Abstract: An infant support for an incubator or an infant warmer or a combination thereof is disclosed. The support comprises a frame, a mattress tray disposed above the tray, an x-ray tray and one or more weight cells having an actuator supporting the mattress tray above the frame. The x-ray tray is received in a space below the top surface of the mattress tray. The support is configured to be received on a tilt mechanism of the incubator or an infant warmer or a combination thereof to provide an inclination to the mattress tray. The support is configured to permit x-rays to be taken of an infant supported above the mattress tray and to provide an indication of the weight of the infant supported on the mattress tray regardless of its inclination.

Abstract: Implantable medical device telemetry is provided between an implantable medical device and an external communication device. The implantable medical device includes a device transmitter and/or a device receiver. The external communication device includes a moveable communication head including an antenna therein connected to at least one of an external transmitter and/or an external receiver for communication with the device transmitter and/or the device receiver of the implantable medical device. A user moves the moveable head apparatus relative to the implantable medical device. Tactile feedback is provided to the user via the moveable head apparatus upon movement of the moveable head apparatus to a position where valid telemetry can be performed.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for loading delivery systems, such as seed magazines and suture material, with seeds which greatly increases productivity, reduces process variation and reduces the risk of handling damage to the seeds. Importantly, the apparatus and methods of the present invention reduce potential risks to workers. In a first aspect of the invention there is provided an automated method of loading a delivery system for brachytherapy seeds which comprises the steps of a) securing the delivery system to be loaded; b) conmnunicating seeds from a supply of seeds into the delivery system; and c) repeating step b) to load a plurality of seeds. In a second aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for loading a delivery system for brachytherapy seeds comprising: a) means for retaining a delivery system to be loaded with seeds; and b) means for communicating individual seeds from a supply of seeds to said delivery system.

Abstract: An implantable apparatus and a method for controlling fluid flow within a host body, for example for use as an incontinence device. A constricting member is provided for reducing fluid flow within a body canal when in a closed position, and for allowing fluid flow within the body canal when in an open position. In addition, there is a control mechanism for controlling movement of the constricting member between said open and closed positions. A link member links the constricting member and the control mechanism such that the constricting member and the control mechanism are implantable in different parts of the host body. A coupling for selectively transmitting axial movement to the link member may be provided between the link member and the control mechanism so that the constricting member cannot apply a damaging amount of force to the body canal.

Abstract: A urinary incontinence device is disclosed. The device is an intra-vaginal flexible device that has a base portion connecting a proximal portion of a first leg and a proximal portion of a second leg to form a generally “C-shaped” configuration. The device also has a member that is an insertion member, a removal member, or both.

Abstract: The invention features brachytherapy applicators for delivering radioactive seeds to a patient. Specifically, the invention provides brachytherapy applicators in which a seed magazine is removably held within a chuck by a magazine retaining structure. The magazine retaining structures described herein are designed such that a seed magazine can be readily inserted into or removed from a brachytherapy applicator. In addition, magazine retaining structures are designed such that they will not become jammed, even when blood cells or other particles enter the applicator during a brachytherapy procedure and become lodged near the seed magazine and the magazine retaining structure.

Abstract: Medical system comprising a hollow catheter 14, for insertion into a human or animal body, and an elongated x-ray tube unit 12 provided with an x-ray tube 16 at its distal end and adapted to be inserted into the catheter. A distal pole 8 of the x-ray tube is connectable to a connection means 22 in said catheter, wherein the x-ray tube is energised via a single electrical conductor 18 in said x-ray tube unit connected to the proximal pole and via said connection means.

Abstract: Implantable medical device telemetry is provided between an implantable medical device and an external communication device. The implantable medical device includes a device transmitter and/or a device receiver. The external communication device includes a moveable communication head including an antenna therein connected to at least one of an external transmitter and/or an external receiver for communication with the device transmitter and/or the device receiver of the implantable medical device. A user moves the moveable head apparatus relative to the implantable medical device. Tactile feedback is provided to the user via the moveable head apparatus upon movement of the moveable head apparatus to a position where valid telemetry can be performed.

Abstract: An interface system for semi-implantable and fully implantable hearing aid devices that provides direct delivery of audio input from external wireline and wireless sources to the speech processor of the hearing aid. The speech processor of the hearing aid processes the audio inputs to produce a processed signal for a transducer portion of the hearing aid that is implanted in a hearing impaired individual. In a semi-implantable hearing aid, the interface system could be included in the external portion of the hearing aid or be included in an audio input device that replaces the external portion of the hearing aid when sound from a wireless or wireline source is desired. In a fully implantable hearing aid, an audio input device including the interface system is provided for use when sound from a wireless or wireline source is desired.

