Abstract: A surgical apparatus used in an ostomy procedure includes an introducer configured for atraumatic insertion in a tissue opening and a dilator. The dilator includes an elongate body and an extension movably coupled to the elongate body. A distal portion of the elongate body is disposed within and axially movable relative to the introducer between first and second positions. The extension is configured to move from a retracted state to an expanded state in response to movement of the dilator relative to the introducer from the first position to the second position. In the retracted state, the extension is disposed within the introducer, and in the expanded state the extension projects laterally outward from the distal portion of the elongate body.

Abstract: A guide wire configured for intravascular insertion includes a core wire having a flattened portion configured to allow the core wire to preferentially bend in at least one plane that passes through a longitudinal axis of the core wire. A distal most end of the flattened portion is spaced from a distal most end of the core wire. The guide wire may further include a sensor element configured to measure a physiological variable in a living body and a coil surrounding a portion of the core wire.

Abstract: A guidewire includes a core shaft, a coil body disposed around an outer periphery of the core shaft, and a resin layer. The resin layer includes a proximal end part disposed around an outer periphery of the coil body; a distal end part located between the core shaft and the coil body distal to the proximal end part and having an outer diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the proximal end part; and a tapered part located between the proximal end part and the distal end part and having an outer diameter that decreases in the distal direction. The distal end part of the coil body is not covered with the resin layer. The guidewire has improved rotation performance (operativity) while maintaining insertability, and a risk that a distal end the resin layer will detach from the guidewire is reduced.

Abstract: A medical tube includes a connection portion that is removably attached to an end of a catheter including a guide wire lumen through which a guide wire is inserted and a tube main body that includes a lumen through which the guide wire is inserted. The lumen communicates with the guide wire lumen while being attached to the end of the catheter through the connection portion.

Abstract: A guide wire includes a long flexible wire main body, and a coil that is formed by winding a plurality of wires in a spiral shape, and which is disposed at an outer periphery of a distal portion of the wire main body to cover the distal portion. The coil includes a coil distal portion that is disposed on a distal side in the distal portion, a coil proximal portion that is disposed on a further proximal side in comparison to the coil distal portion, and a coil intermediate portion that is disposed between the coil distal portion and the coil proximal portion, and includes a wire having a wire diameter that is smaller than a wire diameter of the wires of the coil distal portion and the coil proximal portion.

Abstract: The present invention is an inflatable balloon which is enclosed by an expandable cover which becomes increasingly porous/permeable during expansion. The balloon is coated or enclosed with a matrix which contains a pharmaceutically active agent. During expansion of the balloon, the pharmaceutically active agent is released or extruded through the expandable cover into a body cavity such as an artery or vein. The present invention also provides for a method of treating a disease or condition by delivering the inflatable balloon to a particular body cavity.

Abstract: A method may include accessing an artery in communication with an ophthalmic artery of a subject, and advancing a microcatheter along the accessed artery so as to align a distal end of the microcatheter with an ostium of the ophthalmic artery, wherein the microcatheter includes a lumen having a guidewire positioned therein. In addition, the method includes proximally withdrawing the guidewire relative to the microcatheter so as to enable a distal portion of the microcatheter to assume a curved relaxed configuration, and cannulating the ostium with the distal portion of the microcatheter when the distal portion is in the curved relaxed configuration.

Abstract: A flushable valve which has unidirectional flushing can be used to flush a lumen of a stem, catheter and/or tubing. By flushing the stent, catheter and/or tubing, particulates or residue that can block or impede the flow of fluid out of the stent, catheter and/or tubing can be overcome thereby facilitating continued drainage. An automatic flushable valve eliminates manual manipulation of the device. In an embodiment of the invention, a back pressure sensor can be used to detect when the flow through the stent, catheter and/or tubing has become impeded and activates a flushing cycle. In an embodiment of the invention, a leak detector can be used to detect when an operation has caused the flush device to leak. In various embodiments of the invention, the back pressure sensor and the leak detector can be used to detect that the flush device is operating under normal conditions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for flushing shunt systems are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a flusher includes a pinch tube that extends over a flush dome such that a user can simultaneously close the pinch tube and actuate the flush dome with a single motion. Flushing and refill valves of the system can be disposed in a cartridge that is laterally-offset from the flush dome, advantageously reducing the height profile of the flusher. Flushers with integrated shunt valves are also disclosed, as are shunt systems with restricted and unrestricted modes for selectively limiting the instances in which a user can open an auxiliary flow path through the system.

