Abstract: Abdominal approximation devices and methods are described where one variation of the tissue securement assembly may generally include a fixation member having a length, a thickness control securement member which is adjustably securable along the length, and a frame which is adjustably securable to the thickness control securement member. The frame may have a relaxed configuration and a biasing configuration which imparts a biasing force against the thickness control securement member when in the biasing configuration such that the biasing force is applied at a distance from tissue to be approximated via the fixation member.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition and a method of treating, reducing or preventing vascular, cardiovascular arterial or valve calcification in a subject in need comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an agent that prevents or reduces the expression of HDAC4, an agent that modulates the location of HDAC4, an agent that binds to HDAC4 or an inhibitor of HDAC4 or any combination thereof is provided. In some embodiments, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising: an agent that prevents or reduces the expression of HDAC4, an agent that modulates the location of HDAC4, an agent that binds to HDAC4 or an inhibitor of HDAC4 or any combination thereof; an agent that prevents or reduces the expression of SIK or is an inhibitor of SIK; and/or an agent that prevents or reduces the expression of ENIGMA (Pdlim7) or is an inhibitor of ENIGMA.

Abstract: An implantable medical product and method of use for substantially reducing or eliminating harsh biological responses associated with conventionally implanted medical devices, including inflammation, infection and thrombogenesis, when implanted in in a body of a warm blooded mammal. The bioremodelable pouch structure is configured and sized to receive, encase and retain an electrical medical device therein and to allow such device to be inserted into the internal region or cavity of the pouch structure; with the pouch structure formed from either: (a) first and second sheets, or (b) a single sheet having first and second sheet portions. After receiving the electrical device, the edges around the opening are closed by suturing or stapling. The medical device encased by the bioremodelable pouch structure effectively improves biological functions by promoting tissue regeneration, modulated healing of adjacent tissue or growth of new tissue when implanted in the body of the mammal.

Abstract: A method for increasing gastric tract acid (GTA) production in a mammalian subject.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing lead (212) for medical use. This method comprises the production of lead (212) by the decay of radium (224) in a generator comprising a solid medium to which the radium (224) is bound, followed by the extraction of the lead (212) from the generator in the form of an aqueous solution A1, characterised in that the lead (212) contained in the aqueous solution A1 is purified from the radiological and chemical impurities, also contained in said aqueous solution, by a liquid chromatography on a column. The invention also relates to an apparatus specially designed for automated implementation in a closed system of said method. It further relates to lead (212) produced by means of this method and this apparatus. Applications: manufacture of radiopharmaceuticals based on lead (212), useful in nuclear medicine for the treatment of cancers, particularly by a-radioimmunotherapy, or for medical imaging, in both humans and animals.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automated liquid-phase immunoassay apparatus used with a cuvette having a plurality of chambers containing a reagent necessary for detection of an analyte in a biological specimen. The apparatus includes a movable cuvette module equipped with the cuvette, an optical reading module for optical assaying of a material resulting from a reaction between the specimen and the reagent, and a dispenser module which is positioned on the cuvette module and which dispenses the specimen and the reagent to the plurality of chambers of the cuvette and washes the specimen and the reagent therefrom.

Abstract: Stable, non-caking, pharmaceutical composition in the form of powder for oral solution comprising methylprednisolone sodium succinate and methods of making such compositions. The compositions comprise lyophilized methylprednisolone sodium succinate mixed with one or more water-soluble pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.

Abstract: An apparatus for biophotonic tissue treatments comprising a wearable light emitter device, suitable to be configured to be applied to a body portion to be submitted to treatment. The light emitter device comprising a closed chamber, light guides being formed at the inside in order to transfer a preset-frequency light radiation at pre-fixed treatment points of the device. The light guides are connected to at least an optical fibre that direct thereof the light generated by at least a light radiation source arranged in a control unit for controlling the emission of light radiation. The control unit is operated by an operation unit for managing the treatment and for monitoring its implementation thereof according to set up parameters. The light guides being formed during the same production process and with the same material as the light emitter device.

Abstract: A flexible driveshaft includes a proximal coupler and a distal coupler each configured to couple to a respective component of an instrument, and a flexible shaft having a proximal end connected to the proximal coupler, a distal end connected to the distal coupler, and a longitudinal axis. The flexible shaft may include a sleeve, and a core having a first end and a second end. The core is housed within the sleeve. The flexible shaft also includes a plurality of coils arranged around the longitudinal axis in at least one layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the resolution of pro-tumour inflammation by means of a pharmaceutical preparation. Leukocytes are isolated from the buffy coat obtained from whole blood and a portion of the leukocytes is placed in a first pouch receiving a differentiation factor and stored in conditions that preserve cellular viability for several days, before a defined, fresh culture medium is supplied, after which said leukocyte portion is left to rest for a further several days, which results in the production of macrophages. A further portion of the leukocytes is placed in a second pouch and irradiated therein. The two pouches are then mixed and the supernatant is recovered to serve as pharmaceutical preparation. The invention also relates to the use in the treatment of cancers, either alone or in combination with other therapies, in human and veterinary medicine.

