Abstract: Methods of processing a target material are disclosed. In one arrangement, a multilayer structure is irradiated with a radiation beam. The multilayer structure comprises at least a target layer comprising the target material and an additional layer not comprising the target material. The additional layer is metallic. The target layer is irradiated through the additional layer during the irradiation of the multilayer structure. A transfer of energy from the radiation beam to the target layer and to the additional layer is such as to cause a thermally-induced change in the target layer. The thermally-induced change comprising one or more of: crystal growth in the target material, increased carrier mobility in the target material, increased chemical stability in the target material, and increased uniformity of electrical properties in the target material.

Abstract: A thrombectomy device includes a handle at a proximal end portion of the device, a first arm connected to the handle, and a second arm extending to a distal end portion of the device. The device may also include a cage at the distal end portion of the device, the cage being adjustable between a contracted orientation and an expanded orientation, the cage including a cutting element disposed between a proximal end portion of the cage and a distal end of the cage, the cutting element including one or more of a round wire, a flat wire, or a blade configured to remove matter from a body lumen when the cage is in the expanded orientation, and a macerator extending within the first arm and the second arm, the macerator including a helical element.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence or absence of a member of a group of bacterial organisms in a sample, wherein the method comprises determining whether a target region of the smpB gene is present in said sample is provided. Primers, probes and kits for use in these methods also form part of the invention, as does the use of an smpB gene target region to detect the presence or absence of a member of a group of bacterial organisms in a sample, in a range of clinical and non-clinical applications.

Abstract: A hydrogel composition for use in a method of regeneration of an intervertebral disc, or suppression of discogenic pain, in a mammal with intervertebral disc degeneration is described. The hydrogel composition comprises cross-linked high molecular weight hyaluronan. The hydrogel composition is implanted in the mammal at a site of intervertebral disc degeneration.

Abstract: A thrombectomy device includes a handle at a proximal end portion of the device, a first tube connected to the handle, and a second tube extending to a distal end portion of the device. The thrombectomy device also includes a cage at the distal end portion of the device, the cage being adjustable between a contracted orientation and an expanded orientation and including a scraping element formed with one or more of a round wire, a flat wire, or a blade disposed between a proximal end portion of the cage and a distal end portion of the cage, and a suction device, including a source of suction connected to the proximal end portion of the device, the suction device being configured to apply suction towards an interior of the second tube and to an extraction passage formed between the first tube and the second tube in a radial direction.

Abstract: Treating patients with therapeutically effective electroporation requires the use of voltage potentials which when applied to the patient can be painful due to the noxious overstimulation of the afferent pain-receptive nerve fibres. An electrode assembly which includes electrodes for applying effective electroporation voltages, also comprises at least one electrode configured to apply a non-noxious, non-painful electrical stimulation which may be referred to as a “nerve block adjacent to the electroporation site.

Abstract: A vortex generator apparatus including a fluid intake duct, a fluid tank including: a first fluid inlet port, a second fluid inlet port, and a fluid outlet port. A turbine is provided outside of the fluid tank in fluid communication with the fluid outlet port.

Abstract: Devices for therapeutic nasal neuromodulation and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A system for therapeutic neuromodulation in a nasal region configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, a shaft and a therapeutic element at a distal portion of the shaft. The shaft can locate the distal portion intraluminally at a target site inferior to a patient's sphenopalatine foramen. The therapeutic element can include an energy delivery element configured to therapeutically modulate postganglionic parasympathetic nerves at microforamina of a palatine bone of the human patient for the treatment of rhinitis or other indications. In other embodiments, the therapeutic element can be configured to therapeutically modulate nerves that innervate the frontal, ethmoidal, sphenoidal, and maxillary sinuses for the treatment of chronic sinusitis.