Abstract: The invention pertains to implantable medical devices for controlled delivery of therapeutic agents. Some devices according to the invention have a titanium reservoir, and a porous titanium oxide based membrane to control the rate of release of the therapeutic agent. The reservoir contains a formulation of the active agent, and means to promote water uptake into the reservoir upon implantation. In some embodiments the means include a gas with a higher solubility in than air water.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for delivery of fluid to a wound therapy dressing. In exemplary embodiments, a pressure source provides negative pressure to a wound dressing and positive pressure to an actuator that expels fluid from a fluid reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine composed of at least one immune stimulant and radiofrequency waves using capacitive coupling and to a method, especially an in-situ and in vivo vaccination method for treatment of primary cancer and its metastases even in disseminated cell-states, which cannot be detected by presently available imaging methods or for prevention of relapse of the cancer disease, and especially for enabling and supporting the patient's own immune system to recognize and kill the cancer cells and to build up a memory to prevent relapse of a cancer disease.

Abstract: A vascular access port includes a base with a floor. A cap is engaged with the base to form a reservoir above the floor as a septum seals the reservoir in a fluid-tight manner. An outlet is in fluid communication with the reservoir. At least one of the base and cap is formed by metal injection molding. The cap and base may be engaged with a snap fit connection or a rotatable connection. The fluid communication may be along a non-tangential non-radial flow path. The flow path may be asymmetrical and may also include textured walls.

Abstract: A method for power injection of fluids through an access port includes implanting the access port in a patient, palpating the access port, imaging the access port, and introducing contrast media into the patient through the access port at a rate in a range from about two milliliters per second to about five milliliters per second. The access port may include a housing, a first septum, a second septum, and a radiographic indicator. The first septum and the second septum may respectively cover a first reservoir and a second reservoir of the access port. The first septum may include a first sub-pattern of protrusions and the second septum may include a second sub-pattern of protrusions. The radiographic indicator may include a first portion including information pertaining to the first sub-pattern, and a second portion including information pertaining to the second sub-pattern. The imaging identifies the radiographic indicator.

Abstract: A medical connector for use in a fluid pathway includes a housing configured to permit fluid flow between a first medical device and a second device or location. The medical connector includes a valve member configured to be positioned at least partially within the housing. The valve member is configured to receive the first medical device. The valve member can be moved into a second state. The connector can be adapted for use with a catheter assembly.

Abstract: An infusion set system includes a base and a fluid connector removably coupleable thereto. The fluid connector includes a fluid path portion and at least one connector latch displaceably connected to the fluid path portion and displaceable to a latching position in which at least a portion of the connector latch extends into the fluid path portion, which includes a cannula extending from a top interior surface thereof, and a plurality of internal sidewalls corresponding to at least two of a plurality of flat side surfaces of at least one of a base section and a base latch, thereby facilitating connection between the base and the fluid connector in a plurality of discrete rotational connecting positions. When the fluid connector is locked to the base, the at least one connector latch engages a base latching portion of the base and restricts proximal displacement of the fluid connector.

Abstract: A neuromodulation therapy is delivered via at least one electrode implanted subcutaneously and superficially to a fascia layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. In one example, an implantable medical device is deployed along a superficial surface of a deep fascia tissue layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. Electrical stimulation energy is delivered to the nerve through the deep fascia tissue layer via implantable medical device electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bio-electrode composition capable of forming a living body contact layer for a bio-electrode that is excellent in conductivity and biocompatibility, is light-weight, can be manufactured at low cost, and can control significant reduction in conductivity even though the bio-electrode is soaked in water or dried. The present invention is accomplished by a bio-electrode composition including an ionic material and a resin, in which the ionic material is a lithium salt, a sodium salt, a potassium salt, a calcium salt, or an ammonium salt of sulphonamide represented by the following general formula (1).

