Abstract: Apparatus for detecting a surgical implement in human or animal tissue comprises a detector responsive to the presence, within an interrogation zone, of a surgical implement to which a marker is secured. The marker is adapted to produce identifying signal characteristics within a frequency band generated in the interrogation zone. Variations in the phase and or direction of the interrogating field and changes in the electromagnetic coupling between markers and receiver optimize coupling therebetween.

Abstract: A process for following the exact distribution of particles in living neurological or neuromuscular tissue and cells. The process includes introducing particles into the tissue and cells, and thereafter measuring the alteration in dielectric properties, conductivity and frequency dependent dispersion curves of the tissue and cells.

Abstract: A process of effecting necrosis of neoplasms in warm blooded animals as a result of hyperthermia of the neoplasm includes injecting particles into the warm blooded animals in proximity of the neoplasm. The particles are capable of exhibiting hysteresis heating when subjected to an alternating magnetic field. Further, the particles are of a size of at least two microns, or greater, so as to be incapable of being intracellularly absorbed within the cells of either the viable tissue of the animal or the neoplastic tissue. After interjecting the particles in association with the neoplasm, the area of the neoplasm is then subjected to an alternating magnetic field. This field is of a frequency greater than that sufficient to cause any appreciable neuromuscular response to the alternating magnetic field, and is less than that capable of causing any detrimental eddy current heating and/or dielectric heating of viable healthy tissue of the warm blooded animal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided which utilize either the attracting forces of dissimilar pole magnets, or the repelling forces of similar pole magnets, to keep passageways open in living organisms. These passageways might otherwise collapse and close involuntarily due to dysfunction, thus impeding flow of vital gaseous or liquid fluids. Embodiments are described for both permanently implanted and for removable magnets, which may or may not interact with externally attached magnets, thus maximizing the convenience of utilizing this system for the patient. A method of preventing accidental extubation is also described.

Abstract: This invention relates to materials exhibiting certain magnetic and biological properties which make them uniquely suitable for use as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) agents to enhance MR images of animal organs and tissues. More particularly, the invention relates to the in vivo use of biologically degradable and metabolizable superparamagnetic metal oxides as MR contrast agents. Depending on their preparation, these metal oxides are in the form of superparamagnetic particle dispersoids or superparamagnetic fluids where the suspending medium is a physiologically-acceptable carrier, and may be uncoated or surrounded by a polymeric coating to which biological molecules can be attached. These materials are administered to animals, including humans, by a variety of routes and the metal oxides therein collect in specific target organs to be imaged; in the case of coated particles, the biological molecules can be chosen to target specific organs or tissues.

Abstract: A process for affecting molecules in neurological or neuromuscular tissue and cells and subcellular structures in the tissue of a host organism. The process includes introducing particles into the living cells of the tissues and thereby affecting the relative dipole moment and producing direct effects on subcellular structures and molecules in the cells of the tissues. A constant magnetic field can be applied to the tissue to enhance the dipole moment in the neurological or neuromuscular tissue and in their cells, or to enhance the effect of an alternative electromagnetic field applied to the tissue.

Abstract: A shielded magnetic assembly for use in a magnetic hearing aid is described. The shielded assembly uses a disc-shaped magnet with a high permeability, low coercivity material placed on the face of the magnet away from the air gap. Preferably, the shielding material also covers portions of the edge of the magnet to form a cap. The shielding focuses the magnet's energy into the air gap to improve coupling and reduce interference from external magnetic fields.

Abstract: The process includes applying a localized static, magnetic or electric field to neurological or neuromuscular tissue to aid in the intracellular uptake and energy absorption of electric or magnetic dipoles present in the tissue and the cells. Before the applying step dipoles can be introduced in the tissues or cells. Also, after or during the applying step, an alternating, oscillating or pulsed electromagnetic field can be applied to the tissue to enhance the intracellular uptake of energy, and the energy absorption responsiveness in the tissue and/or the energy absorption of the dipoles in the tissue. The process can utilize a constant magnetic field through the interaction with the intracellular dipoles in the tissue. Further, an external electromagnetic field can be applied to the tissue to excite the particles and raise the energy level of the tissue to destroy the cells and modify their behavior to decrease the degenerative process.

