Abstract: A sub-cranial vibratory stimulator that at least partially bypasses a recipient's skull bone and delivers vibration to fluid within a recipient's skull bone. The sub-cranial vibratory stimulator comprises an actuator that is configured to be implanted beneath a recipient's skull bone. The actuator transfers vibration to the fluid within the recipient's skull without first passing through the skull bone. The actuator is also substantially mechanically decoupled (isolated) from the recipient's skull bone.

Abstract: An incubator comprises an incubator chamber defined by a bottom part and a top casing covering a bed area of the bottom part. The incubator comprises an air treatment and circulation device for treating air and circulating it through the chamber, said air treatment and circulation device including a ventilator. The air treatment and circulation device is connected to chamber inlet openings which are arranged along one or more sides of said bed area, allowing treated air to flow from the treatment and circulation device into the chamber. The air treatment and circulation device furthermore is connected to at least one chamber outlet opening allowing air to flow out from the chamber to the treatment and circulation device. The air flows in the incubator are routed such that noise is reduced and no high air flow speeds occur near the infant in the incubator.

Abstract: A puncture device and method are disclosed, the puncture device includes a puncture member having a puncture needle for puncturing a biological tissue, a shaft portion, and a connection portion for connecting the puncture needle and the shaft portion to each other. The puncture needle includes a needle main body for puncturing the biological tissue, and an extension needle provided for movement relative to the needle main body along a longitudinal direction of the needle main body and configured to puncture the biological tissue. The puncture device includes, as extension means for moving the extension needle in a direction toward the distal end of the needle main body with respect to the needle main body to extend the puncture needle, and/or a pusher for pushing the extension needle to move in the direction toward the distal end of the needle main body.

Abstract: There is provided a method for controlling a flow of eggs in a uterine tube formed by a uterine tube wall of a patient. The method comprises gently constricting (i.e., without substantially hampering the blood circulation in the uterine tube wall) at least one portion of the uterine tube wall to influence the flow of eggs in the uterine tube, and stimulating the constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the uterine tube wall portion to further influence the flow of eggs in the uterine tube. The method can be used for restricting or stopping the flow of eggs in the uterine tube, or for actively moving the fluid in the uterine tube, with a low risk of injuring the uterine tube.

Abstract: A kit having instructions for use for performing uterine lavage in a female patient includes a uterine lavage catheter configured for insertion into a woman's uterus to remove viable blastocysts from the uterus, and one or more first containers having a sufficient dosage amount of a GnRH antagonist to cause desynchronization of the endometrium of the patient prior to, during and/or following recovery of viable blastocysts from the uterus.

Abstract: A platform for creating an artificial blood brain barrier including a functional, perfused artificial vessel lined with endothelial cells embedded in a physiologically relevant three-dimensional extracellular matrix is described.

Abstract: Devices and methods for directing a magnetic field into a body party of a subject are provided. The devices include at least one electromagnetic coil, a magnetic core or yoke, and a pair of flux concentrators. The flux concentrators are separated by a gap into which the body part fits and through which the flux concentrators focus the magnetic field. The devices allow magnetic fields to be transmitted through the gap with higher intensity at greater distances from the device than possible with previous designs. The methods of using such devices allow the delivery of magnetic fields with higher intensity to the interior of a body part without exposing interposed proximal regions to magnetic fields of unduly high intensity. The devices and methods are useful for deep transcranial magnetic stimulation of the brain to treat various medical conditions.

Abstract: Veins and other blood vessels may be reshaped by introducing an implant through the vessel walls with anchors positioned on opposite sides of the wall. The anchors typically include an elongate body having coils or other anchors formed therein. The implants may be delivered percutaneously using a cannula which can hold the anchor externally or internally. The methods and devices are useful in treating a dorsal vein to reduce blood flow in patients suffering from erectile dysfunction.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis including a radially expandable support member having interior and exterior surfaces and a wall with openings, a first covering member including a biocompatible polymer material at least partially positioned against the interior surface, and a second covering member including a biocompatible polymer material at least partially positioned against the exterior surface. The first covering member attaches to the second covering member at predetermined bonding locations within less than all of the openings thereby leaving unbonded regions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sampling needle, in particular to a needle suitable for oocyte retrieval from a human or animal subject, said needle comprising a first tubular region in fluid communication with a second tubular region, the first tubular region comprising a leading end for insertion into a subject and the second tubular region comprising a trailing end for fluid communication with a means for receiving a fluid, in which the first tubular region has an outer diameter which is less than the outer diameter of the second tubular region and the first tubular region has an inner diameter which is less than the inner diameter of the second tubular region. The invention also relates to a method of retrieving a sample, in particular an oocyte, from a human or animal subject.

