Abstract: Surgical procedures, kits and implants for alleviating human incontinence, and particularly providing improved methods and apparatus to secure a urethral sling (30) to pubic bone (24, 26) to support the urethra and alleviate incontinence are disclosed. Bone anchors (64) are driven into pubic bones with elongated bone anchor sutures (84) configured to be passed through openings of a urethral sling. Suture retainers are applied to the sutures to apply retentive force to the urethral sling to maintain the fixation of the urethral sling proximate to the pubic bone.

Abstract: Embodiments include a fiducial deployment system with a handle configured for actuation of same. A fiducial may include one or more protuberances configured to engage one or more slots in a needle of the system. The needle may be configured to deliver a plurality of fiducials to a target location in serial fashion, one at a time. In certain embodiments, echogenic placement of fiducials may present certain advantages. The handle includes an actuation mechanism with a toothed rack and actuation member(s) configured for incrementally or otherwise controlledly deploying one or more fiducials at a time by advancing a stylet through and/or retracting the body of a slotted needle in which fiducials are disposed with a fiducial protrusion extending into the needle slot, which also includes retaining structures that do not impede the needle lumen.

Abstract: An optical therapeutic apparatus includes an ear shield for covering a wearer's ear, which has a plurality of acupuncture points; a hanging member including a connection portion connected to the ear shield; and a plurality of light emitters disposed within an interior portion of the ear shield in array manner to face the plurality of acupuncture points respectively. The plurality of light emitters includes a plurality of acupoint-stimulation elements, each corresponding to a respective one of the acupuncture points, at least two sets of the acupoint-stimulation elements are capable of emitting stimulation light beams at different time intervals.

Abstract: An apparatus (60) for use within a woman's urethra (9) for inhibiting urine outflow when her intra-abdominal pressure rises. The apparatus (60) includes a generally tubular device (50) having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis. Device (50) comprises structure (5) that is constructed and arranged to define a longitudinal passageway (14) that extends entirely through the device (50) from the proximal end to the distal end. Structure (5) is further constructed and arranged to be altered via an increase in intra-abdominal pressure, from a first state in which the passageway (14) is open along its length and able to conduct urine to a second state in which the passageway (14a) is more restricted or is closed off, to inhibit the passage of urine.

Abstract: An implantable component including an implantable body including a functional component of the implantable medical device, and implantable actuator positioning mechanism connected to and extending from the implantable body, the actuator positioning mechanism configured to removably receive an implantable actuator.

Abstract: A patient safety system (PSS) (100) uses optical tracking in a linear accelerator treatment room to prevent gross setup errors. A patient (150) undergoes a computed tomography (CT) treatment-simulation scan while a CT ball bearing (BB) is on patient's surface. The CT BB is replaced with an infrared reflective marker (IRRM) (160) before radiotherapy treatment starts. Coordinates of the CT BB relative to an isocenter of the treatment room are used as reference for tracking. The coordinate system of an optical tracking system is converted to a coordinate system of the treatment room. The PSS evaluates setup accuracy for a radiotherapy session by comparing real-time position of the single IRRM determined by the optical tracking technology with a predicted reference position, and displays results on a graphical user interface. The PSS stops radiation when a deviation between real-time coordinates and predicted coordinates of the IRRM (160) exceeds a predefined threshold.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices relating to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). A circuit having at least two inductors is used in a TMS device. A small inductor adjacent to the patient's head and a large inductor away from the patient is used. The inductors are coupled to the circuit using multiple semiconductor switching subsystems. The subsystems, when activated, couple the inductors to the circuit and the inductors act as a single inductance. When deactivated, the subsystems decouple the inductors from the circuit and each inductor individually recovers or dissipates/discharges energy stored within. Since each inductor dissipates energy separately from each other, a much shorter dissipation or recovery time is achieved in the inductor close to the patient's brain as compared to the larger inductor. While dissipating or discharging, the small inductor induces electric currents in the brain to thus achieve stimulation and elicit action potentials.

Abstract: An electrical system controlled, driven by and/or based on naturally occurring electrophysiological signals in a patient's body is used to produce useful electromagnetic fields for health applications and/or medical applications provided to the patient.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly or system and apparatus for applying pulsing electromagnetic field (PEMF) coils to the underside of an equine hoof. The PEMF coil is encased in an elastomer structure to form a “puck” that will protect the coils from moisture, dirt and damage from rough use. The coil, and preferably a puck containing the coil may suitably be placed on, in or under an elastomeric orthotic pad that is disposed in a suitable equine boot.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for modulating the susceptibility of one or more target or tissue regions, and particularly one or more brain regions, to a therapeutic agent such as a drug, immune agent, compound, radiation, etc. In particular, the methods and systems described herein may include magnetic stimulation (including transcranial magnetic stimulation) of target or non-target regions to modulate the susceptibility of the one or more target or tissue regions to a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: Biological implants have an electroplated surface wherein a substantial portion of the electroplated surface is covered with dendrites. The dendrites assist in maintaining the implant in location. When the metal is a radioactive metal or the surface of the electroplated is coated with a radioactive material, the dendrites increase surface area thereby increasing radiation dosage and further extend the radioactive surface farther away from the surface of the implant, further enhancing radioactive emission. This is particularly useful for a cholangiocarcinoma stent which can be implanted into the biliary stent to treat cholangiocarcinoma.

