Abstract: Implantable medical devices for connecting tissue layers, such as for connecting a gallbladder and a portion of a gastrointestinal tract to create an anastomosis, include a tubular structure having a plurality of apposition portions, a central region, and a covering material. The devices are endoscopically deployable and may include open cells or undulating edges that facilitate a secure connection between the tissue structures.

Abstract: An RF charging system for implantable medical devices. The RF charging system includes a radio frequency (RF) signal, a first antenna configured to transmit the RF signal, a second antenna configured to receive the RF signal transmitted by the first antenna, tune characteristics of the RF signal, and improve power transfer with impedance matching circuitry, an RF to direct current (DC) converter configured to convert the RF signal of the second antenna into a DC signal, and a battery management circuit configured to receive the DC signal and provide voltage to a battery.

Abstract: Bilateral stimulation devices, systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a bilateral stimulation device can include a housing, a tactile stimulator coupled to the housing, a communications module configured to receive wireless communication from a remote device; and a controller module configured to independently and selectively control at least one tactile setting of the tactile stimulator based on wireless communication received from the remote device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a bone graft composition, and more particularly, to a bone graft composition containing hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and a preparation method therefor. In addition, the present disclosure relates to a bone graft composition containing hydroxypropyl methylcellulose in an amount that provides shape retainability, and a preparation method therefor.

Abstract: Embodiments of valve repair systems, leaflet clip devices, and methods of reducing regurgitation through a native heart valve are disclosed. A valve repair system can include a delivery apparatus and a leaflet clip device that is coupled to the delivery apparatus. The leaflet clip device can comprise an elongated clipping member, and a tensioning mechanism. One or more tensioning members are operatively connected to the tensioning mechanism to transform the clipping member from a delivery configuration to an implantation configuration. The one or more tensioning members can include a first tensioning member having a distal end portion that is connected to a first end portion of the clipping member and a second tensioning member having a distal end portion that is connected to a second end portion of the clipping member.

Abstract: An interactive treatment mapping and planning system enables a user to more quickly, thoroughly, and efficiently aggregate fibroid and/or treatment information from a user and/or one or more sets of databases, construct a fibroid map providing a visual representation of the aggregated fibroid information, generate information from the aggregated information about the fibroid to be treated and/or treatment procedure, develop a treatment plan based on the fibroid and/or treatment procedure information, provide real-time information gathered from treatment devices during the treatment procedure, and allow the user to interact with the treatment data.

Abstract: A phototherapy system can provide functions such as user account management, skin type evaluation, treatment parameter determinations and adjustments, treatment blocking or warnings for some hazard prevention, treatment education and guidance, session records access, treatment regime determination, scheduling, and converting treatment parameter determinations into kiosk controls. The phototherapy system functions can be performed based on user input, records of user data, guidelines and algorithms for treatment parameter selection, direct measurements, etc. These data sources can be accessed or implemented though one or more of: a phototherapy kiosk, a personal computing device, a server system, a third-party system, or any combination thereof. An interactive user interface can be used though any of these devices to facilitate user control and user feedback for the phototherapy system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for qualifying medical images submitted by user for diagnostic analysis comprising: an image input module, configured to receive one or more image input by a user; an image protocol conformation module, configured to receive the one or more images from the image input module, and further configured to analyze each of the one or more images for conformity with a predefined protocol and wherein images that do not conform to the predefined protocol are flagged as non-conforming images; an image output module, configured to identify to the user each of the one or more images flagged as non-conforming and prompting the user to resubmit a new image for each of the non-conforming images; and an image resubmission module, configured to receive the user resubmitted image and provide the resubmitted image to the image protocol conformation module.

Abstract: A surface-reconfiguration implant, a method of using the surface-reconfiguration implant, and a method of implantation of the surface-reconfiguration implant that creates an articular surface between an upper portion of a humeral head and a greater tuberosity, and an undersurface of an acromion in shoulders with massive rotator cuff tears is provided. The surface-reconfiguration implant can include a body portion including at least an undersurface and an articular surface, where the undersurface is configured to interface with portions of a proximal humerus to facilitate attachment of the body portion thereto, and portions of the articular surface extend to and/and preferably beyond a normal anatomical shape of portions a humeral head and a greater tuberosity both superiorly and medially when the body portion is attached to the proximal humerus.

