Abstract: A food intake restriction apparatus and method includes and uses an operable restriction device implanted in a patient and engaging the stomach or esophagus to form an upper pouch and a restricted stoma opening in the stomach or esophagus. A source of energy external to the patient's body and a control device for releasing wireless energy from the source of energy from outside the patient's body are provided. The released wireless energy is used in connection with the operation of the restriction device, to enlarge it to allow food passage, or to contract it to substantially prevent food passage.

Abstract: An anal incontinence treatment apparatus and method include or use an operable restriction device implanted in a patient and engaging the colon or rectum to form a restricted passageway. An energy transmission device for wireless transmission of energy of a first form from outside the patient's body is provided. An implanted energy transfer device transfers the energy of the first form transmitted by the energy transmission device into energy of a second form, which is used to control the operation of the restriction device to vary the size of the restricted passageway. The energy transfer device includes at least one element having a positive region and a negative region, the element being capable of creating an energy field between the positive and negative regions when exposed to the first form energy transmitted by the energy transmission device, so that the energy field provides the second form energy.

Abstract: A heartburn and reflux disease treatment apparatus and method employ an operable restriction device implanted in a patient and engaging the stomach close to the cardia or engaging the esophagus to form a restricted passageway. An energy transmission device for wireless transmission of energy of a first form from outside the patient's body is provided. An implanted energy transfer device transfers the first form energy transmitted by the energy transmission device into energy of a second form, which is used in connection with the operation of the restriction device to minimize the adverse affects of, or cure, chronic heartburn and reflux disease.

Abstract: A therapeutic instrument for treating psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, articular rheumatism and/or cancer or preventing the progress thereof which includes a solid radiation source having a half-life within a range of from 20 to 1.41×1010 years and a radioactivity corresponding to a decay rate within a range of from 10 to 370 Becquerel/g and a solid material coating the same, characterized in that the solid material has a radiation face for radiating radial rays emitted from the radiation source. As the radiation source, use is made of, for example, monazite, while a cotton bag, Japan wax, etc. are usable as the solid coating material.

Abstract: A food intake restriction apparatus and method for an obese patient includes and uses an energy transmission device for wireless transmission of energy of a first form from outside the patient's body. An operable restriction device is implanted in the patient and engages the stomach or the esophagus to form an upper small pouch of the stomach, and a restricted stoma opening is formed in the stomach or esophagus. The restriction device is operable in response to a second energy form different than the first form to vary the restricted stoma. An energy transfer device is implanted in the patient for transferring energy of the first form transmitted by the energy transmission device into energy of the second form.

Abstract: A heartburn and reflux disease treatment apparatus and method include or use an operable restriction device implanted in a patient and engaging the stomach close to the cardia or engaging the esophagus to form a restricted passageway. An energy transmission device for wireless transmission of energy of a first form from outside the patient's body is provided. An implanted energy transfer device transfers the energy of the first form transmitted by the energy transmission device into energy of a second form, which is used to control the operation of the restriction device to vary the size of the restricted passageway. The energy transfer device includes at least one element having a positive region and a negative region, the element being capable of creating an energy field between the positive and negative regions when exposed to the first form energy transmitted by the energy transmission device, so that the energy field provides the second form energy.

Abstract: A heartburn and reflux disease treatment apparatus and method includes and uses an operable restriction device implanted in a patient and engaging the stomach close to the cardia or engaging the esophagus to form a restricted passageway in the stomach or esophagus. A source of energy external to the patient's body and a control device for releasing wireless energy from the source of energy from outside the patient's body are provided, so that the released wireless energy is used in connection with the operation of the restriction device to enlarge or contract the passageway.

Abstract: A food intake restriction apparatus includes an operable restriction device implanted in a patient and engaging the stomach or the esophagus to form an upper pouch of the stomach and a restricted stoma opening in the stomach or esophagus. An energy transmission device for wireless transmission of energy of a first form from outside the patient's body is provided. An implanted energy transfer device transfers the energy of the first form transmitted by the energy transmission device into energy of the second form, different from the first form. The energy of a second form is used to control the operation of the restriction device to vary the size of the restricted stoma opening.

Abstract: A valve movable between open and closed positions is described. The valve preferably has an integral hinge and includes an inherent bias toward the closed position. The valve is particularly suitable as a component of an article for treating urinary incontinence.

Abstract: A pump assembly for a penile implant is provided having a mechanism that prevents spontaneous inflation of the cylinders implanted within the patient. The preventative mechanism includes a switching mechanism for moving a valve into either a closed or an open position. When closed, the locking valve prevents fluid flow in an adverse direction. While open, the pump functions normally allowing the cylinders to be inflated.