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: An infant care apparatus with multiple user interfaces is disclosed herewith. The apparatus comprises: a base; a frame member extending upwardly from said base; an infant platform extending outwardly from said frame member positioned above the base and having lateral side walls and a bottom support. The apparatus further comprises a heating arm extending outwardly from said frame member, positioned above the infant platform and at least one drive mechanism connected to the frame member and to the infant platform. The drive mechanism is provided with at least one user interface extending to the lateral side walls of the infant platform for moving the infant platform.

Abstract: An artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) system includes a pump attachable with tubing between a pressure regulating reservoir and a cuff. The cuff is configured for placement around a portion of a urethra and has a frame with at least one inflatable balloon attached to the frame. A gap is formed from a top edge to a bottom edge of the frame, where the gap provides the rigid frame with a C-shaped conformation in lateral cross-section having a first lateral section separated from a second lateral section. Each inflatable balloon(s) is/are attached to an interior surface on one of the first lateral section or the second lateral section of the frame.

Abstract: An applicator for applying a radioactive substance to a biological tissue, the applicator comprising a container for receiving the radioactive substance; an application device connectable to the container, by which the substance compound can be applied to the tissue; and at least a part of a conveying device by which the radioactive substance can be supplied from the container into the application device when the application device has been connected to the container.

Abstract: A device that can be delivered into a body cavity to manipulate tissue intracorporeally while being controlled extracorporeally and a method of using the device to perform a single-port laparoscopic or natural orifice surgery are provided. The device is capable of being passed through an interior diameter of a single port into the body cavity. The device may include an anchor or suspension element that is attachable or mountable to the tissue intracorporeally, a guide element attached to the anchor or suspension element that allows for manipulation of at least one structure in at least one direction, and at least one structure attached to a suture or thread that is passable through the interior diameter of the port and positionable by the guide element. The structure is controllable extracorporeally by manipulating the suture or thread so that the structure moves in at least one direction intracorporeally.

Abstract: An infant care system includes an infant care tower configured to receive at least one medical device. A processor operates the infant care tower and the at least one medical device. A bassinet is configured to receive an infant patient within a microenvironment defined and maintained by the bassinet. Upon connection of the bassinet to the infant care tower, the processor operates to control both the infant care tower and the bassinet in maintain the microenvironment of the bassinet. In a method of treating an infant patient, an infant patient is provided in a microenvironment defined and maintained by a bassinet. The bassinet is communicatively connected to the care tower and a first processor of the infant care tower operates the bassinet to maintain the microenvironment to provide medical care to the infant patient with the at least one medical device of the infant care tower.

Abstract: A sperm diluent of the present invention contains a chelating agent such as EDTA and/or, EGTA, which forms a complex with a calcium ion, in a base diluent. Further, the sperm diluent contains an immunosuppressive factor such as a steroid hormone and/or, a cytokine, which suppresses migration of leukocytes. By diluting frozen sperm with this sperm diluent followed by performing artificial insemination, death of the sperm before fertilization and phagocytosis of the sperm and embryos by leukocytes in the uterus can be suppressed, allowing enhancement of the conception rate and the implantation rate.

Abstract: A pacemaker is provided. The pacemaker includes a pulse generator and an electrode line connecting with the pulse generator. The electrode line includes at least one conductor. The at least one conductor includes at least one carbon nanotube wire having a plurality of radioactive particles therein.

Abstract: Finger cuff adjustability is provided in a measurement cylinder assembly in a unique manner which accommodates the size and space limitations inherent in a mouse-based blood pressure measurement device. The exterior radial surface of the inflatable cuff is adhered to a pull-tab which is longer than the cuff length and has a tab end channeled through a pair of rings, one of which is fixed or stationary and the other of which is an adjustment ring. Rotation of the adjustment ring either pulls or pushes the tab end through a slit in the fixed or stationary ring depending upon the direction of ring rotation. Pulling the tab end causes the adhered finger cuff to forcefully collapse around the user's finger in firmer engagement therewith and to compensate for a finger of smaller diameter. Pushing the tab end causes the adhered finger cuff to forcefully open to a larger profile to loosen the engagement with a finger and to compensate for a finger of larger diameter.