Abstract: A patient interface pad with good comfort, configured to supply pressurized gas to an airway, includes a support section, an elastic section, and a comfort section. The support section and the elastic section together form a complete patient interface pad; the material of the comfort section includes foam, fabric, or a composite of both; the comfort section has different three-dimensional shapes and is connected to the patient interface pad to form the patient interface pad; the disclosure also discloses a manufacturing method for the patient interface pad with good comfort, as well as the connection method between the comfort section and the patient interface pad which is through an adhesive.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for assisting a user in positioning a thermal ablation device (1) on the basis of a planned ablation position. The system comprises an evaluation unit (6) adapted to (i) compute an optimized thermal dose distribution deliverable to the treatment region by means of the device (1) operating at a current position thereof, (ii) determine a path for steering the device (1) from the current position to the planned position and to assign a cost to the determined path, the cost quantifying estimated detrimental effects of steering the device (1) along the computed path, and (iii) present information about the optimized thermal dose distribution and about the cost assigned to the computed path to the user.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lateral sleeve pipe drill and a operating method, belong to the field of surgical instrument technologies, and solves the problems that a bone passage cannot be effectively corrected and is liable to be corrected excessively, and correction is time-consuming and damages important functional bone tissue morphology. The lateral sleeve pipe drill is of a hollow cylindrical shape and includes a first end and a second end. An outer wall of the first end is provided with a correction portion for correcting the bone passage. The first end is arranged in a human body and is of a particular shape adapted to different surgical methods, a surgical approach direction, and a human body internal structure.

Abstract: A pancreatic stent includes a main body convertible between a compressed configuration for delivery and an expanded configuration once deployed, the main body including an inner surface defining a stent lumen and an outer surface. A plurality of drainage features are formed within the outer surface of the main body, the plurality of drainage features permitting placement of the pancreatic stent within a patient's pancreas without blocking side branches of the pancreas.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to medical devices and procedures for placement of a medical device between adjacent tissue structures. In particular, the present disclosure relates to endoscopic systems and methods for preventing or minimizing movement between tissue walls to facilitate placement of a stent therebetween.

Abstract: In one aspect, embodiments relate to a system for performing preventative dental laser treatment. The system includes, a code reader configured to read a machine readable code, a processor configured to verify the machine readable code and prevent future verification of the machine readable code, and a laser treatment system configured to perform a laser treatment, based upon the verified machine readable code. The laser treatment system includes a laser arrangement configured to generate a laser beam, an optical arrangement configured to direct the laser beam toward a dental hard tissue, and a laser controller configured to control a parameter of the laser beam in order to heat at least a portion of a surface of the dental hard tissue to a temperature above 400° Celsius.

Abstract: A tissue expander/retractor tool works within a narrow cavity/tunnel to access a deeper structure (e.g., the mitral valve) without consuming a significant amount of space either within the small through-hole or in the vicinity of the entrance to the port. The tool provides the user with direct control of the expansion and separation of a target area. The moving parts of the tool have a closed configuration with a narrow profile for insertion/removal and an open configuration obtained using a remotely-controlled, compact pivot mechanism that provides a broad enlargement capability for the retraction jaws. A pantograph mechanism with input pivots and output pivots is coupled between the retraction jaws and a compound cable (e.g., Bowden cable). A handle is coupled to the other end of the compound cable for displacing the inner wire along the outer tube.

