Abstract: A transnasal delivery method for treating or preventing Parkinson's disease using photobiomodulation. An optical system is provided including a light source and an optical fiber. The optical system is advanced through the nasal cavity until a distal end of the optical fiber is positioned inside the sphenoidal sinus. Then the light source is activated to irradiate substantia nigra brain tissue with an effective amount of light in the treatment or prevention of Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: A system for stimulating the release of satiety hormone in a subject comprises a stimulus device which is implantable in the subject and adapted to apply an electrical stimulus to a tissue of a gastrointestinal system of said subject, and a detection device which is implantable in the subject and adapted to continuously monitoring at least one of a mechanical characteristic and an electrical characteristic of the subject to detect an ingestion of food by said subject, wherein the detection device cooperates with the stimulus device such that the stimulus device applies said electrical stimulus in response to a detected ingestion of food.

Abstract: An implantable system for stimulating the release of satiety hormone in a subject comprises a stimulus device which is implantable in the subject and adapted to apply an electrical stimulus to a tissue of a gastrointestinal system of said subject, and a detection device which is implantable in the subject and adapted to continuously monitoring at least one of a mechanical characteristic and an electrical characteristic of the subject to detect an ingestion of food by said subject, wherein the detection device cooperates with the stimulus device such that the stimulus device applies said electrical stimulus in response to a detected ingestion of food.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting meal intake are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, one or more sensors can be used to detect or monitor physiological parameters of a user (e.g., heart rate, body movements, temperature, pH, impedance, gastric stretch, sound emissions, and the like). The outputs of the sensors can be received by a computer system configured to analyze the sensor data and make a determination as to whether meal intake has occurred or is presently occurring. The computer system's determination can be used to trigger, modulate, or otherwise control one or more therapeutic devices. Other types of devices can also be controlled using this determination, such as monitoring or logging devices.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting meal intake are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, one or more sensors can be used to detect or monitor physiological parameters of a user (e.g., heart rate, body movements, temperature, pH, impedance, gastric stretch, sound emissions, and the like). The outputs of the sensors can be received by a computer system configured to analyze the sensor data and make a determination as to whether meal intake has occurred or is presently occurring. The computer system's determination can be used to trigger, modulate, or otherwise control one or more therapeutic devices. Other types of devices can also be controlled using this determination, such as monitoring or logging devices.

Abstract: An implantable system for stimulating the release of satiety hormone in a subject comprises a stimulus device (11) which is implantable in the subject and adapted to apply an electrical stimulus to a tissue of a gastrointestinal system of said subject, and a detection device which is implantable in the subject and adapted to continuously monitoring at least one of a mechanical characteristic and an electrical characteristic of the subject to detect an ingestion of food by said subject, wherein the detection device cooperates with the stimulus device (11) such that the stimulus device (11) applies said electrical stimulus in response to a detected ingestion of food.

Abstract: Integrated tools for noninvasively reading and adjusting an implantable, magnetically adjustable valve, and methods of use are disclosed. The tools include magnetic or electronic reading of the valve, and magnetic or electromagnetic adjustment of the valve. In use, the tools are positioned above or in contact with the patient's skin, in proximity to the valve.

Abstract: An assembly for connecting a support element to a bone. The assembly comprises: a bone screw having a head at one end of a threaded shaft; and a clamp comprising: a base at a first end of the clamp delimiting an opening for receiving the head of the bone screw; and at least two side members extending from the base towards a second end of the clamp. The head of the bone screw and the clamp are configured to allow the head of the bone screw to be inserted into the base from the direction of the first end at a first orientation of the base to the bone screw, and to retain an inserted bone screw within the base at a second orientation of the base relative to the bone screw. This allows the screw to be inserted into the bone without requiring prior assembly of the screw and clamp. It also allows later revision whereby the clamp can be removed from the screw without requiring an implanted screw to be removed from the bone.

Abstract: Devices and related methods are provided for the controlled delivery of a therapeutic to a targeted location within a body. More particularly, methods and devices are provided for controlling the rate of passage of an orally administered pill through a body, as well as for controlling the delivery of a therapeutic within the pill at a specific location within the body. Various types of devices, generally referred to herein as “catchers,” are provided that can actively catch a pill as it passes through a body. The catcher can hold the pill at a specific location within the body until a predetermined event occurs, such as partial or complete administration of a therapeutic within the pill. The catcher can then release the pill upon command and/or upon the occurrence of the predetermined event to allow the pill to pass out of the body. In other embodiments, various types of pills are provided that can actively engage a catcher and remain engaged with the catcher until a predetermined event occurs.

Abstract: Integrated tools for noninvasively reading and adjusting an implantable, magnetically adjustable valve, and methods of use are disclosed. The tools include magnetic or electronic reading of the valve, and magnetic or electromagnetic adjustment of the valve. In use, the tools are positioned above or in contact with the patient's skin, in proximity to the valve.

Abstract: An assembly for connecting a support element to a bone. The assembly comprises: a bone screw having a head at one end of a threaded shaft; and a clamp comprising: a base at a first end of the clamp delimiting an opening for receiving the head of the bone screw; and at least two side members extending from the base towards a second end of the clamp. The head of the bone screw and the clamp are configured to allow the head of the bone screw to be inserted into the base from the direction of the first end at a first orientation of the base to the bone screw, and to retain an inserted bone screw within the base at a second orientation of the base relative to the bone screw. This allows the screw to be inserted into the bone without requiring prior assembly of the screw and clamp. It also allows later revision whereby the clamp can be removed from the screw without requiring an implanted screw to be removed from the bone.

Abstract: A device (10) for delivering a surgical implant (14) comprises a guide track (11) for guiding the movement of a spinal implant (14) to an implantation site. An implant carrier (12) engages the implant in the guide track and can move along the guide track in order to deliver the implant to the implantation site, the carrier (12) including a connector (15) which can be displaced between a connected position in which the implant is connected to the carrier to move with it in the guide track, and a disconnected position in which the implant can be separated from the carrier. A driving device (13) can engage the implant carrier to move the carrier (12) along the track. A formation can cause the connector (15) on the implant carrier (12) to be displaced from the connected to the disconnected position when the carrier reaches a pre-determined position.

Abstract: A vertebral-column device that is suitable to be received in an intervertebral space between two dorsal vertebrae, the prosthesis comprising a curved strip of biocompatible material. The width of the strip being such that after placement, the strip makes contact with the vertebrae. The strip is manufactured from a material that can undergo great deformations before permanent deformation arises. The strip is curved in a shape in which the extremities are situated apart from one another and the radius of the curved parts and the thickness of the strip are chosen in such a way that when the strip is bent out into an approximately straight strip, scarcely any permanent deformation arises. Thus, the strip which has been bent out into an approximately straight strip is capable of being introduced into an intervertebral space where the strip assumes its original curved shape.