Abstract: Certain aspects of the invention may be found in a sound and heartbeat playback system that selectively generates and/or plays back sounds and/or heartbeats that mimic a natural mother's sounds and heartbeats. In this regard, the generation of heartbeat or other soothing and calming sounds may be incorporated into toys. The sound and heartbeat playback system may therefore be employed in a surrogate mother toy, for example, a cuddly bear with which infants may usually cuddle, play and/or sleep. Accordingly, the sound emitted by the sound and heartbeat playback system may aid in calming infants when they are agitated and/or tired.

Abstract: A device for effecting radiation treatment of benign or malign prostate hyperplasia. The device includes a catheter probe having an elongated body with a circumferential surface which is inserted within the urethra towards the prostate. The elongated body has a longitudinal bore extending towards at least one outlet opening present in the circumferential surface near the proximal end. A catheter tube is inserted with a proximal sharp end through the longitudinal bore of the elongated body, with an outlet opening and through the urethral wall towards a desired location within the prostate. A pre-planned amount of radiation is delivered via the catheter tube at a location within the prostate for effecting the radiation treatment. The urethral insertion probe allows a quick and accurate positioning of the catheter probe and the catheter tube relative to the prostate without discomforting the patient. The catheter probe is movably accommodated within the urethral probe.

Abstract: A method of treating pelvic organ prolapse is provided. The method generally includes the steps of establishing a first pathway between the external perirectal region of the patient to the region of the ischial spine in tissue on one side of the prolapsed organ, followed by establishing a second pathway in tissue on the contralateral side of the prolapsed organ. A support member, which includes a central support portion and two end portions, is positioned in a position to reposition said prolapsed organ in said organ's anatomically correct location. The end portions of the support member are introduced through the respective tissue pathways, followed by adjustment of the end portions so that the support member is located in a therapeutic relationship to the prolapsed organ that is to be supported. An apparatus and kit for said treatment is further provided.

Abstract: A stabilizing device having a flexible shaft with a terminal connector and surgical tools used therewith. The flexible shaft is responsive to a tension element connected to a distal end of the shaft and in communication with a proximal end of the shaft. An elastic means interfacing between the proximal end of the tension element and an actuating cam cause the shaft to adapt for differences in activating tension between straight and curved positions. Accordingly, stretching and deformation of the tensioning element is reduced and shaft stiffness upon activation of the tensioning element is repeatable. The terminal connector includes a ball-and-socket arrangement adapted to resiliently absorb movement of an organ during surgery. A bendable suction stabilizer foot adaptable to contours of an organ is also provided as an attachment to the stabilizer device.

Abstract: A brachytherapy device is provided for treating a target tissue through an external surface area of the target tissue. The device includes an insertion member having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and at least one lumen extending therethrough. A fluid retaining member is mated to the distal portion of the insertion member and has a first surface shaped to conform to a predetermined external surface area of a tissue to be treated, and a cavity formed therein in fluid communication with the at least one lumen in the insertion member. A plurality of anchor members can be distributed about a periphery of the first surface to anchor the first surface to an external surface area of a tissue to be treated.

Abstract: An infant rocking assembly includes a base, a sound-producing device for playing a soundtrack to produce a sound pattern, a top member which is movably mounted on the base and supports an infant-supporting structure such as a carrier seat or stroller, and a motor for moving the top member relative to the base in a manner which is synchronized with the sound pattern. Preferably, a stepper motor is used to produce complex movements of the top member and facilitate the synchronization. The stepper motor preferably rolls a truck between the base and top member to move the top member via engagement between upper rollers of the truck and camming surfaces of the top member. A microprocessor controls the motor and sound-producing device. A mattress support member and the low-profile rocking assembly may be positioned below an infant mattress to rock the infant mattress.

Abstract: A remotely controlled gastric band system that is practically immune to external magnetic fields, such as from a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine, incorporates a bi-directional pump and fluid reservoir to adjust fluid volume for hydraulic control of a gastric band. A piezoelectric driver (e.g., rotary actuator, linear actuator) selectively compresses and expands a metal bellows hermetically sealed within a biocompatible and nonferromagnetic enclosure or case such as titanium. Directly sensing a position of the metal bellows yields an accurate reading of volume contained therein, allowing for closed-loop control of the gastric band.

Abstract: An isolation enclosure is provided for isolating a person to an area about a bed, wherein the bed is adapted to support the person and includes a frame and a mattress overlying the frame. The isolation enclosure comprises a frame adapted to surround the bed; and a canopy connectable to the frame and defining an isolation chamber sealed with respect to the ambient atmosphere. The isolation chamber extends over the frame of the bed and is sufficiently large to allow a person located within the isolation chamber to be supported on the bed and to move freely within the isolation chamber. The canopy includes a base wall adapted to either (i) overly the mattress of the bed, and (ii) lie between the mattress and the frame of the bed. A frame transport device, such as wheels, casters, or sliders, is mounted on the frame and adapted to transport the frame and canopy in cooperation with the bed to thereby transport a patient supported on the bed and located within the isolation chamber.

