Abstract: A method and apparatus for alleviating or curing human afflictions, ailments and diseases holistically by application of magnetism. A north pole surface of a magnet is applied to a portion of the extremities, about 990 square inches' of the upper extremities and 1800 square inches of the lower extremities, of a person being treated, and is maintained in contact for a time period or periods in accordance with total flux applied for the afflictions or ailments being treated. The magnet is maintained in contact for a time period or periods sufficient to elicit holistic effect of alleviation or cure and to detect ailments and cure in progress or a balanced treatment point. Magnet is being configurated to accommodate the area being treated and having appropriate total flux.

Abstract: A portable, self-contained medical diagnostic system is provided for assessing urinary function. The system includes a control device including a processor, a pump device, and a pressure sensor, and a test module removably coupled to the control device, and further including a pressure interface and a tubing assembly defining a first fluid conduit between a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet. The pump device is coupled to the first fluid conduit for pumping fluid therethrough. The system also includes an insert member having a first channel therethrough and coupled to the first fluid outlet so that fluid flowing through the first fluid conduit may flow through the first channel. The insert member is dimensioned for insertion into a patient's bladder through the urethral canal. When so inserted, the pressure interface transmits bladder pressure information to the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for altering the charge distribution upon living membranes with functional stabilizational of the membrane physical electrical integrity further comprising a method for using submicroscopic, quadripolar, circular, center charged, energy balanced magnetic device in a four (4) magnet array of alternating polarity in which the magnetic poles are separated only by a distance which will allow a magnetic sphere of influence on all adjacent poles to suppress the firing of action potentials of mammalian sensory neurons. The method and apparatus further provides a static magnetic device for production of a magnetic field for treatment of various disorders.

Abstract: A patient's upper airway condition such as snoring and sleep apnea is treated by selecting a particulate material selected for limited migration within tissue and for encouraging a fibrotic response of tissue to the material. A bolus of the particulate material is injected into the tissue area to structurally stiffen the tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for brachytherapy. One method includes locating a region of cardiac tissue having a relatively large probability of originating or transmitting electrical signals which result in arrhythmic activity and irradiating the region of cardiac tissue to reduce the amount of arrhythmic activity. Irradiating can include regulating protein expression of myocardial cells, killing myocardial cells, ablating myocardial cells, irradiating sleeves of atrial muscle that extend from a left atrial wall around the pulmonary veins, and/or creating lesions that block electrical conduction through myocardial tissue. Locating the region can include locating a foci of an atrial arrhythmia or locating the foci adjacent a pulmonary vein.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of using metal nanoparticles 0.5 to 400 nm in diameter to enhance the dose and effectiveness of x-rays or of other kinds of radiation in therapeutic regimes of ablating a target tissue such as tumor. The metal nanoparticles can be administered intravenously, intra-arterially, or locally to achieve specific loading in and around the target tissue. The metal nanoparticles can also be linked to chemical and/or biochemical moieties which bind specifically to the target tissue. The enhanced radiation methods can also be applied to ablate unwanted tissues or cells ex vivo.

Abstract: A highly compliant and elastic cardiac support device is provided. The device is constructed from a biocompatible material is applied to an external surface of a heart. The device can be used to resist dilatation of the heart, to provide acute wall support, or to enhance reduction in the size of the heart using stored potential energy, without interfering with systolic contraction.

Abstract: The invention provides techniques for securely engaging an organ, such as a beating heart, with a manipulating device. A bag-like device may be deployed around a substantial volume of the organ and the manipulating device. In one embodiment, the bag-like device may be net-like, including one or more mesh apertures. Once deployed, the bag-like device cooperates with the manipulating device when the organ is manipulated and reduces the risk that the organ will be inadvertently released or dropped.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for selecting or designing a product, such as a muffler, having a complex, content-free sound output which is less stressful or more pleasing. The process includes the steps of sensing at least one physiological response of a subject (21) while the subject listens to an initial content-free sound output, repeating the sensing step for a new content-free sound output, comparing the physiological responses, and selecting the sound output for use in selecting or designing the product which output produces the physiological response that is the least stressful or most pleasing to the subject. The apparatus includes an audio playback device (15), a sound recording (16) of the initial sound, a sound recording (16) of the new sound, and physiological monitoring apparatus (17) suitable for attachment to and monitoring of the physiological responses of the test subject (21) to the playback of the sound recordings.

Abstract: A coupled seed train is formed by placing a plurality of seed train members into the lumen of a hollow tube. A plurality of accommodation slots are formed in the tube in spaced relation to one another along the length of the hollow tube. The members of the seed train are positioned within the lumen such that each accommodation slot is in registration with a space between contiguous members of the seed train. An adhesive is introduced into each accommodation slot to join the members of the train to one another in end-to-end relation with one another. The seed train and plunger are then placed into the lumen of a needle and the needle is introduced into the tissue of a patient. A plunger abuts the trailing end of the seed train and remains stationary as the needle is withdrawn over the seed train and plunger. The seed train is deployed at the proper position within the tissue. The needle and the plunger are then withdrawn from the tissue.

