A method and system of traversing a device through an accommodating conduit to reach a target area within the accommodating conduit can include varying an amount of elasticity of the device or an amount of torsion moment of the device applied to the accommodating conduit or varying both to minimize bending forces as the device traverses the accommodating conduit. The method or system upon reaching the target area within the accommodating conduit, can further include varying the elasticity or the torsion moment of the device or varying both to cause the device to stiffen. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A prosthetic disc for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes upper and lower plates, a core disposed between the plates, and at least one projection extending from at least one of the upper and lower curved surfaces of the core into at least one recess of one of the inner surfaces of the plates. The recess is oversize with respect to the projection to allow sliding movement of the plate over the core while retaining the core between the plates during such sliding movement. The projection(s) may include a rod extending through an axial hole in the core, multiple surface features of the core, or the like.

A method and system of traversing a device through an accommodating conduit to reach a target area within the accommodating conduit can include varying an amount of elasticity of the device or an amount of torsion moment of the device applied to the accommodating conduit or varying both to minimize bending forces as the device traverses the accommodating conduit. The method or system upon reaching the target area within the accommodating conduit, can further include varying the elasticity or the torsion moment of the device or varying both to cause the device to stiffen. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A system for determining the dimensions of a native valve annulus may include a sensing catheter, a transmitter, and a computing device. The sensing catheter may include a shaft extending in a longitudinal direction; a plurality of splines attached to the shaft, the splines having an expanded condition spaced radially outward from the shaft; and at least one sensing coil located on each of the splines. The transmitter may generate a magnetic field to induce a potential in each of the sensing coils, and the computing device may identify the positions of the sensing coils based on the induced potentials.

A prosthetic disc for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes upper and lower plates, a core disposed between the plates, and at least one projection extending from at least one of the upper and lower curved surfaces of the core into at least one recess of one of the inner surfaces of the plates. The recess is oversize with respect to the projection to allow sliding movement of the plate over the core while retaining the core between the plates during such sliding movement. The projection(s) may include a rod extending through an axial hole in the core, multiple surface features of the core, or the like.

A prosthetic disc for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes upper and lower plates, a core disposed between the plates, and at least one projection extending from at least one of the upper and lower curved surfaces of the core into at least one recess of one of the inner surfaces of the plates. The recess is oversize with respect to the projection to allow sliding movement of the plate over the core while retaining the core between the plates during such sliding movement. The projection(s) may include a rod extending through an axial hole in the core, multiple surface features of the core, or the like.

A prosthetic disc for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes upper and lower plates, a core disposed between the plates, and at least one projection extending from at least one of the upper and lower curved surfaces of the core into at least one recess of one of the inner surfaces of the plates. The recess is oversize with respect to the projection to allow sliding movement of the plate over the core while retaining the core between the plates during such sliding movement. The projection(s) may include a rod extending through an axial hole in the core, multiple surface features of the core, or the like.

A prosthetic disc for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes upper and lower plates, a core disposed between the plates, and at least one projection extending from at least one of the upper and lower curved surfaces of the core into at least one recess of one of the inner surfaces of the plates. The recess is oversize with respect to the projection to allow sliding movement of the plate over the core while retaining the core between the plates during such sliding movement. The projection(s) may include a rod extending through an axial hole in the core, multiple surface features of the core, or the like.

A selectively expandable breast implant and method for tissue expansion are provided herein. The implant includes a flexible shell, an expandable material inside the flexible shell, and a plurality of closed conducting loops within the expandable material. The closed conducting loops absorb energy from a varying magnetic field external to the implant and generate heat, to heat the surrounding expandable material, and the expandable material expands in size based on the amount of heat generated by the closed conducting loops. The expandable material comprises a plurality of expandable microspheres that expands in response to the heat created by the closed conducting loops. The heat induction mechanism enables the closed conducting loops to generate heat for expansion of the expandable material in the implant. The implant can expand uniformly or in areas designated for selective shaping.

Embodiments relate to systems and methods for magnetized stent having growth-promoting properties. A stent assembly comprising a tubular elongated body having a magnetized region and a tissue nidus area is inserted beneath the orifice of a vascular aneurysm. The magnetic region can serve to attract and position both residual red blood cells and magnetically nano-treated growth-promoting cells to the orifice area of the aneurysm. The outer circumference of the tubular elongated body can act as a floor or scaffold for regenerated smooth vascular muscle cells. In embodiments, the tissue nidus area can be provided on the exterior stent, while the magnetized region is provided on the interior stent, of a stent-in-stent structure. In embodiments, the exterior stent is made of biodegradable material which gradually dissolves or dissipates in situ.