Abstract: An apparatus for treating subacute and chronic conditions of a hock of an animal. The apparatus comprises a wrap comprising two padded sheets affixed together, a plurality of magnets inserted between the padded sheets to be positioned substantially opposite corresponding accupoints when the wrap is in a wrapped position, means for positioning the apparatus to the hock of the animal, and means for fastening the wrap to the hock of the animal.

Abstract: An inflatable prosthesis is disclosed which comprises a structural member having a bore dimensioned to receive a needle formed in its back end. An elastomeric balloon has a back end in sealing engagement with the structural member and has a front end extending beyond the front end of the structural member such that a portion of the structural member is contained within the balloon. A port is defined in the structural member for placing the bore in fluid communication with a port location exterior of the structural member which is contained within the balloon, whereby fluid infused into the bore passes through the port and into a space between the balloon and the exterior surface of the structural member to inflate the balloon. An elastomeric member has one portion attached to the structural member and another portion attached to the front end of the balloon so as to partially constrain axial expansion of the prosthesis as the balloon is inflated.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implantable blood filter comprising a self-expanding external structure made from a zigzagged thread wound on itself in order to exhibit a closed configuration. A central strainer section is connected to the said thread at various points for the retention of possible blood clots. This strainer section may be made from a biologically absorbable material. Applications include the production of medical blood filters, which are self-centering and absorbable.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for manipulating parts of the body in surgical procedures, particularly useful for peritoneal distension in laparoscopic surgery. The apparatus comprises a positionable support structure having an extendible horizontal arm rotatably mounted to an extendible vertical post, the post having a clamp at its lower end for mounting to a surgical table. An end segment at the distal end of the horizontal arm has a mount for mounting end-of-arm tooling, for example, peritoneal distension instruments. Locking mechanisms are disposed in the horizontal arm, vertical post and end segment to lock the support structure in a desired position. A motor is disposed within the vertical post for power-assisted extension and retraction of the vertical post. Preferably, the locking mechanisms and motor are controllable using switches mounted on the end segment.

Abstract: A vertebral osteosynthesis device employs outside faces of lateral walls of each hooking element which are inclined toward each other such that they converge from the side opposite hooking elements designed to be attached to the bone, while a gripping element in the shape of a clamp has side arms with inside faces inclined at slopes that match those of outside faces of lateral walls. At least two gripping means are disposed beyond the lateral walls and are provided to move the gripping element such that the inside faces of its lateral arms abut the lateral walls, bringing them toward each other and sliding on them upon gripping, to bring the lateral walls closer together to lock each hooking element onto a support rod.

Abstract: A tissue compensation system and method for making a tissue compensator utilizes a plurality of elongate rods, one end of which contact the treatment surface on the patient, and the other end of which contact and deform a flexible membrane containing a quantity of a material substantially equivalent to tissue of the patient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for electrically stimulating magnetotherapy to a living body. The apparatus comprises a permanent magnet and a coil of D-block transition metal surrounding the permanent magnet. A voltage is applied across the coil in a direction to enhance the magnetic flux in the permanent magnet. The negative charge of these free electrons is thought to attract the positive electromagnetic charge of the enhanced magnetic flux so a magnetic flux can be electromagnetically transferred with the electron flow through the permanent magnet and conductors through the terminals to enable the magnetic flux to pass to and through the living body. The circuit has an output circuit which will assist the flow of the magnetic flux through the living body. The output circuit has two coils which boost the magnetic flux to thereby assist the flow of the magnetic flux.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for entraining human brain patterns, employing frequency following response (FFR) techniques, facilitate attainment of desired states of consciousness. In one embodiment, a plurality of electroencephalogram (EEG) waveforms, characteristic of a given state of consciousness, are combined to yield an EEG waveform to which subjects may be susceptible more readily. In another embodiment, sleep patterns are reproduced based on observed brain patterns during portions of a sleep cycle; entrainment principles are applied to induce sleep. In yet another embodiment, entrainment principles are applied in the work environment, to induce and maintain a desired level of consciousness. A portable device also is described.

Abstract: Fabricating a transducer system (FIGS. 1a-1b) for providing electromagnetic therapeutic stimulation to a target area of a patient's body includes forming a primary winding (71) having a selected number of turns. The primary winding (71) and any other windings (72, 73) are bonded together to form a winding bundle (32). The winding bundle (32) is encapsulated in a malleable shell (34) that is substantially triangular in shape. Control electronics (16, 40, 94) are coupled to the shell-encapsulated winding bundle (30, 70, 90) for selectively generating electromagnetic fields, and thus implementing a prescribed electromagnetic therapy.

Abstract: A tonometer is adapted to measure intraocular pressure by applying pressure onto of an eye being examined via its eyelid. The tonometer is provided with a pressure means that presses against the eyelid of a subject eye to thereby apply pressure to the eye. The load applied to the pressure means is detected by a Load sensor and used to calculate intraocular pressure of the eye. The tonometer with this arrangement is structurally simple and compact, operationally safe, and does not cause the patient to feel fear and discomfort.

Abstract: A magnetotherapy apparatus includes an applicator wrap segmented into a grid of hinged panels. The wrap is adapted to be placed around an injured body member to provide a brace or preform for a conventional cast. Each of the panels further includes a magnetic coil for generating an electromagnetic field directionally oriented perpendicular to a target area. The magnetic fields generated in the adjacent panels are of opposite polarity and cumulatively interact for deeper magnetic flux penetration. An electrostimulation component includes stimulator pads which are selectively energized to provide muscle and/or transcutaneous nerve stimulation for pain sedation. Alternatively, the stimulator pads are used for an electrophoretic pharmaceutical delivery system wherein electrically charged porous pads are in fluid communication with a drug medium.

