Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment a surgical device consisting of a rigid frame with a spindle straddling the lateral members and coupled with a ratcheting traction unit for the purpose of anchoring an organ and, to apply controlled incremental traction to the tissues connecting the organ to the body enabling exposure of a working length of the tissue and its associated structures for the application of ligatures etc.

Abstract: A transcranial magnetic stimulator according to the present invention includes fixing means for detachably fixing a magnetic field generating means and contains a fixture of a head which covers a head of an examinee to be fixed engaged with a shape of the head that is inherent to an examinee; and characterized in that: a relative position of the magnetic field generating means with respect to the head of the examinee is held constant so that the highest point of an intensity of an electric current to be induced by a magnetic field to be generated by the magnetic field generating means is constantly arranged on a target spot of a diameter not more than 10 mm, which depends on each of the examinees and is located within a cranium, by fixing the magnetic field generating means to the fixing means and a direction of a magnetic field to be generated by the magnetic field generating means and a direction of the target spot are made into a fixed relation.

Abstract: A system for controlling the location of a therapeutic agent administered to a mammal is provided. The system employs a device that is capable of generating a magnetic field and a therapeutic agent labeled with a magnetically responsive moiety. Methods which employ the device and the therapeutic agent are also provided.

Abstract: Described here are conformable brachytherapy applicators. The conformable brachytherapy applicators generally follow the contour of tissue surfaces so that distances between radiation sources and target tissues can be precisely determined and radiation dose clouds can be readily shaped. Systems and methods for using the conformable brachytherapy applicators are also described.

Abstract: A system (1) and method for controlling the reproduction of audio signals via the monitoring of the state of relaxation of a person, wherein at least one physiological characteristic of the person is detected by means of a sensor (14), which characteristic assumes different values depending on different sleep phases of the person and wherein different sleep phases are recognized on the basis of at least one detected changing physiological characteristic by means of an analysis device (19) and wherein the speed for the reproduction of audio signals is changed on the basis of the at least one detected changing physiological characteristic and wherein the reproduction of the audio signals is terminated by a control unit (22) after a certain sleep phase of the person has commenced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hearing aid device for humans with impaired hearing, who have an at least partially functional cochlea and a functional nervous signalling pathway from the cochlea via the auditory nerve to the brain. The hearing aid device contains a receiver, a transducer of the sound or other acoustic signals into electrical current serving as a signal representing a sound, a pulsed irradiation source connected to the transducer for receiving the electrical current and for generating modulated pulsed irradiation in dependence from the electrical current, and preferably one or more optical fibers optically coupled to the exit of the pulsed irradiation source, wherein the optical path for conduction of irradiation within the device ends directly opposite a functional element of the natural vibration transduction pathway, e.g.

Abstract: Described here are conformable brachytherapy applicators. The conformable brachytherapy applicators generally follow the contour of tissue surfaces so that distances between radiation sources and target tissues can be precisely determined and radiation dose clouds can be readily shaped. Systems and methods for using the conformable brachytherapy applicators are also described.

Abstract: To make interventional instruments such as catheters more easily identifiable in X-ray images, the catheters are provided with marking elements which can be recognized in the X-ray image. Examples of marking elements are sphere-shaped and ring-shaped marking elements, the ring-shaped marking elements being able to identify the catheters in the manner of a barcode and so being able to make different catheters distinguishable from one another in the X-ray image.

Abstract: A hearing aid transducer adapts itself to variations in the surface of a tympanic membrane and slides over the migrating membrane without lubrication. Microscopic setae create a conforming interface between the biocompatible material of the transducer and the living tissue of the tympanic membrane.

Abstract: The surgical kit comprises at least one elongate strip for supporting the urethra of a patient, the strip comprising a knit of yarns forming empty spaces between one another, at least in the longitudinal middle portion of the strip that is to extend transversely under the urethra when the strip is implanted, said knit comprising both reinforcement constituted by longitudinal chains and an intermediate trellis transversely interconnecting the chains. In order to guarantee light obstructive support of the urethra, the treatment kit further comprises suture means adapted to be connected to the chains of the knit by being passed through the empty spaces so as to join the middle portion of the strip with the anatomical tissue under the urethra at at least two connection spots in alignment in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the strip.

