Abstract: In a method of ablating a tunica of a patient, a laser fiber is inserted into the tunica of the patient. Portions of the tunica are exposed to laser light discharged from the laser fiber. The portions of the tunica that are exposed to the laser light are ablated. In one embodiment, a device is used to control the exposure of the tunica to the laser light. In one embodiment, a penile prosthesis is implanted in the ablated tunica.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a mesh or implant system are provided for treating pelvic conditions such as incontinence, vaginal prolapsed, and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness. Embodiments of the implants can include a material, substrate, configuration or coating adapted to provide immediate or timed release of various therapeutic agents or drugs to treat the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedures, systems, implants, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions in a male or female, the pelvic conditions including incontinence (various forms such as fecal incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, etc.), vaginal prolapse (including various forms such as enterocele, cystocele, rectocele, apical or vault prolapse, uterine descent, etc.), and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools including devices and tools for anchoring an implant to supportive tissue and adjusting the implant.

Abstract: A tool for driving a helical anchor into a target location, the tool including a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion having a handle and an actuator, and a shaft extending distally from the proximal portion, the shaft comprising an outer shaft and an inner rotating shaft that is at least partially concentrically positioned within the outer shaft, the shaft having a length that facilitates accessing a location of a posterior pelvic region, wherein the inner rotating shaft is actuated by movement of the actuator in a predetermined motion.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an implant devices and systems are provided. The implant devices can include a mesh or implant encapsulated or otherwise coated, in whole or in part, with a film or coating. The coating or film can include methylcellulose or ethylcellulose to provide tissue regeneration as a hydrogel, while also providing a stiff polymer film when dry.

Abstract: Described and depicted are pelvic sling implant and delivery systems. The sling implants can be used in treating stress incontinence and other pelvic floor disorders. The sling systems can include a mesh extension or support portion and one or more tip anchors. A delivery tool can include a handle (61), a needle (62) and a sheath (70), with the sheath having an elongate shaft portion slidable along at least a portion of the needle. The sheath can further include a distal hood portion having opposed flared portions (78) defining interior pleat channels adapted to selectively seat tine ends of the anchors.

Abstract: A method of treating anal incontinence in a patient comprises providing a sling having a central portion and first and second arms, creating a subcutaneous tunnel between a first buttock incision and a second buttock incision in the patient, mechanically widening the subcutaneous tunnel to create a pocket for the central portion of the sling, grasping the first arm of the sling and pulling the sling through the subcutaneous tunnel such that the central portion of the sling rests underneath the ano-rectum, inserting an introducer needle through a first thigh incision formed in the patient and advancing the introducer needle through the first buttock incision, pulling the first sling arm through the first thigh incision, inserting the introducer needle through a second thigh incision formed in the patient and advancing the introducer needle through the second buttock incision, and pulling the second sling aim through the second thigh incision.

Abstract: Improved methods and devices for treatment of rectal prolapse are provided. A suturing console for suturing the rectal fascia at, to, or about the sacral vertebral fascia is disclosed. A method of repairing prolapsed rectum via a vaginal incision or perineal incision is also disclosed.

Abstract: A probe tip for communicating and laterally directing electromagnetic radiation comprises a waveguide, a primary capsule, a compressible member and a malleable secondary capsule. The waveguide is configured to communicate electromagnetic radiation and includes a beveled surface at a distal tip for redirecting electromagnetic radiation in a lateral direction. The primary capsule is attached over the distal tip of the waveguide. The compressible member covers a portion of the primary capsule. The malleable secondary capsule is positioned over the primary capsule and the compressible member, and includes a crimp that compresses the compressible member against the primary capsule and secures the secondary capsule to the primary capsule.