Abstract: Implant tools and techniques for implantation of a medical lead, catheter or other component are provided. The implant tools and techniques are particularly useful in implanting medical electrical leads in extravascular locations, including subcutaneous locations. An implant tool for implanting a medical lead may include a handle and a shaft adjacent the handle. The shaft has a proximal end, a distal end, and an open channel that extends from near the proximal end to the distal end, the open channel having a width that is greater than or equal to an outer diameter of the implantable medical lead.

Abstract: The problem of a potentially high amount of supra-threshold charge passing through the patient's tissue at the end of an Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG) program is addressed by circuitry that periodically dissipates only small amount of the charge stored on capacitances (e.g., DC-blocking capacitors) during a pulsed post-program recovery period. This occurs by periodically activating control signals to turn on passive recovery switches to form a series of discharge pulses each dissipating a sub-threshold amount of charge. Such periodic pulsed dissipation may extend the duration of post-program recovery, but is not likely to be noticeable by the patient when the programming in the IPG changes from a first to a second program. Periodic pulsed dissipation of charge may also be used during a program, such as between stimulation pulses.

Abstract: Methods for calculating a MetaKG signal are provided. The method including illuminating a region of interest in a sample with a near-infrared (NIR) light source and/or a visible light source; acquiring images of the region of interest; processing the acquired images to obtain metadata associated with the acquired images; and calculating the MetaKG signal from the metadata associated with the acquired images. Related systems and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates, generally, to scientific and medical system methods for diagnosis of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) lead conductor anomalies, in particular conductor migration and externalization within an ICD implantable cardiac lead. The method uses an “imaginary” component of the high frequency transmission line impedance having certain spectral changes that correspond to movements of the conductor or an “imaginary impedance”. This allows the detection of conductor migration and small insulation failures.

Abstract: In an exercise instrument controller, a type determination unit specifies, from among a plurality of types, the type of exercise for which an exercise instrument is used. An association determination unit specifies association between a body part that is exercised and the exercise instrument based on the type that has been specified. A setting processing unit sets an operation detail of the exercise instrument based on user's manipulation. An instrument control unit controls, by transmitting information indicating an operation detail for each exercise instrument based on the association between the body part and the exercise instrument that has been specified and the operation detail that has been set, exercise by the exercise instrument. A display control unit controls a screen display regarding the association between the body part and the exercise instrument, the operation detail, and an exercising status.

Abstract: Neuromodulation devices and methods of their use are described in which a therapeutic device is configured to generate a treatment for treating pain such as the reduction of the symptoms of chronic and acute pain as well as for treating other conditions. The neuromodulation device generates an output electrical signal in the form of pulses with a fast rise-time spike waveform followed by a longer-duration, lower amplitude primary phase waveform. The output signal includes a broad range of frequency components, with time constants tuned so as to interact with specific cell membrane or cellular components. The output signal may be conducted to the patient via electrodes. The pulses are triggered at variable intervals which prevent habituation.

Abstract: The exemplified systems and methods facilitate a nerve conduction block at a target nerve using electrical stimulation applied from one or more electrodes located on a percutaneous lead that are placed in parallel, or substantially in parallel, and without direct contact, to a long axis of the peripheral nerve over an overlapping nerve region of greater than about 3 millimeters. The exemplified system and method can be further configured to block nerve condition without eliciting onset activity and co-excitation of non-targeted structures. The exemplified method and system can be performed using conventional percutaneous leads, though an improved percutaneous lead design is disclosed herein. In an aspect, an introducer is disclosed that facilitates accurate and consistent insertion of the percutaneous lead to the specified or intended position relative to the target nerve. In another aspect, a treatment kit comprising the various system components to treat pain is disclosed.

Abstract: A frequency therapy device 10 is characterized by comprising a main device unit 20 that passes, between a pair of electrode pads 12, 12, a current corresponding to a predetermined voltage waveform, and a waveform memory 22 that is provided therein and stores a plurality of voltage waveforms at different frequencies, and in that: the waveform memory 22 stores the voltage waveforms in any of N waveform storage regions 22-1 to 22-N for each of N frequencies as waveform data comprising a square wave with a sampling frequency of 192 kHz or more and a number of quantization bits of 24 or more; the waveform data is read from the waveform memory 22 for each frequency, the waveform data is converted to an analog waveform by a D/A converter 24 during a preset time, and a current corresponding to the voltage waveform is passed between the electrode pads 12, 12; and the waveform memory 22 repeatedly and successively stores the waveform data for every set time for each frequency.