Abstract: An electromagnetic stimulator system and a method for treating body tissue utilizes includes an electrically-conductive band having an interior opening, a body of electrically-conductive material secured to the band in electrically-conducting relationship therewith, and an insulated coil encircling the body of the electrically-conductive material so that when a DC current is conducted through the coil, an electromagnetic field is induced through the body of electrically-conductive material which, in turn, induces an electromagnetic field within the interior opening of the band. A battery charger is used to delivering DC current through the coil from an AC electrical outlet so that by positioning the body tissue to be treated within the electrically-conductive band and delivering DC current through the coil, the body tissue positioned within the band is exposed to the electromagnetic field induced within the interior opening of the band.

Abstract: A method for creating a coupling between an implantable device, such as a transducer, and a structure of the ear, such as an ossicle, in an implantable hearing assistance device. The device is positioned such that it either lightly touches or is positioned between a fraction of a millimeter to a few millimeters from the structure. The surface of either the device or the structure is cleaned and suctioned while the remaining surface, that is, the surface that has not been cleaned, is coated with a thin layer of solution. An adhesive material is applied to the space between the device and the structure and allowed to cure. The applied solution prevents a mechanical and/or chemical bond from forming at that interface while a bond does form at the remaining surface. Thus a coupling is created that permits slip between the device and the structure and provides a neutral load.

Abstract: A constriction device that constricts body tissue and is formed of relatively thin elastic material includes a tear resistance structure to preclude an inadvertent tear in the device from propagating through the device. The tear resistance structure includes a plurality of intersecting ribs formed in the elastic material. The ribs circumscribe the device and define rectangular, square, diamond, wavy, or knurled patterns.

Abstract: A novel proximal shaft design used for the manufacture of a catheter. In particular, the proximal shaft design provides excellent stiffness and kink resistance with a reduced outer catheter shaft diameter for improved catheter performance. The proximal shaft design incorporates a shaft with radially extending ridges that have inset regions positioned between adjacent ridges. The catheter may be used in delivering and maintaining a radiation source in a patient's body lumen, such as a coronary artery, for a specified period of time. The proximal shaft design can be applied to other treatments and treatment sources, as well as, other catheter designs.

Abstract: A medical treatment apparatus capable of performing exact medical treatment is provided. The medical treatment apparatus includes detection means for detecting the condition of a human body to be treated, medical treatment means for treating said human body, and display means for displaying results of computing by computing means for computing a plan for said medical treatment on the basis of detection results from said detection means.

Abstract: An apparatus for treatment of a portion of a biological body with magnetic fields having a device adapted for producing spin resonances for treatment within a portion of the biological body to be treated. The apparatus includes a magnet for producing a magnetic field, a coil system for producing a magnetic alternating field at right angles to the magnetic field, control electronics for actuation of the magnet and the coil system adapted to produce nuclear spin resonance in at least a portion of a biological body, and a device for repeated actuation of the control electronics to produce a defined sequence of nuclear spin resonances. The sequence of nuclear spin resonances produced by the device is determined by the spin-lattice relaxation time T1 of at least one portion of the biological body, and has a repetition rate of approximately 3T1.

Abstract: An electromagnetic stimulator circuit has a precharge power supply, a capacitor, a set of switches, and a stimulator coil. The switches, which can be implemented using a variety of devices, enable flexible control over the coil current waveform without requiring the physical reconfiguration of circuit elements. The shape of the output current pulse is controlled by the modulation of the switches, and much of the energy applied to the coil is returned from the coil to the capacitor for reuse on the succeeding pulse. Less power is required and less heat energy is generated.

Abstract: Medical appliances for the treatment of blood vessels by means of ionized radiation.

Abstract: Disclosed are sources and methods for delivering a radioactive dose to a site in a body lumen. The sources are preferably mounted on a balloon or other expandable or deployable mechanical structure. The source and methods enable delivery of a clinically significant dose of radiation into a vessel wall in a relatively short time while using a relatively low activity. The sources also enable delivery of a substantially uniform dose into the vessel wall, whether or not such delivery is through the wall of a stent.

Abstract: A sexual aid device substantially the size and shape of an adult male penis. The device has a head portion, an elongated shaft, and a base portion. The device also has an outer covering that is constructed from a resilient material to simulate the look and feel of an erect adult penis. A magnetic element is housed within the device, within its cavity. The magnet is cylindrical in shape, one piece, and extends continuously substantially from the head portion downward to the base. Since it lies below the outer covering, the magnet would never come into direct contact with any portion of the human body. The actual thickness of the outer covering should be minimized while maintaining sufficient thickness to ensure comfort for the user.

Abstract: A device for the treatment of erectile dysfunction or for penile exercise includes a vessel defining an elongated vacuum chamber and a mouth opening leading into the vacuum chamber. An annular pumping sleeve is mounted on, and slidingly displaceable relative to the vessel. The device includes valving arranged such that reciprocation of the sleeve relative to the vessel serves to pump air out of the vacuum chamber. The device further includes a constriction ring which is sealingly and dismountably mountable on the vessel, and which is configured sealingly to engage with an outer surface of a human penis inserted into the vacuum chamber.