Abstract: A kit for removing an embedded wire from tissue includes a dissector instrument for dissecting tissue surrounding an embedded wire and a pulling instrument for pulling the embedded wire from the tissue. The dissector instrument includes a proximal portion with a first and second handle and a distal portion. The distal portion of the dissector instrument includes a tubular section for surrounding an embedded wire. The pulling instrument includes a proximal portion with a first and second handle and a distal portion. The distal portion of the pulling instrument includes an elongated clamp for coupling to the embedded wire for extraction. The dissector instrument and pulling instrument may be used together as a kit, or separately to extract embedded wire from tissue.

Abstract: A device for providing speech to a user has a sound wave generator, a sound wave guide for guiding the sound wave to a user's nasal cavity, an airflow generator for producing airflow through the sound wave guide, a pitch controller, and a volume controller. The device causes air and sound waves to pass through the user's mouth so the user can convert the airflow and sound waves to speech. The device can have a nasal cover or nasal prongs to engage the nose. The resulting speech can be controlled to have a substantially constant volume, and can be controlled to have proper tonal inflection. The sound wave generator can provide more than one frequency at a time. The sound wave generator can be a musical instrument. The device is handheld and portable. The device can be used to train a user to control a singing voice.

Abstract: A device and method for the treatment of sleep apnea and/or snoring in a human patient includes at least one electrode stimulator for providing direct electrical stimulation to a throat and/or laryngeal muscles of the patient. The stimulator is constructed and arranged to be positioned at the throat and/or laryngeal muscles of the patient, either on the surface or subcutaneously. A power source provides a continuous electrical signal to the stimulator so that the throat and/or laryngeal muscles of the patient are contracted to open the airway of the patient. The power source can be a portable source remote from the electrode or a pacemaker unit also implanted in the patient.

Abstract: A device to be surgically inserted for providing bulk and stiffness supporting the urethra. A preferred embodiment is shaped like a capital letter “T.” The extensions of the T are wide compared to the patient's anterior vagina and urethra. The pubovaginal support is positioned or implanted under the urethra in the area from mid-urethra to the bladder neck. The body is folded, rolled, or otherwise arranged to provide bulk under the urethra. The pubovaginal support is constructed to be relatively stiff in the area directly supporting the urethra. The extensions retain the device in its position in the vagina without the need for abdominal or pubic bone anchors. The device additionally has some flexibility for easier insertion and comfort while retained in the body. A method of treating incontinence includes inserting the device into pockets dissected in the peri-urethral tissue between the vagina and urethra.

Abstract: A device to be surgically inserted for providing bulk and stiffness supporting the urethra. A preferred embodiment is shaped like a capital letter “T.” The T extensions of the T are wide compared to the patient's anterior vagina and urethra. The pubovaginal sling is positioned or implanted under the urethra in the area from mid-urethra to the bladder neck. The body is folded, rolled, or otherwise arranged to provide bulk under the urethra. The pubovaginal sling is constructed to be relatively stiff in the area directly supporting the urethra. The extensions retain the device in its position in the vagina without the need for abdominal or pubic bone anchors. The device additionally has some flexibility for easier insertion and comfort while retained in the body. Alternative embodiments include material with increased bulk and stiffness in the body area adjacent to the urethra, and do not include a folded or rolled portion of the body.

Abstract: A spacer useful for relieving excess pressure exerted on a sphincter muscle by an anatomical structure. A preferred embodiment relates to a urethral spacer. The urethral spacer is a disk-like element formed of an absorbable, biodegradable material, and includes a slot through a portion of the device which permits the disk to be opened up and positioned around the urethra. The urethral spacer is sutured in place around the urethra adjacent to or around the urinary sphincter, preferably after a radical prostatectomy.

Abstract: A two-pulse, lateral tissue illuminator in which a first pulse delivered by a first optical waveguide is used to irradiate a liquid-containing region to form a vapor bubble; a second pulse, delivered by a second optical waveguide, is then passed through the vapor bubble and used to incise a tissue of a patient. The illuminating device can be used to effectively deliver radiation to tissue positioned laterally relative to the axis of the delivery fibers, and allows a reduction in the attenuation of the radiation by the surrounding liquid.

Abstract: A two-pulse, lateral tissue illuminator in which a first pulse delivered by a first optical waveguide is used to irradiate a liquid-containing region to form a vapor bubble; a second pulse, delivered by a second optical waveguide, is then passed through the vapor bubble and used to incise a tissue of a patient. The illuminating device can be used to effectively deliver radiation to tissue positioned laterally relative to the axis of the delivery fibers, and allows a reduction in the attenuation of the radiation by the surrounding liquid.