Abstract: Pelvic or other types of implants are provided that can include tensioning feedback components or portions, such as color changing polymer materials, such as polyacetylene. The color changing polymer can be included with, coated on or otherwise provided with a portion of slings or implant devices to provide targeted feedback to the user or physician of the tension applied to a particular device. A first color can be used to indicate a first (initial) tension or compression stage, and a second color can be used to indicate tensioning of the device beyond a predefined threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for slow wave sleep improvement. The method includes recording a biosignal from a skin area of a patient using an electrode system. The slow wave stage of NREM sleep is detected by analyzing an oscillation rate of the biosignal. If the slow wave stage is detected, threshold electrocutaneous stimulation is applied to improve the quality of sleep. The described embodiment relates to an apparatus for slow wave sleep improvement comprising an electrode system, a measuring unit, a therapy unit and a processor. The processor is coupled to the measurement unit for receiving the biosignal corresponding to the electrodermal activity. The processor proceses the biosignal to determine the slow wave sleep stage and activates the therapy unit to deliver threshold electrocutaneous therapy to the patient with the purpose of improving the slow wave sleep stage.

Abstract: Various embodiments of sling or implant systems are provided. The sling or implant systems can be employed to treat incontinence, prolapse, and like conditions. A needle delivery device can be included, wherein the delivery device includes a needle and a rotatable sheath. The rotatable sheath can rotate upon actuation relative to the needle to selectively deploy or disengage an implant anchor from the distal end of the needle.

Abstract: According to a three-dimensional image capture system of the invention, it includes a three-dimensional measuring device that is placed on a top board and performs image-capturing of a patient to thereby generate three-dimensional-image data, and a three-dimensional-image processing device that generates from the three-dimensional-image data, a three-dimensional image associated with a reference coordinate system with reference to the top board or a floor of a room, and that displays the three-dimensional image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an implantable apparatus for obtaining urinary control and emptying of the urinary bladder, The apparatus operates with a powered member (100) operating from the outside of the urinary bladder assisted by a support structure to discharge urine from the urinary bladder. A control device (200) controls the operation of the powered member. The control device further comprises a source of energy for operating the powered member and other energy consuming parts of the apparatus and a control assembly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring, diagnosing, and treating sleep disorders such as sleep terrors are provided, which may include any number of features. One feature is an apparatus configured to partially awaken a user to treat a sleep disorder. The apparatus can include one or more sensors configured to monitor a sleep parameter of the user, one or more therapeutic devices configured to apply a therapy to the user to partially awaken the user, and an electronic controller operatively coupled to the sensors and therapeutic devices to determine when to apply the therapy, and how to apply the therapy so as to only partially awaken the user.

Abstract: An articulation aid with seats for upper and lower teeth for positioning between the upper central incisors and the lower central incisors respectively, or upper lateral incisors to lower lateral incisors as the case may be resulting in a generally vertical orientation of the article prizing the jaw in an open position. The slender aid permits a user or voice therapist to discern the instant position of the tongue when the user is speaking.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hadron therapy installation comprising a moving floor in the form of a deformable band guided in a guide structure. The moving floor comprises a lower segment and an upper segment. The lower segment can be pulled by the irradiation unit from a lower docked position to a position in which the lower segment forms a substantially horizontal floor surface when the irradiation unit is in a first angular position. The upper segment can be pulled by the irradiation unit from an upper docked position to a position in which the upper segment at least partially forms the substantially horizontal floor surface when the irradiation unit is in a second angular position. The lower segment and the upper segment may have a finite length and a counterweight further connected to the free end of the upper segment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing skin rejuvenation of a region of a patient's skin. The system includes: a pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) frequency generator that emits electromagnetic pulses to the region of the patient's skin; and a deep tissue diathermy device that applies heat to the region of the patient's skin up to temperature T. The system simultaneously applies the heat and the PEMF to the region of a patient's skin.

Abstract: A system and method include a shape sensing enabled device (116) having at least one optical fiber (118). A source positioning module (124) is configured to receive optical signals from the at least one optical fiber within a structure and interpret the optical signals to provide motion information of treatment sources within the device. A dose determination module (130) is configured to provide one or more temporal bins representing a total treatment time. For each temporal bin, the dose determination module is configured to determine a dose received by a target area to be treated using the motion information of the treatment sources. The dose determination module is further configured to combine the dose received by the target area for each of the one or more temporal bins to determine a total dose received by the target area.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a system for external manipulation of magnetic nanoparticles in vasculature using a remotely placed magnetic field-generating stator. In one embodiment, the systems and methods relate to the control of magnetic nanoparticles in a fluid medium using permanent magnet-based or electromagnetic field-generating stator sources. Such a system can be useful for increasing the diffusion of therapeutic agents in a fluid medium, such as a human circulatory system, which can result in substantial clearance of fluid obstructions, such as vascular occlusions, in a circulatory system resulting in increased blood flow. Magnetic nanoparticles are provided having a non-specialized chemical coating facilitating association with a chemical composition by a user before infusion. Systems are provided for delivering a consistent infusion mass of magnetic nanoparticles to a patient.