Abstract: A device for postoperative compression of breast skin following breast reconstruction surgery includes a female garment that supports the breast, and wherein each cup of the garment contains inflatable modules with defined pressure gradients that generate different compressive orthogonal vectors on the four quadrants of the breast, leaving the areola-nipple complex free. The inflatable tubular modules have a shape resembling a truncated cone with variable thickness that is minimum in the area closest to the areola-nipple complex, and maximum in the area furthest away from the areola-nipple complex. The inflatable modules can be inflated separately. The device is made up of non-elastic tissue preventing the cups from moving away from breast skin when air chambers are inflated, and includes two non-elastic tissue straps that cross on the spine and close on the front. In the two sub-axillary areas, a Velcro clasp allows operation even when postoperative drainage is in place.

Abstract: A method for collapsing a target vein in a patient. The method comprises providing an intravascular irritation element having a plurality of mechanical irritating objects, inserting the intravascular irritation element into a venous lumen of a target vein, and irritating the target vein by moving the plurality of mechanical irritating objects in contact with the inner surface thereof, thereby triggering a collapse of the target vein.

Abstract: A system for generating cold plasma is presented, suitable for use in in-vivo treatment of biological tissue. The system comprising: a control unit connectable to an elongated member at a first proximal end of the elongated member. The elongated member comprises a plasma generating unit at a second distal end thereof and gas and electricity transmission channels extending from said first proximal end towards said plasma generating unit. The control unit comprises a gas supply unit configured to provide predetermined flow rate of selected gas composition through said gas transmission channel and a power supply unit configured to generate selected sequence of high-frequency electrical pulses, typically in mega Hertz range, directed through said electricity transmission channel, thereby providing power and gas of said selected composition to the plasma generating unit for generating cold plasma.

Abstract: A vehicle seat covering including a laminar shell suitable which is removably attached to a vehicle seat having a horizontally-orientated seat portion and a vertically-orientated backrest. The covering includes a first portion which covers an upper surface of the horizontal seat portion for supporting a passenger's pelvis/buttocks. A second portion covers a forward surface of the backrest to support the back and/or the lumbar area of the passenger. The first and second portions are configured to provide first and second functional housings, respectively. A first padding is inserted into the first functional housing and has a main inner chamber suitable to improve the comfort, thermoregulation, breathability, and hygroscopicity properties of the laminar shell. A second padding is inserted into the second functional housing and has an auxiliary inner chamber suitable to improve the comfort, thermoregulation, breathability, and hygroscopicity properties of the laminar shell.

Abstract: A method of forming an implantable electrode having electrode contacts on an electrode carrier having a coating includes providing a solution of silicone and dexamethasone dissolved in a solvent, applying the solution to the electrode carrier or to a substrate, and subjecting the solution to a two-step heat treatment process that includes a first heat treatment between about 50 and 90° C. for about 1 to 3 hours and a second heat treatment at an elevated temperature between 90° C. and 140° C. for about 2 hours in order to form the coating.

Abstract: System and method to reduce risk of exposure to pathogens using a system comprising transportable clinical chambers, often configured with the exterior dimensions of a shipping container. The transportable chamber can be partially or completely self-contained, and configured for rapid transport and setup. The chamber is typically equipped with suitable automatic airborne sterilizing agent generators, sensors, mechanisms, and automatic air control devices. After suitable safety checks, the system isolates the interior air from external air, and activates an air phase anti-microbial agent generator, filling at least a portion of the chamber with an air-phase anti-pathogen agent. After sterilization, the invention deactivates the generator and then restores the connection to outside sterilized air.

Abstract: A round window coupling device is described for a hybrid electric-mechanical stimulation hearing implant system. A rigid outer shell securely fits into a round window niche in a cochlear outer surface of a recipient patient. An electrode groove in the outer surface of the outer shell snuggly fits around a portion of a cochlear implant electrode array passing through the round window niche. A coupling filling is enclosed within the outer shell to couple mechanical vibrations from the proximal end to the distal end with minimal attenuation. A transducer receiver at the proximal end connects to and receives vibrations from a drive surface of a mechanical transducer. And a drive face at the distal end interfaces to perilymph fluid within the cochlea of the recipient patient to deliver vibrations from the coupling filling to the perilymph fluid with minimal attenuation for perception as sound.

Abstract: An abdominal closure method and device is disclosed where the device generally includes a first tissue securement member configured for securement to a first tissue region and a second tissue securement member configured for securement to a second tissue region. The first and second tissue securement members are coupled to the connecting member and the connecting member is positionable at a distance from the first and second tissue regions. Additionally, one or more biasing elements may be connected to the first and second tissue securement members to approximate the first and second tissue regions towards one another via respective securement members.

Abstract: An implantable magnet that can freely turn in response to an external magnetic field, thus avoiding torque and demagnetization on the implantable magnet. The implantable magnet can be combined with an electric switching function depending on the orientation of an external magnetic field, thus protecting an implanted coil and/or implant electronics against induction of over-voltage or performing an electric switching function for other various purposes. The magnetic switch may further include, for example, a first switching contact and a second switching contact. A magnetically soft body that includes an electrically conductive surface is shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with the first and second switching contacts, and a second position where the body is out of contact with at least one of the first and second switching contacts.