Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of increasing response to radiation therapy in subjects afflicted with cancer. In some embodiments, the method comprises reducing the ability of an immune suppressor cell (e.g., MDSC) to migrate to the microenvironment of the cancer. In some embodiments, the method further comprises suppressing the migration of the immune suppressor cell to a non-malignant cell and/or suppressing the malignant transformation of the non-malignant cells.

Abstract: Described are devices, implants, kits, and related methods for treating pelvic conditions such as urinary in incontinence, in a male or a female patient. The invention includes, in one embodiment, a multi-piece implant, including a tissue support piece, extension portion, and one or more self-fixating tips. The device may be employed through a medial incision in the pelvic region of the patient.

Abstract: Ultrasound probe systems and methods for using an ultrasound probe to assist during treatment of conditions of the human heart are provided. The method may comprise loading a medical instrument into a guide fastened to the ultrasound probe. The ultrasound probe may be inserted into a patient by way of an incision. The distal end of the ultrasound probe may be navigated to a location adjacent to an exterior surface of the heart. A treatment site may be identified on the exterior surface of the heart based on images obtained from an ultrasound transducer disposed within a distal end of the ultrasound probe. The medical instrument may be advanced within the guide to the treatment site and the medical instrument used for treatment. After treatment, the medical instrument may be withdrawn from the treatment site.

Abstract: A medical sling for supporting an anatomical feature having ends that are tapered using a folding fixture and then thermoset. The thermoset ends hold the bunched or folded shape thus allowing the ends to be removed from the fixture and placed into a mold assembly where anchors are molded over the ends.

Abstract: A medical device prosthesis, including a housing and a piezoelectric transducer including a piezoelectric component, wherein the piezoelectric transducer is supported in the housing via at least one spring. In some embodiments, the medical device prosthesis is a bone conduction device, such as a transcutaneous passive or active bone conduction device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage devices for manufacturing patient-specific bolus for use in targeted radiotherapy treatment. Based on dose calculations without a bolus and based on three-dimensional scan data of a patient, the example system generates a model of a bolus for targeting radiotherapy treatment to a planning target volume or target region within the patient. The system can perform several iterations to generate a resulting model for the bolus. Then, the system can generate instructions for controlling a three-dimensional printer to generate the bolus that conforms to the patient's skin surface while also specifically targeting the planning target volume for the radiotherapy treatment. In this way, the amount of radiotherapy treatment administered to other tissue is reduced, while the costs, time, and human involvement in creating the bolus are significantly reduced.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a radiation therapy (RT) treatment plan for a treatment volume, divided into sub-volumes and having a target volume and one or more organs at risk, OAR. It includes obtaining a RT treatment plan; calculating the linear energy transfer, LET, in each sub-volume; dividing the dose distribution into doses of a first category and a second category in each sub-volume, wherein the first category comprises doses with energy depositions with an LET below a first LET threshold and the second category comprises doses with energy depositions with an LET above a second LET threshold; determining amounts of doses of the first and of the second category in each sub-volume; and performing an analysis of the quality of the RT treatment plan by metrics based on the obtained distribution of doses of the first and of the second category in the target volume and in the OAR.

Abstract: A positioning device is configured to selectively position or otherwise manipulate one or more organs within the body of a subject. The positioning device includes a shaped expandable element that is configured to be selectively transitioned between an unexpanded, or collapsed, state and an expanded state. While in the expanded state, the expandable element repositions or otherwise manipulates an organ. Systems that include positioning devices are also disclosed, as are methods for positioning or otherwise manipulating organs.

Abstract: A system and a method of turnkey neurological solution to provide a variety of stimulations including photo-stimulation, binaural stimulation, and electro-acupuncture in wearable form, such as in glasses. Light may be generated from at least one light source powered by integrated photovoltaic cells and amplified light may be sent to a predetermined direction through the at least one angularly oriented optical window in which one face is covered by an optical film or coating. Also, the system and method may provide that, as an optical window is fabricated, photovoltaics may be fused directly to faces of the optical window for absorption of ambient light energy, and a light source may be fused into grooves on the edge of the optical window, with nanoelectrodes attached for electrical connections to controllers inserted in a housing. It may also be contemplated to provide binaural stimulation and electro-acupuncture effectors on the wearable device.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a particle beam treatment system includes a storage, an estimator, a target value generator, and a particle beam treatment device. The storage stores therein a respiratory movement model obtained by synchronizing amount of displacement of an affected area of a subject with a signal related to respiration of the subject and performing modeling. The estimator estimates, based on the measured signal related to respiration and the respiratory movement model, amount of displacement of the affected area corresponding to the measured signal. The target value generator generates a target value, which is used for performing movement control on a platform on which the subject is lying down, corresponding to the estimated amount of displacement of the affected area. The particle beam treatment device irradiates, with particle beams, the affected area of the subject on the platform subjected to movement control according to the target value.

