Methods and systems for x-ray and fluoroscopic image capture and, in particular, to a versatile, multimode imaging system incorporating a hand-held x-ray emitter operative to capture digital or thermal images of a target; a stage operative to capture static x-ray and dynamic fluoroscopic images of the target; a system for the tracking and positioning of the x-ray emission; a device to automatically limit the field of the x-ray emission; and methods of use and use of such systems to register a virtual model of an anatomic structure to the corresponding anatomic structure.

A radiation finder tool assists in locating tissue of interest within a patient. The radiation finder tool includes a body and a plurality of radiation detectors. The body has a distal end, a proximal end. A lengthwise axis of the radiation finder tool extends between the proximal end and the distal end of the body. The plurality of radiation detectors is oriented serially along the lengthwise axis, e.g., stacked one after the other along the lengthwise axis. Each radiation detector of the plurality of radiation detectors has a different field of view for radiation detected by that radiation detector. Each field of view of the plurality of radiation detectors has the lengthwise axis at its center.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing forward fluid delivery through an energy delivery device that avoids coring when it delivers energy to a tissue. The device has a distal face defining an opening, with the distal face including at least one electrically exposed portion and at least one electrically insulated portion. An embodiment of the energy delivery device includes an elongate member defining a lumen structured to receive a fluid, and a distal face defining an aperture in communication with the lumen. The distal face includes an electrically exposed conductive portion and an electrically insulated portion. The electrically exposed conductive portion is configured such that the energy it delivers while the energy delivery device is advanced into a tissue punctures the tissue without the tissue substantially occluding the lumen and without creating embolic particles.

Multi-modal imaging capsule for image-guided proton beam therapy, consisting of a biocompatible polymer layer, .sup.18O-enriched water, and a contrast agent. The biocompatible capsule may be inserted near or inside a tumor under the guidance of X-ray, magnetic resonance, or ultrasonography imaging. Upon proton beam irradiation, the capsule emits positrons, allowing the tumor to be imaged and tracked by a PET detector.

A system for percutaneous or open facet joint fusion includes an imaging system configured to identify a docking location on a facet joint between a first vertebra and a second vertebra of a patient. The system also includes a cannula configured to be positioned at the docking location on the facet joint. The system further includes a rotary tool that is configured to mount within the cannula. The rotary tool is configured to create a void in the facet joint by way of the cannula, where the void is configured to receive a bone graft or bone growth promoting material.

Methods and devices for performing minimally invasive procedures useful for Fallopian tube diagnostics are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the proximal os of the Fallopian tube is accessed via an intrauterine approach; an introducer catheter is advanced to cannulate and form a fluid tight seal with the proximal os of the Fallopian tube; a second catheter inside the introducer catheter is provided to track the length of the Fallopian tube and out into the abdominal cavity; a balloon at the end of the second catheter is inflated and the second catheter is retracted until the balloon seals the distal os of the Fallopian tube; irrigation is performed substantially over the length of the Fallopian tube; and the irrigation fluid is recovered for cytology or cell analysis.

A charger for charging a plurality of pressure sensing catheters is provided. The charger has a plurality of charging ports of which a first charging port and a second charging port receives a first connector and a second connector respectively. The first and second connectors each have a first and second radiofrequency identification tags respectively, having information indicative of identifiable information of a first and second pressure sensing catheters respectively. The charger has a plurality of antennas, of which a first antenna and a second antenna can be positioned proximate to the first charging port, and second charging port respectively. When the first connector is inserted into the first charging port, the first radiofrequency identification tag is guided to a predetermined orientation with respect to the first antenna to minimize a spacing therebetween, and to maximize absorption of radiofrequency energy therebetween.

A braided vaso-occlusive member formed out of first plurality of filaments interwoven with a second plurality of filaments, wherein filaments of the first plurality are helically wound in a first rotational direction along an elongate axis of the braided member, and filaments of the second plurality are wound in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, such that filaments of the first plurality cross over and/or under filaments of the second plurality at each of a plurality cross-over locations axially spaced along the elongate axis of the braided member, wherein at each cross-over location, the filaments of the first plurality cross over at least two consecutive filaments of the second plurality, then cross under only a single filament of the second plurality, and then cross over at least two additional consecutive filaments of the second plurality.

Dental implants including radiopaque markers provided therein or thereon. The implant may also include customizable length characteristics. For example, a kit may include implants with different diameters (e.g., 3 diameters), where all of the implants are of a single (e.g., long) length. The appropriate diameter implant may be selected from the kit by the practitioner, and the long length implant may be cut (e.g., with a dental drill) to the appropriate length needed. The implants include radiopaque markers on or within the implant. For example, three series of markers may be provided on different faces of the implant, so that the three series of markers serve as reference points when scanning, allowing triangulation of the exact position of the implant in relation to the surrounding hard and soft oral tissues.

Systems, devices, and methods for transvascular ablation of target tissue. The devices and methods may, in some examples, be used for splanchnic nerve ablation to increase splanchnic venous blood capacitance to treat at least one of heart failure and hypertension. For example, the devices disclosed herein may be advanced endovascularly to a target vessel in the region of a thoracic splanchnic nerve (TSN), such as a greater splanchnic nerve (GSN) or a TSN nerve root. Also disclosed are method of treating heart failure, such as HFpEF, by endovascularly ablating a thoracic splanchnic nerve to increase venous capacitance and reduce pulmonary blood pressure.