Abstract: A cochlear implant configured to be implanted within a patient may comprise an integrated circuit including a driver configured to generate a back telemetry signal encoded with information to be transmitted over a wireless communication link to a sound processor located external to the patient. The cochlear implant may also comprise a filter network that includes a first plurality of impedance components including a damping resistor, and a first and a second impedance component such as a capacitor or an inductor. The cochlear implant may also comprise an isolation network including a second plurality of impedance components configured to isolate, from the filter network and the driver, a forward telemetry signal received by the cochlear implant from the sound processor.

Abstract: Electrode structures for transvascular nerve stimulation combine electrodes with an electrically-insulating backing layer. The backing layer increases the electrical impedance of electrical paths through blood in a lumen of a blood vessel and consequently increases the flow of electrical current through surrounding tissues. The electrode structures may be applied to stimulate nerves such as the phrenic, vagus, trigeminal, obturator or other nerves.

Abstract: A system for electro-therapeutically treating a patient includes a stimulatory device electromagnetically coupled with the nervous system of a patient, an electrical power supply, and a control mechanism structured to energize the stimulatory device by way of the electrical power supply at a stimulation frequency. The control mechanism is further structured to control the energizing so as to produce a treatment signal encoded in the energizing and having a treatment signal frequency equal to or less than the stimulation frequency.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating an MRI-compatible stimulation program based at least in part on a first set of stimulation parameters of a first stimulation program are presented. For example, a method or system (via a processor) can include receiving the first set of stimulation parameters, wherein the first set of stimulation parameters indicates a first set of stimulation electrodes; modifying the first set of stimulation parameters to generate a second set of stimulation parameters of the MRI-compatible stimulation program by at least one of 1) reducing a value of at least one stimulation parameter of the first set of stimulation parameters or 2) replacing, in the first set of electrodes, a case electrode with at least one electrode of the lead; and initiating a signal that provides the IPG with the MRI-compatible stimulation program.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein generally relate to adjusting a neurostimulation (NS) therapy based on drug pharmacokinetics of a patient. The systems and methods deliver an NS therapy to a portion of electrodes of a lead positioned proximate to neural tissue of interest, which is associated with a target region. The NS therapy is defined by stimulation parameters. The systems and methods determine a trigger event indicative of a drug being administered to a patient. The drug is configured to affect at least one of the neural tissue of interest or the target region. The systems and methods adjust one or more of the stimulation parameters based on the PS profile.

Abstract: Presented herein are magnet arrangements for use with encapsulated implantable components. An implantable component comprises an implant body and a plurality of wire loops forming an internal coil that are encapsulated in a biocompatible overmolding. The implantable component also comprises a bone fixture positioned proximate to the plurality of wire loops and an implantable magnet attached to the bone fixture.

Abstract: A malleable implantable medical device for implanting in a recipient comprising a flexible region of the medical device, one or more structures proximate to the flexible region, wherein the one or more structures is configured to provide a bending force to the flexible region, and one or more hermetically sealed medical components coupled to the flexible region, wherein the one or more medical components is configured to provide a therapeutic effect on the recipient.

Abstract: Methods and devices for cardiac therapy. One example provides a subcutaneous anti-tachycardia pacing therapy. Another example provides a subcutaneous low energy cardioversion therapy. Yet another example provides a subcutaneous multiple pulse cardioversion therapy. In various examples, specific steps are taken to ensure synchronization of delivered therapy when provided in response to sensing and analysis of a subcutaneous signal. Some examples use a substernal device instead.

Abstract: A resuscitation system for use in resuscitation of cardiac arrest victims includes a communications module for initiating a communication with an emergency medical service.

Abstract: A system capable of self-adjusting both sound level and spectral content to improve audibility and intelligibility of electronic device audible cues. Audible cues are stored as sound files. Ambient noise is detected, and the output of the audible cues is altered based on the ambient noise. Various embodiments include processed sound files that are more robust in noisy environments.