Abstract: A slotted shield for a surgical tack, including a body adapted to engage a tack head. The shield has at least one slot having a width, defined by the body. Optionally, the shield is mounted on a tack head on which said shield is mounted.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedures, systems, implants, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions in a male or female, the pelvic conditions including incontinence (various forms such as fecal incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, etc.), vaginal prolapse (including various forms such as enterocele, cystocele, rectocele, apical or vault prolapse, uterine descent, etc.), and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools including devices and tools for anchoring an implant to supportive tissue and adjusting the implant.

Abstract: An improved optical fiber comprising a waveguide with an input for coupling focused laser energy into the waveguide and communicating electromagnetic radiation in a propagation direction to an internally reflective tip of the waveguide, a tissue contacting surface wherein the light path from the reflecting surface to the transmitting surface in substantially homogenous in refractive index and cooled by fluid flow. In minimizing the variations in refractive index within the lateral light path, while providing active cooling directly below the tissue contact surface, the invention prevents internal reflections and beam distortion and greatly improves the efficiency and durability of the laterally directing probe. Free rotation of the tissue contact surface, about the lateral tip, may be provided and tissue vaporization efficiency may be improved by providing a morcellating tool on the tissue contact surface.

Abstract: Described are implants, tools, and methods useful for treating pelvic conditions such as prolapse, by placing an implant to support pelvic tissue, the implants, tools, and methods involving one or more of adjusting engagements, specific implants and pieces of implants, placement of implants at locations within the pelvic region, and insertion, adjusting, and grommet management tools.

Abstract: Articles and procedures for preventing or treating vaginal prolapse, urinary incontinence, and other disorders of the pelvic floor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for using an anastomosis device to repair severed tissues resulting from a surgical medical procedure such as a radical prostatectomy, ilio-orthotopic neobladder construction, cystoprostatectomy, cystectomy, urethral anastomosis, or ureteral anastomosis.

Abstract: A medical implant system for implantation in a patient to treat erectile dysfunction includes a first fluid path, an inflatable penile prosthesis cylinder, an electric pump, and implant controller, and an implantable power supply. The inflatable penile prosthesis cylinder is in fluid communication with the first fluid path and is configured for implantation in a corpus cavernosum of a patient. The electric pump is in fluid communication with the first fluid path. The implant controller is electrically coupled to the pump and is configured to activate the pump to drive a flow of fluid through the first fluid path and into the cylinder. The implantable power supply provides electrical power to the pump.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus to secure a urethral sling to pubic bone in a sub-urethral location to support the urethra and alleviate incontinence are disclosed. The urethral sling is preferably formed of a flexible sheet material extending between opposed first and second sling ends and bounded by opposed first and second sling sides. The urethral sling is selectively tensioned in a central portion intermediate the first and second sling ends and/or in one or both of end portions bracketing the central portion. In one embodiment, pre-positioned plicating lines in the central portion are selectively drawn and tied to slacken the central portion and tension the end portions. In further embodiments, bone anchor lines passed through locations displaced from the sling ends are drawn and fixed to tension the central portion between the displaced locations and slacken the end portions.

Abstract: A system for cleaning a fiber cap including a first fixture configured to hold the fiber cap, the fiber cap having an internal cavity with an opening therein. The fiber cap also includes a first axis generally aligned with the central axis of the fiber cap and internal cavity, a second axis orthogonal to the first axis, and a third axis orthogonal to the first and second axes. The system further includes a second fixture configured to hold a particulate collecting member (1) to receive and hold an electrical charge and (2) for insertion into the opening of the fiber cap.

Abstract: Systems and relative methods for regulating the loading capacity of a coating sleeve affixed to an outer surface of an implantable medical device to control an amount of antimicrobial agent delivered with the implantable medical device. A coating sleeve defines fibril void spaces into which therapeutic agents are loaded. A clamp is positioned on the coating sleeve to adjust the volume of the fibril void spaces so as to regulate the loading capacity of the coating sleeve.

Abstract: Described are implants, kits, systems, and methods, for treating pelvic conditions such as levator avulsion, by placing an implant between an anterior incision and a posterior incision to support the levator tissue.