Abstract: A process, apparatus and a catheter and a flexi needle for medical applications formed by the process of selecting a tubular flexible member and a metal/ceramic cap member to be securely joined to the tubular member, placing the cap member in engaging relation with a holding member of a material joining device, securing the tubular member on a positioning member of the material joining device, positioning a distal end of the tubular member in engaging relation with an end of the cap member positioned in the holding member, and rotating the holding member and maintaining the tubular member in frictionally engaging relation with the cap member to melt or soften a predetermined portion of the distal end of the tubular member engaged with the cap member to integrally join a predetermined portion of the distal end of the tubular member within the cap member forming a joined composite member.

Abstract: A system and method for customized saturation biopsy is provided that facilitates diagnosis, management and treatment of cancer or other disease in a gland or organ. The system includes a pathology mapping unit that identifies a plurality of regions of a biopsy area. A grid assembly is coupled to the pathology mapping unit, the grid assembly including a grid disposed externally to the biopsy area. A display is coupled to the pathology mapping unit that displays information corresponding to the plurality of regions of the biopsy area, the pathology mapping unit controlling a configuration of the grid and the information corresponding to the plurality of regions. An image probe can be provided that acquires at least one image of the biopsy area, and the display displays the at least one image. An interface can be provided that is coupled to the display and supplies information to the pathology mapping unit.

Abstract: The tissue imaging system, incorporates an integrated X-Ray and Ultrasound Imaging system. The X-Ray system is used for imaging and generating a 3D Volume of the extracted tissue sample (specimen). The Ultrasound imaging system is used for imaging the body area of interest of the patient from which the tissue sample is to be extracted. On the display of the system, the physician draws contours on the area of interest and the same is displayed as a 3D Volume. A 3D volume of the extracted tissue is generated using the x-ray imaging sub-system. Quantitative analysis is performed on the two 3D volumes (extracted tumor x-ray imaging and the contoured ultrasound imaging) to determine the difference between the contoured and the surgically extracted specimen to assist the physician in determining if further surgical intervention is required.

Abstract: A hand-held probe for measuring radiation or magnetic activity includes a probe having a handle having a longitudinal axis and a shaft portion adapted to be inserted or held above a radiation or magnetic emitting source implanted within a patient's body or tissue of interest, the shaft portion includes a radiation or magnetic activity sensor configured to detect and measure radiation emitted from the radiation emitting source or magnetic activity from a magnetic source; the radiation emitting source being an implanted seed or a radioisotope that is injected near a tumor site in the patient's body; the probe including a signal processing device for further processing the measured radiation or magnetic activity; and a communication medium to exchange data from the hand-held probe with an external data processor unit.

Abstract: A rapid range stacking for particle beam therapy includes a position and tracking module used for a patient position and locating a region of interest, and a scanning routine module used for targeting a target voxel within the region of interest by accessing a treatment plan characterization while providing a prescribed amount of dose to the target voxel. The scanning routine module determines a prescribed amount of dose for the target voxel by incrementing a position location of horizontal indexes on a single vertical index. Further, a beam delivery module used for controlling a beam device delivers ion particles to the target voxel within the region of interest. The beam delivery module controls a power supply for a horizontal magnet and a vertical magnet by retrieving information from the scanning routine module, and also controls a power supply for an accelerator energy selection.

Abstract: A dual double balloon catheter includes a catheter having a proximal end portion, a central portion and a distal end portion. The catheter includes a plurality of lumens within the catheter extending from the proximal end portion, and a plurality of inflatable balloons positioned in the central portion and/or the distal end portion, and the balloons being communicatively connected with a corresponding one of the plurality of lumens to selectively inflate/deflate the corresponding inflatable balloon, wherein one or more of inflatable balloons further includes a second one of the plurality lumens associated with a corresponding inner wall of a corresponding inflatable balloon and adapted to receive a radioactive dose or a therapeutic agent for a treatment. The plurality of balloons can have varying sizes in relation to each other and also include lumens within or associated with the inner walls of the balloons to deliver a treatment.

