Abstract: A device for sealing a fistula includes a first flange for orienting against a first wall of the fistula, a second flange for orienting against a second wall of the fistula, and at least one stem coupling the first and second flanges. Illustratively, the at least one stem is elastomeric. The stem(s) exhibit(s) an elongation of greater than about 0.6 mm/N of force applied between the first and second flanges in the range of elongation of about 0 mm to about 15 mm. Additionally or alternatively illustratively, the stem(s) comprise(s) (an) elastomeric tube(s) including (a) wall section(s) having a varying radius along its (their) length(s). Additionally or alternatively illustratively, the stem(s) pass(es) through (respective) opening(s) provided in at least one of the first and second flanges to permit adjustment of the location of at least one of the first and second flanges along the length of the stem(s).

Abstract: The present invention is a method for measuring stable and reproducible electrode-tissue impedance, comprising preconditioning an electrode-tissue interface. Further aspect of the invention is a stimulation system for a visual prosthesis generating a stimulation signal to precondition the electrode-tissue interface, comprising a computer; software, loaded in the computer, adapted to perform a stimulating method for a visual prosthesis having a plurality of electrodes; a video processing unit; and an implanted neuron-stimulator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a saliency-based apparatus and methods for visual prostheses. A saliency-based component processes video data output by a digital signal processor before the video data are input to the retinal stimulator. In a saliency-based method, an intensity stream is extracted from an input image, feature maps based on the intensity stream are developed, plural most salient regions of the input image are detected and one of the regions is selected as a highest saliency region.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a minimally invasive medical procedure into human breast tissue includes a cannula and an obturator. The cannula includes an open distal end, a lateral opening proximate to the open distal end, and a longitudinal lumen communicating with the lateral opening and the open distal end. The lumen has a non-circular cross-section. The obturator is sized for insertion into the cannula. The obturator has a distal end extending from the open distal end of the cannula when the obturator is inserted fully into the cannula. The obturator has a recess proximate of the distal end of the obturator. The recess is positioned along a portion of the length of the obturator to align with the lateral opening of the cannula when the obturator is inserted fully into the cannula.

Abstract: A biopsy system comprises an introducer and a biopsy device. The introducer comprises a cannula and at least two leaves. The cannula comprises an ovular cross-section, an open distal end and an open proximal end. The ovular cross-section defines a lumen extending between the open distal end and the open proximal end. The ovular cross-section of the cannula includes at least two flat sides. The at least two leaves extend distally from the open distal end. At least a portion of each of the at least two leaves extend from a respective flat side of the at least two flat sides of the cannula. The biopsy device comprises a body and an elongate needle. The elongate needle extends distally from the body. The elongate needle includes an ovular cross-section defining two straight sides. The cannula of the introducer is configured to slidably receive the elongate needle of the biopsy device.

Abstract: Polymer materials make useful materials as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision. Regardless of which polymer is used, the basic construction method is the same. A layer of polymer is laid down. A layer of metal is applied to the polymer and patterned by wet etch to create electrodes and leads for those electrodes. The base polymer layer is activated. A second layer of polymer is applied over the metal layer and patterned to leave openings for the electrodes, or openings are created later by means such as laser ablation. Hence the array and its supply cable are formed of a single body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for plasma modifying a workpiece such as a syringe barrel, cartridge barrel, vial, or blood tube is described. Plasma is provided within the lumen of the workpiece. The plasma is provided under conditions effective for plasma modification of a surface of the workpiece. A magnetic field is provided in at least a portion of the lumen. The magnetic field has an orientation and field strength effective to improve the uniformity of plasma modification of the interior surface of the generally cylindrical wall. A vessel made according to the process or using the apparatus described above. A pharmaceutical package comprising the syringe barrel or vial containing a pharmaceutical preparation, secured with a closure.

Abstract: A visual prosthesis apparatus and a method for providing artificial vision are disclosed in the present disclosure. The visual prosthesis apparatus comprises a camera for capturing a video image, a video processing unit configured to convert the video image to stimulation patterns, and a retinal stimulation system configured stimulate neural tissue in a subjects eye based on the stimulation patterns. An artificial vision may be provided by capturing a video image, converting the video image to stimulation patterns, and stimulating neural tissue in a subjects eye based on the stimulation patterns.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a body, a probe cannula, a cutter, a vacuum source, a tissue sample holder, and a flexible tube. The probe cannula extends distally from the body and defines an internal passage with a side aperture. The cutter is translatable relative to the probe cannula to sever a tissue sample received in the probe cannula. The vacuum source is in communication with the cutter. The tissue sample holder includes a vacuum port on the exterior surface to communicate with the vacuum source and a removable portion to hold solid tissue samples. The removable portion is selectively removable from the tissue sample holder and includes a straining member to separate fluids from solids. The flexible tube couples the tissue sample holder with the body such that the tissue sample holder is flexibly spaced away from the body.

