Abstract: The present invention presents a positioning assembly to guide an invasive device toward a tissue object of a living body under ultrasonographic visualization. The positioning assembly is a part of an apparatus that controllably introduces an invasive device into a tissue object. The positioning assembly of the present invention is configured to improve on ultrasonographic guidance and to reduce chances of contamination of the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention presents an apparatus and methods to stereotactically guide and automatically insert an invasive tubular device to a tissue object of a living body. The apparatus comprises a stereotactic positioning assembly and a powered propulsion assembly that controllably drives an invasive tubular device in and out of a tissue object. The stereotactic positioning assembly encloses an ultrasound transducer to visualize and aim at the tissue object, and adjusts an insertion angle of the invasive tubular device coupled with the powered propulsion assembly.

Abstract: The present invention presents an apparatus and methods to stereotactically guide insertion of invasive tubular devices to a tissue target of a living body. The apparatus comprises a powered positioning guide control assembly and a positioning guide assembly that is coupled with and operated by the powered positioning guide control assembly, and rotationally adjustable and lockable. The powered positioning guide control assembly encloses an ultrasound transducer to visualize and aim at the tissue target, and adjusts an insertion angle of an invasive tubular device placed in the positioning guide assembly.

Abstract: The present invention presents an apparatus and methods to stereotactically guide insertion of invasive tubular devices to a tissue target of a living body. The apparatus comprises a positioning guide control assembly and a positioning guide assembly that is reversibly coupled with and operated by the positioning guide control assembly, and rotationally adjustable and lockable. The positioning guide control assembly releasably houses a ultrasound transducer head to visualize and aim at the tissue target and adjusts an insertion angle of an invasive tubular device placed in the positioning guide assembly.

Abstract: The current invention presents an extensible and guidable apparatus and methods to evaluate tubular or cavitary structure. The apparatus has a power, control and display unit and a flexible tubular device having a proximal end and a distal end. A stretchable conduit and a plurality of extensible channels run longitudinally inside the flexible tubular device. The flexible tubular device comprises a non-extensible tubular shaft and a reversibly extensible tubular shaft, connected longitudinally in tandem. The reversibly extensible tubular shaft comprises a plurality of reversible extension segments and is controllably longitudinally extensible and bendable by changes in pressure and volume of a medium in said reversible extension segments. Said tubular device is directionally bendable at the distal end by selective negative changes in pressure in said distal end. Said tubular device obtains visual information of target area and material samples, and is capable of manipulation of the target area.

Abstract: The present invention presents an apparatus and methods to stereotactically guide insertion of invasive tubular devices to a tissue object of a living body. The apparatus comprises a powered positioning guide control assembly and a positioning guide assembly that is operably detachable from the powered positioning guide control assembly, and rotationally adjustable and lockable. The powered positioning guide control assembly encloses an ultrasound transducer to visualize and target the tissue object, and adjusts an insertion angle of an invasive tubular device placed in the positioning guide assembly.

Abstract: The present invention presents an apparatus and methods to stereotactically guide insertion of invasive tubular devices to a tissue object of a living body. The apparatus comprises a positioning guide control assembly and a positioning guide assembly that is operably detachable from the positioning guide control assembly, and rotationally adjustable and lockable. The positioning guide control assembly releasably houses a ultrasound transducer head to visualize and target the tissue object and adjusts an insertion angle of an invasive tubular device placed in the positioning guide assembly.

Abstract: The present invention presents an apparatus and methods to guide insertion of invasive devices to a tissue target of a living body. The apparatus comprises a positioning guide control assembly and a positioning guide assembly that is operably detachable from the control assembly, and rotationally adjustable and lockable. The positioning guide control assembly releasably houses a ultrasound transducer head and measures an insertion length and an insertion angle of an invasive device placed in the positioning guide assembly to reach the tissue target.

Abstract: Provided herein are an apparatus and methods to induce electromagnetic field in biologic tissue for thermal therapy. The apparatus comprises electromagnetic devices fitted to be releasably deployed inside a body, magnetic materials to be deployed in a body, and a magnetic centrifuge machine. An electromagnetic device includes a controllably flexible fiberoptic tubular device with a magnetic-flux-controlled electromagnetic assembly on its distal end. The electromagnetic device receives direct or alternating electric current. Implanted particulate magnetic materials in close proximity to said electromagnetic assembly form reversible magnetic vascular mold in target blood vessels by static magnetic field produced by direct electric current to said electromagnetic assembly. Implanted magnetic materials generate heat by alternating magnetic field induced by alternating electric current to said electromagnetic assembly.

