Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reversibly controlling a size and/or restricting the movement of a body orifice, such as a pyloric opening, using an implantable device configured to allow a distance between opposed ends thereof to be adjusted. A device is provided having attachment members and a connector portion extending therebetween and configured such that a size of the pyloric opening is decreased upon the implantation of the device. The connector can be adjustable to allow a size of the pyloric opening to be adjusted after it has been restricted. The connector can include two or more bridge portions having different lengths such that cutting a first bridge portion can increase the distance between the attachment members so as to increase the size of the pyloric opening. To revert to a natural size of the body orifice, the entire connector can be cut or otherwise broken and/or removed.

Abstract: Method and devices are provided for treating subjects with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). According to some approaches, the methods and devices are configured for the treatment of ongoing seizures. Other approaches relate to the use of TMS as an antiepileptogenic or for use in determining preferential placement of intracranial probes.

Abstract: Various embodiments for providing remote delivery and monitoring of health care are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus for providing unmanned medical care in remote areas to a patient is provided. A container is adapted for transport using a standardized shipping mechanism. The container is adapted to provide remote delivery of health care. In an additional embodiment, a portable apparatus for dermatological monitoring is provided. An imaging device is integrated into a housing. The imaging device is adapted to obtain a digital, high-resolution image of a patient. In still another embodiment, a portable apparatus for orthopedic monitoring of a patient is provided. A housing is adapted for one of positioning adjacent to and positioning within an orthopedic cast. A diagnostic biomedical device integrated into the housing. The diagnostic biomedical device is adapted for obtaining an orthopedic image of a portion of the patient treated with the orthopedic cast.

Abstract: An intra-vaginal device for controlling urinary incontinence, designed to be placed longitudinally in the vagina, includes: a. a deformable distal portion, placed in the subvesical region of the vagina, characterized by a deformable state and an un-deformable state; b. a deformable proximal portion placed in the sub-urethral portion of the vagina, characterized by a deformable state and an un-deformable state; c. a deformation controlling mechanism interconnecting said distal portion and said proximal portion, adapted to reversibly transform said distal portion and said proximal portion form said deformable state to said un-deformable state; and from said un-deformable state to said deformable state; wherein upon predetermined amount of intra-vaginal pressure applied on said proximal pressure, said deformation controlling mechanism is adapted to transform proximal portion from said un-deformable state to said deformable state such that pressure is applied on said urethra.

Abstract: Generally, a vaginal insert device used to treat urinary incontinence is disclosed. The vaginal insert device includes a support portion, a stabilizing portion, a removal device, and at least one fluid passageway extending though the support portion. The substantially cylindrical support portion has a distal end and a proximal end. In addition, the support portion has a plurality of foldable areas extending from the distal end to the proximal end. Desirably, the plurality of foldable areas helically curve as the plurality of foldable areas extend from the distal end to the proximal end. The largest outer circumference of the support portion has an insertion diameter when the plurality of foldable areas are compressed and foldable inward and an in-use diameter wherein the plurality of foldable areas are extended outward into a maximum in-use diameter position. Desirably, the in-use diameter is larger than the insertion diameter.

Abstract: A transcranial magnetic stimulation coil which is location-specific for frontal lobe regions, occipital lobe regions, parietal lobe regions, right temporal regions and left temporal regions is designed with multiple spaced apart stimulating elements having current flow in a substantially circular direction, and multiple return elements having current flow in substantially the same circular direction.

Abstract: The problem of securing the position of an internally placed medical device that extends out of the body during targeted high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy is solved by a uniquely configured immobilization system that can be utilized to stabilize medical devices placed, for example, within the uterus or cervix. During the process of transporting a patient from the location where the HDR applicator is emplaced, for example, where the tandem and ring is placed within the cervix of a patient, to the location where the treatment is actually applied to the tissue, the medical device can move out of place and in so doing cause discomfort, pain, or an ineffective treatment for the patient. The embodiments of this immobilization system can include a strap apparatus, a straddling girdle, and bracket that can be attached to a patient. This immobilization system ensures the position of an internally placed medical device during targeted HDR brachytherapy.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedures, systems, implants, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions in a male or female, the pelvic conditions including incontinence (various forms such as fecal incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, etc.), vaginal prolapse (including various forms such as enterocele, cystocele, rectocele, apical or vault prolapse, uterine descent, etc.), and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools including devices and tools for anchoring an implant to supportive tissue and adjusting the implant.

