Abstract: A garment includes body portions for overlying at least portions of an anatomical feature, to keep the anatomical feature warm, an opening formed in the body portions, and flexible portions associated with the opening in the body portions. The flexible portions allow portions of the garment to be folded away from an initial position on the anatomical feature, and to be returned to the initial position to cover the selected portions of the anatomical feature. The flexible portions of the garment facilitate placement and positioning of a probe, sensor or other monitoring equipment to be placed on selected portions of the anatomical feature while maintaining the warmth of the anatomical feature.

Abstract: A hinge pin joint for facilitating precise separation of the jaws of a spring clip, including a base cylinder with a threaded bore, supports extending laterally out from the base cylinder, pin supports capable of pivoting, and stabilizing wings extending from the pin supports. In one embodiment, the capability of pivoting includes pins that are integral with the pin supports and which extend out laterally from the pin support. An alternate embodiment includes aligned opening in the pin supports into which pins may be inserted. At least one stopper may be disposed on at least one of the pin supports for supporting the upper shell. The stabilizing wings are configured as plates that are semi-rigidly secured in guide structures within the lower shell.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus is provided, including: a hollow cylindrical sleeve having a first side and a second side disposed on two end openings thereof, respectively; an electrode disposed on the first side of the sleeve for measuring a signal; a conductive line electrically connected to the electrode for transmitting the signal measured by the electrode; and a siphoning portion having a suction port connected and tightly sealed with the second side of the sleeve and an outlet port for discharging gas from the sleeve, thus creating a vacuum effect to enable the electrode to be sucked to the head of a subject. Therefore, the present invention avoids the conventional drawback of discomfort of the subject caused by the use of a conductive material.

Abstract: A bio-signal sensor is provided, including: a dry electrode having a plurality of probes and a plurality of contacts correspondingly and electrically connected to the probes, wherein each of the probes senses and transmits an electrical signal to the corresponding contact; and a kit replaceably disposed between the dry electrode and a bio-signal measurement device and having a functional circuit for capturing the electrical signals from the contacts so as to generate a bio-signal and a signal output terminal electrically connected to the functional circuit for transmitting the bio-signal to the bio-signal measurement device.

Abstract: This document describes heart rate detection with multi-use capacitive touch sensors. Fluctuations in capacitance are detected (802) using capacitive touch sensors. These capacitive touch sensors are also used to detect touch inputs to control operations of a computing device. When contact of a person's hand with the computing device is detected, the capacitive touch sensors produce raw capacitance data that indicates detected capacitance fluctuations. The raw capacitance data is extracted (902) from the capacitive touch sensors using a modified device driver that bypasses default driver configurations that ignore fluctuations in capacitance due to heartbeats. Times during which the person's hand contacts the computing device and locations of the contact are determined (804) from the raw capacitance data indicative of the fluctuations. The extracted raw capacitance data is then processed to determine the person's heart rate (806, 808).

Abstract: A system and method that enables a person to unobtrusively assess their cognitive function from mobile device usage. The method records on the mobile device the occurrence and timing of user events comprising the opening and closing of applications resident on the device, the characters inputted, touch-screen gestures made, and voice inputs used on those applications, performs the step of learning a function mapping from the mobile device recordings to measurements of cognitive function that uses a loss function to determine relevant features in the recording, identifies a set of optimal weights that produce a minimum of the loss function, creates a function mapping using the optimal weights, and performs the step of applying the learned function mapping to a new recording on the mobile device to compute new cognitive function values.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring a subject are described. A monitoring device configured to be attached to a body of a subject includes a sensor that is configured to detect and/or measure physiological information from the subject and a motion sensor configured to detect and/or measure subject motion information. The physiological sensor and motion sensor are in communication with a processor that is configured to receive and analyze signals produced by the physiological sensor and motion sensor. The processor is configured to process motion sensor signals to identify an activity characteristic of the subject. Once an activity characteristic is determined, the processor is configured to select a biometric signal extraction algorithm or circuit in response to the activity characteristic of the subject, and then process physiological sensor signals via the biometric signal extraction algorithm or circuit to produce physiological information about the subject.

