Abstract: A brachytherapy appliance and method utilizing a body portion or element removably positionable within a cavity of a living body, such as an oral cavity, the body portion having a shape at least generally conforming to a surface within the cavity in proximity to a cancer or diseased tissue so as to be retainable in intimate relation with the surface, and at least one conduit in connection with the body portion and extending to a predetermined location adjacent to the cancer when the body portion is retained in the cavity, the at least one conduit being adapted for cooperatively receiving a radiation emitting element or media for positioning the radiation emitting element or media at the predetermined location adjacent to the cancer for irradiating the cancer, and at least one radiation shield in association with the body portion adapted for shielding adjacent tissue and/or organs from radiation emitted by the radiation emitting element or media.

Abstract: A pre-computed importance function providing ex ante assessment of optimal placement of a single radioactive source is used for sequential placement of multiple radioactive sources. As each source is placed, the importance function may be modified to reflect the dose implemented by that source and all sources already placed. The greedy algorithm employed by this technique makes possible optimization of additional dimensions of treatment planning including, using directional and isotropic sources, using different source isotopes, using optimum source strengths, using source locations that are not on the regular grid and using a single movable source for variable times at different locations.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described for providing a monitor/treatment device configured to, for example, detect hemozoin, as well as to monitor or treat a malarial infection.

Abstract: A method for treating anal incontinence is provided, in which a support member is implanted in a tissue pathway extending from a first location posterior to and adjacent the anus, through the perineum anterior to the anus and terminating at a location posterior to and adjacent the anus opposite the first location.

Abstract: A therapeutic strand implant, for use in brachytherapy and deliverable to an implant site by way of a needle, includes a plurality of radioactive sources, and a polymeric material molded to encapsulate the radioactive sources. A space is defined by the polymeric material between each adjacent pair of the radioactive sources. A plurality of protrusions is defined by an outer surface of the encapsulating polymeric material.

Abstract: A device for restricting a cross-sectional area of a cavity formed by a stomach wall includes a band defining a cylindrical wall and a plurality of retaining members formed within the wall. Each retaining member is movable between a retracted position substantially coplanar with an outer surface of the wall and an extended position extending radially outwardly from the wall to facilitate coupling the device to the stomach wall.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits for determining the developmental potential of one or more embryos or pluripotent cells and/or the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in one or more embryos or pluripotent cells are provided. These methods, compositions and kits find use in identifying embryos and oocytes in vitro that are most useful in treating infertility in humans.

Abstract: An intracardiac device for restoring the functional elasticity of the cardiac structures, in particular for the treatment of cardiomyopathies and or valvulopathies, by storing energy from the cardiac structures and ceding energy to the cardiac structures during the cardiac cycle, has an elongated shape, is at least partially wound in coils and is attachable to a cardiac structure; the coils are selected in material, number and dimension so as to allow an elastic elongation of the intracardiac device higher than 10% of the rest length of the intracardiac device and are exposed, in use, to the blood flow.

Abstract: A method for generating a treatment plan for therapy comprising obtaining image data representing a tissue, determining a therapy dose map comprising dose values for a plurality of dose points based on the image data, forming a desired dose value vector comprising the dose values for the plurality of dose points, determining a one or more potential therapy locations based on the image data, determining a therapy dose map equation for each of the plurality of dose points based on the one or more potential therapy locations, forming a matrix based on the therapy dose map equations for the each dose points, determining an inverse of the matrix and determining the treatment plan by multiplying the desired dose value vector by the inverse of the matrix.

Abstract: A self-regulating gastric band apparatus for adjusting stoma size. The apparatus includes an adjustable gastric band with an expandable inner ring. A band adjustment assembly includes a sensor for sensing fluid pressure in the inner ring and a pump assembly connected to the inner ring and to a controller for adjusting the volume of the fluid in the band based on the sensed fluid pressure. A memory stores an operating range of a target fluid pressure, and the pump assembly maintains the sensed band pressure within the operating range. An elongated fluid reservoir extends along part of a fill tube. An expandable fluid reservoir stores a volume of the fluid for adjusting the volume of fluid in the lumen. A protective outer sheath is provided around the exterior of an expandable fluid reservoir in both a first, deflated state, and a second, inflated state of the reservoir.

Abstract: Methods of forming a low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy device include depositing a solution comprising a soluble form of a radioactive material on a substrate. A water-insoluble form of the radioactive material is formed on the substrate by chemical precipitation and/or thermal decomposition.

Abstract: A device for treatment with magnetic fields is provided, which provides an easily transportable and storable device for the treatment with magnetic fields, which is also convenient for patients and in particular is economical to produce. The device comprises: a first device for generation of a first magnetic field, a second device for generation of a second magnetic field and a support with an upper side and a lower side, whereby the support is embodied for applying the treated body regions of the patient thereto.

