Abstract: An intravaginal device that has a hollow open-ended cylindrical body and a removal strip, wherein the body has features that keep the removal strip in a track. During removal when the removal strip is pulled, the cross-sectional area of the device is decreased. A kit includes the device, removal strip and an assistive wand to aid with insertion and removal.

Abstract: Methods of beam angle optimization for intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) treatment include determining beam's eye view (BEV) regions and a BEV region connectivity manifold by evaluating dose response of each region of interest for each vertex in a delivery coordinate space (DCS). The information contained in the BEV regions and the BEV region connectivity manifold is used to guide an optimizer to find optimal field geometries in the IMRT treatment. To improve the visibility of insufficiently exposed voxels of planning target volumes (PTVs), a post-processing step may be performed to enlarge certain BEV regions, which are considered for exposing during treatment trajectory optimization.

Abstract: Methods of treatment trajectory optimization for radiotherapy treatment of multiple targets include determining beam's eye view (BEV) regions and a BEV region connectivity manifold for each target group of a plurality of target groups separately. The information contained in the BEV regions and the BEV region connectivity manifolds for all target groups is used to guide an optimizer to find optimal treatment trajectories. To improve the visibility of insufficiently exposed voxels of planning target volumes (PTVs), a post-processing step may be performed to enlarge certain BEV regions, which are considered for exposing during treatment trajectory optimization.

Abstract: In methods for treating a patient, a time varying magnetic field is applied to a patient's body and causes a muscle contraction. The time-varying magnetic field may be monophasic, biphasic, polyphasic and/or static. The method may reduce adipose tissue, improve metabolism, blood and/or lymph circulation. The method may use combinations of treatments to enhance the visual appearance of the patient.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods described herein can provide a simulated fluid environment similar to the mother's womb to recreate an ideal or more familiar environment for infants who are born before their ideal due date. In some embodiments, the premature infant amniotic bath incubator can comprise an incubating tank with synthetic or simulated amniotic fluid, a heating element(s), a temperature sensor(s), and/or thermostat(s) for temperature regulation.

Abstract: A method of providing sensory stimulation to a user is described. The method includes alternating sensory stimulation between a first sensory stimulation including simultaneously providing a left visual stimulus pattern to a left eye and a right auditory stimulus pattern to the right side of a head and a second sensory stimulation including simultaneously providing a right visual stimulus pattern to a right eye and a left auditory stimulus pattern to the left side of the head. The first sensory stimulation and the second sensory stimulation each include a first stimulus pattern having a first pulse frequency, a second stimulus pattern having a second pulse frequency less than the first pulse frequency, and a third stimulus pattern having a third pulse frequency less than the second pulse frequency. One of the first pulse frequency, the second pulse frequency, or the third pulse frequency is between approximately 3.75 Hz and 4.25 Hz.

Abstract: A composite scaffold having a highly porous interior with increased surface area and void volume is surrounded by a flexible support structure that substantially maintains its three-dimensional shape under tension and provides mechanical reinforcement during repair or reconstruction of soft tissue while simultaneously facilitating regeneration of functional tissue.

Abstract: A more accurate radiotherapy is implemented by using a vessel marker for radiotherapy having a deformation fixed shape for engaging with the inner wall of a vessel by deformation after being inserted into the vessel, and a position notification shape for notifying an outside of a radiation irradiation position. Also provided are a radiotherapy support method for supporting radiotherapy to be performed by using the vessel marker, a radiation irradiation control apparatus that irradiates, with radiation, a patient in which the vessel marker is indwelled, and a vessel marker indwelling support apparatus to be used when indwelling the vessel marker.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are provided. The method includes providing a set of coils that generate multidirectional pulsed electromagnetic fields in the prostate. The apparatus comprises a power source, an intelligent controller and an applicator positioned in proximity to the prostate and generating multidirectional pulsed fields according to instructions from the controller. The electric component of the electromagnetic fields generated by a PEMF interacts with cells, increases the number of Ata receptors on their membranes and thus enhances the anti-inflammatory actions of the adenosine A2aAR pathway.

Abstract: A tissue stimulation device comprising: a source; a control unit; a decoupled output stage circuit connected to the source and the control unit; a signal generator connected to the input of the decoupled output stage circuit and the control unit; an analog demultiplexer connected to the output stage circuit decoupled by a PE signal and an out signal, the analog demultiplexer is connected to the control unit, and a transducer array is connected to the output of the analog demultiplexer; wherein the control unit selects the output of the analog demultiplexer that allows switching of the PE and out signals to activate the transducers in the transducer array to stimulate tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel compositions, devices, patches, systems and methods that are useful for estimating, determining, modulating and/or improving the sleep/wake and/or circadian phase of a subject (e.g., a human subject) by the dispensing of measured quantities of agents to a subject or into an environment of the subject and the continuous monitoring and/or tracking of the subject's consciousness (e.g., sleep/wake) patterns. In certain aspects, the compositions, devices, patches, systems and methods disclosed herein are capable of delivering one or more agents to a subject in response to measured consciousness patterns estimations and circadian phase estimations, thereby aligning the subject's circadian biology to the external environment and improving the quality and duration of sleep.

