Abstract: A cardiac constraint jacket is formed of flexible material defining a volume between an open upper end and a lower end. The jacket is dimensioned for an apex of a patient's heart to be inserted into the volume through the open upper end and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. A delivery device is used to place the jacket on the heart. The delivery device includes a plurality of attachment locations. Each of the attachment locations is releasably secured to separate positions surrounding a periphery of the open upper end of the jacket. The delivery device also includes a control arrangement which is selectively movable between an open position and a closed position. The control arrangement is connected to the attachment locations such that the attachment locations are in a compact array urging the open upper end of the jacket into a collapsed configuration when the control member is in the closed position.

Abstract: A medical instrument provides for precise indexing in order to implant seeds into seed implant locations within a patient. The medical instrument is affixed to a targeting fixture, and upon operator actuation of a trigger, is automatically indexed from one seed implant location to a next seed implant location.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable brachytherapy device includes a tubular housing with sealed ends and an enclosed radioactive material. The radioactive material includes a radioisotope, such as palladium-103 or iodine-125. The tubular housing is made from a biocompatible and bioabsorbable polymeric material, and is sealed by means such as heat welding or solvent fixing. The device may further include a radiopaque medium and one or more therapeutic drugs.

Abstract: The invention involves enhancing brain function by stimulating the brain using magnetic fields. Applications of the new methods include improving the condition of individuals with cognitive disorders, such as depression, and studying the effects of neural stimulation using induced electric fields. These techniques can avoid deleterious effects of psychotropic pharmaceutical treatments, and provide a relatively safe, comfortable, inexpensive means of direct cranial stimulation.

Abstract: An apparatus is described that efficiently resupplies radioactive seeds to a brachytherapy applicator. A seed-holding system includes a holder and a transfer device. The holder, which may be disposable, stores the radioactive seeds and the transfer device, which may be reusable, helps shield and dispense the seeds. The holder is coupled to the transfer device, and the apparatus is mated to an applicator. After seeds have been dispensed, the apparatus may be disconnected from the applicator and the empty holder may be ejected from the transfer device, and replaced with a full holder.

Abstract: A needle holder for use in a seed handling assembly that is made as a box-like open-sided metal frame having a bottom, a top and opposed side frame members with a pair of steel shielding plates enclosing the sides of the frame. The top frame member defines at least one row of holes for receiving elongated needles containing radioactive seeds. Feet are attached to opposite sides of the frame to enable the needle holder to be free standing. Lifting elements are attached to the frame to enable the needle holder to be picked up and moved while needles are held in the needle holder and for a person lifting and moving the needle holder to be shielded from radioactive seeds in a needle.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus operable within an interactive computer device for presentation to the visual and auditory senses. The invention uses the creation and use of a custom hypnosis script to induce a state of hypnosis and make behavioral suggestions, Through questions presented, the user is queried for the user's preferences for hypnotic induction imagery and behavioral suggestion. The user enters the preferences, employing a keyboard, and/or a mouse, and/or other such device used to enter information. The program inserts the user responses into a preprogrammed textual material to compile a complete hypnosis script. A text-to-speech component of the program enables the user to then listen to the custom hypnosis script, and thereby experience a complete, custom hypnosis.

Abstract: An intraurethral device that can be used to inhibit leakage of urine due to incontinence is provided. The intraurethral device can include a urethral plug made from a biocompatible, flexible material. The intraurethral device can also include a first insertion element in operative communication with a second insertion element to facilitate self-insertion of the urethral plug into the urethra. Furthermore, in some instances, various mechanisms can be provided to keep the intraurethral device substantially sterile and/or clean prior to and/or during the insertion process.

Abstract: An at least partially implantable system for rehabilitation of a hearing disorder comprising at least one acoustic sensor for picking up acoustic sensor signals and converting the acoustic sensor signals into corresponding electrical audio sensor signals; an electronic signal processing unit for audio signal processing and amplification of the electrical sensor signals; an electrical power supply unit which supplies individual components of the system with energy; at least one electromechanical output transducer which has an electrical input impedance and which, when implanted, is coupled via a coupling element to at least one of a middle ear and an inner ear for mechanical stimulation thereof; and means for objectively determining the quality of coupling between the at least one output transducer and the least one of the middle ear and the inner ear, said determining means comprising impedance measuring means for measuring the mechanical impedance of a biological load structure which, upon implantation of th

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: A non-blood contacting, implantable heart assist system surrounds the natural heart and provides resistance to cardiac hypertrophy. The restraint system is composed of adjacent tube pairs arranged along a bias with respect to the axis of the heart and bound in a non-distensible sheath forming a heart wrap. The tube pairs are tapered at both ends such that when they are compressed they approximately follow the surface of the myocardium. Inflation of the tube pairs with a compressible fluid causes the wrap to exert a restraining force on the heart to prevent overexpansion during diastole.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating the human body with variable magnetic fields, which comprises an electrical waveform generator to be connected, through a cable, to Helmholtz coils, adapted to be moved close to the person to be treated, which produce low-intensity, low-frequency variable magnetic fields; an impedance meter with electrode terminals to be applied to the person to evaluate the effectiveness of the waves of the generator; and an electronic processing unit for controlling the waveform generator as a function of the measurements of the impedance meter and of memory parameters stored in the processing unit.

