Abstract: A medical device (40) including a collagenous biomaterial (10) for causing embolus and treating an aneurysm. The collagenous biomaterial (10) includes a small intestine submucosa (12) that is configured into various components (16) for causing a vascular occlusion or a packing aneurysm lumen.

Abstract: A medical device (40) including a collagenous biomaterial (10) for causing embolus and treating an aneurysm. The collagenous biomaterial (10) includes a small intestine submucosa (12) that is configured into various components (16) for causing a vascular occlusion or a packing aneurysm lumen.

Abstract: A medical device (40) including a collagenous biomaterial (10) for causing embolus and treating an aneurysm. The collagenous biomaterial (10) includes a small intestine submucosa (12) that is configured into various components (16) for causing a vascular occlusion or a packing aneurysm lumen.

Abstract: A medical device (40) including a collagenous biomaterial (10) for causing embolus and treating an aneurysm. The collagenous biomaterial (10) includes a small intestine submucosa (12) that is configured into various components (16) for causing a vascular occlusion or a packing aneurysm lumen.

Abstract: A system and method for producing volumetric conductive hyperthermia for the treatment of a cancerous tumor in a patient. The location and volume of the tumor are determined with the aid of a CT scanning system, and an array of probes each containing a heat-emitting element is formed by interstitial implantation in the tumor in a predetermined pattern for volumetric heating using a template for guiding the probes into parallel alignment in the tumor. The template is affixed with respect to the patient's body and with respect to the imaging plane of the CT scanning system. After implantation, the probes are connected to a manifold which is in turn connected to an external control system capable of independently controlling the probes while monitoring various analog and digital values representative of system performance.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and a substance is disclosed for releasing at a temperature above normal tissue temperature an anti-cancer drug and applying heat in combination to tissue having neoplastic cells such as a malignant brain tumor. The apparatus comprises a probe having a semi-rigid elongated member that is interstitially implanted in the malignant tumor. The elongated member is coated with a carrier substance that is responsive at a temperature above normal tissue temperature for releasing a carried substance such as a therapeutic anti-cancer drug. Within the elongated member, an electrical heater element produces heat when energized for heating the probe, the carrier substance, the anti-cancer drug, and the surrounding tissue. An electrical thermistor is also included within the elongated member for measuring the temperature of the probe in order to regulate the release of the drug and the temperature of the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A system and method for producing volumetric conductive hyperthermia for the treatment of a cancerous tumor in a patient. The location and volume of the tumor are determined with the aid of a CT scanning system, and an array of probes each containing a heat-emitting element is formed by interstitial implantation in the tumor in a predetermined pattern for volumetric heating using a template for guiding the probes into parallel alignment in the tumor. The template is affixed with respect to the patient's body and with respect to the imaging plane of the CT scanning system. After implantation, the probes are connected to a manifold connector which is in turn connected to an external control system capable of independently controlling the probes while monitoring various analog and digital values representative of system performance.

Abstract: Method and apparatus is disclosed for treating tissue interstitially with multiple modalities of treatment. The apparatus comprises a semi-rigid elongated member that is implanted interstitially in the malignant tumor. A hollow passageway is longitudinally positioned in the member for positioning one or more modalities inserted or positioned therein. The elongated member is coated with another modality such as a carrier substance that is responsive at a temperature above normal tissue temperature for releasing a carried substance such as a therapeutic anti-cancer drug. Within the elongated member, an electrical heater element for one modality produces heat when energized for heating the probe, the carrier substance, the anti-cancer drug, and the surrounding tissue. A second modality such as a source of radiation is inserted in the passageway after the probe is interstitially implanted. A trocar stylet is initially inserted in the passageway to implant the probe.

Abstract: The head of a patient is held in place horizontally on the indexable sliding cradle of an X-ray scanner by a vertical ring encircling the head having radiolucent rests supporting the head behind the ears at the mastoid processes and beneath the eyes at the cheekbone area. Adjustable horizontally-projecting instrument support structure is carriage-mounted on an arcuate track in the ring between the forward rests and has a horizontally-bored instrument guide-holder of such density as to appear on an X-ray scan and positionable adjacent to the head with its horizontal bore in the plane of any indexable scanning section of the X-ray scanner. By scanning the head and adjacent guide holder, the holder may be positioned with its bore in the same plane as and on a line directed to a point of interest in the brain. Thereafter, the holder may be utilized to guide a surgical needle to the point of interest.

Abstract: The head of a patient is held in place horizontally on the indexable sliding cradle of an X-ray scanner by a vertical ring encircling the head having radiolucent rests supporting the head behind the ears at the mastoid processes and beneath the eyes at the cheekbone area. Adjustable horizontally-projecting instrument support structure is carriage-mounted on an arcuate track in the ring between the forward rests and has a horizontally-bored instrument guide-holder of such density as to appear on an X-ray scan and positionable adjacent to the head with its horizontal bore in the plane of any indexable scanning section of the X-ray scanner. By scanning the head and adjacent guide holder, the holder may be positioned with its bore in the same plane as and on a line directed to a point of interest in the brain. Thereafter, the holder may be utilized to guide a surgical needle to the point of interest.