Abstract: Devices for therapeutic nasal neuromodulation and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A system for therapeutic neuromodulation in a nasal region configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, a shaft and a therapeutic element at a distal portion of the shaft. The shaft can locate the distal portion intraluminally at a target site inferior to a patient's sphenopalatine foramen. The therapeutic element can include an energy delivery element configured to therapeutically modulate postganglionic parasympathetic nerves at microforamina of a palatine bone of the human patient for the treatment of rhinitis or other indications. In other embodiments, the therapeutic element can be configured to therapeutically modulate nerves that innervate the frontal, ethmoidal, sphenoidal, and maxillary sinuses for the treatment of chronic sinusitis.

Abstract: A method of facilitating access to a neonate through a caesarean incision in the woman's abdomen by opening the incision, includes providing a supporting ring dimensioned to allow delivery of a neonate through the ring and comprising a non-adjustable pelvic-region retractor and handle fixed to the supporting ring and articulating the supporting ring to insert the non-adjustable pelvic-region retractor into the incision to cover and hold back the woman's bladder with the supporting ring disposed over the woman's abdomen. A first adjustable saddle-shaped retractor is then inserted into the incision to cup a first section of abdominal tissue on an abdominal side of the incision, before attaching the first adjustable saddle-shaped retractor to the supporting ring while it is cupping the first section of abdominal tissue at a first position spaced apart from the non-adjustable pelvic-region retractor to anchor the supporting ring to the woman and partially open the incision.

Abstract: A thrombectomy device for removing thrombus from a body lumen comprises an elongated catheter member (2) having a distal part and a proximal part, a thrombus blocking body (5) disposed on the distal part of the catheter member and radially expansible between a contracted orientation and an expanded, thrombus-blocking, orientation, a thrombus capture body (3) disposed on the distal part of the catheter member in an axially spaced-apart relationship to the thrombus blocking body, and radially expansible between a contracted orientation and an expanded, thrombus-capture, orientation, deployment means actuable to deploy and retract the thrombus capture body and thrombus blocking body; and an elongated control arm operably connected to the thrombus capture body. The thrombus capture body is a cage having an inwardly tapering leading end, the elongated control arm is operably connected to the leading end of the cage, and a thrombus extractor or macerator mechanism is disposed within the cage.

Abstract: Devices of the present disclosure may macerate and extract debris from inside a lumen. Such devices may include an extraction core, a tube including a side wall and a window in the side wall, and a rotatable helical formation disposed inside the tube. In some embodiments, the rotatable helical formation has a variable pitch.

Abstract: A gait management apparatus applies stimulation to a user suffering from a neurological disease (such as Parkinson's Disease) gait dysfunction. Motion sensors are arranged to be worn by a patient, and electrical stimulation electrodes are on the legs for stimulation. A controller receives motion sensing signals, and processes these signals to generate stimulation signals for operation of the electrodes to stimulate limb movement upon detection of a gait abnormality. There may be a user actuator for user actuation of electrical stimulation, and the inputs may be a series of taps. The controller may provide signals to prevent occurrence of freezing of gait when it senses that a patient is walking or has an intention to walk. Also, it may apply stimulation at an intensity level which is insufficient for functional muscle stimulation but sufficiently high to trigger activation of efferent nerves.

Abstract: The present application relates to an anti-microbial system for use in the treatment of microbial infections or control of microbial contamination, which avoids the use of antibiotics. Such infections include mastitis, tuberculosis, cystic fibrosis and the contamination that may result from biofilm formation on medical devices.

