Abstract: A breast brachytherapy applicator providing a stable semi permanent/permanent in dwelling platform that is configured to replicate anatomically the excised cancer bed and allows for a more precise anatomically correct delivery of limited field radiation treatment. This device may be used to reconstitute a resected tissue space to its pre-operative size and shape to 1) facilitate the accurate and precise delivery of adjunctive breast brachytherapy following breast cancer surgery and 2) prevent/decrease post-operative deformity as a result of surgical resection, whether for benign or malignant disease, and in particular after radiation treatment of malignant disease in the post lumpectomy patient.

Abstract: An implantable marker, instruments for implanting the marker and method for implanting the marker are described. The implantable marker comprises a housing with an outer surface providing a bone anchor and having a cavity within which a marker detectable by a tracking system is secured. The kit includes a guide instrument having a guide channel for receiving an implantable marker, an insertion tool receivable within the channel and having a distal end for releasably engaging an implantable marker, and an implantable marker receivable within the channel. The insertion tool is operable to drive the implantable marker into the bone. The method includes puncturing the skin with an instrument, driving the implantable marker into the bone and withdrawing the instrument, leaving the marker implanted within the bone.

Abstract: A method for performing intraocular brachytherapy and an apparatus for performing the same is disclosed. The apparatus preferably comprises a hand-held delivery device that advances a radiation source into an associated cannula or probe that is positioned adjacent the target tissue. The handpiece provides for shielded storage of the radiation source when retracted from the cannula and includes a slider mechanism for advancing and retracting the radiation source. The radiation source is mounted to a wire that has a flexible distal end and a relatively stiffer proximal end. A positioning system for the cannula is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for facilitating weight loss in a patient. In some embodiments, the methods comprise the steps of locally administering a botulinum toxin to a stomach tissue of an obese patient, and deploying a gastric band around the stomach of the patient.

Abstract: A portable applicator (20) for pulsed signal therapy comprises: an elastic supporting body (25), which can expand in a planar manner; at least two signal generating units (11, 12), which are arranged in or on the elastic supporting body (25) whereby being symmetric with regard to an axis of symmetry of the supporting body (25), and; a device for supplying a control signal (17, 18) to the signal generating units (11, 12).

Abstract: A suburethral sling device and method for treating female urinary stress incontinence which is anatomically configured to implant into the lower abdomen of a female in a manner providing support to mid-urethral and bladder neck sphincteric continence sites with the sling defining in part, mesh and tissue remodeling portions. The sling is deployed via a sling transfer instrument having distal and proximal ends with the instrument comprising in part a progressively curved shaft portion positioned between the distal and proximal ends. An insertion handle of the transfer instrument is secured to the curved metal shaft section guiding the shaft tip through the tissues of the abdomen in an anterior/posterior direction as well as a cephalad/caudad direction.

Abstract: A balloon brachytherapy applicator has either a single or double chambers, with the capability of “blistering” outwardly at a specified area on one side of the balloon. This is useful to move sensitive tissue farther away from a radiation source within a source guide inside the balloon. In one case a secondary compartment is formed on the primary balloon, and is separately inflatable so as to allow blistering as desired when needed. In another form the balloon comprises a single chamber but with a “window” or area in which the balloon wall is elastic, or substantially more elastic than the main balloon wall, so that inflation of the balloon up to a certain point forms a substantially regular balloon shape, and the addition of further pressure will blister out the elastic area to increase the distance between the shaft and the sensitive tissue in a desired orientation of the balloon.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to reduce ventricular volume are disclosed. The device takes the form of a transventricular anchor, which presses a portion of the ventricular wall inward, thereby reducing the available volume of the ventricle. The anchor is deployed using a curved introducer that may be inserted into one ventricle, through the septum and into the opposite ventricle. Barbs or protrusions along the anchor body combined with a mechanical stop and a sealing member hold the device in place once deployed.

Abstract: A detachable vaginal mold is provided. The detachable vaginal mold includes a main body, a minor part, and a jointing design formed between the main body and the minor part for connecting the main body to the minor part. The jointing design is one selected from a group consisting of a dentation design, a mortise design, a screw design, a mitre design, a fastener design, and a combination thereof.

Abstract: A gastric constriction device (160) comprises a sheet (131) extending over part of the wall of the stomach (24). Five bands (151) extend around the stomach (24) to fix the sheet (131) in position relative to the stomach (24). The lower two bands (151) extend from the first side (152) of the sheet (131) around the stomach (24) only partially towards the second side (153). These lower two bands (151) are not fixed to the second side (153). This arrangement results in an unconstricted portion of the stomach (161). In this manner, the device (160) restricts expansion of the majority of the stomach wall while facilitating expansion of this unconstricted portion (161). The unconstricted portion (161) is therefore free to expand or bulge outwardly upon ingestion. This expansion may trigger the feeling of satiation due to the presence of the vagal nerves in this portion (161) of the stomach (24).