Abstract: The self-contouring plate system for bone fractures allows a surgeon to bridge a bone fracture, primarily in bones of complex shape where the use of plates or screws is difficult. The self-contouring plate is formed from a series of similar or identical rigid elements, the elements able to bend and rotate with respect to each other. This flexibility is initially helpful as the surgeon contours the device to the shape of the bone. When the desired shape is reached, the elements are locked into place. The length of device is adjusted by adding or removing elements, much like a necklace. Each element of the self-contouring plate includes a ball that extends away from a body, a cavity for receiving the ball of the neighboring plate, and a screw to compress the ball within the cavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to medical devices, systems, and methods for use in surgery. In particular, the disclosed system and methods relate to an intervertebral spinal implant sized and dimensioned for the lumbar spine implantable via a posterior approach. The system includes an implant, instruments for delivering the implant.

Abstract: This present invention relates to drug eluting polymers, including novel biodegradable drug eluting polymers, which are added to the surface of a medical device to treat device associated complications and to deliver drug locally around the device. Methods of making polymers, for example, drug-eluting polymers, polymer compositions, and materials used therewith also are provided. The drug eluting polymers are obtained from the polymerization of macromonomers made of a connecting moiety, a biodegradable moiety and a cross-linkable moiety that are liquids at a temperature of 10° C. to 40° C.

Abstract: Provided is an information processing system including: a comparison information acquisition unit that acquires comparison information regarding iris comparison generated based on an iris image including an iris of a recognition subject; and a display image generation unit that generates a display image including an image indicating a content of the comparison information in association with positions in the iris.

Abstract: A method of treating diverticulitis while maintaining the bioactivity of the diverticulum. The devices and methods include placing an endoscopic device within a colonic lumen relative to at least one diverticulum and inserting a plurality of particles into the at least one diverticulum. The plurality of particles can include magnetic particles, non-magnetic particles, or both. The plurality of particles can partially or totally occlude the diverticulum preventing unwanted material from entering the diverticulum. Additionally, the plurality of particles can include antimicrobial and therapeutic layers that can treat diverticulitis and prevent or minimize diverticulitis from occurring.

Abstract: Prosthetic heart valve devices with tethered anchors and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A heart valve device configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, a valve support for carrying a prosthetic valve. The valve support can be configured to be implanted at an annulus of a native mitral valve. The device can further include at least one elongated flexible member extending from the valve support in a ventricular direction, and an anchor coupled to the valve support via the elongated flexible member. The anchor can be shaped to wrap around an exterior area of an apical portion of the heart. In addition, the anchor can inhibit retrograde migration of the valve support.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a repelling magnet combination, comprising a first and second magnet, a first and second holding magnet, a first holding base with a first holding base first end, and a second holding base with a second holding base first end. The first and second holding magnets are positioned at the first and second holding base first ends, and the first and second magnets are magnetically attached to the first and second holding magnets respectively, with outward faces exhibiting like magnetic polarities. The first and second magnets are brought into contact by moving the first and second holding base first ends into close proximity, whereby the first and second holding magnets exert holding forces on the first and second magnets which overcome a repelling force generated therebetween, allowing a repelling force countering means, such as an adhesive, to bond the magnets together into a repelling magnet combination.

Abstract: A method of puncturing from an aorta into a left atrium using a puncturing device. The method involves a step of accessing a carotid artery and advancing a puncturing device through the carotid artery into an aorta. Advancing a sheath and a dilator over the puncturing device through the carotid artery and into the aorta such that a puncturing tip of the puncturing device is aligned with a distal tip of the sheath and a distal tip of the dilator, forming a puncturing assembly. Positioning the puncturing assembly at a target site within the aorta to gain access to a left atrium of a heart. Tenting a tissue between the aorta and the left atrium using the puncturing assembly. Creating a puncture through the tissue by advancing the puncturing device such that a channel between the aorta and the left atrium is formed.

Abstract: A system for forming an anastomosis between first and second sections of a digestive tract includes Optical Scope Device (“OSD”) having a lumen extending therethrough and positioned at a first target site within the first section, OSD including an imaging component at a distal end thereof for viewing the first target site; First Endoscope (“FE”) including a working channel extending therethrough and positioned at a second target site within the second section; Capture Device (“CD”) extending from a proximal end to a distal end including a loop, CD extends through the lumen; First Flexible Element (“FFE”) extends through FE, FFE including a coupling element which passes through the loop to couple FFE to CD, connecting the first and second sections, the coupling element moving between insertion and locking configurations; and Stent having a lumen extending therethrough which provides fluid communication between the first and second sections.

