Abstract: An apparatus for testing a high-dose-rate afterloader machine comprising an image capturing device that used to capture a plurality of still images or a real-time video, wherein said image capturing device further comprises, a zoom lens, a microphone and a light, a measurement ruler that is located on a base plate; a plurality of calibration points located on the said base plate, a source insert that connects to said high-dose-rate afterloader machine to one end, wherein said source insert allows entry of a radioactive pellet and a source wire into one end, and an adjustable shaft that is connected to said base plate and connected to said image capturing device.

Abstract: A method and device for the treatment of fecal incontinence is disclosed. The method includes disposing a bodily implant proximate to an anal canal of a patient. The bodily implant has a strip extending along a length between a first end portion and a second end portion. The strip has a set of first projections and a set of second projections extending along at least a portion of a longitudinal edge of the strip, such that the set of the first projections are inclined toward the second end portion of the strip and the set of the second projections are inclined toward the first end portion of the strip.

Abstract: Pelvic or other types of implants are provided that can include tensioning feedback components or portions, such as color changing polymer materials, such as polyacetylene. The color changing polymer can be included with, coated on or otherwise provided with a portion of slings or implant devices to provide targeted feedback to the user or physician of the tension applied to a particular device. A first color can be used to indicate a first (initial) tension or compression stage, and a second color can be used to indicate tensioning of the device beyond a predefined threshold.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided for configuring a radiation treatment system based on a plurality of volume of interest (VOI) positioning. One system includes an imaging element configured to generate a first observation of an object, the first observation being generated at a first time, wherein the object is associated with a volume of interest (VOI), and the VOI includes a volume within a body of a patient. The system further includes determining a first positioning of the VOI based at least in part on the first observation of the object, determining a second time for the imaging element based at least in part on a positioning parameter associated with the first positioning, and a time offset, and generating a second observation of the object at the second time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for moving a target element which comprises a magnetic material and an active agent, through an object, placing the target element at a predetermined position within the object and activating the active agent.

Abstract: A method and a dose planning module for planning a treatment session of a patient by means of a radiation therapy system includes a radiation therapy unit having a fixed radiation focus point. The method includes obtaining a target volume of a region of a patient to be treated during a treatment of a patient in a radiation therapy unit, the target volume being modeled as a three-dimensional voxel representation; selecting an isodose level for the planned treatment; determining shots to be delivered during the treatment, each shot being modeled by a spatial dose volume distribution of radiation represented by a three-dimensional voxel representation, the shape of the spatial distribution depending on the specific collimator setting and the selected isodose level; and selecting shots in a decreasing volume order for the dose planning.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an implantable apparatus for obtaining urinary control and emptying of the urinary bladder. The apparatus operates with a powered member (100) operating from the outside of the urinary bladder assisted by a support structure to discharge urine from the urinary bladder. A control device (200) controls the operation of the powered member. The control device further comprises a source of energy for operating the powered member and other energy consuming parts of the apparatus and a control assembly.

Abstract: A guide member facilitates a device swap for brachytherapy treatment. A cavity evaluation device is introduced during surgery such that a distal end of the device is disposed in a resected cavity of the patient. The cavity evaluation device includes a shaft in which is disposed an elongated guide member. In a subsequent out-patient procedure the cavity evaluation device is removed from the resected cavity. If a brachytherapy treatment is to be performed then the cavity evaluation device is removed without removing the elongated guide member such that position of a portion of the elongated guide member in the resected cavity is maintained relative to the resected cavity. An anchor member helps to maintain the position of the guide member. Introduction of a brachytherapy catheter is then facilitated by introducing the elongated guide member into an opening of the brachytherapy catheter and using the elongated guide member to guide the brachytherapy catheter to the resected cavity.

Abstract: Various embodiments of sling or implant systems are provided. The sling or implant systems can be employed to treat incontinence, prolapse, and like conditions. A needle delivery device can be included, wherein the delivery device includes a needle and a rotatable sheath. The rotatable sheath can rotate upon actuation relative to the needle to selectively deploy or disengage an implant anchor from the distal end of the needle.

Abstract: Provided is a multiple birth prognostic tool that is used to analyze data in order to predict a multiple birth event in a female human patient undergoing an infertility treatment. The MBP prognostic tool may also be used to enhance the accuracy of diagnostic or prognostic tests that predict embryo viability. The MBP prognostic tool of the present invention may be clinic specific or it may be modified to be used in a multi-clinic approach.

Abstract: An inter-vaginal device for performing a uterine suspension includes a rigid body for manipulating the uterus and implanting a suspension member, such as a mesh, for securing the uterus to an anchoring site (e.g., into a pelvic muscle or ligament). In one embodiment, a method includes inserting at least a portion of a uterine suspension member through an anterior or posterior vaginal incision. An end of the suspension member is anchored to a selected portion of a pelvic tissue. At least a portion of the suspension member is attached to a vaginal apex. A uterine manipulator is advanced in a direction toward the selected portion of the pelvic tissue such that at least a portion of a uterus is moved upward.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating urinary incontinence, comprising: a node; a support section adapted for providing urethral support attached to the node; and, an anchoring section adapted for resisting movement of the apparatus attached to the node opposite the support section. Optionally, the support section is adapted to treat incontinence according to at least one of: SUTFS, colpo-elevation or colpo-distension.