Abstract: A sound enrichment system for provision of tinnitus relief, the sound enrichment system includes a noise generator, at least one signal modulator for random or pseudo-random modulation of a noise signal that is obtained using the noise generator, and an output transducer for conversion of the modulated noise signal to an acoustic signal for presentation to a user. A method of providing a noise enriched sound signal for provision of relief of tinnitus includes generating a randomly or pseudo-randomly modulated noise signal, generating an acoustic noise signal using the modulated noise signal, and presenting the acoustic noise signal to a tinnitus suffering person.

Abstract: An embryo transfer syringe has a roller (30) coupled with the rear end of its plunger (15). The roller (30) is displaceable along an elongate housing (20) extending from the rear of the barrel (10) of the syringe. The roller (30) can be manually engaged through a slot (23) along the housing (20) to rotate it and roll it along the housing thereby smoothly and controllably displacing the plunger (15).

Abstract: An applicator device is provided including a connecting unit. The connecting unit includes a first connector coupled to a first colpostat and a second connector coupled to a second colpostat. The first connector includes a first contact portion and a body portion, the first contact portion being immovably fixed to the body portion. The second connector includes a second contact portion and a third contact portion, the second contact portion being configured to contact and pivotally engage the first contact portion. The first connector further includes a fourth contact portion configured to contact the third contact portion. The second contact portion and the third contact portion are disposed between the first contact portion and the fourth contact portion, and the first contact portion are disposed in closer proximity to a point of delivery of a radiation source than the second, third, or fourth contact portions.

Abstract: An electrical connection system that can feed power, signal, data, and communication lines into a rotating or static patient support system in an infant warming device.

Abstract: The invention discloses an implant. The implant may include a first flap and a second flap. The first flap may further include a first portion, a second portion and a transition region. The first portion may be configured to be attached proximate a sacrum. The second portion may be configured to be attached to an anterior vaginal wall. The transition region lies between the first portion and the second portion. The second flap may be fabricated such that a portion of the second flap is configured to be attached to a posterior vaginal wall. The implant may be configured such that a value corresponding to a biomechanical parameter defining a biomechanical attribute of the portion of the first flap attaching to the anterior wall is different from a value of the biomechanical parameter defining the biomechanical attribute of the portion of the second flap attaching to the posterior wall.

Abstract: A device with a non-invasive first stimulation unit configured to generate first stimuli which, when administered to a patient, suppress a pathologically synchronous activity of neurons in at least one of the brain and the spinal cord of the patient, with a non-invasive second stimulation unit configured to generate at least one of optical, acoustic, tactile, vibratory, and thermal second stimuli, and with a control unit configured to control the first and second stimulation units, wherein the generation of the first and second stimuli takes place optionally in a first or a second operating mode, and the control unit is configured to control the first and second stimulation units in such a way that, in the first operating mode, the generation of at least 60% of the second stimuli is coupled in time to the generation of the first stimuli and, in the second operating mode, the generation of at least 60% of the second stimuli takes place without the generation of the first stimuli.

Abstract: A method and device provide simple positioning of a TMS coil relative to a coordinate system of the patient's head while allowing flexible positioning of the patient's head. The system includes a mobile console on a wheeled base that integrates various subsystems and supports a mast that, in turn, supports a coil gantry that supports a TMS coil assembly. The coil gantry includes a balance arm with a counterbalance and a halo assembly that connects to the coil. The coil gantry supports the weight of the coil and allows free movement of the coil in all dimensions for easy placement on the patient's head. A head support and coil alignment aligns the patient's head and holds the head in place relative to the coil during TMS treatment.

Abstract: The invention concerns the domains of materials science and medicine and relates to a method such as can be applied to in vivo or in vitro fertilization, for instance. The problem addressed by the present invention is that of specifying a method with which the activity and controlled mobility of motile cells is improved and the absorption of materials alien to the cell is prevented as far as possible. The problem is solved by a method in which one or more motile cells are introduced into or attached to one or a plurality of magnetic particles, and subsequently the magnetic particles with the motile cells introduced into them or attached to them are moved in a directional manner by the application of an external magnetic field. The problem is further solved by the use of the method for the controlled movement of motile cells in liquid or gaseous media in the body of a mammal or human being.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a trocar or needle system for use in inserting and deploying pelvic implants are provided. The needle device can include a solid or hollow shaft portion with a non-circular cross-section. A grip element can be provided to slide along a length of the needle shaft to further facilitate handling.

Abstract: A bariatric device includes an esophageal member having an esophageal surface that is configured to generally conform to the shape and size of a portion of the esophagus and an anchoring technique anchoring the esophageal member to the portion of the esophagus. The bariatric device includes a cardiac member having a cardiac surface that is configured to generally conform to the shape and size of a portion of the cardiac portion of the stomach and a connector connected with the esophageal member and the cardiac member to cause strain to be applied by the cardiac member to the cardiac portion of the stomach. The strain applied by the cardiac member to the cardiac portion of the stomach causes satiety in the absence of food. The connector is adapted to pass through the gastroesophageal junction while leaving a continuous portion of the gastroesophageal junction substantially unrestrained.