Abstract: Described is a surgical instrument and method for treating female urinary stress incontinence. The instrument includes a first curved needle-like element defining in part a curved shaft having a distal end and a proximal, a tape, or mesh, for implanting into the lower abdomen of a female to provide support to the urethra; a second curved needle element having a proximal end and a distal end, and a coupler for simultaneous attachment to the distal end of the first needle and the distal end of the second needle. In an alternate embodiment, the second curved needle is an anesthesia needle and the method includes anesthetizing the needle pathway through a patient's body to facilitate the passage of the first needle and mesh therethrough.

Abstract: An infant support for use with an incubator or a warmer or a combination thereof comprises a support surface having a head end and a foot end and a driver engageable with the head and foot ends. The driver comprises a first elevator and a second elevator. The first elevator is engageable with the head end and the second elevator is engageable with the foot end. The driver is movable to cause the head and foot ends to move between raised and lowered positions.

Abstract: A valve for a bladder control device including an elongate housing having a valve seat disposed therein. A stopper is also disposed within the housing and is moveable between a first position in which the stopper engages the valve seat and a second position wherein the stopper is moved distally of the valve seat. A tension spring can be connected to the stopper to biases the stopper toward the valve seat. A lumen is defined through the housing having a first portion disposed distally of the valve seat having a diameter approximately equal to a diameter of the stopper. A second portion of the lumen disposed distally of the first portion has a greater diameter than the first portion of the lumen. Yet a third portion of the lumen disposed distally of the second portion has a diameter less than that of the first portion.

Abstract: The invention provides a system which comprises a medical device that delivers a combination of therapies. These therapies include the administration of radiation, biologically active materials, cryotherapy, and thermotherapy. The present invention is also directed to a method of treating body lumen surfaces using the system of the invention. A system is provided for delivering a biologically active material to a surface of a body lumen being exposed to a radioactive source. In one aspect, the system comprises an implantable medical device which has two opposing ends, each having a surface, and a middle portion. The two opposing ends comprise a biologically active material and the middle portion of the medical device is substantially free of any biologically active material. In another aspect, the system delivers a genetic material to a surface of a body lumen which is exposed to a radioactive source.

Abstract: A system and method for assessing urinary function is provided. The system includes a processor, a tubing assembly forming a first fluid conduit between a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet, and an insert member having a channel therethrough and coupled to the first fluid outlet so that fluid flowing through the first fluid conduit may flow through the insert member. The insert member is dimensioned for at least partial insertion into a patient's urethral canal distal of the patient's urethral sphincter, and dimensioned so that, when inserted, it substantially blocks fluid flow into or out of the urethral canal other than through the insert member channel.

Abstract: Surgical articles, implants and components suitable for a transobturator surgical procedure are described.

Abstract: A jacket of biological compatible material has an internal volume dimensioned for an apex of the heart to be inserted into the volume and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. The jacket has a longitudinal dimension between upper and lower ends sufficient for the jacket to surround a lower portion of the heart with the jacket surrounding a valvular annulus of the heart and further surrounding the lower portion to cover at least the ventricular lower extremities of the heart. The jacket is adapted to be secured to the heart with the jacket surrounding at least the valvular annulus and the ventricular lower extremities. The jacket is adjustable on the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for the jacket to constrain circumferential expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and to permit unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole.

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus for simulating human traumatic injury in an animal, said apparatus comprising a support having an aperture having end walls and side walls disposed therein; a sliding element slidingly engaged with said side walls of said aperture, said sliding element having a retainer disposed thereon for receiving an animal holder having a hinged first end therein; and a crank arm operatively connected to both said sliding element, and an actuator mechanism. The apparatus allows animal head motion simulative of hyperflexural trauma associated with actual injuries.

Abstract: A method and apparatus comprises a circuit adapted to be coupled to a power supply which produces a pulsed DC output, and a magnetic field generating coil coupled to the output of the circuit which is effective to produce a time varying magnetic field having a flux density in the range of about 0.0001 to 2.0 gauss at a frequency in the range of about 0 to 45 Hz. The coil is positioned at or near the site on the body of the patient to be treated, or, alternatively, beneath the patient's sleeping surface for a period ranging from about one-half hour to several hours depending upon the method and condition to be treated.

Abstract: An insertion device is provided for use in assessing urinary function. The insert device includes an insert member for at least partial insertion into a patient's urethral canal having a length such that it is positioned distal of the urethral sphincter, and having an outer surface at least a portion of which is configured to engage the inner wall of the urethra to substantially prevent fluid flow therebetween. The insert member has a channel therethrough through which fluid from a fluid source can be introduced into the urethral canal. Also provided is a device for introducing fluid into a patient's urethral canal including a hand-sized casing having a fluid conduit therein between a fluid inlet and a fluid source assembly. The device further includes an activation device movable between a first position wherein it does not obstruct the fluid conduit and a second position wherein it does obstruct the fluid conduit.