Abstract: One aspect of the present invention includes a preformed gastric band comprising a flexible substrate and a plurality of band members. The flexible substrate comprises oppositely disposed first and second major surfaces defined by first and second minor side portions and first and second major side portions. The first major surface includes a lower collar section and an upper band section. The plurality of flexible band members is securely connected to the upper band section and extends between the first and second minor side portions of the substrate. Each of the band members includes first and second ends that comprise an attachment mechanism for connecting the first and second ends. Each of the band members is separated from one another by a spacing region.

Abstract: Just one embodiment of the invention includes a device, method and system for positioning a treatment instrument with respect to a patient. The novel device includes a holder for securing the treatment instrument (e.g., a magnetic stimulation device used for transcutaneous magnetic stimulation treatment of depression). The holder allows the treatment instrument to move about the patient. The device also includes a first arm that is coupled to the holder, and a vertical support that is coupled to the first arm. The first arm is substantially transverse to the vertical support, and may rotates about the vertical support in a horizontal axis. Such rotation, as well as movement and rotation of other components with respect to each other may be facilitated by a ball bearing construction.

Abstract: A transcranial magnetic stimulation induction coil device (“TMS coil device”) is manufactured to contain coil windings of a predetermined size and shape and fixedly positioned at a predetermined location within and orientation in relation to a casing of the TMS coil device. In one embodiment, the coil windings are encased in a casting at a predetermined location within and orientation in relation to the casting, and the casting is fixedly positioned at a predetermined location within and orientation in relation to the casing. The size and shape of the coil windings and the casing within, and the location and orientation of the coil windings in relation to each other and the casing of, the TMS coil device are known with a high level of precision, such that navigated brain stimulation can be performed with the TMS coil device with a high degree of accuracy.

Abstract: A device is described having a reticular or laminar structure to be surgically implanted in uro-gynaecological treatments, useful in particular for the surgical treatment of total or partial prolapse of the female pelvic organs or of prolapse of the vaginal vault.

Abstract: Devices for treating stress incontinence, having a horizontal proximal portion supported on the pubococcygeus muscle and a distal portion extending downward and away from the proximal portion at an angle approximating the vagina in an erect female as it passes down and between the anterior segments of the pubococcygeus. The distal portion may terminate with a protrusion that is positioned to provide midurethral support, thereby preserving the urethovesical angle.

Abstract: A system and methods for transcranial magnetic stimulation, the system including a helmet, a positioning portion, a stimulator and a cooling system, are disclosed. The helmet includes a coil for deep brain magnetic stimulation. The coil has a base portion, and return portions, which may include a protruding return portion and a contacting return portion. The coil is designed to minimize unintended stimulation of portions of the brain, while reducing accumulation of surface charges. The coil is stimulated at several locations and/or at different times so as to focus the electrical field on a specific deep neuronal structure.

Abstract: Described are methods and systems for drying remodelable materials, such that selective regions of the remodelable materials have differing properties. Also described are medical graft products having selective regions of differing material properties. Advantageous remodelable materials include collagenous extracellular matrix material, such as small intestine submucosa.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biomedical device comprising computing means, immersion means for dipping a patient in a virtual intelligent environment, an interface for controlling the computing means, operating the immersion means and for collecting results of related medical means and different means for obtaining said results. The inventive device is characterized in that the computing means are used for controlling the immersion means in such a way that virtual three-dimensional therapeutic environments comprising a virtual person in the form of the patient, a closed three-dimensional envelop emitting at a determined light frequency which envelops the person and any scenery in which the virtual person and the closed radiating envelop thereof are located for receiving a determined psycho-neuro-immunologic response, which is positive for the organism, are formed.

Abstract: A closed loop system or semi-closed loop system for infusing insulin using sensor values applies a redundant sensor system as a fail-safe method against sensor failure. The redundant glucose sensors are used corroborate each other and a failing sensor is detected if the sensors no longer corroborate each other. The use of redundant sensors has the additional benefit of producing better sensor signals compared to the use of a single sensor.

Abstract: A food intake restriction device for forming a restriction in a patient's gastro-intestinal tract and non-invasively communicating pressure data regarding the restriction to an external monitor. The device includes a food intake restriction device implanted substantially about a patient's gastro-intestinal tract to form a restricted opening in the tract. A port is connected to the restriction device. The port contains a working fluid for affecting the size of the restricted opening. A pressure sensing system communicates with the working fluid to measure the pressure of the working fluid. A transmitter communicates the measured fluid pressure to the external monitor.

Abstract: A method of treating irradiated tissue, such as for revascularizing and preventing or reducing wound healing complications in a human or other animal subject having cancer. The method comprises administering to the irradiated tissue a therapeutic composition comprising one or more of platelet rich plasma, platelet poor plasma or platelet concentrate. In some embodiments the complications sought to be prevented and/or reduced can include: fibrotic tissue, prolonged would drainage, hematomas, seromas, fistula formation infection, pain, poor coloration, deficient vascularity, and desensitization in or around the irradiated site.

