Abstract: An assembly and methods for providing a contoured biological tissue are described. The assembly comprises a first plate and a second plate. The first plate is configured to receive a biological tissue. The second plate is configured to apply a compressive force on the biological tissue that is disposed on the first plate. One or both of the first and second plates comprise a defined shape and a contoured area within the defined shape. The contoured area comprises at least first and second elevations and a continuous transition between the first and second transitions. One or more energy sources is associated with one or both of the first and second plates. The one or more energy sources delivers energy while the second plate applies the compressive force on the biological tissue disposed on the first plate.

Abstract: A method of sizing a cavity to fit an organ is disclosed. The method may include inserting the organ into the cavity. The method may also include inserting a support member into the cavity and inserting a substance into the cavity or the support member. The support member and the substance may at least partially fill a void space in the cavity after the organ is inserted therein.

Abstract: A percutaneous implant for reducing the risk of post-implant infection by reducing the likelihood of epidermal down-growth between the dermis of the skin and the implant. In one example, the implant comprises a barrier member between the epidermis and the dermis about the implant. In another example, a barrier is provided by removing a portion of the epidermis from the dermis about the implant.

Abstract: A radioactive seed and method for making a radioactive seed with selective magnetic imaging characteristics are provided. The seed includes a housing which may include a metal shell for at least partially enclosing a radioactive material. The shell encloses a rod having a nickel layer with a phosphorous content, wherein the phosphorous content includes a level of phosphorous sufficient, when the seed is implanted in tissue, to provide a magnetic resonance image of the seed while substantially eliminating gross artifacts in the magnetic resonance image.

Abstract: Methods for setting up, maintaining and operating a radiopharmaceutical infusion system, that includes a radioisotope generator, are facilitated by a computer of the system. The computer includes pre-programmed instructions and a computer interface, for interaction with a user of the system, for example, in order to track contained volumes of eluant and/or eluate, and/or to track time from completion of an elution performed by the system, and/or to calculate one or more system and/or injection parameters for quality control, and/or to perform purges of the system, and/or to facilitate diagnostic imaging.

Abstract: A device for generating sensory stimuli, corresponding to sensory stimuli emanating from a reference person, for a child comprises a receiving unit for receiving a data stream from a device for acquiring sensory stimuli, emanating from a reference person, and a transducer unit, which is coupled to the receiving unit and is controllable by the data stream. The transducer unit generates at least either body-borne sound, which corresponds to the heart sounds, described by the data stream, of the reference person, or movements, which correspond to the movements, described by the data stream, of the reference person, or airborne sound, which corresponds to the airborne sound generated by the reference person and is described by the data stream.

Abstract: A totally implantable method for occluding the urethra or bladder neck utilizing an occlusive cuff connected to a control mechanism via a conduit tube. The occlusive cuff is reversibly changed from an activated (occlusive condition) to a deactivated (non-occlusive) condition by depressing a deactivation button contained within a resilient, elastomeric sheath surrounding the control mechanism. The occlusive condition is once again obtained by depressing an activation button also situated within the resilient sheath. In the occlusive condition, a preset tension is applied to a flexible diaphragm through a tensioning suture by a constant force spring contained within the control mechanism. This tension is translated into an occlusive pressure applied to the urethra or bladder neck sufficient to prevent urinary leakage.

Abstract: A prosthesis including an abutment, an operationally removable component including a coupling apparatus, and an adapter, wherein the abutment is connected to the adapter and the coupling apparatus of the operationally removable component is releasably coupled to the adapter.

Abstract: A system for therapy may include a mask (200) for a patient having a frame, cushion, forehead support and a light (100). The mask is connectable to a respiratory treatment apparatus, such as a flow generator, to receive breathable gas for a respiratory therapy. The light may also be connected to the power system and/or control system of the apparatus. A light may also be included in a module, such as a docking station, for a respiratory treatment apparatus. The lights may be controlled by one or more processors, and may be responsive to detected conditions, to assist with therapy. For example, the light may be turned on at a predetermined time or may be synchronized with the patient's sleep state, to assist in waking up the patient or re-setting the patient's circadian rhythm. Other components, such as sound and aroma generators of the system, may also be controlled for such therapies.

Abstract: The idea concerns irradiation of a target volume (53), wherein intensities for target points (70) are determined which are sequentially approached by a beam, comprising the following steps: detecting a volume (63) to be protected, wherein a dose generated by irradiating a target volume (53) does not exceed a predetermined maximum value; determining intensities for target points (70) in such a way that within the volume (63) to be protected the generated dose does not exceed the predetermined maximum value, wherein a dose contribution data record is used for determining the intensities, which dose contribution data record comprises the dose generated at other spots (73) by directing the beam (10) on one of the target points (70) with a predetermined intensity.

