Abstract: A retractor system for use in dynamically retracting the skin adjacent to an incision in a panniculus of a patient during a laparotomy or Cesarean section includes a support frame with at least one support member disposed above the panniculus of the patient, and an upper retractor that includes: a first resilient member including a first support member end attached to the at least one support member, and a first patient attachment end for attaching to the skin of the patient adjacent the incision in the panniculus; and a second resilient member including a second support member end attached to the at least one support member, and a second patient attachment end for attaching to the skin of the patient adjacent the incision in the panniculus. The first and second resilient members are responsive to the respiration of the patient.

Abstract: A nasal nebulizer contains a main canister with at least one air exit port and an insert with at least one fluid channel. The fluid channel ends in a common bell housing above a base of the insert, which rests within the canister. The insert and the canister may form one integral unit for single usage, where a cap plugs the air exit port and the fluid channel, allowing for the transport or long-term storage of fluids within the nebulizer device. The insert may include an extension extending out to the canister and a vertical groove may extend down the fluid channel to a hole in the extension, which upon use helps create a vacuum that pulls in deflected fluid for re-use. The nebulizer may also contain a filter surrounding the tube portion near the top of the canister to catch any extraneous matter expelled from the nose during usage.

Abstract: A pressurized air supply source for a portable nasal irrigator houses an airflow regulating system, instead of external bulky, heavy components, to power the atomization of fluid for irrigation of nasal passages. The airflow regulating system is made up of a pump, a motor to drive the pump, a filter with an inlet air manifold connected to the pump to eliminate additional tubing within the pressurized air supply source, and an optionally rechargeable battery to drive the motor. An external AC/DC power supply may charge the battery or operate the device when the battery is in a discharged state. A canister for holding fluid attaches on top of the pressurized air supply source and an insert fits that over a fluid channel in the canister to create a venturi effect and draw the fluid out. The pressurized air supply source creates a clinically effective airflow despite its small size.

Abstract: A nasal nebulizer with a main canister for receiving fluid and an insert with a fluid channel includes a contiguous pressurized air supply source. The fluid channel may be a tapered tube overlapping an air exit port in the canister. The fluid channel may also comprise a common bell housing surrounding the air exit port above a base of the insert, which rests within the canister. The insert may include an extension projecting out to the canister and a vertical groove may extend down the fluid channel to a hole in the extension, which upon use helps create a vacuum that pulls in deflected fluid. The main canister includes a convex top surface around the periphery of an opening for a reservoir that receives fluids. The top surface extends downwardly to a generally rectangular opening that connects to the pressurized air supply source.

Abstract: A nasal nebulizer with a main canister for receiving fluid and an insert with a fluid channel includes a contiguous pressurized air supply source. The fluid channel may be a tapered tube overlapping an air exit port in the canister. The fluid channel may also comprise a common bell housing surrounding the air exit port above a base of the insert, which rests within the canister. The insert may include an extension projecting out to the canister and a vertical groove may extend down the fluid channel to a hole in the extension, which upon use helps create a vacuum that pulls in deflected fluid. The main canister includes a convex top surface around the periphery of an opening for a reservoir that receives fluids. The top surface extends downwardly to a generally rectangular opening that connects to the pressurized air supply source.

Abstract: A method and device for nasal irrigation and drug delivery wherein fluid held in a canister is atomized via a compressed air supply to create particles sized for penetration and retention in the nasal cavity under pressure that is able to stent open the soft tissues of the nose to deliver the resultant mist into the whole of the nasal passages without the need for the patient to create an airstream through inhalation. The device consists of a main canister with a reservoir to hold the fluid, two air outlets and an insert that is placed over the air outlets, the insert having at least one outlet that is larger than the holes in the air outlet and allows the fluid to be atomized and injected directly into the nasal cavity.

Abstract: A method of treating neoplasms of the nasal cavity. Fluid containing corticosteroids held in a canister is atomized via a compressed air supply to create particles sized for penetration and retention in the nasal cavity under pressure that is able to stent open the soft tissues of the nose to deliver the resultant mist into the whole of the nasal passages without the need for the patient to create an airstream through inhalation. The device consists of a main canister with a reservoir to hold the fluid, two air outlets and an insert that is placed over the air outlets, the insert having at least one outlet that is larger than the holes in the air outlet and allows the fluid to be atomized and injected directly into the nasal cavity.

Abstract: A device for transluminal implantation of a substantially tubular, radially expansible stent. The device includes a central tube surrounded by an outer tube axially displaceable relative to the central tube, with the radial dimensions of the tubes being such as to form an annular space therebetween capable of accommodating the stent in an unexpanded state. The outer tube is axially displaceable relative to the central tube. In one embodiment of the device, the central tube, at a distal end thereof, is provided with a section of reduced diameter at the proximal end of which there is an undercut groove forming a circumferential flange within which a proximal end of the stent rests until release of the stent by rearward displacement of the outer tube. In a modification of the device, the central tube, at its distal end, includes a sleeve slidably positioned therearound for capturing at least a proximal portion of the stent restraining the proximal portion against movement until stent deployment.