Abstract: Provided herein are embodiments of a Quadruple Butterfly Coil (QBC) configuration having enhanced focality for stimulation of specific areas of a brain for therapeutic treatment. Finite element simulations were conducted for the QBC, the QBC with a single shield, and the QBC with a double shield. The stimulation profiles for these coil configurations were assessed with 50 anatomically realistic MRI derived head models. The coils were positioned on the vertex and the scalp over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex to stimulate the brain. Computer modeling of the coils was performed to determine volume of stimulation, maximum electric field, location of maximum electric field, and area of stimulation across all 50 head models for both coils.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display; an image processor which generates a first image including sequential first frame data and a second image including sequential second frame data; an image data generator which generates image data comprising the first frame data and the second frame data alternately; and a control signal generator which generates a shutter glasses control signal that opens shutters for both eyes of a first pair of shutter glasses when the first frame data is displayed on the display, and that closes the shutters for both eyes of the first pair of shutter glasses when the image data including the second frame data is displayed on the display.

Abstract: A portion of a treatment device for treating bacteria may be coupled with the bacteria through direct or indirect contact. Mechanical stress energy and electromagnetic energy are generated with the treatment device, and are transmitted from the treatment device to the bacteria during the coupling. The bacteria are treated with both the mechanical stress energy and the electromagnetic energy to produce a killing effect on the bacteria. A treatment device may include a mechanical stress energy emitting portion, an electromagnetic energy emitting portion, and a contacting portion for coupling into direct or indirect contact with the bacteria and transmitting mechanical stress energy to the bacteria during the coupling. The mechanical stress energy emitting portion and the electromagnetic energy emitting portion are operable to treat the bacteria with a combination of mechanical stress energy and electromagnetic energy to produce a killing effect on the bacteria.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-invasive method for treatment of arrhythmia. In a first aspect, a method for treatment of atrial fibrillation in a heart of a patient comprises directing radiation from outside the patient toward one or more target treatment regions of the heart so as to inhibit the atrial fibrillation. The radiation may induce isolation of a pulmonary vein.

Abstract: A modular structure is disclosed that shields people from radiation typically encountered in radiotherapy rooms. The structure can be easily assembled without cracks. Moreover, the structure can be assembled and repaired quickly, without interrupting treatments for long periods of time. The structure is made of two general types of modules. A base module is made up of two cuboids fused along facing long edges and offset, one from the other, both vertically and horizontally. A complementary module is made of a single flatter shaped cuboid. It is designed to fill gaps that appear at the top and bottom of the assembled array of base modules. These modules, as configured, allows several structures to be assembled by quick and simple fitting and horizontal and vertical stacking of the modules. The modules can be manufactured from low cost materials such as metal casing filled with metal powder.

Abstract: A radiation therapy treatment method includes providing a patient model, dosimetric constraints, delivery motion constraints, and delivery coordinate space of a radiation delivery device, where the delivery coordinate space is represented as a mesh with vertices connected by edges, where the vertices correspond to directions of a beam eye view (BEV) of the radiation delivery device. BEV region connectivity manifolds are constructed from the patient model, the dosimetric constraints, the delivery coordinate space, and existing beam trajectories, wherein each of the BEV region connectivity manifolds represents connections between contiguous 2D target regions. Beam trajectories are selected based on region connectedness information in the BEV region connectivity manifolds, the dosimetric constraints, the delivery motion constraints, and the existing beam trajectories. Radiation is delivered using the radiation delivery device in accordance with the selected beam trajectories.