Abstract: This invention provides a simple skeletal muscle linear pull energy convertor which can harness the maximal amount of muscle power for a wide variety of implantable medical devices, including the full range of circulatory support devices. The muscle powered system provides completely implantable circulatory support as an alternative to cardiac transplantation, with a quality of life relatively free from external batteries, transcutaneous energy transmission and other electromechanical hardware.

Abstract: To provide versatile radioactive implants and methods of radiation therapy, plating methods such sputtering, as are used to coat single elements such as microspheres, wires and ribbons with radioactive metals, protective layers and identification layers. The resulting solid, radioactive, multilayered seamless elements are implanted individually or combined in intercavity applicators, with fabrics and in ribbons. Because they have selected half-lives and intensities, they provide flexibility in treatment, permitting low intensity or high intensity treatment, using temporary or permanent implants and implants with high intensity or low intensity or controured intensity to permit different therapies.

Abstract: A random signal generator outputs a random noise signal to a band pass filter which selectively passes frequency components in the frequency range of a desired brain wave from a subject. The output of the band pass filter is supplied to an automatic level controller. The automatic level controller sets the output of band pass filter to a predetermined amplitude. Then, the output of the automatic level controller is fed to a stimulating light generator, which converts the output of the automatic level controller into a light signal for stimulating the subject in order to induce the desired brain wave from the subject. The light signal is then emitted into the subject's eyes.

Abstract: A surgical method for arthroscopic repair or replacement of the anterior cruciate ligament is disclosed. A preferred embodiment of the method generally includes forming osseous tunnels in the tibia and femur, opening into the intercondylar region. A patellar tendon graft is harvested from the knee, having bone plugs naturally attached to each end. The graft is secured in the osseous tunnels by an interference fit with a bone screw inserted between the tunnel walls and the bone plugs. Specialized instrumentation for performing the method steps is also disclosed. Such instrumentation includes: a combination drill for cutting an osseous tunnel and harvesting a bone core, an intercondylar guide for locating a pilot hole on the femoral condyle, single-fluted and multi-fluted hand and power reamers for forming an osseous tunnel, and a work station for facilitating preparatory steps performed on graft material.

Abstract: A method for refractive correction of the eye in order to improve the vision of the eye while not adversely affecting its natural asphericity is described. The method involves determining the amount of correction necessary, selecting an intrastromal corneal ring (ICR) of appropriate thickness to obtain the necessary correction from a selection of ICRs of varying thickness, and inserting the ICR into the corneal stroma. The method may be useful for the correction of myopia and excessive astigmatism.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for controlling the operating parameters determining the thermal metabolism of a premature or newborn disposed in an incubator. These operating parameters include the incubator air temperature and the incubator humidity. The method is improved in such a manner that the adjustment of the parameters is coupled to the combination thereof optimizing the thermal metabolism without the necessity of a complex multiple step adjustment for each individual parameter. The method is characterized in that a primary control circuit for controlling the first parameter supplies the actual value corresponding thereto as a control parameter to a logic generator which determines a sequence value by means of a logic function. This sequence value is conducted to a secondary circuit as a desired value for the adjustment of the second parameter.

Abstract: A conformable PEMF transducer (FIG. 1a-1b) used for PEMF therapy (such as for healing non-union fractures of the hip). The transducer (FIG. 3 ) includes electrically conducting primary, secondary, and sense windings (31, 32, 33) formed into a transducer coil integral with non-conducting semi-rigid structural windings (34). The structural windings provide structural support for the coil so that it is formable into a selected anatomical contour, but still flexibly conformable to accommodate normal patient motion. Control electronics (FIG. 4 ) includes a PEMF processor (41) that executes a PEMF program for providing pulsing current to the front and back transducers at predetermined intervals, thereby activating the electromagnetic field according to a prescribed PEMF regimen.

Abstract: A device and a method for suppressing nerve cell action potentials is provided. An octapolar magnetic device is disposed near a mammalian sensory neuron so that the magnetic field generated by one quadrapolar face of the device is symmetrically disposed about the neuron. The magnetic device is comprised of four magnetic bodies, each having two opposite magnetic poles. Two positive and two negative magnetic poles are disposed substantially in a single plane and to define the four vertices of a quadrilateral shape, the two positive poles defining two diagonal vertices, and the two negative poles defining the opposite two diagonal vertices of the quadrilateral shape. A housing is provided to hold the magnetic bodies in a fixed relative position and thus maintain the quadrilateral orientation of the poles.

Abstract: A plethysmograph system is provided for monitoring neonates in an intensive care setting. The system includes a base and a pivotably attached lid which together define an air-tight chamber in which an infant can be positioned. The lid is mounted to the base so that it may be rotated between a position in which it is seated upon the base to a storage position directly beneath the base. The lid includes a peripheral gasket which is made from hollow tubing. The base also includes a gasket which is engageable by the lid gasket. The base gasket is made from substantially softer material than the lid gasket. First and second sealing members are mounted to the base and lid, respectively, for providing an air-tight seal about IV tubes and the like, extending from outside the chamber to an infant within the chamber. Each sealing member includes a number of channels for receiving such tubes. Each channel includes a set of parallel, deformable walls extending completely across the channels.