Abstract: A device for manipulating a magnetic coupling force across tissue in response to a monitored coupling force is described. The device includes a magnetic field source assembly, a positioning assembly operatively connected to the magnetic field force assembly, and a magnetic coupling force monitor. The magnetic field source assembly includes magnets that provide an external magnetic field source for providing a magnetic field across tissue. The positioning assembly adjusts the position of the magnetic field source. The magnetic field creates a magnetic coupling force between the external magnetic field source and an object positioned in use in a patient during a procedure, wherein the object has or is associated with an internal magnetic field.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for characterizing interactions or proton beams in tissues. In certain embodiments, charged particles emitted during passage of protons, such as those used for therapeutic and/or imaging purposes, can be detected at relatively large angles. In situations where beam intensity is relatively low, such as in certain imaging applications, characterization of the proton beam with charged particles can provide sufficient statistics for meaningful results while avoiding the beam itself. In situations where beam intensity is relatively high, such as in certain therapeutic applications, characterization of the proton beam with scattered primary protons and secondary protons can provide information such as differences in densities encountered by the beam as it traverses the tissue and dose deposited along the beam path. In certain situations, such beam characterizations can facilitate more accurate planning and monitoring of proton-based therapy.

Abstract: A medical implant system for implantation in a patient to treat erectile dysfunction includes a first fluid path, an inflatable penile prosthesis cylinder, an electric pump, and implant controller, and an implantable power supply. The inflatable penile prosthesis cylinder is in fluid communication with the first fluid path and is configured for implantation in a corpus cavernosum of a patient. The electric pump is in fluid communication with the first fluid path. The implant controller is electrically coupled to the pump and is configured to activate the pump to drive a flow of fluid through the first fluid path and into the cylinder. The implantable power supply provides electrical power to the pump.

Abstract: Apparatus for fractionation and infusion of radiopharmaceuticals, including a fractionation unit for fractionation into a number of calibrated doses of an amount of radioactive liquid contained in a multidose vial, and a unit for transferring the doses from the fractionation unit to a device for administration thereof to a patient, and further including a controlled-atmosphere ventilated chamber containing the unit for transfer of the doses and the connections to a line for connection to the administering device.

Abstract: A disposable housing including a single-use thermal exchange component can be configured to be mechanically, removably coupled to a receptacle on a cuff positionable around a joint to provide temperature-based therapy to the joint.

Abstract: Cortical entrainment device (CED) and associated methods are provided. The CED device includes an electroencephalographic (EEG) analysis module configured to receive and process an EEG waveform for analyzing brain activity of a patient with epilepsy or a seizure disorder; an interictal epileptiform discharge (IED) analysis module configured to receive and process an IED waveform for analyzing the brain activity of the patient; and a diagnostic module that is configured to interface with the EEG analysis module and the IED analysis module, to evaluate spectral and temporal waveform characteristics, and to provide instructions to a therapy module for providing a stimulus for the patient based on the analysis by the EEG analysis module and the IED analysis module.

Abstract: Devices and methods for providing localized pressure to a region of a patient's heart to improve heart functioning, including: (a) a jacket made of a flexible biocompatible material, the jacket having an open top end that is received around the heart and a bottom portion that is received around the apex of the heart; and (b) at least one inflatable bladder disposed on an interior surface of the jacket, the inflatable bladder having an inelastic outer surface positioned adjacent to the jacket and an elastic inner surface such that inflation of the bladder causes the bladder to deform substantially inwardly to exert localized pressure against a region of the heart.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes implantable slings suitable for use in a variety of medical applications, the implantable slings include at least one a biocompatible support member having a first surface and a second surface, the first and second surfaces including a first end, a second end, and a central region positioned therebetween, a first set of fixation elements positioned on the first end of the first surface, a second set of fixation elements positioned on the second end of the first surface, and a spacer positioned on the central region of the first surface for contacting a tissue in need of support.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided and adapted to engage and pull (e.g., pull up) or reposition urethral support tissue, such as the portion of the perineal membrane above or below the urethra. The perineal membrane intersects the urethra and vagina at the midurethra or distal location and can thus be stabilized or controlled in a manner that helps restore continence.