Abstract: A light wave energy health magnetic ring includes a plurality of blocks of different shapes formed from superconductive magnetic materials, natural crystals containing strong natural magnetic fields, and infrared ceramic beads. Bottom portions of the superconductive magnetic materials are formed with recesses for embedding crude crystals therein. Round, flat and circular-shaped, or wheel-shaped natural crystals and ceramic beads are spacedly disposed between adjacent superconductive magnetic materials such that the natural crystals are arranged in diagonally opposite positions. These elements are connected in a ring shape for wearing by a user. The magnetic waves can penetrate the muscles and bones of the body of the user to magnetize the cells of the body to thereby improve the circulation functions of the body.

Abstract: Utilization of a contact device placed on the eye in order to detect physical and chemical parameters of the body as well as the non-invasive delivery of compounds according to these physical and chemical parameters, with signals being transmitted continuously as electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared and the like. One of the parameters to be detected includes non-invasive blood analysis utilizing chemical changes and chemical products that are found in the conjunctiva and in the tear film. A transensor mounted in the contact device laying on the cornea or the surface of the eye is capable of evaluating and measuring physical and chemical parameters in the eye including non-invasive blood analysis. The system utilizes eye lid motion and/or closure of the eye lid to activate a microminiature radio frequency sensitive transensor mounted in the contact device. The signal can be communicated by wires or radio telemetered to an externally placed receiver.

Abstract: An adaptive heart binding device and method for the treatment of heart failure. The device has a non-distendible jacket to prevent the heart from expanding beyond a preselect volume. A first chamber corresponding the right ventricle and a second chamber corresponding to the left ventricle are located between the heart and the jacket. The first and second chamber can be inflated to exert additional pressure on the heart over time without additional surgery. The gradual pressure increase hemodynamically remodels the heart so that is performs more like a non-diseased heart. The binding device can be used as a bridge to or in place of heart transplant.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, method and computer program product for monitoring and controlling bio-enhancement implants is provided. With the apparatus, system, method and computer program product, a user may control the operation of implantable devices within the user's body by operation of a personal digital device. The personal digital device may obtain operational settings of the various implantable devices based on information stored within the personal digital device and/or information obtained from a network. The settings of the various implants are established in view of the possible interactions of the implants with one another. The personal digital device further monitors the operation of the implantable devices and the user's biological indicia. Based on the monitoring, the operation of the implantable devices are modified to obtain a desired result.

Abstract: An implantable cancer therapy device includes adjacent segments of a radioactive therapeutic and an adjunctive therapeutic. The segments of radioactive therapeutic and adjunctive therapeutic can be alternatively disposed in a predetermined spatial array. The implantation can be permanent or temporary. The device can be a substantially cylindrical filament or plurality of spaced radioactive seed overlaid with an adjunctive therapeutic. The device can also be a monofilament comprising an adjunctive therapeutic, the monofilament having spaced depressions for indicating length and facilitating cutting.

Abstract: An improved implantable hearing aid apparatus and related method of manufacture are disclosed. The inventive apparatus and method utilize electrodeposition techniques to yield enhanced sealing of implanted componentry. In one embodiment an inventive apparatus comprises at least first and second implantable hearing aid component housing members having at least one electrodeposited layer overlapping adjacent portions of the housing members to provide a hermetic seal therebetween. In another embodiment an inventive apparatus comprises an implantable hearing aid component housing member formed via electrodeposition having a plurality of electrodeposited layers, wherein at least two adjacent ones of the layers comprise differing materials (e.g. to yield enhanced functional characteristics). By way of primary example, a hollow bellows of any implantable middle ear actuator may be formed via the sequential electrodeposition of multiple layers on a shaped mandrel which is then selectively removed (e.g.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a magnetic stimulation effect and/or a fake magnetic stimulation effect in a biological tissue. According to the method, the real magnetic stimulation is effected by virtue of inducing an electromagnetic field in said biological tissue with a sufficiently strong field strength to essentially excite said tissue, and the fake magnetic stimulation is effected by virtue of inducing an electromagnetic field in said biological tissue with a field strength that is weaker than the electromagnetic field required for an essential excitation of said tissue.

Abstract: An adjustable field magnet assembly comprising at least two magnets rotatably mounted so that the rotation of at least one of the at least two rotatably mounted magnets changes the magnetic field projected by magnet assembly. The magnet is particularly useful in providing a magnet field of variable direction for use in magnetically navigating medical objects in the body by rotating the magnets comprising the assembly and/or rotating the entire assembly.