Abstract: A gastric ring includes a band that surrounds the wall of the stomach of a patient, and structure that makes it possible, after implantation, to modify the cross section of the opening delimited by the ring.

Abstract: The present invention, in some embodiments, relates to radiation-shielding containers for housing radioactive materials. For example, some container assemblies of the invention include a body and a lid both including radiopaque material, and together defining a receiving space for radioactive material. Each of the body and lid has a closure surface that is in close proximity with the closure surface of the other when the container assembly is in a closed condition. The closure surfaces of these container assemblies may be configured such that they run substantially entirely at an angle to a local direction of radiation emanating from the radioactive material. In other words, these closure surfaces may be oriented such that they are misaligned with radiation emanating from within the container assembly. The present invention, in some embodiments, relates to devices for administration of radioactive material (e.g., radiopharmaceutical capsule) to patients.

Abstract: Novel surgical tools and methods for off-pump surgery are described herein. A novel coring system is disclosed which employs a balloon catheter and a coring tool which is adapted to be threaded on to a guide wire. The guide wire serves as a track upon which the coring tool is guided. Embodiments of the coring tool ensure complete removal and excision of cored tissue. In addition, the described coring system prevents blood loss during off-pump surgery. In an embodiment, a surgical coring tool comprises a hollow body having an open distal end and a closed proximal end. The open distal end has a cutting edge. The hollow body comprises a vacuum connection to apply suction from said hollow body. The surgical coring tool also comprises a hollow elongate member disposed coaxially within said hollow body. The elongate member is adapted to be inserted on to a guide wire.

Abstract: A method for performing intraocular brachytherapy and an apparatus for performing the same is disclosed. The apparatus preferably comprises a hand-held delivery device that advances a radiation source into an associated cannula or probe that is positioned adjacent the target tissue. The handpiece provides for shielded storage of the radiation source when retracted from the cannula and includes a slider mechanism for advancing and retracting the radiation source. The radiation source is mounted to a wire that has a flexible distal end and a relatively stiffer proximal end. A positioning system for the cannula is also disclosed.

Abstract: A customized gynecological brachytherapy applicator is formed by placing a molded balloon, which is secured to a handle, into a vaginal cavity and then filling the mold balloon with a settable liquid material. The material may be an expanding foam or any other form of curable material that becomes solid, rigid or pliable, when set by chemical action, temperature change, oxidation, a curing means such as a light, or other curing regime. The mold balloon can be elastic or inelastic, depending on the degree to which the applicator is to conform its external surfaces to the vaginal contours. One or more lumina are provided in the set filler material to receive a radiation source, with additional lumina optionally provided for purposes such as drainage or administration of therapeutic agents. The applicator may be withdrawn and reinserted into the vagina during treatment, and selected tissues adjacent to the applicator are irradiated in accordance with a radiation prescription.

Abstract: A lightweight inductive apparatus is integrated into at least one therapeutic device (Step 101). Miniaturized circuitry containing logic for a mathematical model having at least one waveform parameter used to configure at least one waveform to be coupled to a target pathway structure such as molecules, cells, tissues, and organs, is attached to the coil by at least one wire (Step 102). The configured waveform satisfies a SNR or Power SNR model so that for a given and known target pathway structure it is possible to choose at least one waveform parameter so that a waveform is detectable in the target pathway structure above its background activity (Step 103). A repetitive electromagnetic signal can be generated for example inductively, from said configured at least one waveform (Step 104). The electromagnetic signal is coupled to a target pathway structure by output of the inductive apparatus (Step 105).

Abstract: An apparatus to stimulate the vestibular system of an individual. The apparatus comprises an actuator configured to mechanically stimulate a semicircular canal, and a control module coupled to the actuator that controls the actuator in response to motion information associated with the individual.

Abstract: A harness for treating vessel aneurysms is disclosed. The harness applies elastic, compressive reinforcement on the aneurysm to reduce deleterious wall tension and to resist the shape change of the vessel. Rather than imposing a dimension beyond which the aneurysm cannot expand, the harness provides no hard limit over the range of systolic expansion of the vessel. Instead, the harness follows the contour of the vessel throughout systole and continuously exerts gentle resistance to stretch. Also disclosed is a method of delivering the vessel harness to the vessel with minimal invasion.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for preventing motion sickness from afflicting a passenger in a moving vehicle which includes a means for capturing and substantially simultaneously displaying video images collected from a frontal view to a passenger having an obstructed view of the environment in front of the moving vehicle. The system, method and apparatus includes cropping/zooming the video images displayed to the passenger in order to create a view for the passenger in order to prevent motion sickness from afflicting the passenger.

Abstract: Described herein is a system for inducing weight loss in a patient, which comprises an extragastric space occupier positionable in contact with an exterior surface of a stomach wall to form an inward protrusion of wall into the stomach, and a retention device positionable in contact with the wall to retain the inward protrusion and to thereby capture the extragastric space occupier within the protrusion.