Abstract: A photoelectric type pulse signal measuring method includes, obtaining a main-path light signal transmitted by a photoelectric transmitter and reflected back from a surface of skin having an artery underneath, obtaining at least one auxiliary-path light signal receiving an ambient light signal, and based on the at least one auxiliary-path light signal, adaptively filtering an ambient light interference from the main-path light signal and obtaining an adaptive filtration result; or obtaining at least one auxiliary-path light signal transmitted by the same photoelectric transmitter and reflected back from a surface of skin without any artery underneath, and based on the auxiliary-path light signal, adaptively filtering a motion interference from the main-path light signal; then extracting a pulse signal from the adaptive filtration result. The present invention can simply and effectively eliminate the ambient light interference or motion interference upon photoelectric pulse signal measurement.

Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosed technology relates to reducing respiratory-induced motion artifacts for accelerated imaging. In one embodiment, magnetic resonance data may be acquired for an area of a subject containing the heart. The acquired data may include motion-corrupted data due to respiration of the subject. From the acquired data, an image may be independently reconstructed for each of a plurality of time frames, with each time frame corresponding to one of a plurality of heartbeats. A region containing the heart of the subject may be automatically detected in the reconstructed images, and rigid motion registration may be performed on the region of the reconstructed images containing the heart. Based on the rigid motion registration, a linear phase shift for motion correction may be determined.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. A method for removing an artifact of a biological reference signal present in a biological source signal may comprise sensing a biological reference signal with one or more electrodes and sensing a biological source signal, wherein the biological source signal comprises an artifact of the biological reference signal. The method may further comprise determining, based on the biological reference signal, the artifact of the biological reference signal and subtracting the artifact of the biological reference signal from the sensed biological source signal.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system or biological sensor configured to detect an adverse biological condition from a comparative measurement from two or more body parts. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method, which can comprise, via an input/output device, rendering an alert of hypoglycemia risk. The hypoglycemia risk can be determined based upon a strength of an automatically determined pattern in blood glucose data. The blood glucose data can comprise new blood glucose data and/or a set of pre-existing blood glucose data. The automatically determined pattern can be determined based upon a calculation of at least two metrics.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system or biological sensor configured to detect an adverse biological condition from a comparative measurement from two or more body parts. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A computed tomography apparatus including a gantry rotated along a rail in the shape of a ring is provided. The computed tomography apparatus according to an embodiment includes an x-ray source to radiate x-rays, an x-ray detector to detect the x-rays, a gantry at which the x-ray source and the x-ray detector are mounted, and a rail provided in the shape corresponding to an outer side surface of the gantry, and the gantry is configured to rotate along an inner side surface of the rail.

Abstract: A patient support system is provided. The patient support system includes a support table including a first end and a second end. The patient support system also includes a patient support coupled to the support table and configured to support a subject during an imaging procedure, wherein a top surface of the patient support is angled relative to a bottom surface of the patient support to position a portion of the subject to be imaged to be orthogonal to an imaging scan plane while the patient support is extended from the second end.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the X-ray image diagnosis apparatus comprises an X-ray generator, an X-ray restriction unit, a first X-ray detector, a second X-ray detector, and a drive. The X-ray generator generates X-rays to be applied to a subject. The X-ray restriction unit is disposed between the subject and the X-ray generator to restrict X-rays outside an opening region which is formed using a metal plate. The first X-ray detector has a first detection region in which X-rays that pass through the subject are detected. The second X-ray detector has a second detection region which is smaller than the first detection region and which has a high spatial resolution. The drive moves the first and second X-ray detectors so that the second detection region includes an irradiation region of the subject formed by the opening region.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus for detecting particles of radiation comprising: a plurality of solid state semiconductor detector devices provided at spaced apart locations along a beam axis, the detector devices each being configured to generate an electrical signal indicative of passage of a particle through or absorption of a particle by the device; and at least one absorber portion configured to absorb at least a portion of an energy of a particle, wherein one said at least one absorber portion is provided in a particle path between at least one pair of adjacent detector devices, the apparatus being configured to provide an output signal indicative of the energy of a particle, the output signal provided being dependent on the electrical signals indicative of passage of a particle through or absorption of a particle by the devices.