Abstract: An implant for treating male urinary stress incontinence includes a tape (1), and a cushion (5) capable of being filled with fluid, which tape (1) with the cushion (5), when laid onto the patient's urethra, may be looped over the lower pubic branch and may be surgically fixed under tension. For creating such an implant, which may be implanted also without anchoring on the pelvis (8) and which allows for an optimum treatment, it is provided that the tape (1) includes a broadened region (2), to which region (2) the free ends (3) of the tape (1), when implanted, after the loop-over, may be fixed, and in that the cushion (5) is arranged in the region (2), which cushion (5) is connected with a duct (6), which extends outside the tape (1), for supplying and removing the fluid.

Abstract: An inter-vaginal device for performing a uterine suspension includes a rigid body for manipulating the uterus and implanting a suspension member, such as a mesh, for securing the uterus to an anchoring site (e.g., into a pelvic muscle or ligament). In one embodiment, a method includes inserting at least a portion of a uterine suspension member through an anterior or posterior vaginal incision. An end of the suspension member is anchored to a selected portion of a pelvic tissue. At least a portion of the suspension member is attached to a vaginal apex. A uterine manipulator is advanced in a direction toward the selected portion of the pelvic tissue such that at least a portion of a uterus is moved upward.

Abstract: Echogenic strands and spacers are provided for use in brachytherapy. Methods of making the strands and spacers are also provided. An echogenic strand for use in brachytherapy and a method for making the strand includes an encapsulating material, a seed disposed within the encapsulating material, and a spacer disposed within the encapsulating material and arranged adjacent to the seed. The spacer has an axial length, an outer surface and an inner surface. A chamber is formed along the axial length, the chamber being defined by the inner surface. The chamber is adapted to improve ultrasound visibility relative to the spacer.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining a characteristic of an in vivo sensor. A transmit field, operative to induce a response signal in an associated in vivo sensor, is generated at a transmitting component having an associated orientation. The response signal is received at a receiving component, having an associated orientation. The coupling between the transmitting component and the receiving component is measured. The associated orientation of at least one of the transmitting component and the receiving component is rotated as to reduce the measured coupling.

Abstract: Echogenic strands and spacers are provided for use in brachytherapy. Methods of making the strands and spacers are also provided. An echogenic strand for use in brachytherapy includes an encapsulating material, a seed disposed within the encapsulating material, and a spacer disposed within the encapsulating material and arranged adjacent to the seed. The spacer has an external length and a chamber formed along the external length, the chamber being adapted to improve ultrasound visibility relative to the spacer.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for irradiating cervical cancer, comprising multiple source guide tubes with a coupling piece situated outside the patient that connects the tubes outside the patient. The source guide tubes are formed such that the portions of the tubes situated in the patient upon insertion hook to each other so that the tubes are locked relative to each other. In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a central catheter tube to be guided into the uterus, which is provided with a flange-shaped stop for stabilizing the central tube relative to the uterus, the stop being formed for securing a position of the central tube relative to the further source guide tubes.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering brachytherapy to a target tissue region includes an elongate body including a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a tissue tract and carrying a plurality of elongate members including pathways for receiving a source of radiation. The elongate members are movable between collapsed and expanded configurations. During use, a tract is created through tissue, and the elongate body carrying the elongate members is advanced through the tract into a target location with the elongate members in the collapsed configuration. The elongate members are directed to the expanded configuration at the target location, and radiation is delivered to treat tissue at the target location, e.g., by introducing one or more radiation sources along the pathways. The apparatus may include features to prevent overexpansion of the elongate members and/or to facilitate rapid collapse of the elongate members.

Abstract: An interactive biological stabilization (IBS) device includes at least one communication path enabling operative coupling with at least one patient data monitoring device, and a processing device enabled for operative coupling with the at least one patient monitoring device through the at least one communication path. The processing device includes a hypnotherapeutic treatment decision block selecting at least one hypnotherapeutic treatment modality based on patient data received from the at least one patient data monitoring device through the at least one communication path. A system for interactively biologically stabilizing a patient includes the IBS device. A method for interactively biologically stabilizing a patient includes the steps of providing at least one apparatus monitoring vital patient data and providing at least one processor processing the vital patient data which selects a hypnotherapeutic treatment modality based on the processing of the vital patient data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for assessing the reactivity observable in a certain physiological signal, especially the EEG signal, of a comatose subject. In order to obtain an objective and a reliable measure of the reactivity automatically and without the presence of a trained EEG specialist, a valid signal model is constructed for an EEG signal obtained from the subject. A time reference corresponding to a stimulus is applied and further signal data is obtained from the time series, the further signal data being subsequent to the time reference. By employing the further signal data, the method tests whether the signal model remains to be a valid signal model for the EEG signal also after the stimulus, and indicates, based on the test, whether reactivity is present in the physiological signal.