Abstract: A gastric vest system for treating excessive weight or obesity in mammals. The gastric vest system may include a trapezoidal-shaped vest having a left edge, a right edge, an upper indentation, and a lower indentation, and the trapezoidal-shaped vest is configured to be wrapped around a stomach or a modified stomach of a mammal to cover a lesser curvature and a greater curvature of the stomach or the modified stomach.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating urinary incontinence in a patient includes at least one adjustable lifting device for supporting a patient's urethra to restore urinary control. The adjustable lifting device can post-operatively and non-invasively adjust the level of lift of a patient's urethra, to thereby affect the patient's incontinence. The adjustable lifting device is placed above the pubis bone of the patient. The device includes first and second fixation devices that are adjustable to thereby adjust the length of a sling that cradles and lift's the patient's urethra. The apparatus could also be used to treat anal incontinence.

Abstract: In methods for treating a patient, a time varying magnetic field is applied to a patient's body and causes a muscle contraction. The time-varying magnetic field may be monophasic, biphasic, polyphasic and/or static. The method may reduce adipose tissue, improve metabolism, blood and/or lymph circulation. The method may use combinations of treatments to enhance the visual appearance of the patient.

Abstract: A vehicle may include: a feedback device; a bio-signal sensor configured to measure a bio-signal of a user; and a controller operatively coupled to the feedback device and the bio-signal sensor, the controller including a memory configured to store at least one program instruction and processor configured to execute the at least one program instruction. The controller may be configured to: determine information characterizing a current emotional state of the user based on the bio-signal; calculate, based on a difference value between the current emotional state and a target emotional state, an operation ratio between a first mode for controlling operation of the feedback device to decrease a degree of excitability of the user and a second mode for controlling the operation of the feedback device to increase a degree of positivity of the user; and control the operation of the feedback device for a predetermined time based on the operation ratio.

Abstract: The invention relates to a detection system of an endo-urethral device for an artificial urinary sphincter implantable in the body of a patient, said sphincter comprising an occlusive cuff (2) adapted to compress the urethra, the bladder neck or the prostate of said patient, an activation device (5) of said cuff (2) and a control unit (6) adapted to control the activation device. Said system comprises at least one compression sensor (13) of the urethra and a posture sensor (9), and a processing unit (30) configured to determine: (i) if the compression parameter of the urethra exceeds a predetermined threshold during a predetermined period, (ii) if the patient is in a recumbent position. If the conditions (i) and (ii) are fulfilled, the processing unit sends to the activation device (5) an immediate reduction order of the compression exerted by the cuff (2).

Abstract: It is provided a method for determining a distribution of spots for use with ion beam therapy for providing the spots in a target volume, wherein each spot represents a collection of ions of a specific energy level and of a specific size at a specific lateral location. The method is performed in a treatment planning system and comprises the steps of: dividing the target volume in a plurality of target sections based on a user configuration comprising at least one spot size strategy defining a maximum spot size at the location of a Bragg peak; assigning a spot size strategy to each one of the target sections based on the location of the respective target section; and determining, within each target section, spots in accordance with its spot size strategy.

Abstract: A method of optimizing a radiation treatment plan of ion treatment, in which the optimization procedure is interrupted, some but not all low-weight spots are discarded and the optimization procedure is resumed with a reduced set of spots. The weight of one or more remaining spots may be increased before resuming the optimization procedure, for example by adding the spot weight of one or more of the discarded spots to one or more of the remaining spots.

Abstract: An external component of a prosthesis, including a first module including a functional component and first structure including magnetic material. The first module is configured to be retained against skin via a magnetic field at least partially generated by a magnet implanted in a recipient that interacts with the magnetic material of the first structure, the first module including a skin interfacing surface configured to interact with skin of the recipient when the first module is retained against the skin of the recipient, a second module including a second structure including magnetic material configured to enhance magnetic retention of the external component to skin of a recipient, wherein the second module is removably attached to the first module and visible from an outside of the external component when the second module is attached to the first module and when viewed from a side opposite the skin interfacing side.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a therapeutic furniture apparatus. The therapeutic furniture apparatus includes a non-magnetic base. The non-magnetic base has a vertical portion that extends vertically from the base, and a horizontal portion that extends from the vertical portion at a first location over the non-magnetic base. A non-magnetic ring attachment structure is coupled to the horizontal portion of the non-magnetic support structure at a second location disposed directly over the non-magnetic base. The non-magnetic ring attachment structure extends from the horizontal portion toward the non-magnetic base. A plurality of non-magnetic ring structures are coupled to the non-magnetic ring attachment structure and disposed between the horizontal portion of the non-magnetic support structure and the non-magnetic base. A plurality of permanent magnets are disposed at regular intervals on each of the plurality of non-magnetic ring structures.