Abstract: A multi-purpose balloon catheter includes a catheter having a proximal end portion, a central portion and a distal end portion, a plurality of lumens associated with the catheter extending from the proximal end portion, and a plurality of inflatable balloons positioned in the central portion and/or the distal end portion. Each of the plurality of inflatable balloons is communicatively associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of lumens, the plurality of inflatable balloons being selectively inflated and deflated to position and stabilize the catheter in a cavity for delivery of a treatment. The catheter can include an extraction point associated with a lumen to remove fluids and material from the cavity, and a connector associated with a corresponding lumen adapted to selectively receive one or more of a liquid saline solution, a fluid medium, or a radioactive isotope provided to a corresponding lumen for delivery of the treatment.

Abstract: According to one general aspect, there is a multi-balloon catheter for medical applications that includes a multi-balloon inflator that inflates multiple balloons on a single catheter, an extraction point used to remove human fluids from the human body, and a connecting point that allows a syringe or a machine to insert air or any other liquid, such as a liquid saline solution, for inflation of a corresponding balloon of the multiple balloons or insert radioactive isotopes into the multi-balloon inflator.

Abstract: A double-balloon brachytherapy catheter includes an outer-balloon that is filled with a liquid substance or air via an outer-balloon-filler. Further, an inner-balloon is filled with a liquid substance or air via an inner-balloon-filler, with the inner-balloon inserted inside the outer-balloon. Additionally, a plurality of radiation-tubes is positioned in association within the inner-balloon, such as to an outside border of the inner-balloon and within the outer-balloon. Each radiation-tube out of the plurality is segmented into segments of differing hardness. In addition, a vacuum-tube can be wrapped around an exterior of the outer-balloon, where the vacuum tube is used to remove fluids and air to create a void. Also, the plurality of radiation-tubes can be configured to run longitudinally along a central shaft of the double-balloon brachytherapy catheter.

Abstract: According to one general aspect, there is a medical device including a locking mechanism that is used to connect a plurality of catheters, a multi-balloon inflator that inflates multiple balloons on a single catheter, an extraction point used to remove human fluids from the human body, and a connecting point that allows a syringe or a machine to insert liquid saline solution or radioactive isotopes into the multi-balloon inflator.

Abstract: A cradle for holding an ultrasound probe includes a base for securing to a stepper-stabilizer, roller-bearings supported on the base, and a probe-holder that rotates on the roller-bearings about a horizontal axis relative to the base. The probe-holder includes a front yoke and a rear yoke, with a yoke retainer supporting the front yoke. A pivot side rail and a lock side rail span rigidly between the front yoke and the rear yoke. A locking knob is captured to the lock side rail to prevent the locking knob from detaching. A latch hinged to the pivot side rail is engaged by the locking knob for securement over the probe. A detent ensures 90-degree alignment of the yoke retainer to the base. The rollers rotatably support the yoke retainer and the rear yoke, and further rotation of the front yoke enables a further adjustment to calibrate the cradle.

Abstract: According to one general aspect, there is an double-balloon breast brachytherapy catheter comprising, an outer-balloon that is filled with a liquid substance or air via an out-balloon-filler; an inner-balloon that is filled with a liquid substance or air via an inner-balloon-filler, wherein the inner-balloon is inserted inside the outer-balloon; a plurality of radiation-tubes connected to an outside boarder of the inner balloon; a vacuum-tube that is wrapped around an exterior of the outer-balloon, wherein the vacuum tube is used to remove human fluids and air to create a void; and a flexible-shaft is connected to an upper-head, a proximal-tail and a distal-tip, wherein the upper-head is covered by the outer-balloon, the inner-balloon, the plurality of radiation-tubes and the vacuum-tube.

Abstract: A double-balloon brachytherapy catheter includes an outer-balloon that is filled with a liquid substance or air via an outer-balloon-filler. Further, an inner-balloon is filled with a liquid substance or air via an inner-balloon-filler, with the inner-balloon inserted inside the outer-balloon. Additionally, a plurality of radiation-tubes is positioned in association within the inner-balloon, such as to an outside border of the inner-balloon and within the outer-balloon. Each radiation-tube out of the plurality is segmented into segments of differing hardness. In addition, a vacuum-tube can be wrapped around an exterior of the outer-balloon, where the vacuum tube is used to remove fluids and air to create a void. Also, the plurality of radiation-tubes can be configured to run longitudinally along a central shaft of the double-balloon brachytherapy catheter.