Abstract: An accommodation apparatus that accommodates a radiation imaging apparatus, the accommodation apparatus comprising: an accommodation unit including a bottom surface, a first wall surface adjacent to the bottom surface, and a second wall surface adjacent to the bottom surface and provided at a position facing the first wall surface, wherein the length in a horizontal direction of the first wall surface adjacent to the bottom surface and the length in the horizontal direction of the second wall surface adjacent to the bottom surface are different.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention includes a novel informatics method for the integration of different variables or ontologies using an advanced unsupervised machine learning method which will be used to visualize factors not visible to the human observer. These factors can be unknown characteristics between imaging datasets and other factors which will provide insights into the structure of the data. This invention is called the Informatics Radiomics Integration System (IRIS), For example, using clinical data and radiological images, the present invention can determine the relationship between, the structure, clinical variables, histological variables and “distance or relationship” between each input parameter. This integration of information can be used to determine the association between the variables and the relationship to each other for improved diagnosis or for treatment response.

Abstract: A method of automatically configuring an X-ray imaging system for taking an X-ray image of an object includes, first, obtaining one or more depth images from one or more depth cameras covering at least an area covered by an X-ray bundle of an X-ray source. Then, a thickness of the object is determined from the depth image(s). Then, this thickness value is converted to a dose configuration of the X-ray imaging system by taking into account a transmission length of the X-ray bundle through the object and knowledge about tissue types being imaged.

Abstract: A catheter for positioning a valve during a transcatheter aortic valve replacement is formed from a resilient hollow body conformable to a guide wire when a guide wire is passed in through an upper opening in the hollow body and through the hollow body. When the guide wire is retracted, the catheter deploys to form a substantially straight upper shaft portion that extends downwardly from the upper opening and a distal ring perpendicular to the upper shaft portion. The distal ring approximates the size and shape of the patient's aortic valve annulus. A lower loop connects the upper shaft portion of the catheter to the distal ring. An outer surface of the distal ring is radiopaque, and the distal ring comprises openings for dispersing radio opaque medium used in imaging of the patient's aortic valve annulus.

Abstract: A method of calibrating an x-ray computed tomography machine provides an x-ray computed tomography machine having calibration settings, and uses the x-ray computed tomography machine to produce a gauge reconstruction. The gauge has a first base supporting two or more objects, and a second base supporting two or more objects. The first base and the second base form a perpendicular configuration, and each of the plurality of objects is secured on at least one of the first base and the second base. Each of the objects has a center, and the distance between the centers of each object is known. The method then measures the distance between at least two objects to produce measured center distance values, compares the measured center distance values against the known center distance values, and uses the comparison to determine if there is a distance error in the gauge reconstruction.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a cardiac signal sensing circuit, a heart sound sensing circuit, and a signal processing circuit. The cardiac signal sensing circuit is configured to sense a plurality of cardiac signals representative of electrical cardiac activity of a subject. The heart sound sensing circuit is configured to sense a plurality of unfiltered heart sound signals representative of intrinsic mechanical cardiac activity of the subject. The signal processing circuit is configured to: detect an R-wave in a sensed cardiac signal and initiate a measurement window in a time relationship to the detected R-wave; determine amplitude of an S1 heart sound using a heart sound signal sensed during the measurement window; trend S1 heart sound amplitudes determined for the plurality of the unfiltered heart sound signals; and generate an alert when the trended S1 heart sound amplitude decreases below a threshold amplitude value.

Abstract: An echogenic needle may have at least one V-shaped spiral groove formed at its distal portion adjacent to its patient end. The walls of the groove are orthogonal to each other. The groove is titled at a given angle from a neutral position toward the proximal end of the needle so that when the needle is inserted into the patient at an insertion angle under ultrasound imaging, the ultrasound wave emitted from the ultrasound transducer is reflected in a substantially reverse direction back to the transducer by at least one wall of the spiral groove. A pair of crisscrossing grooves may be spirally wound about the distal portion of the needle with each groove being tilted to the given angle to enhance echogeneity. The echogeneity of the needle may also be enhanced by increasing the pitch density of each groove while maintaining the crisscrossing groves at their neutral position.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging diagnosis apparatus and a method for supporting safe and exact puncturing into a target region in a patient's body are provided. In the apparatus, a regions setting unit sets a target tumor region for puncturing, blood vessel and organ regions that are located near the tumor region based on 3-D volume data. To avoid insertions into blood vessel and organ regions, a needle position detecting unit detects the tip position and inserting direction of the needle before and during insertion. An expected inserting position calculating unit calculates an expected inserting position and an insertion error region to the tumor region based on the tip position data, inserting direction data and needle characteristic data. A puncturing navigation data generating unit generates puncturing navigation data by composing tumor region data, organ region and blood vessel regions data, and data relating to the expected inserting position and insertion error region.

