Abstract: The disclosure relates to a spacer in the form of an attachment (15) to be mounted to an endoscope (1), said attachment being formed like a cap, enclosing a spatial volume (16) and being made of an insulating material. The attachment (15) is further equipped with a mounting device/adapter (6) designed to be coupled to a distal end of the endoscope (1). The attachment (15) comprises an area (11) designed to be in contact with a target tissue and further forms an aperture (12) enclosing a surface area (12a). Within the spatial volume, there is arranged an electrode (9) comprising a distal (9b) and a proximal (9a) end, the distal (9b) end of the electrode (9) having a predetermined minimum distance to the closest point of the surface area (12a).

Abstract: A resection device comprising a cup-shaped cap for a shaft-type inserting means is disclosed which is fixed at the distal end of the shaft-type inserting means or is formed at the same and includes an expanding sleeve portion to which a spring-biased tissue clip is attached which can be withdrawn by means of a releasing or withdrawing device over the distal front edge of the cap. In accordance with the invention, inside the expanding sleeve portion a cutting device is arranged which is held at the inner wall of the expanding sleeve portion at a predetermined axial distance from the distal front edge of the cap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices, and methods for using the devices, to create and secure a tissue fold during an endoluminal medical procedure. The devices and methods may be used for folding and securing, for example, a fundus wall onto an esophagus), all or esophageal tissue in the region of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to reduce the diameter of the esophagus opening in that region. One aspect of the invention includes forming the tissue fold by closing a grasping arm that is pivotably connected to an overtube that has been positioned at the juncture of the fundus wall and esophagus wall. A further aspect of the invention includes tissue clips configured to be inserted and positioned through an endoluminal device.

Abstract: A surgical implant-cutting instrument of the bipolar type, operated with direct current, is disclosed, with an instrument head which is located at the distal end of an instrument shank and which is provided for minimally invasive insertion of the instrument into a patient's body, wherein at least two mutually opposing instrument branches, preferably of the linear type, are arranged on the instrument head and between them define a cutting gap for receiving an electrically conductive implant or implant section between them. According to the invention electrodes are formed on the mutually facing longitudinal sides of the branches or these are each equipped with at least one electrode, which electrodes are in turn shaped at their mutually facing longitudinal sides to form a cutting edge in order to effect a quasi linear or punctiform physical contact engagement with the electrically conductive implant or implant section for an electrical short circuit of the mutually opposing electrodes.

Abstract: A magnetic guiding device (robotics) for an intracorporeal object includes a motor-driven positioning device having a maximum of three degrees of freedom to be activated for translational motion of a connecting interface of the positioning device to which a magnetic end effector is connected or connectable, the latter including a maximum of two degrees of freedom to be activated for rotational motion of a magnetic field generator. At least one of the two degrees of freedom of the magnetic end effector is encased in an effector housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices, and methods for using the devices, to create and secure a tissue fold during an endoluminal medical procedure. The devices and methods may be used for folding and securing, for example, a fundus wall onto an esophagus wall or esophageal tissue in the region of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to reduce the diameter of the esophagus opening in that region. One aspect of the invention includes forming the tissue fold by closing a grasping arm that is pivotably connected to an overtube that has been positioned at the juncture of the fundus wall and esophagus wall. A further aspect of the invention includes tissue clips configured to be inserted and positioned through an endoluminal device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for obtaining feedback parameters related to the state of a dielectric elastomer (DE). The method comprises introducing a small-scale oscillation to the voltage difference between electrodes of the DE, monitoring or repeatedly measuring several measurable electrical characteristics of the DE, deriving other relevant data from the measurements, deriving an equation for a plane of best fit through the relevant data when defined as orthogonal axes, and deriving the feedback parameters from coefficients of the plane equation. The method thus provides important feedback regarding the capacitance, leakage current and/or electrode resistance of the DE. Also disclosed are a computer program and a system adapted to perform the method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanically-actuated switch comprising a deformable conductive element providing a conductive path between a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the effective geometry of the conductive element changes suddenly upon deformation to cause a disproportionately large change in a resistance between the first and second terminals. The switch can be made from lightweight and soft materials, and is particularly suited for integration with dielectric elastomer devices. Also disclosed are various circuits and a method for controlling circuits including the switch.

Abstract: An endoscope-like implanting instrument includes an endoscope cap having a holding and withdrawing mechanism for a tissue clip adapted to be slipped onto an expanding sleeve of the endoscope cap. The endoscope cap has a front groove opening at the front edge of the sleeve. A withdrawing thread radially crosses the front groove at an axial front cap portion. The instrument further includes a tissue grasping mechanism being shiftably inserted into the working channel for manually grasping and drawing the tissue inside the endoscope cap. A clamping mechanism is integrally arranged inside the endoscope cap in axial extension to the working channel, holding a capsule-like device and connected with the tissue clip via a thread, band or string such that the capsule-like device will be automatically detached by the grasping mechanism when being manually actuated for tissue grasping.

Abstract: The invention provides circuits, systems and methods for dielectric elastomer device (DED) self-sensing. The circuit comprises a first DED coupled or adapted for coupling to a first voltage source (for providing an actuating or priming signal, for example); a current sensor provided in series with the first DED; and an oscillating signal source coupled to the first DED and adapted to cause an oscillation in a voltage across the DED, wherein the oscillating signal source is decoupled from the first voltage source.

Abstract: A medical implant is disclosed, said implant having a flexible hollow body (1) which can be implanted inside the stomach (8) of a patient and which has a first tube-like end section (2) and a second tube-like end section (3), wherein the first tube-like end section (2) is dimensioned such that it can be fitted into the esophagus (7) of the patient, and the second tube-like end section (3) is dimensioned such that it can be connected to the small intestine loop (9) of the patent in a sealing manner.