Abstract: A wearable infrastructure is used with a music/multimedia player to acoustically provide at last one symbol sequence to at least one biologically active zone on the user wearing the wearable infrastructure. The invention includes the symbol coding sequence as a program system comprising program steps residing in a memory accessibly coupled to a computer within the music/multimedia player, directing the music/multimedia player to deliver the symbol sequence to at least one of the possibly multiple transponders. The program steps are often coded in an intermediate language interpreted by the computer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for restoring a prolapsed vagina within a patient pelvic cavity without insertion through the vaginal cavity and without attachment to the sacrum. The apparatus includes a plurality of tubular mesh grafts for insertion through a non-vaginal laparoscopic port wherein each tubular mesh graft has an internal end and an external end and installed surgical suture woven into the external end; and further wherein the internal end is attached to a vaginal apex and a surgical button for each tubular mesh graft, that is adapted to slide on installed surgical suture from a location external to the patient's body using one of a plurality of non-vaginal groin passageways until each surgical button can be secured adjacent the external end of each tubular mesh graft leaving the tubular mesh graft within the patient pelvic cavity supporting the prolapsed vagina.

Abstract: A system for supporting an anatomical structure of the pelvis includes a surgical implant for providing support to the anatomical structure of the pelvis. The surgical implant includes a first tissue anchor including a plurality of projections adapted for tissue fixation, a second tissue anchor including a plurality of projections adapted for tissue fixation, and a sub-urethral support having first and second ends, the first and second tissue anchors extending from the first and second ends of the sub-urethral support. The system also includes an introducer for delivering the first tissue anchor to a desired anchoring site of the pelvis.

Abstract: Described here are conformable brachytherapy applicators. The conformable brachytherapy applicators generally follow the contour of tissue surfaces so that distances between radiation sources and target tissues can be precisely determined and radiation dose clouds can be readily shaped. Systems and methods for using the conformable brachytherapy applicators are also described.

Abstract: A conception device includes a dome having a collapsible sidewall, an annular rim, and three or more gripping flanges along the inner surface of the rim. The gripping flanges may effectively position and secure the device over the cervix for the concentration of semen on the cervical os to effect fertilization independently or with the aid of biologically active agents. The device may additionally include a handle extending from the annular rim at an angle.

Abstract: A biological rhythm is adjusted based on a time difference as well while individually dealing with moving subjects that move in accordance with moving schedules. In step S1, information including the moving schedule and biological information on the moving subject is input. In step S2, a sleeping schedule is set based on the information obtained in step S1. Step S2 is roughly divided into two steps. In the first step, parameters for setting the sleeping schedule are set based on the moving schedule and the biological information. In the next step, the sleeping schedule is set with the parameters obtained in the first step.

Abstract: The invention, in various embodiments, is directed to systems, devices, and methods relating to pre-pubic approaches to delivering a supportive sling to periurethral tissue of a patient.

Abstract: An energy emitting apparatus for providing a medical therapy includes one or more energy generators, a logic controller electrically connected to the one or more energy generators, and one or more sensors for detecting electric conduction in a target nerve that are connected to the logic controller. The one or more energy generators produce energy focused on the target nerve upon receiving a signal from the logic controller, and the energy is varied by the logic controller according to an input provided by the one or more sensors. In one embodiment, the energy emitting apparatus is an apparatus for magnetic induction therapy that includes one or more conductive coils disposed in an ergonomic housing that produce a magnetic field focused on the target nerve upon receiving an electric current from the logic controller based on an input provided by the one or more sensors.

Abstract: Methods and devices for minimally-invasive delivery of radiation to the posterior portion of the eye including a cannula comprising a distal portion connected to a proximal portion and a means for advancing a radionuclide brachytherapy source (RBS) toward the tip of the distal portion; a method of introducing radiation to the human eye comprising inserting a cannula between the Tenon's capsule and the sclera of the human eye and emitting the radiation from the cannula on an outer surface of said sclera.

Abstract: An energy emitting apparatus for providing a medical therapy includes one or more energy generators, a logic controller electrically connected to the one or more energy generators, and one or more sensors for detecting electric conduction in a target nerve that are connected to the logic controller. The one or more energy generators produce energy focused on the target nerve upon receiving a signal from the logic controller, and the energy is varied by the logic controller according to an input provided by the one or more sensors. In one embodiment, the energy emitting apparatus is an apparatus for magnetic induction therapy that includes one or more conductive coils disposed in an ergonomic housing that produce a magnetic field focused on the target nerve upon receiving an electric current from the logic controller based on an input provided by the one or more sensors.