Abstract: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of transmitting a push pulse with conditions for transmission and a number of transmissions set suitably to a subject.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the retention and stabilization of anatomy for ultrasound imaging are described. A system can include a vessel with a flexible membrane covering an opening, a fluid pressure sensor, a pump, and a pump controller for adding and removing fluid from the vessel until an optimum fluid pressure value or range of values is achieved. A method can include identifying an optimum fluid pressure range or value for retaining a specified body part in a stable position against a flexible membrane, monitoring the pressure of fluid in a vessel having the flexible membrane covering an opening, and directing a pump to add or remove fluid until the optimum fluid pressure value or range of values is achieved.

Abstract: This invention provides a technique to dynamically set an imaging parameter appropriate for observing a region of interest on an object to generate a high-quality echogram while maintaining the operability to change the position and orientation of a probe. A region-of-interest acquisition unit acquires region information that defines the region of interest. A position and orientation acquisition unit acquires position and orientation information representing the position and orientation of a probe. A parameter deciding unit obtains an imaging parameter based on the positional relationship between an imaging range decided based on the position and orientation information and the region of interest defined by the region information, and outputs the obtained imaging parameter to an imaging unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasonic probe in which a supporting member is provided with a buffer unit to mitigate an outside impact. The ultrasonic probe includes a transducer rotatably provided, a shaft having the transducer mounted thereto, and a supporting member rotatably supporting the shaft, wherein the supporting member is provided with a buffer unit to mitigate an outside impact.

Abstract: A robust algorithm is disclosed for real-time strain imaging. The method can be implemented on conventional medical imaging modalities such as ultrasound, MRI, etc. The pre- and post-deformation images, acquired by an imaging system, are used by the algorithm to produce the strain map. Deformation can be performed by any available means, such as an existing part of the imaging device (as in freehand elastography) or a separate compression fixture. Due to the computational efficiency of the algorithm, any conventional processing platform, including personal computers, tablet PCs, and smart phones can be employed for strain imaging, to construct an ultra-portable strain imaging system.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that transmits a push pulse for focusing ultrasonic waves on a specific part of a subject to physically press tissues using an ultrasound probe, repeatedly transmits and receives the ultrasonic waves to and from the subject, and detects a propagation state of shear waves in a region of interest, includes: a push pulse transmission unit that transmits the push pulse; a displacement detection unit that transmits detection waves to the subject, receives reflected detection waves, generates a plurality of received signals in time series, and detects displacement of the tissues; an elasticity measurement unit that analyzes the propagation state of the shear waves and measures elasticity of each tissue; a probe movement detection unit that detects a moving speed of the ultrasound probe; a sequence holding unit that holds a plurality of operation sequences; and a sequence selection unit that selects one operation sequence.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an ultrasound imaging apparatus for dividing obtained ultrasound image information into pieces of image information in units of regions of a human body, mapping a body marker to the pieces of image information corresponding to the body marker, and outputting a result of mapping the body marker to the pieces of image information; and a method of controlling the same. The ultrasound imaging apparatus includes an image processor configured to obtain image information from an object, a controller configured to divide the obtained image information into pieces of image information in units of regions of a human body and map a body marker to the pieces of image information corresponding to the body marker, and a user interface unit configured to output a result of mapping the body marker to the pieces of image information.