Abstract: Generally speaking, pursuant to these various embodiments a memory stores prescribed treatment instructions for a particular patient radiation therapy. Those treatment instructions specify clinical metrics for goals pertaining to at least one treatment volume for the particular patient. Either directly or inferentially those clinical metrics are prioritized. A control circuit automatically converts those treatment instructions into resultant radiation treatment plan optimization objectives where the automatic conversion can compatibly comprise a non-convex optimization objective. The control circuit then automatically iteratively optimizes the radiation treatment plan for the particular patient radiation therapy as a function, at least in part, of the aforementioned resultant optimization objectives to thereby produce an optimized radiation treatment plan for the particular patient that a radiation treatment platform then utilizes to administer therapeutic radiation to the particular patient.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide for an improved radiation treatment. According to a first aspect of the invention, this object is achieved by a method for determining a patient specific locally varying margin on a treatment target and/or an organ at risk in order to compensate for local intrafraction motion expected during a radiotherapy fraction to be delivered over a radiotherapy fraction time interval. The patient specific locally varying margin is determined based on a displacement and/or an estimate of the displacement of at least a first location and a second location on the treatment target and/or organ at risk.

Abstract: A beam irradiation target verification apparatus includes an X-ray switching emission process unit that causes a vertical X-ray emitting unit to emit at least two types of X-rays using an energy-level switching unit, a vertical X-ray detection unit that detects an X-ray emitted from the vertical X-ray emitting unit, a pre-therapy verification image generation process unit, a reference image acquisition unit that acquires a reference image obtained at a therapy planning stage, a comparison process unit. The pre-therapy verification image generation process unit to generate pre-therapy verification images based on detection information of at least two types of X-rays obtained by the vertical X-ray detection unit. The comparison process unit makes comparisons between the pre-therapy verification images and the reference image, and the result output unit outputs a comparison result obtained by the comparison process unit.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for determining state of a positively charged particle, such as a proton, for use in imaging a tumor of a patient prior to and/or concurrent with cancer therapy. The imaging system comprises: (1) a beam transport path of the positively charged particle sequentially passing through a patient, through a first time of flight detector, and, after traversing a pathlength, at least into a second time of flight detector and (2) a beam state determination system using elapsed time between detection at the first and second time of flight detectors and the pathlength to determine a residual beam energy, which, when compared to a known incident beam energy, is used in generation of an image of the tumor. An optional beam energy degrading element increases time differences between the time of flight detectors.

Abstract: A passive cavitation mapping method is provided that includes capturing a channel signal from at least one ultrasound transducer in an array of ultrasound transducers, isolating a cavitation signal in the channel signal, time-gating the channel signal about the cavitation signal, computing a time-delay between neighboring the cavitation signals in adjacent the channel signals, computing a modified parabolic fit to the square of the arrival times, where the modified parabolic fit includes a coordinate transformation using an x location of a leading edge of wavefronts of the cavitation signal and a maximum arrival time of the cavitation signal, extracting a location of a cavitation signal source at point (x, z) in the coordinate transformation, computing a cavitation magnitude for each non-eliminated cavitation signal, creating a passive cavitation map by convolving the cavitation magnitude and the source location with an uncertainty function, and using the cavitation map for therapeutic ultrasound applications

Abstract: A focused ultrasonic transducer navigation system attaches to a patient and includes a housing that contains an ultrasonic device. An alignment system moves the housing, and moves the ultrasonic device within the housing, so a focal point of ultrasonic energy from the ultrasonic device is aligned in x, y, and z planes with a target location in the patient. The alignment system realigns the focal point of the ultrasonic device with the same patient target location over multiple therapy sessions eliminating repeated use of an MRI system for repeatedly realigning the ultrasonic device.

Abstract: A personal descent system is provided. The personal descent system includes a support structure coupling assembly and a control descent device. The support structure coupling assembly is configured and arranged to be coupled to a descent lifeline. The support structure coupling assembly includes an adaptor connection member. The adaptor connection member is configured and arranged to couple different types of lifelines and lanyards to the support structure coupling assembly. The control descent device is selectively coupled to the support structure coupling assembly. The control descent device is configured and arranged to be coupled to a safety harness donned by a user. The control descent device is further configured to detach from the support structure coupling assembly during a descent operation while controlling a payout of the descent lifeline.

Abstract: A controller for controlling a breathing apparatus that comprises a plurality of oxygen sensors, each for sensing an oxygen content of a gas in the breathing apparatus, the controller being configured to control the operation of the breathing apparatus based on the output of one or more of the oxygen sensors and additional information relating to the operation of the breathing apparatus. Also a breathing apparatus comprising the controller and the plurality of oxygen sensors.