Abstract: An instrument arm assembly is provided for presenting an examination instrument to a seated patient. The instrument arm assembly includes an arm having an attachment assembly, an instrument supporting element for supporting the examination instrument and having an attachment assembly, and a linkage having first and second attachment assemblies. The instrument supporting element attachment assembly is pivotably connected with the linkage first attachment assembly, and the arm attachment assembly is pivotably connected with the linkage second attachment assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of improving the persistence of electrical neural stimulation, and specifically a method of improving the persistence of an image supplied to a retina, or visual cortex, through a visual prosthesis. A continuously stimulated retina, or other neural tissue, will desensitize after a time period in the range of 20 to 150 seconds. However, an interruption of the stimulation on the order of a few milliseconds will restore the retinal sensitivity without the user perceiving the interruption, or with the user barely perceiving the interruption.

Abstract: A peripheral nerve stimulator configured as a flexible circuit to stimulate or block the operation of a nerve or nerve bundle, including electrode array, cable and bond pad portions connected to an electronics package. The electrode array is configured for peripheral nerve modulation and may be curved cylindrically to encompass a nerve. A cylindrical curve can be imparted through thermoforming or by applying a stretchable polymer. The stretchable polymer places the electrode array portion into a cylinder when the electrode array portion is in a relaxed position. The electronics package includes low profile, stacked thin chip electronic components that are tunable in-situ, requiring less vertical and lateral space than stacked passives. The thin chip components may be high density trench capacitors, metal-on-semiconductor capacitors positioned on an integrated circuit chip.

Abstract: A modular surgical patient positioner unit apparatus, system and method for adjustably positioning human joints such as knees for surgical operating procedures having a base plate to support moveably a transformable carriage that can be releasably locked in position and which adjustably supports a boot or other limb holder which can be releasably locked in position by the carriage. The base plate also is configured with a side bar located at a mid-portion of the base plate to secure to an arc clamp configured to secure the positioning system to a side rail of an operating table in a medical procedure on the left or right side of the body. An extension unit also is provided and configured to secure to a lower surface of the base plate to extend the base plate of the system, as needed, for larger limbs of patients, which extension unit is configured with a stud and post locking portions for securing to the base plate and for positioning in a medical procedure on either side of the body.

Abstract: A hydrogel plug is placed under stress during its curing stage, in one embodiment, by application of an externally applied force. The stress may also be induced during or after the dehydration process. The direction of the externally applied force increases the length, width, depth, or radial extent of the plug. The elastic limit of the plug is exceeded when the external force is applied so that the plug substantially retains its stressed size and shape when the externally applied force is removed. When the stretched or otherwise deformed dehydrated plug is hydrated, it substantially returns to the configuration it had prior to its dehydration and prior to the application of the externally applied force.

Abstract: A biopsy device may comprise a probe assembly that has a needle assembly extending distally from the probe assembly. The needle assembly has a needle portion and blade assembly. The blade assembly comprises a blade and a multi-member coupling assembly. The multi-member coupling assembly is configured to couple to the blade and to the needle portion to attach the blade to the needle portion. In one configuration the multi-member coupling assembly comprises two coupling members configure to couple to the blade. The blade may be a flat blade that has a retention channel formed therein, wherein the two coupling members may couple to the blade at the retention channel. The needle portion may comprise a needle and a cutter receiving tube. The needle may be an ovular cross-sectioned tube having a cut-out portion into which a circular cross-sectioned cutter receiving tube may be inserted and coupled thereto.

Abstract: A hydrogel plug is placed under stress during its curing stage, in one embodiment, by application of an externally applied force. The stress may also be induced during or after the dehydration process. The direction of the externally applied force increases the length, width, depth, or radial extent of the plug. The elastic limit of the plug is exceeded when the external force is applied so that the plug substantially retains its stressed size and shape when the externally applied force is removed. When the stretched or otherwise deformed dehydrated plug is hydrated, it substantially returns to the configuration it had prior to its dehydration and prior to the application of the externally applied force.

Abstract: A dihydroxyacetone fortified honey composition, including a mixture of honey and dissolved dihydroxyacetone in a preferred honey to dissolved dihydroxyacetone ratio of 0.5 ml-20 ml of dissolved dihydroxyacetone to each kilogram of honey, wherein the mixture has a moisture content of between one and twenty percent, and wherein the mixture contains a preferred amount of methylglyoxal of between 83 milligrams of methylglyoxal per 1.0 kilogram of honey and 1500 milligrams of methylglyoxal per 1.0 kilogram of honey.