Abstract: Methods and systems for segmenting structures in medical images are provided. The methods and systems drive a plurality of transducer element, and collect receive signals from the transducer array at a receive beamformer to form beam summed signals. The methods and systems generate a first ultrasound image of a region of interest (ROI) having tissue elements and blood elements, and generate a second ultrasound image of the ROI having tissue elements and blood elements. The tissue elements of the first ultrasound image having a higher intensity than the blood elements. The blood elements of the second ultrasound image having a higher intensity than the tissue elements. The methods and systems further perform segmentation by simultaneously applying edge detection on the first and second ultrasound images for the ROI.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a system that is adapted to simultaneously display photoacoustic and ultrasound images of the same object. An image combiner can perform spatial and temporal interpolation of the two images before generating a combined image. The combined image is then displayed on a display such as an LCD or CRT. The system is able to use motion estimates obtained from the ultrasound data to enhance the photoacoustic image thereby increasing its apparent frame rate, registering consecutive frames in order to reduce artifacts. The system is capable of generating combined ultrasound and photoacoustic images which are registered spatially and temporally.

Abstract: An apparatus includes: an analysis unit that analyzes a frequency of a signal generated based on an electric echo signal obtained from an ultrasound echo, the ultrasound echo being generated from ultrasound irradiated onto an observation target and reflected from the observation target, thereby calculating frequency spectra; an approximation unit that calculates features of the frequency spectra; a correction unit that performs attenuation correction for eliminating an effect of ultrasound attenuation on each of the features of the frequency spectra, using each of attenuation rate candidate values giving different attenuation characteristics when the ultrasound propagates through the observation target, thereby calculating corrected features of the frequency spectra; a setting unit that sets an optimum attenuation rate for the observation target from among the attenuation rate candidate values, using the corrected features; and a generation unit that generates feature image data based on the corrected feature

Abstract: The quality of ping-based ultrasound imaging is dependent on the accuracy of information describing the precise acoustic position of transmitting and receiving transducer elements. Improving the quality of transducer element position data can substantially improve the quality of ping-based ultrasound images, particularly those obtained using a multiple aperture ultrasound imaging probe, i.e., a probe with a total aperture greater than any anticipated maximum coherent aperture width. Various systems and methods for calibrating element position data for a probe are described.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods are disclosed in the present application. In one illustrative example a cell sample collection device may comprise an elongated shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal end and a tissue collection feature extending distal of the distal end of the elongated shaft. In at least some additional embodiments, at least a portion of the tissue collection feature may dissolve when placed in a fixation medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for self-collecting intravaginal sample for HPV test. The self-collecting intravaginal sample apparatus of the present invention comprises: an open end part, a closed end part, a tube providing an inner space that a finger could enter to insert an apparatus into women's vagina, a collecting part collecting intravaginal sample and attached outer surface of the closed end of the tube, and a turner preventing the collecting part being contaminated from an outer contaminant; wherein the collecting part collects a sample from the vagina by turning over the tube inside out so that collecting part may place inside of the tube.

Abstract: A tool for deploying an anchor sleeve onto an implantable device includes handle and base members, which may be fitted together by an operator. The operator may select the handle member from a plurality thereof included in a kit; and the base member, also included in the kit, includes a rail segment with which a gripping portion of the selected handle member may be engaged, for example, via guidance from a marked portion of the base member. Once engaged, a deployment tip of the base member is located to move a mounted anchor sleeve from a tubular member of the handle member and onto a body of the device. The tubular member of some tools has a laterally offset distal end portion, on which the corresponding anchor sleeve is mounted; thus, kits including this type of handle member, may include a converter for the base member to facilitate engagement therewith.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to methods and devices for closing and/or sealing an opening in a vessel wall and/or an adjacent tissue tract. In some cases, the device includes a sheath having a distal end that can expand radially as needed. In some cases, the distal portion of the sheath is weakened so that it may tear in a predetermined manner. In some cases, the distal portion of the sheath is weakened so that it may deform plastically in a predetermined manner. In some cases, the distal portion of the sheath or the entire sheath may be folded so that it unfolds in a predetermined manner. In general, each of these sheaths may have a relatively small introduction profile, may have a distal portion that can expand to a larger diameter than the introduction profile during use, and can be collapsed again to a smaller profile for removal.