Abstract: A system for presenting a severity vector includes a computing device configured to obtain a user status from a remote device, identify a user affliction as a function of a user status, generate an effect enumeration as a function of the affliction, wherein generating includes receiving an affliction training set correlating at least a first element of an affliction state and at least a first affliction result and generating an effect enumeration as a function of the affliction training set using an affliction machine-learning process, wherein the affliction machine-learning process is trained using the affliction training set, calculate a severity vector, and transmit the severity score on the remote device.

Abstract: Improved formulations for topical treatment that ensure at least localized transdermal or systemic delivery of an active agent through skin, nails or hair follicles are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for applying laser energy having desired pulse characteristics, including a sufficiently short duration and/or a sufficiently high energy for the photomechanical treatment of skin pigmentations and pigmented lesions, both naturally-occurring (e.g., birthmarks), as well as artificial (e.g., tattoos). The laser energy may be generated with an apparatus having a resonator with the capability of switching between a modelocked pulse operating mode and an amplification operating mode. The operating modes are carried out through the application of a time-dependent bias voltage, having waveforms as described herein, to an electro-optical device positioned along the optical axis of the resonator.

Abstract: A surgical tool for use with a drill bit to prevent skiving at an implant insertion site on a bone includes a cannulated sleeve having a distal end defining a burr surface. The distal end may be detachable from a body of the cannulated sleeve. The tool may be used with more than one distal end, each of the distal ends defining a burr surface having a different cutting surface from the others. The tool may form a system that includes the drill bit.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a composition for inhibiting thrombosis. The composition includes 5 to 25% by weight of Fish Oil, 15 to 55% by weight of Willow Bark Extract, and 0.2 to 5% by weight of Vitamin E.

Abstract: Disclosed are analyte monitoring systems and methods for calibrating an analyte sensor using one or more reference measurements. These systems and methods may include using a conversion function and first sensor data to calculate a first sensor analyte level, weighting a first reference analyte measurement (RM1) and one or more previous reference analyte measurements according to a weighted average cost function, updating the conversion function using the weighted RM1 and the one or more weighted previous reference analyte measurements as calibration points, and using the updated conversion function and second sensor data to calculate a second sensor analyte level. In some aspects, the systems and methods may include updating one or more of lag parameters used to calculate the sensor analyte levels.

Abstract: A shunt comprising a flexible tube having a first, and a second end, and a central opening, having a first diameter that extends from the first end to the second end. The shunt also includes one or more restrictor bands having a second diameter around the flexible tube. The one or more restrictor bands are located between the first end and the second end of the flexible tube and the second diameter is less than the first diameter such that the restrictor band forms a restriction. The restrictor band is expandable between a first position and a second position. The restrictor band may have fracturable sections configured to fracture in responds to pressure thereby increasing a diameter of the one or more restrictor bands to a diameter greater than the second diameter. The one or more restrictor bands may comprise restrictor bands of at least two different inner diameters.

Abstract: Robotic spinal surgery systems and methods include a robotic manipulator with a tool guide and a skin incision tool to be inserted into the tool guide. A navigation system includes a localizer for tracking the patient and a base tracker of the robotic manipulator. A control system registers, with the navigation system, a line haptic object to a vertebra of the patient, the line haptic object being associated with a desired trajectory for the vertebra. In response to a user input, the control system autonomously moves the robotic manipulator to align the tool guide to the desired trajectory. The tool guide is constrained to the desired trajectory with the line haptic object to enable insertion of the skin incision tool within the tool guide to facilitate creation of the incision in the skin at the desired trajectory.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides a transseptal insertion device which is suitable for facilitating precise and safe transseptal puncture of a cardiac interatrial septum. The transseptal insertion device includes a sheath that defines at least one lumen therein, one or more positioning balloons that are connected to a distal end of the sheath, a puncture member movably positioned within the at least one lumen, and a puncture member balloon located on the puncture member. The positioning balloons are inflated and deflated through hypotubes, and the puncture member balloon is inflated and deflated through an additional tube. The transseptal insertion device includes a wire member movably positioned in a center lumen formed in the puncture member. The wire member may be Brockenbrough needle, a radiofrequency tip needle, a radiofrequency wire, a pigtail catheter that delivers fluid or pharmaceuticals in the left atrial appendage, or a transseptal wire.

