Abstract: A direct neural interface system comprised of electrodes for acquiring electrophysiological signals representative of a neuronal activity of a subject's brain; a pre-processor for conditioning, digitizing and preprocessing the electrophysiological signals; a processor for processing the digitized and preprocessed electrophysiological signals and generating command signals; and an output for outputting said command signals; wherein the processor is adapted for: representing the electrophysiological signals acquired over an observation time window in the form of a N-way data tensor, N being greater or equal to three; and generating command signals corresponding to the observation time window by applying a multi-way regression model over the data tensor. A method of calibrating the direct neural interface system.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing and using a highly precise and low level driver. In one described embodiment, a driver for a magnetic field generating device is provided, the driver including a first digital to analog converter and a second digital to analog converter; a differential amplifier configured to receive a first signal from the first digital to analog converter and receive a second signal from the second digital to analog converter and output a third signal; and an attenuator to configured to receive the third signal from the differential amplifier.

Abstract: A method for organizing and displaying EEG data obtained from C EEG channels on a computer system in a user-friendly manner includes placing the C EEG channels into a schematic placement diagram dividing the C EEG channels, using a processor, into G channel groups for each of the G channel groups, combining any of the C EEG channels in such G channel group, using a processor, into a single trace, and for each of the G channel groups, displaying the single trace. A system for organizing and displaying EEG data is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention includes a device and method for relaxing and promoting healing to an individual by synchronization of kinesthetic and aural whole tone sounds.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for affecting an appearance of skin by harvesting small portions of tissue from a donor (first) site and applying them at a recipient (second) site. A plurality of micrografts can be formed from a piece of graft tissue and attached to a dressing material. The dressing material can then be expanded to increase a separation distance between the micrografts, and the dressing material having spaced-apart micrografts attached thereto can be applied to a prepared recipient site. An apparatus can be provided that expands the dressing material using a pressurized fluid. A further method can include providing a suspension of small portions of graft tissue in a solution. The solution can be injected into blisters formed at a recipient (second) site and the tissue portions allowed to attach and proliferate. A method and apparatus can also be provided for forming corresponding blisters at a donor site and at a recipient site.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of treating an eating disorder in a patient, comprises: diagnosing the eating disorder in the patient; and electrically stimulating a subgenual cingulate cortex site or a ventral medial prefrontal cortex site in the patient using electrodes of an implanted stimulation lead.

Abstract: A cartridge device is provided for applying a fiber matrix to a tubular member such as a saphenous vein graft. The cartridge includes a housing, a tubular member holder, a rotational drive, and a polymer delivery assembly. The housing defines a chamber which surrounds the tubular member holder. The rotational drive rotates the tubular member during the fiber application process.

Abstract: An integrated microfluidic device and its usage are provided. The microfluidic device comprises an upper layer (1) and a lower layer (2), wherein the lower layer (2) is bound to the upper layer (1). The upper layer (1) comprises a micro-channel (3) and the lower layer (2) comprises a micro-well (7) array. The micro-channel (3) is in fluidic connection with the micro-well (7) array, and the height of the micro-channel (3) is greater than the diameter of the oocyte (4) flowing through the micro-channel (3). The integrated microfluidic device has many advantages including low cost, high integration, and convenient operation, and has application prospects in reproductive medicine and the research of fertilization and embryo early development.

Abstract: There is provided a method for controlling a flow of intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway of a patient's intestines. The method comprises gently constricting (i.e., without substantially hampering the blood circulation in the intestinal tissue wall) at least one portion of the intestinal tissue wall to influence the flow in the intestinal passageway, and stimulating the constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the wall portion to further influence the flow in the intestinal passageway. The method can be used for restricting or stopping the flow in the intestinal passageway, or for actively moving the fluid in the intestinal passageway, with a low risk of injuring the intestines.

Abstract: A treatment system for a patient includes a treatment couch to position the patient. The treatment couch includes a couch top and one or more stages to pitch the couch top about a lateral axis and/or roll the couch top about a longitudinal axis, translate the couch top along lateral directions and/or longitudinal directions, rotate the couch top about a vertical axis, and translate the couch top along vertical directions.

