Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical instrument (2) that is used to implant a sub-urethral/cervical support. The invention is characterised in that it comprises at least one band (32) and two anchoring devices (2). Each of said anchoring devices (2) comprises a needle (10), the point of which supports a flexible anchoring element (22). Each of the aforementioned flexible anchoring elements (22) is connected to one end of the band (32) and each of said elements can be folded back along the length of the needle (10) when the needle is being passed through the biological tissues and subsequently deployed when said needle has cleared the tissues.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a cupping and moxibustion device for assisting traditional East-Asian medicine. In more detail, an inner wall is provided in the lower portion of a body so that the lower portion is divided into a moxibustion part located in the inner part of the lower portion and a cupping part located in the outer part of the lower portion, a moxa pot is held above the moxibustion part, thus carrying out moxibustion, and an air discharge hole is formed on the outer wall of the body, an opening and closing unit is fitted into the air discharge hole, and air is discharged from the cupping part to the outside of the device to depressurize the cupping part, thus carrying out cupping. In this case, an air suction hole is formed on a lid provided on the upper end of the body, an air pump is connected to the air suction hole, and air is supplied to allow moxa contained in the moxa pot to be smoothly combusted.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an elongated delivery member and a scaffold. The elongated delivery member has a distal end, a fixed portion and an actuator portion. The actuator portion is disposed proximate to the distal end. The actuator portion and the fixed portion are movable with respect to each other. The scaffold is mounted to the elongated delivery member proximate to the distal end. The scaffold has a first end coupled to the fixed portion. The scaffold has a second end coupled to the actuator portion. The scaffold is changeable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration by movement of at least the actuator portion and the fixed portion relative to each other.

Abstract: A low pressure, high volume gastric band includes a balloon shaped and dimensioned to circumscribe the stomach at a predetermined location and a belt extending about the balloon. The gastric band is precurved extend about the stomach and the balloon exhibits 360 degree coverage about the stomach.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for static magnetic field treatment of plants, animals, and humans comprising the steps of configuring at least one composite static magnetic field by combining at least one of a bipolar static magnetic field and an axial static magnetic field, optimizing spatial distribution and amplitude of the composite static magnetic field at a target pathway structure by satisfying a mathematical model, and coupling the at least one optimized composite static magnetic field to the target pathway structure using a composite static magnetic device.

Abstract: An apparatus is introduced for the use of enhancing tissue repair in mammals. The apparatus includes a sleeve; an electrically conductive coil; a sleeve support; an electrical circuit configured to supply the coil with a square wave time varying electrical current sufficient to create approximately 0.05 gauss to 0.5 gauss. When in use, the sleeve of the apparatus is placed on a mammalian body part and the time varying electromagnetic force of from approximately 0.05 gauss to 0.

Abstract: A stimulating coil for use in the magnetic stimulation of neuro-muscular tissue comprises a self-supporting but flexible conductor in a flexible insulating sheath which can be adjusted by hand to conform the coil to the contours of a selected part of the human body. The coil is provided with a cooling system which includes a conduit disposed adjacent or within the coil and a pump for driving coolant through the conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a patient, comprising a cylindrical coil (1) for generating an electromagnetic field, the cylindrical coil (1) being arranged so as to accommodate at least part of the patient's body and subject it to said electromagnetic field; means (3) for driving the coil (1) by a pulsed DC voltage; and a supporting structure (4) comprising a receiving surface (5) configured to support the body, or part of the body, inside said cylindrical coil (1); is characterized in that means (9) are provided to adjust the position of said coil (1) with respect to said receiving surface (5) in at least one direction.

Abstract: A combination applicator is able to deliver heat and radiation, either simultaneously or sequentially, for the treatment of cancer or other disease. The combination applicator is flexible and able to conform to contoured anatomy of the patient. The combination applicator comprises a flexible, dielectric containing compartment having a tissue-engaging surface and an opposite, non-tissue-engaging surface. A heating surface comprising one or more RF or microwave antennas or ultrasound transducers is supported adjacent to the non-tissue-engaging surface. In addition, a plurality of conduits are also supported on the dielectric containing compartment, the conduits being adapted to communicate with at least one brachytherapy source. Additional conduits may be located on the tissue contacting surface of the dielectric containing compartment to accommodate moving or stationary temperature monitoring sensors.

Abstract: An automatic stage allows rapid and more precise needle placement for radiation therapy using implantable radioactive seeds.