Abstract: A bone growth stimulator is provided. In one embodiment, the device has an elliptically shaped transducer coil. The coil provides increased therapeutic benefit to a wearer. An elliptically shaped housing supports and contains the coil. The housing includes a curvature when viewed in profile, such that a first surface of the housing is convex. The convex surface is adapted to be positioned against a wearer's lower back, to nest within the natural curvature thereof.

Abstract: The invention comprises a totally implantable hearing prosthesis for hearing impaired persons. An inertial vibrational element is hermetically sealed and implanted in bone between the lateral and superior semicircular canals without breaching the integrity of the canals. The vibrational element is adapted to vibrate the walls of the canals and the fluids contained therein, thereby vibrating contiguous fluids within the cochlea thus stimulating hair cells and creating a hearing percept. The invention can also be adapted to be a tinnitus masking system, and/or used in combination with a cochlear implant hearing system.

Abstract: An adjustable support pad for adjustably holding a tensioning line used to apply tension to a body organ. The adjustable support pad can include a locking mechanism for preventing slidable movement of the tensioning element in one or both directions. The locking mechanism may include spring-loaded locks, rotatable cam-like structures, and/or rotatable spool structures. The adjustable support pad may be formed from rigid, semi-rigid, and/or flexible materials, and may be formed to conform to the outer surface of a body organ. The adjustable support pad can be configured to adjustably hold one or more separate tensioning lines, and to provide for independent adjustment of one or more tensioning lines or groups thereof.

Abstract: A musical method and apparatus for minimizing the amount of anesthetic required during surgery and for shortening the recovery time after surgery.

Abstract: A template-assembly for effecting radiation treatment within an animal body by implanting one or more hollow needles at a desired location within the animal body includes a template frame being mountable to a stepping device of a radiation treatment device. The template frame has a needle guiding component having a plurality of guiding apertures for guiding the one or more hollow implant needles towards the desired location within the animal body. The template-assembly has a needle fixation component for fixating one or more of the implanted needles relative to the animal body, wherein the needle fixation component can be sutured to the skin of the animal body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a receiver module adapted to be positioned in an ear canal. The receiver module comprises a receiver having a receiver housing and expansible arrangement surrounding at least part of the receiver housing, the expansible arrangement having a first opening aligned with an output port of the receiver housing so as to allow for generated acoustic waves to propagate away from the receiver module and into the ear canal, the receiver module further comprising elastic encapsulation material partly encircling the expansible arrangement, the elastic encapsulation material being adapted to provide, in an expanded state of the expansible arrangement, a second opening aligned with the output port of the receiver housing so as to allow for the generated outgoing acoustic waves to propagate away from the receiver module and into the ear canal.

Abstract: Images that can have various subjects are formed by using the specific range of colors that the rainbow has. These images consist primarily of transparent, flexible, 3-D pictures which become even more beautiful when light is passed through them. Their size varies and they can be transferred from one surface to another, so they can be removed easily and leave the room exactly as it was before. They are accompanied: (a) by stories explaining the specific meanings of each color used in the picture and of each transfer from one color to the next; and (b) by other stimuli for the senses (audio-visual images, odors, tastes, etc. which try to give life to the theme of the image and give the viewer the sense that he or she is actually in the image). Their aim is to convert a negative space into a positive, and healing, one.

Abstract: Described are surgical instruments for use in surgical procedures, related methods, systems, and kits, the instruments including features that optionally include one or more specific dimensions, and features that may result in an ergonomic advantage during use.

Abstract: An instrument for coronary artery bypass graft surgery has at least three sets of suction units, respectively provided with a flexible tube; a suction head disposed at an end portion of the flexible tube; a three-way cock mounted on the flexible tube; and a retainer which retains the flexible tube.

Abstract: An artificial micro-insemination device for animals is disclosed. The device has an elastic insemination sheath amassed in compressed state between the nozzle passage and the forward portion of center orifice of catheter tube, where the rear end of the elastic insemination sheath is secured to the front part of nozzle, characterized in which the catheter tube and nozzle are inserted into the uterus of animal with the nozzle positioned posterior to the first cervical ring, and by the pressure of semen dispenser squeezing in semen from the rear end of catheter tube, the extension member of the soft elastic insemination sheath instantaneously extend outward from the front part of nozzle and extends freely along the cervical tract to reach uterus, where coupled with uterine contraction, semen fluid squeezed into the extension member of insemination sheath is expelled into the uterus or the two ducts to uterine horns via the prearranged slits on the front part of extension member.

Abstract: Articles and procedures for preventing or treating vaginal prolapse, urinary incontinence, and other disorders of the pelvic floor.

Abstract: A remotely controlled gastric band system that is practically immune to external magnetic fields, such as from a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine, incorporates a bi-directional pump and fluid reservoir to adjust fluid volume in a gastric band. A piezoelectrically driven (e.g., rotary actuator, linear actuator) selectively compresses and expands a metal bellows hermetically sealed within a biocompatible and nonferromagnetic case such as titanium.