Abstract: A tissue closure device to assist in retrieving a suture during a suturing procedure, the device including an elongated body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending axially through the elongated body. The device further including an actuator rod at least partially extending through the lumen of the elongated body to actuate a plurality of wings and a plurality of shields attached to a distal end of the elongated body. The elongated body including at least one needle guide lumen with an opening an exit, the at least one needle guide lumen traversing the elongated body at an angle with respect to a central axis of the elongated body to guide a suture grasper to an enclosed suture retrieval cavity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical shield, wherein the shield includes one or more walls including at least one substantially smooth surface, the one or more walls individually or collectively forming a single substantially elongate member; and at least one attachment means directly or indirectly attached to the one or more walls for securing the shield in position during a surgery.

Abstract: A surgical traction apparatus according to the present invention includes a moving body portion including a magnetic body and configured to be inserted into a body, a hook portion configured to be connected to the moving body portion inside the body and pull an object inside the body, an operating portion configured to operate the moving body portion to move inside the body while moving outside the body, and a magnet portion configured to be mounted on the operating portion and be with adjustable magnetic strength.

Abstract: A clip is provided for managing access through tissue. The clip is placed around an opening in tissue, although the opening may alternatively be formed after the clip is deployed. The clip can expand when medical devices are introduced through the clip and through the opening. When the medical devices are removed, the clip closed automatically to substantially close the opening.

Abstract: A suture anchor assembly including a suture anchor that incorporates a harder distal tip with a softer proximal body. The tip and body of the suture anchor are connected via a threaded plug, which also serves to connect the suture anchor to an inserter.

Abstract: A surgical incision suturing device particularly suited for minimally invasive surgical procedures comprising a suturing mechanism built into a trocar stern that enables a surgeon to stitch a patient by utilizing controls on the exposed top portion of the trocar.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, and a cartridge receiving assembly. The body has an actuator. The cartridge receiving assembly includes a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw is movable relative to the second jaw between an open position and a closed position. The first and second jaws are configured to receive a suture cartridge therebetween when the first jaw is in the open position. The first and second jaws are configured to secure a suture cartridge therebetween and thereby operatively couple the actuator with the suture cartridge when the first jaw is in the closed position. The first jaw is further configured to receive a needle of the suture cartridge directly thereagainst when the first jaw is in the closed position such that the first jaw is configured to capture the needle within the suture cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for treating a patient includes a shaft assembly and a body assembly. The shaft assembly includes an articulation joint that is operable to selectively articulate a distal end portion relative to a proximal end portion. The body assembly includes a joint drive assembly, an actuator, and a clutch lock mechanism. The clutch lock mechanism is operatively connected between the actuator and the joint drive assembly. The actuator is configured to actuate the clutch lock mechanism from a locked state to an unlocked state. In the locked state, the clutch lock mechanism is configured to seize the joint drive assembly and inhibit movement of the articulation joint. In the unlocked state, the clutch lock mechanism is configured to transmit movement of the actuator to the joint drive assembly for moving the distal end portion of the shaft assembly.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, a cartridge receiving assembly, a suture cartridge, and a slip clutch. The cartridge receiving assembly has a transmission mechanism operatively connected to an actuator of the body. The suture cartridge is received within the cartridge receiving assembly and includes a needle and a drive assembly. The drive assembly is engaged with the transmission mechanism and is coupled with the needle for selectively driving the needle. The slip clutch is operatively connected to the actuator, the transmission mechanism, and the drive assembly such that the slip clutch is configured to transmit a force therethrough from the actuator toward the needle. The slip clutch is configured to slip under the influence of predetermined maximum force transmission therethrough to operatively disengage the needle from the actuator for limiting a driving force applied to the needle.

Abstract: An aiding and guiding instrument for surgical sutures includes a frame that can be rested on a patient proximate to a wound to be sutured and/or to flaps of body tissue and/or prosthetic tissue to be mutually fixed. The frame defines, on the other side from the area configured to be placed on the patient, a plurality of raised portions arranged in series. A least some of the raised portions are mutually spaced to define respective seats for accommodating blocks. In the gap between each block and each contiguous raised portion, it is possible to temporarily stably accommodate a respective portion of a suture thread. At least one portion of the frame, associated with the raised portions and seats, can be plastically deformed to maintain the shape obtained following a deformation imparted by a user, and freely select the frame shape, and of the mutual arrangement of the raised portions and blocks.