Abstract: A lead assembly and associated process include a lead and an integrated feature that facilitates extraction of the lead from the associated body passage. The integrated feature in one embodiment is a sheath received between the associated body passage and received over the lead. The sheath has a first portion extending from adjacent the proximal end to adjacent the distal end of the lead, where the first portion has an inner surface facing with the lead outer surface and the first portion having an outer surface facing radially outward from the lead outer surface. A second portion of the sheath extends from adjacent the distal end to adjacent the proximal end of the lead. The second portion has an inner surface received over the outer surface of the first portion, and the second portion further having an outer surface abutting an inner surface of the associated body passage that receives the lead therein. The integrated feature is alternatively a wire, band, or spoke assembly.

Abstract: Provided is a beam diagnostic system for a neutron capture therapy system. The neutron capture therapy system includes a charged particle beam, a charged particle beam inlet for passing the charged particle beam, a neutron generating unit generating a neutron beam by a nuclear reaction with the charged particle beam, and a beam shaping assembly for adjusting flux and quality of the neutron beam generated by the neutron generating unit and a beam outlet adjoining to the beam shaping assembly. The charged particle beam inlet is accommodated into the beam shaping assembly and the neutron generating unit is accommodated in the beam shaping assembly. The beam diagnostic system includes a charged particle beam diagnostic device and a neutron beam diagnostic device, and the beam diagnostic system is used to simultaneously diagnose whether the neutron capture therapy system and/or the beam diagnostic system is malfunctioning.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a beam shaping assembly for neutron capture therapy, wherein the beam shaping assembly includes a neutron generating device, a moderator, a disturbing unit and a beam outlet. The neutron generating device is used to generate neutrons that form a neutron beam in a direction from the neutron generating device to the beam outlet, the moderator adjacent to the neutron generating device for adjusting fast neutrons in the neutron beam to epithermal neutrons. The disturbing unit is located between the moderator and the beam outlet for passing through the neutron beam and reducing the gamma ray content in the neutron beam passing through the beam outlet. The technical solution provided by the present disclosure can effectively reduce the gamma ray content in the neutron beam under the premise that the quality of the neutron beam is not significantly adversely affected.

Abstract: An artificial chordae tendineae implantation system, comprising including a clamping apparatus device, puncture device, a pushing device, and a clamp assistance device. The pushing device includes a pushing catheter. The puncture device and the clamping device respectively are movably insertedly mounted within the pushing catheter. An artificial chordae tendineae is accommodated in the clamping device. The clamp assistance device includes a clamp assistance arm movably insertedly mounted within the pushing catheter and a clamp assistance member provided at the distal end of the clamp assistance arm. The clamp assistant member is made of a flexible and/or soft material. The clamp assistance member and the clamp assistance arm are accommodated together in the pushing catheter. The clamp assistance arm pushes the clamp assistance member to pass out from the distal end of the pushing catheter or the distal end of the clamping device.

Abstract: A stent (1) used for a heart valve prosthesis and the heart valve prosthesis that includes the stent (1) and is used for heart valve replacement. The stent is configured to support a heart valve (3) and includes, along a longitudinal axis, an inflow section (8), an outflow section (6) and a transition section (7) between the inflow section (8) and the outflow section (6). The stent (1) has a contracted delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration. In the expanded deployed configuration, the inflow section (8) defines a concave contour that is complementary to a structure of a native valve annulus. The concave contour enables self-deployment and close adherence of the stent (1), thereby preventing its displacement and perivalvular leakage after implantation.

Abstract: A stent and a securely-installed artificial valve replacement device having the same, the stent being of a cylindrical structure; the top of the stent is provided with a fixed ear (60); the fixed ear (60) has a neck portion (601) connected to the top of the stent, and a head portion (602) engaged with the fixed head of the stent; the head portion (602) has a bending structure for improving the overall radial thickness; and the artificial valve replacement device is comprised of a stent and a prosthetic valve fixed on the stent. The stent with a bending structure overcomes the problem of easily disengaging from the fixed head of the stent, while not affecting the release of the stent.

