Abstract: An implant is provided for maintaining the position of pelvic organs, such as components of the urinary tract. The implant contacts the anterior surface of the urethra and is anchored to the pelvic fascia and the periurethral fascia. A method of anchoring the pelvic organs is also provided, involving inserting the implant via an anterior approach, avoiding complications and side effects that result when implants are inserted through the wall of the vagina.

Abstract: In one general aspect, an apparatus can include an elongate member configured to be associated with an implant and having a piercing portion. The apparatus can include a deflection member having a fixed curvature disposed within a plane. The deflection member can have a distal end configured to be disposed within a body of a patient. The deflection member can define a groove extending along at least a portion of the deflection member. The groove of the deflection member can be configured to deflect the piercing portion of the elongate member.

Abstract: An anchor assembly for an implantable, pelvic support device includes a body, a collar, and a strand. The body defines a first central longitudinal axis, the collar defines a second central longitudinal axis and is received over the body such that the first central longitudinal axis and the second central longitudinal axis are substantially parallel and laterally offset. The strand extends through the collar and is received between the body and the collar such that the strand is frictionally engaged by the body and the collar. The strand is secured to the implantable, pelvic support device.

Abstract: A cellular influence system. The novel cellular influence system includes an isolation chamber, a solution disposed within the chamber for supporting a user in a state of floatation, and a source generator for applying cymatic frequencies to the user via the floatation solution. In an illustrative embodiment, the system is adapted to apply cymatic frequencies that stimulate activity in a specific region or regions of the brain to induce a higher state of consciousness capable of increased learning abilities, and a visual display unit designed to minimize splay such that the interior of the isolation chamber remains dark is provided within the chamber for delivering information to be learned to the user during the induced state. Optionally, the system may also include a neural monitor for measuring neural activity in the user and adaptively adjusting the cymatic frequencies applied to the user based on the measured activity.

Abstract: Methods of stimulating a target deep brain region using multiple Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) electromagnets positioned over a predetermined cortical regions each having a first-order connection to a target deep brain region and applying TMS so that the applied TMS induces spatial summation and thereby modulation of the target deep brain region.

Abstract: The invention provides a new method for evaluating transfer embryos including blastocysts used for in vitro fertilization in fertility treatment, and a method for evaluating transfer embryos using a new biomarker necessary for evaluation. The method comprises the steps of (a) providing a test object, for example, a culture solution of a human blastocyst, containing norepinephrine (noradrenaline) released from a transfer embryo, such as a human blastocyst, obtained from a subject; (b) quantitatively analyzing norepinephrine in the test object by a combination of ultra high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry or the like; (c) predicting the quality of the transfer embryo based on the amount of norepinephrine from analysis results obtained; and (d) transferring the embryo into a suitable female recipient for implantation, if the transfer embryo is predicted to be of good quality and/or to lead to the establishment of a viable pregnancy based on step (c).

Abstract: A float tent can include: a frame having a pool frame portion with a tent frame portion thereof over the pool frame portion; a tent having the tent frame portion, the tent having a closable opening; and a pool having the pool frame portion, the pool having pool sides dimensioned to hold at least 8 inches of water and having a pool base dimension sufficient for a person to lay in the pool without touching pool sides. The tent can include tent walls having an angle that inhibits condensation drip, the angle being with respect to the pool base, such as at least 4.5 degrees. The tent can include a material that is opaque. The float tent can include a heater configured to heat the water to skin temperature of the person. The float tent can include a water circulation pump and filter.

Abstract: An apparatus for exposing a region of interest of an object, animal or person to an alternating magnetic field has a source of radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation arranged to provide the alternating magnetic field in an exposure volume defined by the apparatus, and a shield arranged between the source of radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation and the exposure volume. The shield includes a material that has a sufficient thickness and arrangement to reduce power deposition to at least regions outside of the region of interest of the object, animal or person during exposure in the exposure volume.

Abstract: A magnetic device for magnetic therapy, the device comprising a magnetic drum having an inner surface and an outer surface, a plurality of permanent magnets, a hollow safety sleeve, and an electric motor for powering the magnetic device by means of a power source. The plurality of permanent magnets is positioned on the inner surface of the magnetic drum so as to form a helical pattern thereon. The magnetic drum is positioned in the hollow safety sleeve and connected to an output shaft of the electric motor by means of a plurality of bearings. The electric motor rotates the magnetic drum and the plurality of permanent magnets to produce an oscillating magnetic field for use in magnetic therapy.

Abstract: A magnetic body may be suitably applied to a drug delivery system using magnetism. Furthermore, a drug delivery control device allows the magnetic body to be suitably applied to drug delivery. The magnetic body includes a magnet and a cover part attached to an edge of the magnet. The cover part is composed of a material with high magnetic permeability, and a ratio of a length to a radius of the cover part is 10:1 to 7:3. The drug delivery control device includes the magnetic body, a head for supporting the magnetic body and a drive mechanism of the head that causes the head to operate along a projected region formed by the affected area with respect to a surface of a tissue. A magnetic field is applied from the magnetic body to the affected area where a magnetic drug is administered.