Abstract: The method of delivering an implant in an intracranial vessel includes deploying an anchor of a tethering device in an anchoring vessel forming a first fixation point and advancing a guide-sheath to a location near the anchoring vessel. The tethering device has a tether extending proximally from the anchor and the guide-sheath has at least one lumen. The method includes attaching the guide-sheath to the tether of the tethering device forming a second fixation point proximal to the first fixation point, delivering an implant through the lumen of the guide-sheath towards a treatment site distal to the first fixation point and located within an intracranial vessel, and deploying the implant at the treatment site. Related devices, systems, and methods are also provided.

Abstract: The invention concerns an intraocular lens implant for placement into an intracapsular space of a lens capsule of an eye and a composition, kit and methods related to the lens implant. The lens implant is designed for a placement into a posterior portion of the intracapsular space after removal of a native lens body and has a convex posterior surface. The lens implant is formed of one part and is manufactured from a suitable transparent non-structural cellular material. This keeps an anterior portion of the intracapsular space free of the implant which is dimensioned to comprise at most 40% of a volume of the native lens body.

Abstract: A device comprising: (a) one or more markers, some or all of which are expandable rounded members that are expandable from a stored state to an expanded state and when in the expanded state each of the expandable rounded members expand to move into contact with a lumen in an organ; and (b) one or more tissue tags connected to the expandable rounded members or the expandable rounded members being made of a magnetized material; and wherein the expandable rounded members are configured to be located within and deployed from an insertion mechanism into the lumen in the organ.

Abstract: Disclosed is an in-vivo micro-robot for nerve stretching, comprising a channel, and a movable part and a fixed part located at the channel. The movable part is disposed to be movable along the channel, the movable part sleeves the fixed part and is used for driving the fixed part to move along the channel, and the fixed part is connected to a nerve to be stretched. The in-vivo micro-robot is embedded into a patient's body through surgery, so that the extension of the nerve is accelerated and is regular and quantitative, thereby effectively solving the problems of small probability of nerve self-repair and long recovery period in traditional nerve bridging surgery.

Abstract: A method of repairing a heart valve provides intravascular access for repair of a heart valve through a ventricular trans-septal approach. An external guide catheter can be inserted through a vein of a patient into the right ventricle via the right atrium. An internal guide catheter can be inserted through the external guide and can provide access to the septum for a puncture tool to create an opening through the septum to the left ventricle. The internal guide can then be advanced into the left ventricle and used to guide a deployment catheter that deploys a repair device onto the heart valve.

Abstract: A method of treating noninfectious diarrhea in an HIV positive subject includes administering a dose of ibuprofen to the HIV positive subject at regular intervals until stool consistency is improved, diarrhea is alleviated, or the number of bowel movements per day are decreased. The dose is 400 mg of ibuprofen administered every 6 hours. The method may additionally include diagnosing the subject with noninfectious diarrhea, determining the subject does not have certain comorbidities, and/or determining that the subject is not taking any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The method may additionally include after administering the ibuprofen, administering a clear liquids diet to the subject, administering an electrolyte supplement to the subject, and/or monitoring the subject for any bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract until stool consistency is improved, until diarrhea is alleviated, or until the number of bowel movements per day are decreased.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bilateral stimulation (BLS) is described. An electronic device having at least a display and a camera provides a selection of different BLS sessions for a user. At least one of the sessions uses the camera to provide a real-time scene on the display as the background for the movement of the image of a virtual object. In one configuration, the image moves continuously along pattern on the display. The user either follows the image with their eyes, and/or is required to indicate to the device the position of the image on the display. In another configuration, the image is hidden from view and the user must move the camera within an active area of the display so that the image appears and the user can identify the presence of the image.

