Abstract: In an embodiment, a medical device is a bodily implant and includes an elongate member. The elongate member has an inner edge that defines an opening. At least a portion of the inner edge being treated.

Abstract: An implantable medical device and surgical instrument for use during a procedure for treatment of vaginal vault prolapse. The invention also includes an instrument which allows the pieces of the suspension material to be attached to each other and enables the appropriate suspension of the vaginal apex from the anterior part of the sacrum. The device and method permit the performance of a sacrocolpopexy by accessing the sacrum and vaginal tissues via the vaginal orifice, thus avoiding the abdominal cavity completely.

Abstract: Optimization of a radiation-delivery treatment plan can be facilitated by permitting the making of automatic changes to one or more treatment objectives. This can comprise processing radiation-delivery treatment plan parameters with respect to one or more predetermined treatment objectives and then automatically changing that predetermined treatment objective to provide one or more changed treatment objectives (including altered, deleted, and/or added treatment objectives) that can then be used to at least attempt to optimize a radiation-delivery treatment plan. That predetermined treatment objective can comprise, for example, a treatment objective as regards a given treatment volume. The automatic changing of the predetermined treatment objective can occur in response to a variety of stimuli such as detecting a change with respect to a treatment condition such as a change in the presentation of a patient volume of interest.

Abstract: An auditory prosthesis comprising an actuator for providing mechanical stimulation to a recipient. The auditory prosthesis comprises a measurement circuit for use in determining the resonance peak(s) of the actuator. In an embodiment, the measurement circuit measures the voltage drop across the actuator and/or current through the actuator during a frequency sweep of the operational frequencies of the actuator. These measured voltages and/or currents are then analyzed for discontinuities that are indicative of a resonance peak of the actuator. In another embodiment, rather than using a frequency sweep to measure voltages and/or currents across the actuator, the measurement circuit instead applies a voltage impulse to the actuator and then measure the voltage and/or current across the actuator for a period of time after application of the impulse. The measured voltages and/or currents are then analyzed to identify resonance peak(s) of the actuator.

Abstract: A brush with magnetic filaments is described. The brush may be used, for example, as a brush for applying a cosmetic material. The filaments of the brush may, in one example, be made of a synthetic material infused with magnetic material.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for localizing lesions within a patient's body, e.g., within a breast. The system includes a microwave antenna probe for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals to detect one or more markers that are implanted within or around the target tissue region. During use, the marker(s) are implanted into a target tissue region, and the microwave antenna probe is placed against the patient's skin to transmit a signal to the marker(s) and to receive the reflected signal from the marker(s) in order to determine the location of the marker(s). A tissue specimen, including the lesion and the marker(s), is then removed from the target tissue region based at least in part on the location information from the microwave antenna probe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a brachytherapy apparatus (1) for applying a brachytherapy to a living object. The brachytherapy apparatus comprises a planning unit (14) for determining a placing plan defining placing positions and placing times for one or several radiation sources within the living object and close to a target region. The placing plan is determined such that the placing times are within a treatment time window determined by a treatment time window determination unit (13), wherein within the treatment time window a change of a spatial parameter of the living object caused by swelling is minimized. An adverse influence on the brachytherapy due to swelling can thereby be minimized, which improves the quality of the brachytherapy.

Abstract: A control device (control unit) to be used for controlling a scanning electromagnet that is used for scanning irradiation, which includes: a command-value processing line (a memory, an arithmetic circuit, an interface) that generates a command value for driving the scanning electromagnet on the basis of a treatment plan, and outputs the generated command value in synchronization with an accelerator; and a comparator unit that detects an error in the processing line; wherein a circuit (for example, the arithmetic circuit) that constitutes at least a part of the processing line is made redundant, and the comparator unit detects occurrence of the error in the processing line when outputs from the circuit made redundant are unmatched to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for stimulating brain neural networks of a subject comprising: at least one transmitter configured to generate an electromagnetic field through the brain neural networks of a subject, at least one brain wave measuring device for detecting subject brain wave frequency, a CPU for processing data concerned with detection of brain wave frequency of a subject, having a database for storing and analyzing natural and affected brain scans, and at least one computer readable medium containing a predetermined protocol for transmission of the electromagnetic wave frequency profiles. The apparatus further provides a resonance effect thereby inducing newly generated brain cells to migrate toward a brain tissue area having the pathology or lesion of interest, and initiating new brain pathways at the brain region of interest.