Abstract: A portable bioelectric impedance monitor for monitoring extracellular fluid levels includes a tetrapolar electrode array lead with four electrodes arranged sequentially and axially along the lead, and circuitry coupled with the at least four electrodes configured to measure bioelectric impedance extracellular fluid in a human subject at a frequency of less than 15 kHz. The electrodes are adhered to a human subject/patient on the patient's torso or one of the patient's limbs. One embodiment includes a Tetrapolar Analog Front End Patient Interface circuit configured to convert two electrode operation of a commercial Impedance Converter, Network Analyzer into a tetrapolar operation for excitation and impedance measurement of the human subject.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for determining the capacitance between electrodes of an artificial muscle or dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA). The method comprises measuring the voltage difference between the electrodes of the DEA, the first derivative of that voltage with respect to time, and the total instantaneous current through the DEA, then calculating the capacitance of the DEA as the difference between the total instantaneous current through the DEA and the product of the voltage between the electrodes and an error term, divided by the first derivative of the voltage between the electrodes with respect to time. The capacitance may then be used to derive estimates of the leakage current, charge upon the DEA, and/or the physical state of the DEA, thereby implementing self-sensing to allow closed-loop feedback control of DEA actuation.

Abstract: The invention provides a passive converter comprising an input for electrical coupling to an intermittent or variable power source, an output for electrical coupling to load, and a conversion circuit for converting from a first voltage level of the input to a second voltage level suitable for the output, wherein the conversion circuit includes a passive switching circuit adapted to passively couple the input to the output when the input exceeds a first threshold and decouple the input from the output when the input falls below a second threshold. In particular, the passive switching circuit preferably comprises a spark gap, thyristor and avalanche diode, breakover diode, discharge tube, or a thyristor operated as breakover diodes. Circuits and dielectric elastomer generator (DEG) systems including the passive converter are also disclosed.

Abstract: A proctological instrument is disclosed comprising an instrument handle to which at its proximal end a bending-resistant tubular shaft is mounted at the distal end of which a cap is fixed or formed to which a tissue clip adapted to be withdrawn from the cap by means of a releasing or withdrawing device is attached in a preferably spring-elastic manner. In accordance with the invention, the tubular shaft is offset at its distal end portion in an area directly ahead of the cap and/or the cap itself is offset at a predetermined fixed angle so that the withdrawing direction for the clip defined by the cap is aligned at the angle with respect to the tubular shaft axis.

Abstract: Endoscopic devices and methods used for fastening multiple tissue layers, such as, for example, an endoscopic fundoplication procedure, are disclosed. The device may include, for example, an elongated tubular member having a proximal end for extending outside of the body and a distal end for positioning proximate the multiple tissue layers, a grasper configured for positioning proximate the distal end of the tubular member and for grasping at least one of the multiple tissue layers, a device coupled to the distal end of the tubular member for folding the multiple tissue layers together, a tissue fastener configured to be inserted into the tissue layers to hold the tissue layers together, and a fastener head for inserting the tissue fastener into the tissue layers.

Abstract: The present application relates to a medical gripping device (1) with a flexible shaft (2) with a front end (13) and a rear end (14) and a web (5) comprising at least one web element, wherein the web (4) is attached to the front end (3) of the shaft (2). The medical gripping device additionally has at least two branches (5, 6) which are hinged on the web (4), and at least two at least partly flexible control mechanisms (7, 151, 155, 8, 152, 156) which are at least partly arranged in the shaft (2), wherein each individual branch (5, 6) can be moved individually with respect to the web (4) by means of its individual control mechanism (7, 151, 155, 8, 152, 156). Furthermore, the medical gripping device has a grip (150) at the rear end (14) of the flexible shaft (2), by mans of which grip the medical gripping device (1) can be held and actuated.

Abstract: A full-thickness resection system is disclosed. In an embodiment for the resection system, the system may include a flexible shaft, a flexible guide member disposed within the flexible shaft, a stapling mechanism disposed around the flexible guide member, and a grasper. The stapling mechanism has an elongated portion that is at least partially disposed within the flexible shaft. The stapling mechanism includes a stapling arm and an anvil arm. The stapling arm has a longitudinal axis and includes a stapling head having a longitudinal axis. The anvil includes an anvil head. The stapling arm and anvil arm extend from the elongated portion of the stapling mechanism and are moveable with respect to each other between a tissue receiving position and a stapling position. The grasper extends through the flexible shaft and is adapted to grasp a portion of a tissue that is to be excised from an organ in the patient's body.

Abstract: The invention provides an actuator for an electric motor and an electric motor including said actuator. The actuator includes one or more body formed from a dielectric elastomer, each body having at least one active region that is directly or indirectly coupled to a drive means. The active regions are arranged such that, in use, actuation thereof causes driven means to move with components in at least first and second directions, preferably within a plane of the body.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of the formula (I): and salts, tautomers, solvates and N-oxides thereof; wherein Q is CH or N; X is N, N+—O? or CR3; Y is N, N+—O? or CR3a; R1 and R2 are independently selected from hydrogen and various substituents as defined in the claims; or R1 and R2 together with the atoms to which they are attached, link to form an optionally substituted carbocyclic or heterocyclic aromatic or non-aromatic ring of 4 to 7 members; R3 is selected from hydrogen and various substituents; and R3a is selected from hydrogen and various substituents as defined in the claims. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds of formula (I), processes for making the compounds and the medical uses of the compounds. The compounds of formula (I) have activity as inhibitors of CDK kinases and are useful in the treatment of inter alia proliferative diseases such as cancers.