Abstract: A prostatic stent and method of manufacture. The stent has an elongate body defining a passage therethrough and includes a distal section, a mid-section and a proximal section. The elongate body has a length sufficient to extend distally from a bladder neck to a position somewhat short of the external sphincter. The proximal section has a shape conforming to the neck of the urinary bladder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biocompatible composition for tissue augmentation, comprising a pseudoplastic polymer carrier in an amount of 0.05-50% (w/w) of the total composition; and one or more tissue augmenting substances(s). Furthermore, the invention comprises a method for tissue augmentation, comprising: injecting the above composition into a desired site of the human or animal body for augmenting the tissue at and around said site.

Abstract: A device for transluminal implantation of a substantially tubular, radially expansible stent. The device includes a central tube surrounded by an outer tube axially displaceable relative to the central tube, with the radial dimensions of the tubes being such as to form an annular space therebetween capable of accommodating the stent in an unexpanded state. The outer tube is axially displaceable relative to the central tube. In one embodiment of the device, the central tube, at a distal end thereof, is provided with a section of reduced diameter at the proximal end of which there is an undercut groove forming a circumferential flange within which a proximal end of the stent rests until release of the stent by rearward displacement of the outer tube. In a modification of the device, the central tube, at its distal end, includes a sleeve slidably positioned therearound for capturing at least a proximal portion of the stent restraining the proximal portion against movement until stent deployment.

Abstract: A resilient, elastic self-expanding prosthesis comprising a flexible tubular body, the diameter of which is variable under axial movement of the ends of the body relative to each other, said body being composed of several individual rigid but resiliently flexible thread elements with spring properties each of which extends in helix configuration with the center line of the body as a common axis, a number of elements having same direction of winding but being axially displaced relative to each other crossing a number of elements also axially displaced relative to each other but having the opposite direction of winding to form a braided structure, characterized in that the residual tension of the thread elements as they form the structural elements of the tubular body, at least at the end sections thereof, is such that the diameter of the unloaded helix-shaped thread element, at least at the end sections thereof, when removed from the other elements forming the tubular body is not more than about 60% and prefer

Abstract: A device for transluminal implantation or extraction of a substantially tubular, radially selfexpanding stent (27), comprising a central tube (3) surrounded by an exterior tube (5) axially displaceable relative to the central tube (3), and a plurality of axially extending spring members (21) attached to the outer surface of said central tube (3) at the distal end thereof, said members being substantially evenly distributed around the periphery of said tube and capable of outward springing action of their front ends when retracting said exterior tube (5) from the distal end of said central tube (3).

Abstract: A device for implantation by insertion into a difficulty accessible location of a substantially tubular, radially expandable prosthesis including in combination such prosthesis and concentric therewith a flexible probe provided with an arrangement for maintaining said prosthesis in a radially contracted state and for releasing same at the desired location. The arrangement includes a hose concentrically surrounding the probe and radially surrounding the prosthesis to form a compartment therefor. The probe has a central axial channel enabling supply of a liquid flushing medium at its other end and the probe is provided with at least one radial aperture opening into the prosthesis compartment to enable flushing of the prosthesis compartment to remove gases therefrom before implantation.

Abstract: A device for transluminal implantation of a substantially tubular, radially expansible prosthesis (2), comprising in combination such prosthesis (2) and concentric therewith a flexible probe (1) with means (200) for maintaining said prosthesis (2) in a radially contracted state and for releasing same at the desired location, said means for maintaining and releasing the prothesis comprising a hose (5) concentrically surrounding said probe (1), one end of said hose being connected to the probe (1), and the hose (5) being folded inside itself to form a double-walled section (51, 52) radially surrounding the prothesis (2), the latter being releasable by axial relative movement of the ends of the hose, characterized by inflatable balloon means (30) positioned between said probe (1) and said prosthesis (2) and substantially coextensive with the latter, whereby after releasing the prosthesis at the desired location in the lumen controlled expansion of the prosthesis and the surrounding lumen wall can be achieved by

Abstract: A method of producing a mono- or multilayered prosthesis material for use with a living body, the material showing mechanical compliance vis-a-vis soft body tissue and possessing biocompatibility, the method comprising the steps of:(a) preparing a polymer solution using a mixed solvent, the solution being near its precipitation point;(b) coating a substrate and precipitating thereon the polymer to form a physically stable porous structure by evaporating at least part of the solvent fraction of the mixed solvent;and the multilayered prosthesis material prepared by the method.

Abstract: There is provided a device for inserting an object in the form of a helical spring element with a radially variable configuration into a space which is difficult to access, particularly for medicinal use in implanting such an object in a living organism, which device includes an elongate probe, having at its insertion end a mandrel coaxial with the probe, the mandrel carrying two axially separate fasteners for the respective ends of the element, the fasteners being mutually, relatively rotatable about the axis of the mandrel for permitting the spring element to be wound tightly round the mandrel while the radial configuration of said element contracts, before insertion into the space. The fasteners are mutually connected by a transmission in the area of the mandrel.