Abstract: Method of using a shape-formable apparatus. A shape-formable apparatus can include an envelope defining a chamber, a port positioned to fluidly couple the chamber with ambience, and at least two locking sheets positioned in the chamber in an at least partially overlapping configuration. Each locking sheet can include a major surface, and at least a portion of each locking sheet can be patterned to include solid regions and open regions, the solid regions being movable with respect to one another within the major surface. The method can include providing the shape-formable apparatus in a first state; forming the apparatus into a desired shape; and reducing the pressure in the chamber to change the apparatus from the first state to a second state in which the apparatus is substantially less formable than in the first state.

Abstract: An information processing device includes a receiver that receives a specification of a desired brain wave state of a user, and a controller that controls playback of music causing a brain wave state of the user to transition to or maintain the desired brain wave state.

Abstract: Methods for provoking a physiological response in a subject comprising: receiving from sensors an orientation of an HMD of the subject and a parameter indicative of a physiological state of the subject, determining a video signal representing an avatar of the subject in a virtual reality scenario to be displayed on the head mounted display taking into account the orientation of the head mounted display, wherein the video signal includes an indication of a physiological state of the avatar, and sending the video signal to the head mounted display for visualization, optionally accompanied by a suitable audio signal. During a first period, the indication of the physiological state of the avatar substantially corresponds to the measured physiological state, and during a second period the indication of the physiological state of the avatar does not correspond to the measured physiological state. Related computer program and computing systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An automated medical apparatus for providing medical care in remote areas to a patient is provided. The apparatus includes a container having corrugated steel enclosure on all sides and transportable using a standardized commercial shipping mechanism, the container having a door with a handle and lock mechanism for secure entry and secure accommodation of the patient for treatment. The container has integrated into an inner ceiling side of the container, a plurality of automated dispensers, the dispensers configured for dispensing sterilization material upon determining by the apparatus that the door has been opened and closed, a first time and a second time respectively, such that the patient is assumed to have completed the treatment and exited the container. Further, the apparatus includes a power management device, a processor, a medical device interface, and a patient interface.

Abstract: A system for the physical manipulation of free magnetic rotors in a circulatory system using a remotely placed magnetic field-generating stator is provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to the control of magnetic particles in a fluid medium using permanent magnet-based or electromagnetic field-generating stator sources. Such a system can be useful for increasing the diffusion of therapeutic agents in a fluid medium, such as a human circulatory system, which can result in substantial clearance of fluid obstructions, such as vascular occlusions, in a circulatory system resulting in increased blood flow. Examples of vascular occlusions targeted by the system include, but are not limited to, atherosclerotic plaques, including fibrous caps, fatty buildup, coronary occlusions, arterial stenosis, restenosis, vein thrombi, arterial thrombi, cerebral thrombi, embolisms, hemorrhages, other blood clots, and very small vessels.

Abstract: A neonate incubator for positioning a neonate within a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device is provided. The neonate incubator can include RF shielding that can provide RF shielding during imaging, for example, while life support tubes are connected to the neonate during MRI imaging. The RF shielding can include a door to mate with a bore of the MRI device to provide the RF shielding, and a RF channel that extends along an axis that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the neonate incubator from an interior chamber of the neonate incubator through the RF shielding door.

Abstract: An oocyte retrieval needle is provided. The needle comprises a first tubular region in fluid communication with a second tubular region. The first tubular region comprises a sharp point leading end configured for insertion into a subject. The second tubular region comprises an open trailing end. The leading and trailing ends form respective opposite ends of the needle. Internal passages of the first and second tubular regions form a continuous open passage extending from the leading end to the trailing end. The first tubular region has an outer diameter which is less than an outer diameter of the second tubular region and the internal passage of the first tubular region has an inner, luminal diameter which is less than an inner diameter of the internal passage of the second tubular region. The oocyte retrieval needle is a double lumen needle.

Abstract: A method for sealing and flushing a delivery member includes sealing one or more lumens and flushing air from the one or more lumens. An interventional device delivery system includes a handle assembly and a delivery member. The handle assembly includes a catheter holder with a passageway therethrough. A flush block is associated with the catheter holder and has a flush port and a flush chamber. The delivery member is associated with the handle assembly and includes a plurality of catheters. At least one of the catheters has a proximal end disposed within the passageway in the catheter holder and is in fluid communication with the flush chamber.

Abstract: A sleep aid machine includes a housing, a base mounted on a lower portion of the housing, a top cover mounted on an upper portion of the housing, a main control module mounted in the housing, and an electromagnetic module mounted in the housing. The electromagnetic module is electrically connected with the main controller of the main control module. Thus, the electromagnetic module transmits electromagnetic waves with a specified frequency, so as to release and comfort the user, thereby helping the user sleep easily and comfortably.

Abstract: Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) can be applied to a tender area on a subject's body to treat fibromyalgia. A light source device can be contacted to a subject's skin proximal to a tender area on the subject's body. A light signal (with wavelengths from the red to infrared part of the spectrum) can be applied in at least one of a pulsed operating mode, a continuous operating mode, and a super-pulsed operating mode through the light source device to the tender area. The light signal is applied for a time sufficient to stimulate a phototherapeutic response in the tender area to treat fibromyalgia.