Abstract: The present invention presents an apparatus and methods to generate and deliver resonant vibrations to a hypodermic needle penetration site of a human body to reduce pain of needle prick by activating inhibitory neuronal mechanisms for pain perception. The apparatus comprises a longitudinal syringe carriage assembly which releasably holds and slidably moves a proximal portion of a syringe and a vibration assembly which generates and delivers vibrations to a vibration resonance enclosure located at a proximal end of the apparatus. The vibration assembly adjoins in parallel the syringe carriage assembly. A syringe with a needle moves forward in the syringe carriage assembly along a longitudinal axis and the needle penetrates a recipient's tissue which is in direct contact with and is vibrated by the proximal end of the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention presents an apparatus and methods to generate and deliver circumferential mechanical vibrations to a hypodermic needle penetration site of a human body to reduce pain of needle prick by activating inhibitory neuronal mechanisms for pain perception. The apparatus comprises a detachably disposable proximal end that contacts with a tissue of a recipient and encircles a needle penetration site, a distal end that is configured as a conduit for electric power to the apparatus and a longitudinally tubular handle assembly that is connected to both proximal and distal ends and that houses a vibration assembly and a control and power assembly. The vibration assembly generates and delivers resonant vibrations to the recipient through the proximal end. A needle penetrates the recipient's tissue circumferentially surrounded by vibrations transmitted by the proximal end.

Abstract: The present invention presents a hypodermic injection apparatus and methods to introduce an agent to a human body in a less painful way by activating inhibitory mechanisms for pain perception. The apparatus comprises a vibration assembly that encircles a needle penetration site, a removable and disposable barrier device that isolates the apparatus from a recipient and from a needle, a mechanical assembly for syringe movement and a power and control electronics housed in a handle assembly. The vibration assembly generates and delivers vibration to the recipient through a resonant vibration chamber that contacts the recipient via the barrier device. A syringe needle penetrates the recipient's tissue through a linear tubular conduit axially located in the vibration chamber. The needle penetration site is encircled by vibration and the needle is enclosed by the barrier device while being retracted from the recipient.

Abstract: The current invention presents a tissue sampling apparatus and methods to reliably obtain solid and liquid bone marrow samples in sequence in a single insertion of the apparatus to a target area. The apparatus comprises a proximal handle assembly, a distal cutting assembly and a shaft assembly connecting both assemblies. The handle assembly comprises an upper handle connected to an inner cutting tube and a lower handle connected to an outer cannula. The lower handle transmits axial rotation of the upper handle to longitudinal movement of the inner cutting tube. Axial rotation of an engaged upper handle longitudinally pulls out from the outer cannula the inner cutting tube that spirally holds fast a solid marrow sample inside a distal end of said inner cutting tube. Following acquisition of the solid marrow sample, a liquid marrow sample is aspirated through the outer cannula.

Abstract: The current invention presents an extensible and guidable apparatus and methods to evaluate tubular or cavitary structure. The apparatus has a power, control and display unit and a flexible tubular device having a proximal end and a distal end. A stretchable conduit and a plurality of extensible channels run longitudinally inside the flexible tubular device. The flexible tubular device comprises a non-extensible tubular shaft and a reversibly extensible tubular shaft, connected longitudinally in tandem. The reversibly extensible tubular shaft comprises a plurality of reversible extension segments and is controllably longitudinally extensible and bendable by changes in pressure and volume of a medium in said reversible extension segments. Said tubular device is directionally bendable at the distal end by selective negative changes in pressure in said distal end. Said tubular device obtains visual information of target area and material samples, and is capable of manipulation of the target area.

Abstract: Provided herein are a device and methods to obtain multiple serial samples from biologic tissues located in a tubular or cavitary space of a body. The device has a proximal and distal end, with a linear shaft connecting both ends. The distal end of the device comprises a tissue cutting assembly, a sample transport assembly and a sample storage assembly. The sample transport assembly comprises a slidable sample transport unit, a semi-cylindrical tubular sample chamber with a pair of axially linear rails located on both sides of said chamber and a system of differential pull wires. The sample transport unit slides on the rails of the sample chamber, providing longitudinally axial movement of the cup connected to said sample transport unit. The sample storage assembly comprises said sample chamber, a reversibly detachable sample catcher inserted in said sample chamber, a tubular sample housing and an expandable tubular sample housing.

Abstract: Provided herein are an apparatus and methods to induce electromagnetic field in biologic tissue for thermal therapy. The apparatus comprises electromagnetic devices fitted to be releasably deployed inside a body, magnetic materials to be deployed in a body, and a magnetic centrifuge machine. An electromagnetic device includes a controllably flexible fiberoptic tubular device with a magnetic-flux-controlled electromagnetic assembly on its distal end. The electromagnetic device receives direct or alternating electric current. Implanted particulate magnetic materials in close proximity to said electromagnetic assembly form reversible magnetic vascular mold in target blood vessels by static magnetic field produced by direct electric current to said electromagnetic assembly. Implanted magnetic materials generate heat by alternating magnetic field induced by alternating electric current to said electromagnetic assembly.