Abstract: Abeam shaping assembly for neutron capture therapy includes a beam inlet, a target having nuclear reaction with an incident proton beam from the beam inlet to produce neutrons forming a neutron beam, a moderator adjoining to the target, a reflector surrounding the moderator. The neutrons are moderated to epithermal neutron energies by the moderator, and part of the moderator disposed on the back of the target can be replaced so as to adjust the epithermal neutron energies. The reflector leads the neutrons deviated from the main axis back.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a neutron capture therapy system including a beam shaping assembly. The beam shaping assembly includes a beam inlet; a neutron generator arranged into the beam shaping assembly, the neutron generator has nuclear reaction with an incident proton beam from the beam inlet to produce neutrons; a moderator adjacent to the neutron generator, the neutrons are moderated by the moderator to epithermal neutron energies; a reflector surrounding the neutron generator and the moderator, the reflector leads the deflected neutrons back to enhance epithermal neutron beam intensity; a beam outlet; and at least a movable member moving away from or close to the neutron generator, the movable member moves between a first position where the neutron generator is replaceable, and a second position where the neutron generator is irreplaceable. The neutron capture therapy system has a simple structure, and the neutron generator is easy to be replaced.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a heart valve repair method, comprising: advancing a distal end of a suture implanting apparatus from an outside of a body through a transapical approach into a left ventricle or a right ventricle of a heart; holding each leaflet of a heart valve with the distal end of the suture implanting apparatus; implanting at least one suture into the leaflet; withdrawing the suture implanting apparatus from the body; advancing a distal end of a suture locking apparatus from the outside of a body through a transapical approach into the corresponding left ventricle or the corresponding right ventricle; using the suture locking apparatus to lock the plurality of sutures; and withdrawing the suture locking apparatus from the body. The heart valve repair method has a simple surgical procedure, a low degree of patient trauma, and a high success rate of surgery.

Abstract: Systems are provided for deploying a vascular prosthesis having at least one stent with an end portion configured to be introduced into a vessel and a sheath connected thereto. The systems include a first expandable balloon for shaping and stabilizing the vascular prosthesis in the vessel, a second expandable balloon for sealing a junction between the end portion of the vascular prosthesis and the vessel, and means for expanding the first and second expandable balloons.

Abstract: A bendable sheath and a delivery system using the bendable sheath. The bendable sheath comprises a tube body (3). The tube body (3) comprises a distal end and a proximal end. A tube wall of the tube body (3) is connected to a pull wire (8). One end of the pull wire (8) extends towards the proximal end of the tube body (3), and the other end is connected to the tube body (3) near the distal end of the tube body (3). The pull wire (8) comprises at least a section thereof disposed freely outside the tube body (3) and near the distal end of the tube body (3). The pull wire (8) in the bendable sheath comprises the section disposed freely outside the sheath tube body (3) and, when pulled, the section is disposed so as to facilitate the application of force. The section moves relative to the tube body (3), such that a force application point is adaptively changed.

Abstract: A calibration device for a computer-assisted surgical instrument includes a rigid body, stabilization members, and references structurally or mechanically complementary to the stabilization members and disposed on opposite sides of a manipulator of the instrument. Kinematic state of the manipulator is defaulted when the calibration device is connected to the instrument by the stabilization members passing through the rigid body and removably attaching to the references. A calibration method for a computer-assisted surgical instrument implemented by a computer system includes the steps of: prompting a user to connect the calibration device to the instrument; determining if the calibration device is properly connected to the instrument; and generating default kinematic information of the manipulator of the instrument if the calibration device is properly connected to the instrument. The calibration device and method effectively improve accuracy and precision of computer-assisted surgeries.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to a neurosurgical assistance robot including a movable box the chassis of which is provided with a rigid support arm for connection to a headrest supporting the head of a patient lying on an operating table. Accore invention disclosed subject matter, the support arm is movable with respect to the chassis between a position retracted in the volume of the box and a plurality of extended positions, and a mechanism for locking the arm in any iled being provided for.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic system includes elements disposed around a subject to transmit and/or receive ultrasonic waves. A controller controls the elements so that some of the elements disposed in a first region transmit ultrasonic waves at a first angle to a diagnosis target in the subject, some of the elements disposed in a second region receive reflected waves of the ultrasonic waves, which are reflected from the diagnosis target at a second angle, and some of the elements disposed in a third region receive reflected waves of the ultrasonic waves, which are reflected from the diagnosis target at a third angle distinct from the second angle. An operator calculates a velocity vector of the diagnosis target using the reflected waves received by the some of the elements disposed in the second region and the reflected waves received by the some of the elements disposed in the third region.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a system for delivering an implantable device inside a body cavity includes: 1) a core cannula; 2) an access sheath; 3) an injection apparatus for filling the implantable device with one or more fluids; and 4) expanding members operatively connected to the core cannula for preventing the core cannula from advancing through a body orifice once the core cannula and expanding members exist the access sheath. According to particular embodiments, a distal end of the core cannula is pre-attached to the implantable device through a device locking member. In one or more embodiments, upon assessment, an injection apparatus is removed using an injection apparatus handle, the implantable device is detached from the core cannula via a device deployment handle (to be implanted), and the access sheath is removed.