Abstract: A needle assembly and delivery system for biopsying tissue of a patient includes a flexible biopsy needle, a cannula for receiving and supporting the biopsy needle, and a guide assembly which defines at least one guide assembly for receiving, guiding, and orienting the flexible biopsy needle and cannula through an angle of at least forty degrees through the needle guide assembly to a fixed orientation and position for biopsying tissue of the patient. The biopsy needle includes a sampling section which has smooth or rounded edges, a bending section which has a first circular cross-section, and a body portion proximal of the bending section which has a second circular cross-section larger than the first circular cross-section. The flexible biopsy needle, cannula, and guide assembly may be used with a biopsy ultrasound delivery system which includes an ultrasonic probe and a biopsy gun.

Abstract: The invention includes a probe for imaging tissue within a body cavity. The probe includes a housing which has a first substantially narrow elongate distal portion insertable into a body cavity, and a second elongate portion proximal of the first elongate portion. The narrow distal portion houses a transducer which is longitudinally translatable and rotatable relative thereto. The second elongate portion houses a platform assembly and a movable member. The platform assembly includes a transmission system and a frame, both of which are coupled to the transducer by at least one connector such that rotational movement of the platform assembly within the second elongate portion effectuates rotation of the transducer within the first elongate portion, and translational movement of the moveable member within the second elongate portion effectuates translational movement of the transducer within the first elongate portion. The probe is used with a needle assembly and delivery system.

Abstract: According to one general aspect there is a needle package apparatus that comprises a top portion and a bottom portion; a plurality of needle slots exact distance apart that allows to place a plurality of needles that contain radioactive seeds; a cylindrical coil that is inserted to the plurality of needle slots to hold said plurality of needles, wherein said cylindrical coil prevents the leakage of the radiation from the radioactive seeds; a set of hinges located at the end of said needle package within the outer most said plurality of needle slots; wherein the hinges can be bend to change the angle of said top portion of said needle package by a medical personnel to create a stand; and a single end enclosure located at the distal end of said cylindrical coil to provide an enclosed cylinder.

Abstract: A cradle for holding an ultrasound probe used to image a patient prior to and during medical procedures includes a base for securing to a stepper-stabilizer, roller-bearings supported on the base, and a probe-holder that rotates on the otter-bearings in a smooth angular rotation on a horizontal axis relative to the base. The probe-holder includes a front yoke and a rear yoke, and a yoke retainer supporting the front yoke. A pivot side rail and a lock side rail span rigidly between the front yoke and the rear yoke. A locking knob that is captured to the lock side rail to prevent the locking knob from detaching. A latch hinged to the pivot side rail is engaged by the locking knob for securement over the probe. A detent insures precise 90-degree alignment of the yoke retainer with respect to the base. The rollers rotatably support the yoke retainer and the rear yoke, and free rotation of the front yoke is controlled by the yoke retainer to allow for correction of misalignment.

Abstract: An air wiping device for cleaning an elongated product that passes through the air wiping device. The air wiping device includes a housing having an internal tubular passage through which the elongated product extends with the housing tubular passage having an inlet end and an outlet end for respectively receiving and passing the elongated product; a plurality of air outlets mounted in the housing and adapted to direct a flow of compressed air in a direction having a component in an opposite direction to the flow of the elongated product through the housing; and a ceramic insert disposed in the internal tubular passage of the housing and through which the elongated product passes. The ceramic insert includes a tapered input through which the elongated product is received and an output through which the elongated product passes from the housing.

Abstract: According to one general aspect there is a position and tracking module used for a patient position and locating a region of interest, a scanning routine module used for targeting the target voxel within the region of interest by accessing a treatment plan characterization while providing a maximum amount of dose to the target voxel, wherein the scanning routine module determines a maximum amount of dose for the target voxel in all a horizontal index in a single vertical index; and a beam delivery module used for controlling a beaming device that delivers ion particles to the target voxel within the region of interest, wherein the beam delivery module controls a power supply for a horizontal magnet and a vertical magnet by retrieving information from the scanning routine module, wherein the beam delivery module controls a power supply for an accelerator energy selection.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods used to locate target areas within a patient for repeat therapeutic treatments. In the invention, fiduciary markers made of metal or metal alloys are placed within a patient near or at a target site as reference coordinates for particular body locations on the patient. Repeat treatments may then be given to the patient over a period of time based on the coordinates given by the fiduciary markers. The fiduciary markers are specially shaped or put into strand to improve marker attachment and prevent marker migration.