Abstract: The invention designs the segmented short-arc VMAT plan, modified from the original long-arc VMAT, to fit the breath-hold interval. The modified VMAT of the invention has the advantages of its applicability to different planning systems for variously long arcs and its preprogrammed arc segmentation for summated dose consistency. Using segmented short-arc modification from the original long-arc VMAT plan is accurate for dose planning and delivery, as well as tolerable for breath-hold VMAT.

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: The invention describes a surgical introducer comprising a proximal tip portion and a distal tip portion, wherein each tip portion comprises a notch, a base portion comprising an angle, wherein the base portion is between the proximal tip portion and the distal tip portion and wherein the base portion is wider than the remainder of the introducer. The introducer can be used for insertion of arms of a urethral sling into a patient.

Abstract: An implant includes a support member having a first portion and a second portion. The support member is configured to be in contact with a wall of a vagina of a patient. The first portion defines apertures having a first size. The second portion defines at least one aperture having a second size. The second size is larger than the first size. The aperture having the second size is configured to be substantially aligned with a scar or an incision in the wall of the vagina. The second portion is configured to better prevent erosion of the wall of the vagina near the scar or incision than the first portion.

Abstract: A spacer for use in brachytherapy, and radiotherapy, is formed of an encapsulating material in a generally cylindrical or elongated shape. Regions are formed within the spacer and retaining therapeutic loads, such as radiation sources and/or pharmaceutical therapeutic loads, and/or any other substances to treat a patient, such as drug liquids, powder or particles (e.g., microparticles or nanoparticles), with the particles or powders combined with binders, such as polyacrylamide, that are selected to gradually disperse the powder or particles at a desired rate. Such regions can be formed at various locations within the spacer, and can have various shapes depending on the particular design and intended usage. The outer surface of the encapsulating material can optionally include one or more fins, ribs or other physical protuberances or features that improve the fixity of the spacer when implanted within a patient's body.

Abstract: A target tracking device for tracking a moving target, based on X-ray fluoroscopic images from a plurality of directions, the target tracking device may include a plurality of X-ray fluoroscopic devices, an image processing unit, and a position determining unit. The X-ray fluoroscopic devices obtain a plurality of images from a plurality of directions, each of the images in a given direction having a different sensitivity. The image processing unit identifies a position of a target image based on pattern matching between the plurality of images and an image of the target. The position determining unit determines a 3D position of the target based on the position of the target image in the plurality of images from the plurality of directions.

Abstract: A target tracking device for tracking a moving target, based on X-ray fluoroscopic images from a plurality of directions, the target tracking device may include a plurality of X-ray fluoroscopic devices, an image processing unit, and a position determining unit. The X-ray fluoroscopic devices obtain a plurality of images from a plurality of directions, each of the images in a given direction having a different sensitivity. The image processing unit identifies a position of a target image based on pattern matching between the plurality of images and an image of the target. The position determining unit determines a 3D position of the target based on the position of the target image in the plurality of images from the plurality of directions.

Abstract: A body implantable fabric includes an organ support device separated from a knit material and has a filament forming a chain of loops that extend along a length of the knit material. The chain of loops are coupled together by having each loop suspended by a neighboring loop, and at least one loop in the chain of loops having the filament tied around that one loop to form a closed loop.

Abstract: A method of supporting pelvic organs in a patient includes forming a tissue incision providing access to the pelvic organs in the patient; inserting a knit material into the tissue incision; and supporting at least one of the pelvic organs in the patient with the knit material. The knit material has a filament knitted into a chain of loops that are coupled together by having each loop suspended by a neighboring loop, and at least one loop in the chain of loops having the filament tied around the one loop to form a closed loop.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for stimulating a healing process comprising a coil arrangement which is coupled to a functional power generator in order to generate an electromagnetic field in an affected body region, a control unit for influencing a voltage curve generated by the functional power generator in accordance with signals transmitted to an input interface of the control unit, a sensor array for sensing a characteristic of the affected body region, transmission device which is coupled to the sensor array in order to transmit a signal characteristic of the detected characteristic of the affected body zone to the control unit.

Abstract: A method of addressing pelvic dysfunction in a patient includes forming an incision; placing an anchor that is attached to a support member by an interconnecting member onto a distal tip of a tool; inserting the distal tip of the tool and the anchor into the incision and guiding the anchor to an obturator foramen; pushing the anchor through a membrane extending over the obturator foramen; and adjusting the support member by sliding the interconnecting member relative to the anchor.