Abstract: A method and system for automated and semi-automated predictable, consistent, safe, effective, and lumen-specific and patient-specific cryospray treatment of airway tissue in which treatment duration is automatically set by the system following entry of patient information and treatment location information into the system by the user, and treatment spray is automatically stopped by the system when the automatically selected treatment duration has been achieved as determined by the system.

Abstract: Embodiments generally relate to ophthalmic laser procedures and, more particularly, to systems and methods for lenticular laser incisions to form a top lenticular incision, a bottom lenticular incision of a lens in the subject's eye, an added shape between the top and bottom incisions where the added shape has no corrective power and a transition ring bisecting both the top and bottom lenticular incisions.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for performing a transcorporeal microdecompression are described. The transcorporeal microdecompression may include a bone void plug allograft and specialized instruments for performing the procedure. This procedure may be performed under navigation and/or with robotic assistance.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for providing a non-binding allograft subtalar joint implant for surgical implant into a person's foot proximate to the ankle. This system for repair includes at least one sterile non-binding allograft subtablar joint implant provided as a pre-formed allograft rod plug “ARP” having a diameter about equal to an average width of a canal between a person's talus and calcaneus bones, the ARP being resiliently compressible and flexible. When snuggly disposed between the person's talus and calcaneus bones, the ARP compresses during normal use of the person's foot and maintains the canal in an anatomically correct alignment and reduces a tendency for abnormal motion between the person's talus and calcaneus bones. An associated method of use is also provided.

Abstract: A safety system for laser treatment, comprising a first sensor configured to monitor a parameter at a source and to generate first parameter data, a second sensor configured to monitor the parameter at a treatment head and to generate second parameter data, a control system configured to receive the first parameter data and the second parameter data and to determine whether the first parameter data or the second parameter data exceed a predetermined value and the control system further configured to modify an operational parameter of the source in response to a determination that the first parameter data or the second parameter data exceed the predetermined value.

Abstract: A system for monitoring organ health during treatment for cancer and the like makes use of physiological imaging of the kind used for treatment monitoring and organ-specific processing to provide a comprehensive assessment of treatment side-effects.

Abstract: A system and method of confirming administration of medication is provided. The method comprises the steps of receiving information identifying a particular medication prescription regimen, determining one or more procedures for administering such prescription regimen and identifying one or more activity sequences associated with such procedures. Activity sequences of actual administration of such prescription regimen are captured and then compared to the identified activity sequences to determine differences therebetween. A notice is provided if differences are determined.

Abstract: A system for modeling a necrotized tissue volume in an ablation procedure includes a radiology workstation designed and configured to provide a computer model of a volume of human tissue based on corporeal image data, simulate an ablation site in the computer model, detect, in the computer model, at least a preferential pathway for heated vapor produced due to ablation of the tissue, wherein the at least a preferential pathway intersects the ablation site, determine a proportion of vapor escaping to the at least a preferential pathway during an ablation procedure, determiner a heat distribution at the ablation site as a function of the distribution of vapor, and generate a simulation of a necrotized tissue volume in the volume of tissue, wherein the simulation of the necrotized tissue volume represents a volume of tissue necrotized by heat during an ablation procedure performed at the ablation site.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods calculate and deliver doses of insulin and optionally glucagon into a subject. Online operation controls delivery of correction doses of insulin automatically in response to regular glucose measurements from a sensor, and offline operation calculates and delivers correction doses based on isolated glucose measurements and information gathered autonomously during preceding online operation. In another aspect, offline operation includes automatically calculating and administering meal doses based on information gathered autonomously during preceding periods of online operation. Both methods include generating relevant control parameters tailored to the individual and continually converged upon and potentially modulated during online operation. The control parameters are employed in real time during periods of offline operation to regulate glucose level without the need for user-provided control parameters such as correction factors and insulin-to-carbohydrate ratios.