Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure designed to treat patients suffering from the debilitating pain caused by compression fractures of the vertebrae. The procedure uses x-ray guidance to place a medical-grade bone cement into the fractured vertebra to stabilize it, stop...
Many women in the United States suffer from problems such as urinary incontinence (stress incontinence and overactive bladder), pelvic prolapse, and fecal incontinence. Although there are nonsurgical treatments for these conditions, reconstructive pelvic surgery is a common option for conditions...
Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) is a treatment for patients with overactive bladder symptoms, which include urge incontinence, frequent urination, and urinary urgency. The procedure uses a device called InterStim® for Urinary Control, developed by the Minneapolis-based company Medtronic....
Coronary artery stenting is a procedure that involves placing a small, self-expanding mesh tube within a coronary artery to keep the vessel open. Physicians may also use drug-eluting stents, which are coated with a medicine that helps prevent restenosis due to tissue regrowth. The procedure is...
Peripheral vessel stenting is a minimally invasive procedure that involves placing a small, self-expanding mesh tube into a narrowed or blocked vessel to prop it open. Physicians may also use drug-eluting stents, which are coated with a medicine that helps prevent restenosis due to tissue...
Carotid artery stenting is a procedure that involves placing a stent (i.e., a slim, expandable tube made of metal or a hybrid material) into a narrowed or blocked carotid artery to widen it or prop it open. Physicians may also use drug-eluting stents, which are coated with a medicine that helps...
Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) is an incisionless surgical approach used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). During this natural orifice surgery, the surgeon inserts the EsophyX™ device through the patient’s mouth rather than through an abdominal incision.
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, sometimes known as cardiac MRI, is a noninvasive diagnostic technique that produces computerized images of internal body tissues. It is based on nuclear magnetic resonance of atoms within the body induced by the application of radio waves. It is...
Coronary atherectomy is a minimally invasive, catheter-based procedure that removes plaque that is blocking an artery and blood supply to the heart. It is a treatment option for patients with coronary artery disease.
There are three kinds of catheters approved for coronary atherectomy...
A central venous catheter (CVC or “central line”) is an intravascular catheter that terminates at or close to the heart or in one of the great vessels. According to the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) National Healthcare Safety Network, the following are considered great vessels for the...