Abstract: An implant assembly for treating incontinence in a patient may include an implant and an elongated member. The implant may include a first arm, a second arm, and a central portion, the first and second arms extending from the central portion. The elongated member may extend along the first arm. The elongated member may include a tail portion at a first end portion of the elongated member, the tail portion having a planar portion, at least part of the tail portion extending beyond the central portion of the implant in a direction opposite from a direction that the first arm extends from the central portion of the implant, an envelope portion, the envelope portion defining a lumen through which the first arm extends, and a window portion comprising a single planar portion extending from the envelope portion.

Abstract: An incubator comprising a support and, mounted on the support, a patient-receiving unit provided with a cover, the cover being provided with means such as access openings for treating a patient, and wherein the patient-receiving unit is coupled with a heating element and/or a humidifying element via a conduit or conduits for heated and/or humidified air, which are equipped with a pump, wherein the pump, the heating element and/or the humidifying element are located in a foot of the support, and the conduit or conduits for heated and/or humidified air run between the foot and the patient-receiving unit, and in that the support is located substantially to one side of the patient-receiving unit, so as to leave a free legroom below the patient-receiving unit.

Abstract: Devices and methods for providing localized pressure to a region of a patient's heart to improve heart functioning, including: (a) a jacket made of a flexible biocompatible material, the jacket having an open top end that is received around the heart and a bottom portion that is received around the apex of the heart; and (b) at least one inflatable bladder disposed on an interior surface of the jacket, the inflatable bladder having an inelastic outer surface positioned adjacent to the jacket and an elastic inner surface such that inflation of the bladder causes the bladder to deform substantially inwardly to exert localized pressure against a region of the heart.

Abstract: Brachytherapy delivery devices and buttress elements are described herein, along with methods of assembling the brachytherapy devices and the buttress elements for co-delivery of the brachytherapy delivery devices and buttress elements are described herein.

Abstract: A system and method that provides controlled bilateral stimulation to a patient in response to physiological feedback to initiate and/or accelerate the onset of sleep and to maintain the sleep state after the onset of sleep. The system induces bilateral stimulation through stimulation modules that are coupled to opposite lateral sides of the patient's body. The stimulation modules stimulate the patient's body bilaterally through a sequence of stimulations that alternate from one side of the patient's body to the other with a pause between each successive stimulation. The system controls the duration of the stimulations, the intensity of the stimulations and the period of time between successive stimulations in response to feedback from physiological sensors. The sensors are coupled to the patient and provide physiological information which initiates or terminates the bilateral stimulations, and/or modifies the characteristics of the stimulations.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method of treating cancer in a patient, comprising administering to the patient a radiation sensitizer selected from nitroimidazoles in an amount effective to sensitize a patient to radiation and subjecting the patient to radiation therapy. In certain embodiments the radiation sensitizer is etanidazole or doranidazole.

Abstract: A disposable housing including a single-use thermal exchange component can be configured to be mechanically, removably coupled to a receptacle on a cuff positionable around a joint to provide temperature-based therapy to the joint.

Abstract: The present publication discloses a device and method for generating magnetic pulses and directing them to brain. The device in accordance with the invention comprises means (15) for generating short, high energy current pulses (18), means (7) for controlling amplitude (16) of the current pulses (18), means (1) for generating high energy electromagnetic field stimulation pulses from the current pulses (18) and directing them to brain, and means (6, 14) for measuring biologic responses to the stimulation pulses. In accordance with the invention the device includes means (7) for creating such a pulse sequence (17) of electromagnetic pulses where the amplitude (18) varies irregularly.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a high-dose-rate afterloader machine comprising an image capturing device that used to capture a plurality of still images or a real-time video, wherein said image capturing device further comprises, a zoom lens, a microphone and a light, a measurement ruler that is located on a base plate; a plurality of calibration points located on the said base plate, a source insert that connects to said high-dose-rate afterloader machine to one end, wherein said source insert allows entry of a radioactive pellet and a source wire into one end, and an adjustable shaft that is connected to said base plate and connected to said image capturing device.

Abstract: A method and device for the treatment of fecal incontinence is disclosed. The method includes disposing a bodily implant proximate to an anal canal of a patient. The bodily implant has a strip extending along a length between a first end portion and a second end portion. The strip has a set of first projections and a set of second projections extending along at least a portion of a longitudinal edge of the strip, such that the set of the first projections are inclined toward the second end portion of the strip and the set of the second projections are inclined toward the first end portion of the strip.