Abstract: A coil suitable for tissue stimulation and especially for transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may be used in conjunction with a pulse generator to induce electric field in the brain with less attenuation in depth compared to existing TMS coils. In an example, a coil winding is formed in a solenoid configuration around the head. Various related features, methods, and embodiments are described.

Abstract: An improved incubator assembly includes a number of movable walls and a circulation system having a fluid guide apparatus adjacent each movable wall. The fluid guide apparatuses generate a first jet of air in a direction generally parallel with a wall in the closed position and a second jet of air in a direction oblique to the wall in the closed position. Whenever one of the movable walls is moved from its closed position to its open position, the jet of air that had been flowing parallel with such wall continues to flow and forms an air curtain.

Abstract: An implantable device used in a gastric band system includes an access port, a tube coupled to the access port, and a shielding device covering a portion of the tube. The shielding device is positioned adjacent to the access port and covers the end of the tube coupled to the access port. The shielding device is made from a puncture resistant material, to protect the tube from puncture by a misplaced syringe needle inserted by a physician.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of treating and preventing a neurological disorder, such as Alzheimer's Disease, in a subject in need thereof by positioning an electromagnetic field emitting source proximal to the subject and exposing the subject to an electromagnetic field having a predetermined frequency for a predetermined absorption period. Preferably, each individual treatment (comprising exposure to the predetermined frequency for the predetermined absorption period) is continued at a predetermined schedule (preferably daily) for a predetermined treatment period. The predetermined frequency, according to a preferred embodiment, is about 918 MHz with a specific absorption rate (SAR) of about 0.25 W/kg+/?2 dB. The predetermined absorption period of this preferred embodiment is about one hour. The treatment period is long-term, being greater than about 6 months and preferably between about 7 and 9 months.

Abstract: A method includes directing an ion beam at a tissue. Ions of the ion beam can include positron emitters, such as carbon-11, nitrogen-13, oxygen-15, and fluorine-17. The ions can ionize at least a portion of the tissue and the positron emitters can irradiate the at least a portion of the tissue. The ion beam may be generated with a cyclotron, a synchrotron, or a particle accelerator. The ion beam may be targeted at the tissue using a stereotactic targeting system, clinical dosimetry system, or a positron emission tomography system such that a delivered energy of the ions peaks throughout a volume of the targeted portion of the tissue. The ions may damage a cell in the tissue, and positrons produced, in vivo, by the positron emitters may combine with electrons to create gamma rays that damage the cell in the course of a combination ion beam therapy and brachytherapy treatment.

Abstract: A system for treating pelvic organ prolapse includes a hollow shell, a net, and an anchor strap. The hollow shell has an apex, with an exterior surface of the apex shaped to conform to an interior apical portion of a vagina, and the apex includes a hole. The net is associated with the apex of the hollow shell such that the net is insertable inside the vagina and conformable with the interior apical portion of the vagina. The anchor strap has a length that configures a proximal portion of the anchor strap to be attachable to the hole in the apex of the hollow shell and a distal portion of the anchor strap to be attachable to a sacrum of a patient.

Abstract: Balloon catheter, applicator, particularly for invasive radiotherapy, and method of controlling the balloon catheter with respect to its shape and position in a tissue to be treated prior to an irradiation. The balloon catheter provides a catheter shaft for introducing a probe, an outer balloon and an inner balloon, disposed inside the outer balloon, the inner space of the inner balloon connecting to a channel for connection to a media inlet and intermediate space between the outer balloon and the inner balloon connecting to a channel for connection to a media storage unit. In order that the balloon catheter can be securely controlled with respect to its shape and position in a patient in a simple but clear manner prior to irradiation, the outer balloon is formed of a flexible, non-extendible material and the inner balloon is formed of a flexible, extendible material.

Abstract: An infant warming assembly includes a heater assembly having a heater surface temperature sensor, a skin temperature sensor, and a user interface to input a commanded skin temperature value. The skin temperature sensor and the commanded skin temperature value are used in controlling a temperature component of a control loop. The heater surface temperature sensor is used in controlling a power component of the control loop that powers the heater based at least in part upon the heater surface temperature sensor and a control signal from the temperature component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for verification of the quality of a radiation beam in conformal radiation therapy, and in particular for IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy) applications. The actual 3D dose distribution in the patient is tracked during the course of the entire treatment by reconstructing the photon fluences from measured 2D detector responses during irradiation in conjunction with updated patient images.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a balloon catheter (10) as well as an applicator (50), particularly for invasive radiotherapy. The balloon catheter (10) provides a catheter shaft (11) for introducing a probe (40), a first, outer balloon (20) and a second, inner balloon (30), disposed inside the outer balloon (20), the inner space (31) of the second, inner balloon (30) connecting to a channel (32) for connection to a media inlet (41) and intermediate space (21) between the first, outer balloon (20) and the second, inner balloon (30) connecting to a channel (22) for connection to a media storage unit (42). In order that the balloon catheter can be securely controlled with respect to its shape and position in a patient in a simple but clear manner prior to irradiation, it is provided according to the invention that outer balloon (20) is formed of a flexible, non-extendible material and that inner balloon (30) is formed of a flexible, extendible material.