Abstract: An inflated balloon (5) implanted in a patient (3) is provided with a high-frequency receiver system (7) wherein an electric current is induced upon the generation of a high-frequency, electromagnetic field outside the patient which electric current activates a puncturing device, such as an electric resistor element (11), in the balloon (5).

Abstract: A destructive heat lesion is placed in any location in the brain. A patient's head is secured within a stereotactic frame. After a high resolution CT scan and angiogram or MRI, data is incorporated and analyzed by a computer. This information is then resynthesized and projected as a video image on a screen facing the surgeon. A small magnetic object, perhaps a ball, is inserted into the patient's head via a burr hole drilled through the patient's skull. Using, real time fluoroscopic data superimposed on the computer image of three-dimensional structures, the surgeon is able to control and manipulate the object through the patient's soft brain tissue to a position next to or inside of the tumor area. An energy beam is then fired at the object, causing the more heat efficient object to destroy the brain tumor area. This procedure is repeated until the entire tumor is eradicated by the highly localized hyperthermia.

Abstract: A telemetry system for use with implantable medical devices is disclosed which utilizes both in-phase and quadrature data components, and frequency modulates both data components into a single transmitted sinusoidal signal which varies in frequency between two selected frequencies. The signal is received and decoded, preferably by a coherent decoder, into in-phase and quadrature components, which are then integrated and sampled to produce the two transmitted in-phase and quadrature data components, which may then be recombined to produce the transmitted data. The system requires only low power, and is capable of operating at a relatively high data rate while retaining a high degree of accuracy due to the splitting of the signal into the in-phase and quadrature data components.

Abstract: Charged, stable, organic nitroxides, e.g., charged by a quaternary ammonium or a Bronsted acid group, are useful as NMR image enhancing agents for cerebrospinal fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for improvement and enhancement of transplantation by the introduction of particles to the tissue area where rejection may occur. The tissue is then subjected to a constant magnetic field thereby affecting the metabolism of the cells therein. Also contemplated is the use of a constant magnetic field to effect naturally occurring paramagnetic or ferromagnetic components in the cells of tissue during transplantation.

Abstract: This invention relates to materials exhibiting certain magnetic and biological properties which make them uniquely suitable for use as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) agents to enhance MR images of animal organs and tissues. More particularly, the invention relates to the in vivo use of biologically degradable and metabolizable superparamagnetic metal oxides as MR contrast agents. Depending on their preparation, these metal oxides are in the form of superparamagnetic particle dispersoids or superparamagnetic fluids where the suspending medium is a physiologically-acceptable carrier, and may be uncoated or surrounded by a polymeric coating to which biological molecules can be attached. These materials are administered to animals, including humans, by a variety of routes and the metal oxides therein collect in specific target organs to be imaged; in the case of coated particles, the biological molecules can be chosen to target specific organs or tissues.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for the treatment of neurological diseases and development and neuromuscular diseases and development with diagnostic applications to optimize the treatment modalities. The process involves the use of magnetic or electric dipoles which are present, capable of being induced or introduced into neurological or neuromuscular tissue and are capable of being activated by an external alternating electromagnetic field. The cells in the neurological or neuromuscular tissue may consist of neurons (central or peripheral) and supporting cells i.e. glial cells, oligodendrocytes, etc. The activation of these magnetic or electric dipole particles allows modulation and control of neuronal and supporting cell activity.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method for obtaining the in vivo MNR image of an organ or tissue of an animal or human subject. More specifically, this invention relates to the use of small (about 10 to about 5,000 angstroms in diameter) biodegradable superparamagnetic metal oxide particles for use as imaging agents. The particles, which may be uncoated or surrounded by a stable polymeric coating, can be mixed with a physiologically acceptable medium to form a uniform dispersoid which can be administered to the subject by a variety of routes. Once administered, the particles collect in the target organ or tissue where they will remain for a time sufficiently long for an image to be obtained, but are ultimately metabolized or cleared within about 7 days.

Abstract: Disclosed is a transcutaneous coupling apparatus comprising a first member subcutaneously positioned in a user of the invention and also comprising a second member positioned supercutaneously, or outside the skin of the user. Rare-earth magnets are associated with the first and second members to magnetically secure the second member with the first member without significantly adversely affecting the user's skin intervening between the first and second members.