A ventricular assist device is a type of device that is designed to take over function for either or both of the heart's ventricles. The ventricles are responsible for pumping blood through the lungs and out to the body. Most often, this device is used in patients who are awaiting a heart transplant, thus it is called as bridge to transplantation. It may be short-term, intermediate-term or long-term, depending on the needs of the each patient.

Vertebroplasty is an image-guided treatment for the alleviation of back pain from vertebral compression fracture. It can provide pain relief and prevent further collapse of fractures that do not heal naturally. It stabilizes the fracture and helps to prevent further collapse of the vertebral body.