Abstract: An implantable esophageal sphincter apparatus with an adjustable band to be placed at the lower part of the esophagus. The inflation of the band, or sphincter body, can be increased or decreased to adjust the tightness of the device. The inflatable sphincter body may be wrapped around the esophagus and may be connected to an inflation device with a fluid reservoir. The inflation device may have a pump mechanism that will respond to external control to increase or decrease the inflation of the sphincter body. The sphincter apparatus will be held in place at the area of implantation by sutures and by fenestration mechanisms, which will allow ingrowths of tissue or fibrous elements of the body around the sphincter apparatus or into porous materials on the sphincter apparatus. The apparatus may also include a circumferential shield on a distal side of the sphincter apparatus.

Abstract: An implantable biosensor system for monitoring and optionally alleviating a physiological condition in a patient is provided and includes (a) at least one sensor for sensing at least one parameter of a physiological condition and for generating electrical sensor signals representative of the physiological condition; and (b) a first acoustic activatable transducer being directly or indirectly coupled with the at least one sensor, the first acoustic activatable transducer being for converting a received acoustic interrogation signal from outside the patient's body into an electrical power for energizing the processor, the first acoustic activatable transducer further being for converting the electrical sensor signals of the at least one sensor into acoustic signals receivable out of the patient's body, such that information pertaining to the at least one parameter of the physiological condition can be relayed outside the patient's body upon generation of an acoustic interrogation signal.

Abstract: A cardiac constraint device comprising a jacket of biological compatible material and an adjustment member. The jacket is adapted to be secured to the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume to constrain circumferential expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and to permit unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole. The adjustment mechanism is configured to alter the internal volume defined by the jacket after the jacket is secured to the heart. The invention also provides a method for treating cardiac disease.

Abstract: A therapeutic device is disclosed. In an embodiment of the present invention, the therapeutic device includes a sheet having a plurality of magnetized areas defined by a grid. The grid includes a plurality of straight lines and a plurality of curved lines where the plurality of straight lines intersect the plurality of curved lines.

Abstract: A device for applying stimuli to a subject for therapeutic purposes utilizing an audio source producing a selected audio tone. An audio speaker delivers the audio stimulus to the left and right ears of the subject in an alternating manner, such that the sounds may be heard in either of the ears or may be heard in both of the ears in sequential fashion. Visual or tactile stimuli may be delivered to a subject singularly or simultaneously with the audio stimulus.

Abstract: A vaginal applicator-stimulator system includes a body having a first set of conductors for transmitting electrical pulses to the vagina. A battery power supply is located inside the stimulator body and a micro-controller is located in the stimulator body for controlling the application of pulsating signals to the first set of conductors in accordance with programmed instructions corresponding to a particular type of urinary incontinence to be treated. A case is included for enclosing the cylindrical stimulator body during non-use of the stimulator body, the case having-contacts correspondingly aligned with the conductors of the stimulator body. An apparatus is located in the case for entering instructions regarding current to be applied by the first set of conductors of the stimulator body that stimulate according to the type of urinary incontinence to be treated. The micro-controller in the stimulator body stores the entered instructions.

Abstract: A hearing aid amplifies sound and, by air conduction, stimulates the eardrum to vibrate. A hose or tube may be surgically implanted in the skull bone, or may be otherwise connected in order to convey amplified sound from an electronics module in the hearing aid to the middle ear to stimulate the eardrum to vibrate from the inside of the ear. By doing so, the auditory meatus is left free, and no intervention is required on the eardrum, the inner ear, or the bones of the middle ear.

Abstract: Disclosed is a means and method for the treatment of migraine headaches. Patients who have migraine headaches typically have a band of excited brain neurons that are a precursor of the headache. By placing an intense alternating magnetic field onto a certain region of the brain, an electrical current can be generated in the cerebral cortex that can depolarize these excited brain neurons. This procedure can stop a migraine headache in some patients or at least decrease its severity. The device to perform this function can be called a “magnetic depolarizer”. The magnetic depolarizer can be placed in some headgear such as a bicycle helmet in order to place the magnetic field at the correct location relative to the patient's cerebral cortex. This technique can be particularly valuable for patients who have a perceptible aura that occurs prior to the onset of a migraine headache.

Abstract: An optical measurement device is presented. The device is attachable to the patient's body and adapted for performing non-invasive measurements of blood-related signals. The device comprises a measurement unit for applying optical measurements to a first region on the patient's extreme organ, and an occlusion assembly for applying over-systolic pressure to a second region on the patient's body located upstream of the first location with respect to a normal blood flow direction. A substantially flexible, heating element is provided within the measurement unit, and is accommodated so as to engage at least a part of the first region for heating it to a desired temperature.

Abstract: Provided herein is a device useful in causing enlargement of a flaccid penis. The device includes a first and a second semi-bulbular shaped member portions which are hingably connected to one another and closable to form a bulb shaped device having a hollow interior volume. A flaccid penis may be inserted into a device according to the invention and a vacuum is applied to force blood from the subject into the penis, thus causing enlargement of the penis. Methods for use of the device are provide.