Abstract: A polymeric radiation-source with customized geometries to maximize receipt of radiation into treatment areas that is formed from either radioisotopes molecularly bonded to a polymer or radioisotopes encased within a polymer.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for altering functioning of a tissue/organ by application of force thereto. In one preferred embodiment, a device for reducing or preventing regurgitation of blood through a valve of a heart is provided. A device may include a main body having a segment adapted to apply force to a surface of tissue/organ; a member that applies counterforce to the force applied by the segment; and an adjuster that is manually operable to change the force applied by the segment. The adjuster can be manually operated before or after anchoring of the device to the tissue/organ.

Abstract: A capture-tool for manipulation of tissue utilizes vacuum to hold the tissue in place. An extension attached to a vacuum source at one end and a vacuum arm at another end creates a vacuum force through the extension and vacuum arm. The vacuum arm has a support surface with ports therein at which low pressure areas are formed by the vacuum force. The low pressure areas draw tissue against the supporting surface to hold it in place, as long as the vacuum force is active.

Abstract: An implantable sphincter assistance device is configured to surround an exterior wall of an esophagus. The implantable sphincter assistance device includes a plurality of beads, at least one connector, and secondary material. Each of the beads has an exterior surface. The connector is configured to serially connect the beads to form a ring. The secondary material is configured to be disposed between the exterior surface of at least one of the beads and the exterior wall of the esophagus. The secondary material is configured to control remodeling of tissue surrounding the exterior wall of the esophagus.

Abstract: A device that adapts/upgrades an existing, or new medical facility to provide a method of examining and treating occupants in a safe, efficient manner which is one quarter the size of conventional examination and treatment spaces through the use of a system that utilizes a modular frame and compartments to organize medical utilities, services and equipment to be more space efficient than conventional examination and treatment spaces. The frame and compartments have a shaped surface that focuses acoustic energy to increase intelligibility between a caregiver and the occupant and at the same time reduce ambient acoustic energy propagation. Additionally, the device can be disassembled, moved and reassembled easily. Further, the surface over the compartments creates a safety barrier between expensive and delicate utilities that mitigates tampering, accidental damage and reduces the possibility of infectious disease transmission.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a brain stimulating device and, particularly, relates to a brain stimulating device comprising: a brainwave measurement unit for outputting a brainwave signal; and a stimulation unit for applying spindle-like stimulation to a brain in accordance with the generation of slow oscillation included in the brainwave signal. The brain stimulating device according to the present invention can reinforce memory or reduce memory deterioration due to dementia. Also, the brain stimulating device according to the present invention can reinforce hippocampus-dependent memory. Further, a portable device according to the present invention can control and monitor the brain stimulating device. Moreover, a method for assessing the performance of the brain stimulating device according to the present invention can assess the performance of the brain stimulating device.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a treatment planning process or in a treatment process, includes: an input for obtaining a parameter representing a number of beam on-off transitions; and a treatment planner configured to optimize a treatment plan based on parameter representing the number of beam on-off transitions. An apparatus includes: an input configured to obtain a width of a gating window for a treatment plan; and a gating window adjustor configured to adjust the width of the gating window during a treatment session. An apparatus includes: a dose calculator configured to calculate doses for different treatment variations; an evaluator configured to evaluate treatment acceptance criteria against the calculated doses; and a delivery limit module configured to determine one or more limits for one or more delivery parameters based on an evaluation of the treatment acceptance criteria by the evaluator.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing a procedure at a target site of a patient's body, the apparatus comprising: a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) apparatus that provides CPAP to the patient's lungs; a medical device for performing the procedure at the target site; and a controller that controls the CPAP apparatus to provide CPAP to the patient's lungs during performance of the procedure.

Abstract: An impedance reflector apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for detecting a marker implanted within tissue that includes a switch for changing a configuration of an antenna of the marker. The apparatus includes a set of transmit electrodes coupled to a signal generator for transmitting a drive current into tissue to generate an electromagnetic field around the marker, a set of receive electrodes configured to detect voltage signals within the tissue corresponding to the electromagnetic field, and a light source for delivering light pulses into the body to open and close the switch to change the configuration of the antenna of the marker. A processor coupled to the receive electrodes processes the detected voltage signals to identify changes in the electromagnetic field that are synchronized with the light pulses to determine whether the marker is operating properly.

Abstract: An infant care device and, more particularly, an apparatus for providing the combined functions of an infant incubator and a radiant infant warmer and which includes a radiant heater assembly contained within a housing and mechanisms and methods to quickly reduce the heating from the radiant heater assembly when the infant care device is quickly converted from an open infant radiant warming device to an enclosed incubator.