Abstract: A multi-purpose balloon catheter includes a catheter having a proximal end portion, a central portion and a distal end portion, a plurality of lumens associated with the catheter extending from the proximal end portion, and a plurality of inflatable balloons positioned in the central portion and/or the distal end portion. Each of the plurality of inflatable balloons is communicatively associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of lumens, the plurality of inflatable balloons being selectively inflated and deflated to position and stabilize the catheter in a cavity for delivery of a treatment. The catheter can include an extraction point associated with a lumen to remove fluids and material from the cavity, and a connector associated with a corresponding lumen adapted to selectively receive one or more of a liquid saline solution, a fluid medium, or a radioactive isotope provided to a corresponding lumen for delivery of the treatment.

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 portion, said deformation controlling mechanism is adapted to transform proximal portion from its un-deformable state to its deformable state such that pressure is applied on said urethra.

Abstract: The installation (1) comprises a treatment machine (12) and a supply and positioning device (16) configured to receive the straws (2) and dispose them one by one in a predetermined orientation for their treatment by said machine. The device (16) comprises a curved ramp (52) having a reception portion (64) for the straws (2) and an ejection portion (65) for the straws, the ramp being configured to convey, to the ejection portion (65), a straw (2) received on the reception portion (64) and sliding on the ramp (52), the ramp having a concave profile such that said profile has an orientation closer to the vertical in the reception portion (64) than in the ejection portion (65), such that a straw received on the reception portion (64) is accelerated to the ejection portion (65) at which the straw is guided and ejected with a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: A fastener applicator includes a body portion including a handle assembly, a cartridge assembly supported within the body portion, the cartridge assembly including implantable fasteners, a drive assembly supported within the body portion and operatively coupled to the cartridge assembly to engage the implantable fasteners, and an actuation assembly supported within the handle assembly and operatively coupled to the drive assembly to fire a distal-most implantable fastener upon actuation of the actuation assembly. At least one of the implantable fasteners includes a body including a tissue facing surface, a tissue penetrating portion extending from the body, and a capsule affixed to the tissue facing surface of the body, the capsule including radioactive material.

Abstract: A premature neonate closed life support system (NCLSS) including: at least one chamber confining a cradle-like neonate support (CLNS) having suitable dimensions and geometric-configuration for accommodating at least one premature neonate having at least two operational configurations, said operational configurations comprising: a first operational OPEN configuration whereby said CLNS is adapted to couple said neonate to at least one life supporting system by means of at least one life supporting coupling line, prior to positioning said CLNS in a medical device; and a second operational air-tight CLOSED configuration whereby said neonate remains continuously coupled to said at least one supporting system by means of at least one life supporting coupling line, when positioning said CLNS within said medical device. The OPEN and CLOSED configurations are reversible.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-contained device (1) for stimulating slow brain waves, capable of being worn by a person (P), in particular during a period of time when said person is sleeping. The device (1) comprises a supporting element (2), capable of surrounding the head of a person, and on which electrodes (3) are mounted in contact with the person in order to acquire a measurement signal that represents a physiological electrical signal of the person; an acoustic transducer (4) for emitting an acoustic signal (A) stimulating the inner ear of the person; and on-board conditioning and control electronics (5) for, in flexible real time, receiving the measurement signal and controlling the emission of an acoustic signal (A) synchronised with a predefined slow brain wave time pattern.

Abstract: An electrical system including a body having a structure resembling a double helix wound around a toroidal structure may be used to produce useful electromagnetic effects for various applications, including providing therapy and promoting growth of living organisms.

Abstract: An earphone includes a loudspeaker, a microphone, a housing supporting the loudspeaker and microphone, and ear tip surrounding the housing and configured to acoustically couple both the loudspeaker and the microphone to an ear canal of a user, and to acoustically close the entrance to the user's ear canal. A processor provides output audio signals to the loudspeaker, receives input audio signals from the microphone, extracts a rate of respiration from the input audio signals, adjusts the output audio signals based on the extracted rate of respiration, and provides the adjusted output audio signals to the loudspeaker.

Abstract: A method of configuring a local brain stimulation tool is disclosed. The method comprises: obtaining a reference brain network activity (BNA) pattern, and a BNA pattern describing a neurophysiological state of the subject, each of the BNA patterns having a plurality of nodes and each node representing a brain location and at least one brain wave frequency. The method further comprises comparing the BNA patterns; and configuring the local brain stimulation tool to apply local brain stimulation at a frequency selected based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method of making an internal bidirectional branch and an endoluminal prosthesis from a tubular segment of graft material. The tubular segment is partitioned into first and second sections along a length of the tubular segment. The first section has a width less than a width of the tubular segment, and the second section has a width less than the first section. The second section is partitioned into at least three sub-sections. The tubular segment is connected along a lateral edge of the first and third sub-sections of the second section. The tubular segment is turned inside out such that the bidirectional branch is positioned within a lumen of the first section and an opening of the second sub-section is exposed.