Abstract: A suture-less pelvic implant system and method is provided for treating pelvic conditions, such as incontinence or vaginal prolapse. The implant can include a fixation portion, which may be rectangular or suture line, having a plurality of fixation elements, e.g., barbs, extending therefrom to fixate within target pelvic tissue, such as the vaginal apex. In a sacralcolpopexy, an opposing end or anchor of the implant is fixated within the sacrum or like structure to stabilize, raise, support or reposition the vaginal apex.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedures, systems, implants, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions in a male or female, the pelvic conditions including incontinence (various forms such as fecal incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, etc.), vaginal prolapse (including various forms such as enterocele, cystocele, rectocele, apical or vault prolapse, uterine descent, etc.), and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools including devices and tools for anchoring an implant to supportive tissue and adjusting the implant.

Abstract: Applicator for injecting a bulking agent at one or more selected submucosal positions in a periurethral tissue of a female patients' urethra. The applicator comprises a lance, such as a cystoscope with a distal end provided with one or more optical sensors, and a needle guide with a bore receiving the lance. The needle guide comprises needle channels at different angular positions, each needle channel extending between a needle entrance surface and an opposite shoulder surface. The needle channels are oriented to direct a needle via external peripheral tissue of the urethral meatus to a submucosal position at a urethra section, e.g., within the optical scope of the optical sensor.

Abstract: Devices and methods for vaginal insertion are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for simultaneously providing an infra-red laser beam and a concentrated uni-polar, pulsed electromagnetic field to a region of interest in the body of a patient are disclosed. The apparatus produces the infrared laser beam from a laser diode and the pulsed electromagnetic field from an electrically conductive coil. The infra-red laser beam and the pulsed electromagnetic field are produced concurrently along a common axis. A focusing magnet is provided to concentrate the lines of flux so that they extend along the laser beam. The apparatus includes a body of Mu-metal shielding surrounding the components of the apparatus except for one pole of the coil from which the lines of flux of the electromagnetic field extend to further concentrate the field and render it effectively uni-polar.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedures, systems, implants, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions in a male or female, the pelvic conditions including incontinence (various forms such as fecal incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, etc.), vaginal prolapse (including various forms such as enterocele, cystocele, rectocele, apical or vault prolapse, uterine descent, etc.), and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools including devices and tools for anchoring an implant to supportive tissue and adjusting the implant.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating the functioning of a patient's organ or duct includes an elongated member having a first end and a second end. A fastener is disposed on the first end of the elongated member. The fastener is configured to engage the second end of the elongated member so that the elongated member forms a loop around the organ or duct. A tension element is disposed for movement within the elongated member. A drive element is associated with and engages the tension element for causing the tension element to control the tension applied by the elongated member against a patient's body organ or duct. A tension release mechanism is associated with the tension element.

Abstract: A medical device includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and medial portion disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion. The first end portion defines a first axis. The second end portion defines a second axis. The first axis is disposed at an angle with respect to the second axis.

Abstract: A helmet is used to detachably secure a TMS coil to the head of a patient. The helmet has a flexible sack containing a multiplicity of beads and also has a valve that permits air to enter and to be withdrawn from the interior volume of the sack. The handle of the TMS coil is inserted into the helmet, and the helmet is placed upon the head of a patient. Withdrawing air from the interior volume of the sack through the valve causes the sack to shrink and compresses the beads into a compact mass that conforms to the shape of the patient's head. Maintaining the vacuum causes the sack to retain its shape, making it possible to hold the helmet and TMS coil in proper position during a TMS study.

Abstract: An epicardial clip for reshaping the annulus of the mitral valve of a heart. The epicardial clip includes a curved member having an anterior segment configured to be positioned in the transverse sinus of the heart, a posterior segment configured to be positioned on the posterior side of the heart, such as on or inferior to the atrioventricular groove, and a lateral segment extending between the anterior segment and the posterior segment. The lateral segment includes a curve such that the first end of the member is positioned at or above the plane of the mitral valve and the second end of the member is positioned at or below the plane of the mitral valve.

Abstract: An artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) system that includes a clamp and an inflatable device. The clamp is configured to be disposed on a urethra and includes a first portion and a second portion biased together to compress the urethra. The inflatable device is coupled between the first portion and the second portion of the clamp and configured to be inflated to separate the first portion from the second portion and unclamp or open the urethra.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for determining one or more cumulative effects of an application of transcranial magnetic stimulation to the brain of a subject, as well as a method and apparatus of representing same. According to an aspect of certain embodiments of the invention there is provided a method for determining one or more cumulative effects of an application of transcranial stimulation to one or more locations in a brain of a subject comprising the steps of applying multiple transcranial magnetic stimulation pulses to the brain, determining a dose of each of said stimulation pulses, measuring a physical response of the user and determining or approximating an accumulation of said response of said brain for each of said one or more locations in the brain of said subject.