Abstract: A method for generating a robust radiotherapy treatment plan for a treatment volume of a subject. An adjusted voxel-specific dose objective is determined by “smearing” an initial voxel-specific dose objective a specified distance in at least one direction. A treatment plan based on such adjusted dose objective will be more robust with respect to setup uncertainties and organ movements. Smearing of the dose objective corresponds to adjusting the dose objective dose value of a voxel in accordance with dose objective dose values of voxels within the specified distance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for diagnosing and/or treating mood disorders, such as depression, is provided. Right vestibular function in subjects diagnosed with a mood disorder is diminished compared with subjects who do not have a mood disorder. Accordingly, a method and apparatus for determining right vestibular function in a subject is provided, from which a diagnosis of a mood disorder may be determined. Stimulation of the vestibular system of a subject diagnosed with a mood disorder may reduce symptoms of the mood disorder in the subject. A method and apparatus for registering a subject's response to stimulation of the vestibular system and providing therapeutic vestibular stimulation based on the subject's response is provided. A subject's response to stimulation of the vestibular system may be based on measurements of nystagmus in the subject.

Abstract: A hearing actuator (10) for implantation in the middle ear of a user. The actuator comprises transducer means (for example a piezoelectric device) (12) for converting electrical input signals into mechanical vibrations, and attachment means (16) for attaching one end of the transducer means to a first part of the middle ear. The actuator also comprises contacting means (14) which extends from an opposite end of the transducer means such that a longitudinal axis of the contacting means is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the transducer means. The contacting means is for contacting a second part of the middle ear (to which it may be attached), so as to transmit the mechanical vibrations of the transducer means thereto.

Abstract: A stranded brachytherapy product and methods of forming a stranded brachytherapy product. The methods includes the step of applying an adhesive to a carrier containing at least one brachytherapy seed so as to, upon curing of the adhesive, impart substantial rigidity to the carrier. Alternatively, the adhesive may be selectively applied so as to provide a deflectable brachytherapy product.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present invention provides surgical procedures that comprise applying compositions into and/or onto tissue, including supporting tissues (e.g., ligaments, connective tissue, muscles, etc.) for pelvic organs, among other tissues. In other aspects, the present disclosure pertains to compositions that are useful for performing such procedures. In still other aspects, the present disclosure pertains to kits that are useful for performing such procedures.

Abstract: Systems and methods of localizing or delivery cells, biologics and/or drugs to a specific target area to treat pelvic health disorders are provided. A treatment composition including cells, biologics and/or drugs are associated with magnetic particulates, and the positioning of these materials is facilitated through use of a magnetic field-generating device that is configured to be placed on or into a pelvic anatomical structure. Certain embodiments directed to the treatment of ED in male patients can include a cell based therapy system.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an implant and a sleeve. The implant has a support portion and a strap extending from the support portion. The support portion is configured to support a portion of a body of a patient. The strap is configured to be inserted into a tissue of the patient. The sleeve has a distal end portion, a proximal end portion and a tapered portion. The tapered portion of the sleeve is configured to dilate the tissue of the patient when the implant is inserted into the body of the patient. The proximal end portion of the sleeve is releasably coupled to the strap.

Abstract: A medical apparatus operable to induce localized hyperthermia in a patient via an electromagnetic field emitted by an antenna connected to an output of the medical apparatus includes a signal generator, a bidirectional coupler, and a controller. The signal generator generate radios frequency signal as a function of an operating parameter. The bidirectional coupler provides the radio frequency signal generated by the signal generator to the output and receives a reflected signal from the output. The controller receives the generated radio frequency signal from the signal generator, determines a power of the radiofrequency signal generated by the signal generator, receives the reflected signal from the bidirectional coupler, determines a power of the reflected signal, and determines delivery efficiency of the medical apparatus as a function of the power of the radiofrequency signal generated by the signal generator and the power of the reflected signal received from the bidirectional coupler.

Abstract: Magneto-electric nanoparticles in a subject interact with an external magnetic field to cause stimulation of neural networks in the subject. Electric signals in the neural network are coupled to magnetic dipoles induced in the nanoparticles to cause changes in electric pulse sequences of the subject's brain.

Abstract: Described herein is a system including a patient support unit having a patient environment, a heating module, a sensor module, and a control system. The control system is configured to selectively operate the system in a pre-programmed cooling mode configured to disable the heating module while monitoring patient-specific data of the patient using the sensor module. Related apparatus, systems, methods and/or articles are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cosmetic skin smoothening wherein two magnetic fields are generated perpendicular to each other and wherein the field strength of a quasi-static magnetic field or the frequency of an alternating magnetic field is modulated.