Abstract: An implantable muscle closing prosthesis system, particularly for opening and closing the rectum, characterized in that it has a compression unit, which comprises a compression cuff (1) and a reservoir cuff (2) molded as hollow bodies, and may integrate a bidirectional micropump (4) of arbitrary construction via a support ring (3), the cuffs primarily being subjected to a material compression during the inflation and deflation and communicating with one another via the micropump (4), which may be activated using a separate control unit, or is also manually operable from the outside.

Abstract: An incontinence management device comprises a head having a first state and a second state. In the first state, the head is sized for insertion within a predetermined body orifice or cavity. In the second state, the head is sized to substantially seal the predetermined body orifice or cavity. In an aspect of use in an anal cavity, the device is configured so that the head forms a seal above the dentate line within the anal cavity. Further, in some aspects, the head substantially comprises a resorbable material. Additionally, in other aspects, the device further comprises a base, which limits insertion of the device within the body orifice, and an activator mechanism in communication with the head and movable relative to the base between a first position and a second position. The movement of the activator mechanism between the first position and the second position correspondingly causes the head to change between the first state and the second state or vice versa.

Abstract: A middle ear implant transducer of a hearing aid includes: first and second permanent magnets arranged such that the same poles of the first and second permanent magnets face each other; first and second vibrating members attached to both edges of the respective first and second permanent magnets; a coil enclosing the first and second permanent magnets and being separated a predetermined distance from the outer surfaces of the first and second permanent magnets between the first vibrating member and the second vibrating member; and first and second covers mounted on the outer surfaces of the first and second vibrating members, wherein the first and second vibrating members comprise couplers respectively attached to the first and second permanent magnets, rims respectively attached to the edges of the first and second covers, and support films respectively connecting the couplers to the rims and being thinner than the couplers and the rims.

Abstract: A shielded radioactive medical apparatus has a tubular housing with a quick release cap configured for closing an open end of the tubular housing. A quick release mechanism holds the quick release cap on an open end of the tubular housing. A data display module on the housing communicates with an outside computer for receiving and transmitting information. The data display model also calculates and displays the radioactivity of a dose within the housing.

Abstract: The apparatus, method and system for performing a high dose rate brachytherapy procedure in a body cavity may include an at least partially indwelling multi-lumen catheter with a plurality of inflatable balloons coupled thereto. A lumen may be adapted to receive radiation seeds. The balloons, when inflated, may be adapted to administer a substantially uniform radiation isodose to the body cavity. Some embodiments may be well suited to performing intrauterine brachytherapy for the treatment of endometrial carcinoma.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of using metal nanoparticles 0.5 to 400 nm in diameter to enhance the dose and effectiveness of x-rays or of other kinds of radiation in therapeutic regimes of ablating a target tissue, such as tumor. The metal nanoparticles can be administered intravenously, intra-arterially, or locally to achieve specific loading in and around the target tissue. The metal nanoparticles can also be linked to chemical and/or biochemical moieties which bind specifically to the target tissue. The enhanced radiation methods can also be applied to ablate unwanted tissues or cells ex vivo.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustable stomach band with a rigid back (4) and a chamber (2), arranged on the stoma side of the back (4), for control of stoma constriction by means of introduction or removal of fluid from the chamber (2). According to the invention, such a stomach band with a preferably automatic setting of the stoma constriction, depending on the food intake, is possible, whereby a second chamber (1) is provided to the stoma side of the back (4), directly connected to, or cooperating with the first chamber (2), such that the control of the stoma constriction is achieved by means of displacing the fluid between the chambers (1, 2) or between a reservoir (9) and the stoma-constricting chamber (2).

Abstract: A system is for detecting a position of a device. The device is swallowed, passes through a subject, and includes a magnetic field generator generating a constant magnetic field. The system also includes a position transducer. The position transducer includes a magnetic detector detecting an intensity of a magnetic field component parallel to a constant magnetic field output from the magnetic field generator, and a position processor calculating a position of the device in the subject based on the intensity detected by the magnetic detector.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to surgically implantable supportive slings. More specifically, in various embodiments, the invention is directed to multilayer mesh slings formed from a tubular mesh material.

Abstract: An element is expanded in the left ventricle to isolate part of the left ventricle. The element has a generally convex outer surface and an apex which together define a desired geometry of the left ventricle. The isolated part of the wall of the left ventricle may be left so that the wall naturally forms around the element or the isolated portion of the ventricle may be evacuated and/or filled. The element may also be used to isolate part of the left ventricle containing a ventricular septal defect or other perforation or opening in the ventricular wall.