Abstract: A self-regulating gastric band apparatus for adjusting stoma size. The apparatus includes an adjustable gastric band that has an inner ring expanding with injected fluid. A band adjustment assembly is provided for implanting with the gastric band that includes a sensor for sensing fluid pressure in the inner ring. The band adjustment assembly further includes a pump assembly connected to the expandable inner ring and to a controller that can operate the pump assembly to adjust the volume of the fluid in the band based on the sensed fluid pressure. The band adjustment assembly includes memory storing an operating range relative to a target fluid pressure, and the pump assembly is operated to maintain the sensed band pressure within the operating range. The target pressure being set to maintain pressure variations below a predefined variation limit generally corresponding with satiated fill volumes for a particular patient and implanted band.

Abstract: Robotized installation for the guided and controlled positioning and movement of a component or an instrument for diagnostic or surgical treatment at or around the head of a patient, whereby the installation includes a robotic device that forms a serial kinematic chain and carries component or instrument at its free and position-controlled end. The robotic device has three kinematic sub-assemblies that are mutually combined in series and include, a first sub-assembly in the form of a rotary-articulation mechanism corresponding to a serial-type, spherical kinematic arrangement with three degrees of freedom, a second sub-assembly in the form of a mechanism with linear translation along an axis, and a third sub-assembly in the form of a second rotary-articulation mechanism, integral with the moving part of the second sub-assembly and also corresponding to a serial-type spherical kinematic arrangement with three degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for implantation into a human body is made by a method that includes the steps of providing a natural animal tissue that has a substrate, crosslinking and fixing the substrate, minimizing the antigens from the substrate, tanning the substrate to improve its mechanical properties, and coupling an anticoagulant to an inner surface of the substrate to form an anticoagulant surface layer.

Abstract: To stabilize the air flow forming an air curtain, a thermotherapy device (1) is provided with air outlet ducts (3) extending at the edge of the reclining surface (2) and with two opposite limiting walls (6, 6?). Each of the two opposite limiting walls (6, 6?) is arranged corresponding to the duct width for outflowing air. At least one limiting wall (6, 6?) of at least one air outlet duct (3) is provided with a cylinder (5, 5?) extending in the direction of flow of the air outlet duct (3) and in parallel to the reclining surface (2) at the discharge-side end, wherein the cylinder (5, 5?) has a diameter corresponding to 0.005 to 0.2 times the duct width of the air outlet duct (3). According to a variant, at least one limiting wall (6, 6?) of at least one air outlet duct (3) is provided with at least one inner wall (81, 82, 83, 84) forming a nozzle at the discharge-side end. The distance between the limiting wall (6, 6?) and the inner wall (81, 82, 83, 84) forming a nozzle with the limiting wall (6, 6?) is 0.

Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing a blood vessel in a patient's inner skin includes a generator for providing gaseous radioisotope and a chamber adapted to exposure of a portion of a patient's body to the gaseous radioisotopes. When a patient is contacted with gaseous radioisotopes, alpha and beta particles are emitted from the gaseous radioisotopes into inner skin of the patient. Ultraviolet rays, subsequently emitted from the skin, sterilize viruses or bacteria present in a blood vessel. A method of treating a patient with the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A diaphragm assist device includes a magnetic mat adapted for mounting inside a human body adjacent the diaphragm. The mat is made from a material responsive to application of an electromagnetic field so as to be movable into compressive relation with the diaphragm in response to application of the electromagnetic field thereto and movable out of the compressive relation to permit the diaphragm to relax when application of the electromagnetic field is discontinued. The device also includes an electromagnetic assembly adapted for surrounding the torso of the human body in functionally cooperative relation with respect to the mat, and for alternately generating and discontinuing the electromagnetic field so that the mat alternately moves into and out of the compressive relation with the diaphragm. The device also includes a controller constructed and arranged to control an intensity level of the electromagnetic field generated by the electromagnetic assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a means and method for the treatment of migraine headaches and other disorders of the human body by the application of one or more intense magnetic pulses. By placing an intense magnetic field pulse(s) onto a certain region of the brain, an electrical current can be generated in the cerebral cortex that can stop a migraine headache in some patients or at least decrease its severity. The device to perform this function can be called a “magnetic pulser system.” This system can be made in one piece and powered by plugging into a household or automobile receptacle or from a battery. The pulser system uses capacitors that are first charged to a high voltage and then discharged into a coil that creates the intense magnetic pulse. Both visual and auditory signals can be provided by the pulser system to assist the patient in using the device.

Abstract: Adjustable sling as a support of internal organs or anatomical tissues that can be properly positioned into the patient's body without any special instrument, just by using a standard surgical forceps, and it allows to be repositioned, which is provided with a cavity in each of the laterals of the sling, with an opening to be able to introduce a standard surgical forceps to push the sling into the target place, said cavities formed by folding a part of the extremes of the sling inwards and after that sealing them by thread knots or thermal fixation.