Abstract: A device suitable for use in a body lumen and comprises an elongated control member having a distal and a proximal end, and a radially expansible member disposed at or near the distal end and adapted for collection and/or shearing of matter (i.e. thrombus) from a wall of the body lumen (i.e. a vein or an artery). The radially expansible member has a proximal end and a distal end and is adjustable between a contracted orientation and an expanded orientation. The elongated control member comprising a proximal arm connected at or adjacent to the proximal end of the radially expansible member and a distal arm connected at or adjacent to the distal end of the radially expansible member such that movement of one arm relative to the other arm effects adjustment of the diameter or radial strength of the radially expansible member. The device comprises a control mechanism operatively connected to both arms and adapted to provide resistance to the movement of one arm relative to the other.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for specializing, monitoring, and/or evaluating therapeutic nasal neuromodulation are disclosed herein. A targeted neuromodulation system configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, an evaluation/modulation assembly at a distal portion of a shaft and including a plurality of electrodes. The electrodes are configured to emit stimulating energy at frequencies for identifying and locating target neural structures and detect the resultant bioelectric properties of the tissue. The system can also include a console that maps locations of the target neural structures. The evaluation/modulation assembly can then apply therapeutic neuromodulation energy in a highly tailored neuromodulation pattern based on the mapped locations of the target neural structures. Accordingly, the system provides therapeutic neuromodulation to highly specific target structures while avoiding non-target structures to reduce collateral effects.

Abstract: An implant (30) for a mammalian bone joint (3) for spacing a first bone (2) of the joint from a second bone (1) of the joint while allowing translational movement of the second bone in relation to the first bone is described. The implant comprises (a) a distal part (31) configured for intramedullary engagement with an end of the second bone, (b) a proximal part (34) having a platform (15) configured for non-engaging abutment of an end of the first bone and translational movement thereon, and (c) an articulating coupling (10, 16) provided between the distal and proximal ends allowing controlled articulation of the first and second bones. The bone-abutting platform is shaped to conform to and translate upon the end of the first bone. A kit for assembly to form the implant of the invention, and the use of the implant to treat osteoarthritis in a bone joint, are also described.

Abstract: A device suitable for use in a body lumen and comprises an elongated control member having a distal and a proximal end, and a radially expansible member disposed at or near the distal end and adapted for collection and/or shearing of matter (i.e. thrombus) from a wall of the body lumen (i.e. a vein or an artery). The radially expansible member has a proximal end and a distal end and is adjustable between a contracted orientation and an expanded orientation. The elongated control member comprising a proximal arm connected at or adjacent to the proximal end of the radially expansible member and a distal arm connected at or adjacent to the distal end of the radially expansible member such that movement of one arm relative to the other arm effects adjustment of the diameter or radial strength of the radially expansible member. The device comprises a control mechanism operatively connected to both arms and adapted to provide resistance to the movement of one arm relative to the other.

Abstract: A gait management apparatus applies stimulation to a user suffering from a neurological disease (such as Parkinson's Disease) gait dysfunction. Motion sensors are arranged to be worn by a patient, and electrical stimulation electrodes are on the legs for stimulation. A controller receives motion sensing signals, and processes these signals to generate stimulation signals for operation of the electrodes to stimulate limb movement upon detection of a gait abnormality. There may be a user actuator for user actuation of electrical stimulation, and the inputs may be a series of taps. The controller may provide signals to prevent occurrence of freezing of gait when it senses that a patient is walking or has an intention to walk. Also, it may apply stimulation at an intensity level which is insufficient for functional muscle stimulation but sufficiently high to trigger activation of efferent nerves.

Abstract: A thrombectomy device for removing thrombus from a body lumen comprises an elongated catheter member (2) having a distal part and a proximal part, a thrombus blocking body (5) disposed on the distal part of the catheter member and radially expansible between a contracted orientation and an expanded, thrombus-blocking, orientation, a thrombus capture body (3) disposed on the distal part of the catheter member in an axially spaced-apart relationship to the thrombus blocking body, and radially expansible between a contracted orientation and an expanded, thrombus-capture, orientation, deployment means actuable to deploy and retract the thrombus capture body and thrombus blocking body; and an elongated control arm operably connected to the thrombus capture body. The thrombus capture body is a cage having an inwardly tapering leading end, the elongated control arm is operably connected to the leading end of the cage, and a thrombus extractor or macerator mechanism is disposed within the cage.