Abstract: Described are implants, tools, and methods useful for treating pelvic conditions such as prolapse, by placing an implant to support pelvic tissue, the implants, tools, and methods involving one or more of an insertion tool that works in coordination with a sheath, adjusting engagements, specific implants and pieces of implants, placement of implants at locations within the pelvic region, and insertion, adjusting, and grommet management tools.

Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, stimuli are intermittently presented to the left or right side of a user. For example, this invention may comprise a method of presenting stimuli to a bilateral organism, which organism has a left side and a right side, wherein: (a) the stimuli are produced by at least one transducer, (b) the stimuli include an intermittent beat train, and (c) the beat train has a beat frequency that is substantially equal to 7.8×(1.618)n Hz, where n is an even integer, which even integer may be negative, zero or positive.

Abstract: An implantable medical device and a surgical instrument for using the device in a procedure for the treatment of vaginal vault prolapse are disclosed. In one form of the device, one attachment part attaches to the anterior and posterior parts of the vaginal apex, and the other attachment part attaches to anterior part of the sacrum. The two attachment parts are capable of being attached together during the procedure in a manner which permits appropriate adjustment of tension. The invention also includes an instrument which allows the pieces of the suspension material to be attached to each other and enables the appropriate suspension of the vaginal apex from the anterior part of the sacrum. In another form of the device, one attachment part attaches to the anterior part of the vaginal apex, another separate attachment part attaches to the posterior part of the vaginal apex, and another separate attachment part attaches to anterior part of the sacrum.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present invention pertain to an apparatus that helps a child to fall asleep. The apparatus includes a set of eyes and eye lids. The apparatus also includes a media input/output unit configured to output audio from the apparatus or a portable device. The eyelids are may be configured to close while the audio is outputted from the media input/output unit.

Abstract: A hazardous fluid handling system which includes a housing having a radiation shielded internal chamber disposed therein which may accommodate a container holding a radioactive fluid, one or more radioactivity detectors positioned within the shielded internal chamber in operational proximity to the radioactive fluid in the container, and a dosimeter control device electronically coupled to the radioactivity detector(s) is disclosed. The dosimeter control device is operational for determining information regarding the radioactive fluid in the container based on individual measurements received from the one or more radioactivity detectors. The hazardous fluid handling system may be integrated into a patient support platform which includes a patient stimulus apparatus, an imager proximate the patient support platform, a radiopharmaceutical fluid delivery system for infusing a radiopharmaceutical fluid into a patient, a patient monitor to be associated with the patient, and an integrated system controller.

Abstract: A medical device of the present invention includes one or more anchors and an elongated member. Advantageously, the elongated member may be coupled to the anchors. The elongated member and anchors are configured to generate a force on a mesentery. The force is sufficient to retract a bowel of the patient into an upper portion of an abdominal cavity of the patient. When the patient is in a slightly angled position, the weight of the medical device pulls the mesentery into the upper abdomen. Since the bowel is connected to the mesentery, the device also indirectly pulls up the bowel. In some implementations of the device, a slight angle may be unnecessary. In others, the device may also inversely retract the mesentery and attached organs into the lower abdomen to facilitate surgical access to the upper abdomen. In some implementations of the device, a slight angle may be unnecessary.

Abstract: Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) apparatuses and methods of making and using them. In particular, described herein are two-part PEMF apparatuses that include a self-contained, lightweight, small, compact (e.g., in some variations, wearable) generator unit that is adapted to releasably and replaceably mate with an applicator unit. The generator unit typically includes a power source and a controller that generated PEMF waveforms to be applied, including the shape and timing of the PEMF waveforms. The applicator unit typically includes a radio frequency (RF) power amplifier, a loop antenna, and impedance matching circuitry for matching the impedances for the connection between the antenna loop and the RF power amplifier. Thus, the generator module may control the application of PEMF signals without requiring impedance matching between the separable generator unit and the applicator unit. The applicator unit can include a plurality of variable capacitors that can be used to tune the PEMF signals.

Abstract: The present application discloses systems and methods for transmitting configuration between a command module and a stimulation module of a hearing prosthesis. In accordance with at least some embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods, a hearing prosthesis determines that a block of configuration data is queued for transmission. In response to this determination, the hearing prosthesis divides the amount of queued configuration data into a plurality of configuration data fragments and transmits the data fragments separately. In some embodiments, the command module appends each configuration data fragment to a different packet of stimulation commands and transmits to the stimulation module appended stimulation packets.