Abstract: Methods and devices producing time varying magnetic field have therapeutic uses. The device contains a coil made of insulated wires, an energy storage device, an energy source and a switch. The coil is flexibly attached in a case. The device has at least one blower for cooling the coil. The methods and devices can be used in for example in physiotherapy, neuropsychiatric therapy, aesthetic therapy, urology or urogynecology.

Abstract: A urological device comprises a urological valve for location in the bladder of a patient and a valve support stem for location in the urethra of a patient. The valve has a normally closed configuration to prevent flow from the bladder and an open configuration for fluid flow through the valve. The valve is automatically movable from the closed configuration to the open configuration in response to a pre-set hydrodynamic pressure applied for a pre-set time. In one case the valve has a plurality of valve leaflets with a region of co-aption between the valve leaflets. In the normally closed configuration the valve leaflets are engaged at the region of co-aption and in the open configuration the leaflets are separated at the co-aption region for fluid flow through the valve.

Abstract: A relaxation device comprising: a resting platform having a generally planar surface; a frame assembly supporting the resting platform; the frame assembly having at least one rail extending along an axis oriented along the width of the resting platform; a frame support for supporting the frame assembly above the ground, the frame support having a rail guide extending along an axis oriented along the width of the resting platform, the at least one rail slidably mounted to the rail guide; and a cam assembly having a cam, a cam arm, a cam guide and a motor, the cam guide fixedly mounted to the at least one rail, the cam guide having a slot extending orthogonal to the at least one rail, the slot defining a cam path, the cam mounted to a distal end of the cam arm, the cam operatively disposed within the slot, the motor mechanically connected to the cam arm so as to rotate the cam arm, wherein the cam is moved along the cam path further moving the at least one rail between opposing ends of the rail guide so as to m

Abstract: An incontinence treatment device and method of treating urinary incontinence in a person includes fabricating an artificial urethra to have a flow diameter formed inside of a circumferential wall and a closure device attached directly to a portion of an outer surface of the circumferential wall of the artificial urethra. The artificial urethra is sized to be spliced to a natural urethra for alignment of the flow diameter of the artificial urethra with a lumen of the natural urethra. A pump is provided for moving liquid out of a reservoir and into the closure device to push the outer surface of the circumferential wall into the flow diameter of the artificial urethra, which operates to close the flow diameter of the artificial urethra.

Abstract: A chamber or vasculature of a heart may be accessed via the pericardial space of the heart. Initially, the pericardial space may be accessed via a transmyocardial approach or a subxiphoid approach. A lead or other implantable apparatus may thus be routed into the pericardial space, through myocardial tissue and into the chamber or vasculature. The lead or other apparatus may be used to sense activity in or provide therapy to the heart.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention includes a preformed gastric band comprising a flexible substrate and a plurality of band members. The flexible substrate comprises oppositely disposed first and second major surfaces defined by first and second minor side portions and first and second major side portions. The first major surface includes a lower collar section and an upper band section. The plurality of flexible band members is securely connected to the upper band section and extends between the first and second minor side portions of the substrate. Each of the band members includes first and second ends that comprise an attachment mechanism for connecting the first and second ends. Each of the band members is separated from one another by a spacing region.

Abstract: A shoe-shaped magnetic coil system for the treatment of foot pain which has an electrical pulse generator and a magnetic coil system connected to the electrical pulse generator. The magnetic coil system is in the general shape of a shoe with the electric current pulses flowing through magnetic coils of the magnetic coil system being capable of creation of intense magnetic pulses within a patient's foot and ankle. The coil of wire is formed of coil sections having a smallest area in the region of the patient's toes with a generally increasing area of the coil sections as the ankle region is approached.

Abstract: A device is provided for applying pressure on a vaginal wall of a female subject, said device being configured for insertion into a vaginal cavity of said female subject. The device includes a first deformable element, a second deformable element and a transmission element. The first deformable element has a resting-state and at least one deformed state and is configured for undergoing deformation in response to an inner body pressure. When in the resting state, the first deformable element is configured to anchor the device inside the vaginal cavity. The second deformable element has a resting-state and at least one deformed state, and is configured for undergoing deformation to apply a second pressure on the vaginal wall, such second pressure being operable to narrow a urethral portion the female subject.

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.