such as a stent, is included in the assembly and is adjustable from a radially collapsed condition to a radially expanded condition. The expandable prosthesis includes a prosthesis passageway and a side port. A dilator or an access device is engaged within the prosthesis passageway and also through the side port while the expandable prosthesis is in the radially collapsed condition. The expandable prosthesis may be positioned in the bifurcation region such that its distal end portion is in a first branch lumen extending from the bifurcation, its proximal end portion is in a common proximal lumen of the bifurcation region, and the side port is aligned with an entrance zone to a second branch lumen extending from the bifurcation. When the expandable prosthesis is so positioned the access device maintains percutaneous translumenal access to the second branch lumen through the prosthesis passageway and the side port while the expandable prosthesis is adjusted from the radially collapsed condition to the radially expanded condition. A dilator may also to expand the bore formed by the side port from an initial inner diameter to a larger expanded inner diameter. A second, lateral expandable prosthesis can also be coupled to the first expandable prosthesis at a location adjacent to the side port and engaged by the dilator or access device extending through the side port.
摘要:
The present invention is directed to a drug eluting stent system, including: a stent; a tocopherol agent coupled to the stent; wherein the stent is adapted to elute the tocopherol agent into a surrounding lumenal wall tissue when implanted along the lumen within a body of a patient.
摘要:
A stent is provided in combination with delivery of a tocopherol agent, and in particular a des-methyl tocopherol agent, and further beneficially a gamma-tocopherol agent, so as to reduce restenosis along the vessel or other lumenal wall where the stent is implanted. In particular applications, the stent is an endolumenal stent, and more specific beneficial applications is an endovascular stent, and the gamma-tocopherol elutes from a coating or carrier coupled with the stent. Certain combinations are provided with the des-methyl-tocopherol or phytyl substituted chromanol, e.g. gamma-tocopherol, combined with an additional agent such as an anti-restenosis agent, e.g. sirolimus, tacrolimus, everolimus, or paclitaxel, in order to provide synergistic benefit to tissues along the stented or recanalized regions. Other forms of tocopherol or tocotrienol, or other phytyl substituted chromanols, and other compounds such as palm oil, are also contemplated, for use to treat restenosis.
摘要:
An MR Spectroscopy (MRS) system and approach is provided for diagnosing painful and non-painful discs in chronic, severe low back pain patients (DDD-MRS). A DDD-MRS pulse sequence generates and acquires DDD-MRS spectra within intervertebral disc nuclei for later signal processing & diagnostic analysis. An interfacing DDD-MRS signal processor receives output signals of the DDD-MRS spectra acquired and is configured to optimize signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by an automated system that selectively conducts optimal channel selection, phase and frequency correction, and frame editing as appropriate for a given acquisition series. A diagnostic processor calculates a diagnostic value for the disc based upon a weighted factor set of criteria that uses MRS data extracted from the acquired and processed MRS spectra along regions associated with multiple chemicals that have been correlated to painful vs. non-painful discs. A diagnostic display provides a scaled, color coded legend and indication of results for each disc analyzed as an overlay onto a mid-sagittal T2-weighted MRI image of the lumbar spine for the patient being diagnosed. Clinical application of the embodiments provides a non-invasive, objective, pain-free, reliable approach for diagnosing painful vs. non-painful discs by simply extending and enhancing the utility of otherwise standard MRI exams of the lumbar spine.
摘要:
Systems and methods are described providing therapeutic preparations of tachykinins, and more specifically sialokinins, for treating various types of abnormal cellular proliferation conditions in regions of tissue associated with the body of a patient. The sialokinins may be isolated and purified from natural or bioengineered sources, or may be synthesized, and may be combined into, with, or on an implant for local elution or otherwise as a powder mixed in a carrier vehicle for injection delivery. Tumors, warts, and restenosis are abnormal cellular proliferation conditions treated by therapeutic doses of sialokinin. Size of the tissue structure to be treated is used to determine the therapeutic dose of sialokinin. The sialokinins are either locally or systemically delivered at therapeutic doses for the desired effect. Implants such as stents are coated with sialokinins for local elution at the site of injury or tissue otherwise vulnerable to harmful conditions treated by the sialokinin.
摘要:
An intraluminal catheter which provides access to distal locations within a patient's body lumen and which is provided with a flexible distal section having an inner lining, an outer jacket or coating and a helical coil between the lining and jacket. The distal section of the catheter is quite flexible yet it has sufficient transverse or radial rigidity to prevent significant distortion of the transverse cross-sectional shape of the catheter.