Abstract: The present invention provides a tissue resection device comprising a handle housing having a fluid infusion lumen. A shaft is reciprocatably mounted to the housing, the shaft having an aperture adjacent to a distal end and a fluid and tissue aspiration lumen extending from the aperture to a proximal end of the shaft. A cutting member is disposed adjacent to the aperture to sever tissue as the shaft is reciprocated, and an imaging mechanism on the housing is oriented toward the cutting member, thereby allowing the attending surgeon to optically direct the removal of body cavity tissue. A chopping mechanism is disposed within the lumen of the shaft to reduce the size of tissues passing through the lumen.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for interfering with the adhesion formation process. In some embodiments, the present invention makes use of intermittent blunt dissection of fibrin bridging adjacent tissues prior to the formation of adhesions. Dissection is generally provided by pulsing a balloon implanted between the tissues. Optionally, the balloon will comprise an elastic structure to disrupt the formation of fibrin between the balloon and the surrounding tissues. Alternatively, the balloon may be at least partially covered by a bio-active anti-adhesion material. In some embodiments, the anti-adhesion material forms an envelope which is left between the tissues when the balloon is removed.

Abstract: A female urinary incontinence device (2) and method comprises an elongate body (4) and a pair of anterior support members (6, 8) extending from the proximal end of the elongate body. The anterior support members are spaced from each other and configured for elevating and/or supporting the superior vaginal tissue (122) on each side of the bladder neck (106) to normalize urodynamic parameters without completely occluding the urethra (108) so that the patient may urinate or not urinate, if desired. A pair of posterior support members (10, 12) extend from the distal end of the elongate body for engaging the posterior vaginal wall (120) to provide longitudinal support to the anterior support members. The device may be folded axially between a collapsed position for insertion into the vagina (100) and an expanded position for supporting the bladder neck to offer counterpressure to intra-bladder pressure so that continence is preserved.

Abstract: A tissue resection device for preferred use in an organ inflated with non-conductive optically transparent fluid under pressure is disclosed. The instrument includes a rigid shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and defining a perfusion lumen extending therebetween. At its distal end, the shaft is provided with a rounded blunt end having an elongate aperture exposing the lumen near the distal end. A drive tube is rotatably disposed within the shaft lumen and has a proximal end, a distal end, and a drive tube aspiration lumen extending therebetween. A cutting head is mounted on the distal end of the drive tube and has a laterally disposed cutting edge which can resection either by conventional cutting or electrocautery. This laterally disposed cutting edge is communicated to an internal passage between the cutting edge and the aspiration lumen of the drive tube so that tissue severed as the cutting head is rotated may be drawn directly into the aspiration lumen.

Abstract: A tissue resection device for preferred use in an organ inflated with non-conductive optically transparent fluid under pressure is disclosed. The instrument includes a rigid shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and defining a perfusion lumen extending therebetween. At the distal end of the shaft, the shaft is provided with a rounded blunt end having an elongate aperture exposing the lumen near the distal end. A drive tube is rotatably disposed within the shaft lumen and has a proximal end, a distal end, and a drive tube aspiration lumen extending therebetween. A cutting head is mounted on the distal end of the drive tube and has a laterally disposed cutting edge which can resection either by conventional cutting or electrocautery. This laterally disposed cutting edge is communicated to an internal passage between the cutting edge and the aspiration lumen of the drive tube so that tissue severed as the cutting head is rotated may be drawn directly into the aspiration lumen.