Abstract: A magnetic navigation control apparatus includes a sensing unit, a control unit and a magnetic field generating unit. The sensing unit generates a sensing signal according to the position of a magnetic element. The control unit is electrically connected with the sensing unit and generates a first control signal and a second control signal according to the sensing signal. The magnetic field generating unit is electrically connected with the control unit and has a housing, a plurality of interpoles, and a plurality of short poles. The interpoles are disposed in the housing. The short poles are disposed between the interpoles evenly. The magnetic field generating unit generates a navigation signal according to the first control signal, thereby controlling the magnetic element to move in at least one direction within a target region. The magnetic navigation control apparatus has greater magnetic navigation effects, and can thus reduce the cost.

Abstract: A guided medical propulsion capsule driven by strong electro-magnetic interaction between an external AC/DC magnetic gradient-lobe generator and a set of uniquely magnetized ferrous-conductive elements contained within the capsule. The capsule is navigated through the lumens and cavities of the human body wirelessly and without any physical contact for medical diagnostic, drug delivery, or other procedures with the magnetically guiding field generator external to the human body. The capsule is equipped with at least two sets of magnetic rings, disks and/or plates each possessing anisotropic magnetic properties. The external magnetic gradient fields provide the gradient forces and rotational torques on the internal conductive and magnetic elements needed to make the capsule move, tilt, and rotate in the body lumens and cavities according to the commands of an operator.

Abstract: An incontinence treatment device includes a non-porous sub-urethral sling provided with an adjustment device. The device includes first and second anchors coupled to the sling. The second anchor includes a channel formed through the second anchor and a restrictor segment provided in the channel. The adjustment device is movable through the channel formed through the second anchor. The resistor segment is configured to resist movement of the adjustment device through the channel.

Abstract: A bolus for monitoring the parameters of an animal. The bolus will sense selective parameters and will send signals representative of those parameters to a receiver. The bolus includes sensors for sensing a number of parameters such as temperature, pH and movement. The power of the signal inside the animal is greater than that outside the animal since the signal is attenuated by the structure of the animal.

Abstract: An implantable device for anatomical support includes a sling, a first interconnecting member that is coupled to the sling, and a second interconnecting member that is coupled to the sling. An adjustable anchor is slidably coupled to the first interconnecting member to permit bidirectional movement along the first interconnecting member, and configured to exert a compressive force generating frictional interference between the adjustable anchor and the first interconnecting member, to inhibit the bi-directional movement of the adjustable anchor along the first interconnecting member unless sufficient force is applied to overcome the frictional interference. Also, a fixed anchor is fixedly coupled to the second interconnecting member.

Abstract: An implantable anatomical support includes a non-rectangular support body with a plurality of arms extending from the support body; an interconnecting member that is coupled to each of the arms; and an adjustable anchor slidably coupled to at least one of the interconnecting members to permit bi-directional movement along the interconnecting member and so configured to exert a compressive force generating frictional interference between the adjustable anchor and the interconnecting member to inhibit the bi-directional movement of the adjustable anchor along the interconnecting member unless sufficient force is applied to overcome the frictional interference.

Abstract: An implantable device for anatomical support includes a sling, a first interconnecting member that is coupled to the sling, and a second interconnecting member that is coupled to the sling. An adjustable anchor is slidably coupled to the first interconnecting member to permit bi-directional movement along the first interconnecting member, and configured to exert a compressive force generating frictional interference between the adjustable anchor and the first interconnecting member, to inhibit the bi-directional movement of the adjustable anchor along the first interconnecting member unless sufficient force is applied to overcome the frictional interference. Also, a fixed anchor is fixedly coupled to the second interconnecting member.

Abstract: An infant warmer (10) includes a heater canopy (18) comprising a. heater (30) configured to generally uniformly distribute radiant energy over a fixed region. The heater canopy (18) may also include a lamp (32) configured to selectively generate light. The heater canopy (18) may also include a stencil (34) positioned relative to the lamp (32) such that at least a portion of the light passes through the stencil (34) to generate a projected image (56). The projected image (56) is configured to highlight the fixed region.

Abstract: Apparatus (18, 18?) is provided, which includes one or more fundic sensors (74), configured to be applied to a fundus of a subject (10), and to generate a fundic signal. The apparatus further includes a control unit (90), which is configured to make a tentative determination of ingestion by the subject (10), determine fundic impedance responsively to the fundic signal, and calculate a duration of a period during which the fundic impedance rose during the tentatively-determined ingestion. Upon finding that the duration is less than a fundic rise duration threshold value, the control unit (90) determines that the tentative determination of ingestion is a false positive. Other embodiments are also described.