Abstract: A flexible sensor configured for use in a bladder is flexible and moveable from a first position in which it is configured to not be discharged from the bladder to a second position in which it is configured to be inserted into the bladder. A sensor insertion tool includes an over sheath, a push rod configured to be inserted into a first lumen of the over sheath. The flexible sensor is positioned in the first lumen of the over sheath, the push rod is then inserted partially into the over sheath behind the flexible sensor. The sensor insertion tool is then positioned at a location, such as the opening to the bladder, in which the sensor is to be deployed.

Abstract: Methods of using a soft tissue cutting device are disclosed. The methods include providing the soft tissue cutting device, positioning the soft tissue cutting device in a priming slot of a tray configured for receiving and holding the soft tissue cutting device, attaching a priming syringe to the soft tissue cutting device, priming a balloon disposed on a distal end of the soft tissue cutting device by equalizing a first pressure inside the balloon to a second pressure inside the priming syringe, removing the soft tissue cutting device from the priming slot, and positioning the distal end of the soft tissue cutting device on a safety slot included in the tray to determine whether the tissue cutting device has been properly primed.

Abstract: Methods of using a soft tissue cutting device are disclosed. The methods include providing the soft tissue cutting device, positioning the soft tissue cutting device in a priming slot of a tray configured for receiving and holding the soft tissue cutting device, attaching a priming syringe to the soft tissue cutting device, priming a balloon disposed on a distal end of the soft tissue cutting device by equalizing a first pressure inside the balloon to a second pressure inside the priming syringe, removing the soft tissue cutting device from the priming slot, and positioning the distal end of the soft tissue cutting device on a safety slot included in the tray to determine whether the tissue cutting device has been properly primed.

Abstract: A method of cutting soft tissue in a hand to treat trigger finger involves advancing an introducer shaft into the hand to position a distal end of the introducer shaft beyond a pulley in a finger of the hand, advancing a blade along a guiding channel on an upper surface of the introducer shaft, to position a distal end of the blade at or near the distal end of the introducer shaft, and rotating a cutting surface of the blade to an orientation at or near perpendicular relative to the upper surface of the introducer shaft. The method further involves retracting the blade along the introducer shaft to cut the pulley and removing the introducer shaft and the blade from the hand.

Abstract: A soft tissue cutting device and methods of cutting soft tissue are disclosed. The soft tissue cutting device includes a blade having a blade working end. One or more balloons are disposed in proximity of the blade working end, and an inflation assembly configured inflate the one or more balloons is included. The inflation assembly includes a fill port in fluid communication with a bellows, and the one or more balloons.

Abstract: Methods of using a soft tissue cutting device are disclosed. The methods include providing the soft tissue cutting device, positioning the soft tissue cutting device in a priming slot of a tray configured for receiving and holding the soft tissue cutting device, attaching a priming syringe to the soft tissue cutting device, priming a balloon disposed on a distal end of the soft tissue cutting device by equalizing a first pressure inside the balloon to a second pressure inside the priming syringe, removing the soft tissue cutting device from the priming slot, and positioning the distal end of the soft tissue cutting device on a safety slot included in the tray to determine whether the tissue cutting device has been properly primed.

Abstract: A tray for a soft tissue cutting device includes a housing slot for removably housing the soft tissue cutting device prior to use and a priming slot for receiving the soft tissue cutting device during a priming procedure. The priming slot allows connection of the soft tissue cutting device to a priming syringe for priming the soft tissue cutting device. The tray also includes a safety slot for testing whether the soft tissue cutting device is primed for use and a sterile cover connectable to the tray. The sterile cover substantially encloses the tray when it is connected thereto.

Abstract: An implant or sling sheath system having an overlapping sheath material is provided. The sheath can include two telescoping or overlapping sections. The overlapping sections can include at least one release feature to eliminate or reduce sticking of the overlapping sections together during use.

Abstract: A tray for a soft tissue cutting device includes a housing slot for removably housing the soft tissue cutting device prior to use and a priming slot for receiving the soft tissue cutting device during a priming procedure. The priming slot allows connection of the soft tissue cutting device to a priming syringe for priming the soft tissue cutting device. The tray also includes a safety slot for testing whether the soft tissue cutting device is primed for use and a sterile cover connectable to the tray. The sterile cover substantially encloses the tray when it is connected thereto.

Abstract: An implant or sling sheath system having an overlapping sheath material is provided. The sheath can include two telescoping or overlapping sections. The overlapping sections can include at least one release feature to eliminate or reduce sticking of the overlapping sections together during use.

Abstract: A delivery system for deploying an occlusion device comprises a piston having a threaded proximal end, an elongated delivery catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends of the delivery catheter, and a drive mechanism comprising an internally threaded nut member and a spring member. The piston, which is coupled at a distal end to the proximal end of the delivery catheter, is moveable between a first axial position and a second axial position. The internally threaded nut member is configured to receive the threaded proximal end of the piston. The spring member, which is coupled to the internally threaded nut member, is configured to rotate the nut member to drive the piston from the first axial position toward the nut member to the second axial position. Driving the piston toward the nut member retracts the attached delivery catheter and deploys an occlusion device from within the inner lumen and through the distal end of the delivery catheter.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering an occluding device to a body lumen comprises an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a delivery means for delivering the occluding device to a desired location within the body lumen, and a flexible atraumatic tip on the distal end of the elongated shaft. The distal end of the elongated shaft is insertable into the body lumen. The atraumatic tip is configured to guide the elongated shaft through the body lumen while avoiding perforation of the body lumen.

Abstract: A scope seal and method for sealing a working channel of a hysterscope is disclosed. The scope seal includes a proximal end through which a catheter can be received, a distal end that communicates with a fitting on the hysteroscope, and a substantially hollow body longitudinally extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The scope seal also includes a catheter sealing mechanism positionable within the body, a shaft seal, a chamber configured to receive the fitting of the hysteroscope and a pressure relief chamber. The catheter sealing mechanism can be any one of a duckbill valve, a conic valve, and/or a membrane. The chamber for receiving the fitting on the hysteroscope communicates with the fitting positioned on a proximal end of the hysteroscope, where the working channel of the hysteroscope accommodates a catheter therethrough in order to perform in vivo procedures.

Abstract: A medical illumination device including a sterile package, a base, a light housing, and a flexible body. An attachment component of the base may include an adhesive exposable upon removal of the component from the package. The base may have sufficient surface area, sufficient base weight, and sufficient holding strength to effectively provide stability for repositioning. The base may be 50% of the device weight and have a surface area of 1.0 square inch. A second portion of the attachment component may be repositionable without detaching the first portion. Portions may be separately removable from the sterile package. The device may include a second flexible body attaching a second light source to the base. The device may provide a base containing a power means, a lighting means, and a flexible body means. The device may also include a sterile packaging means and repositioning means.

Abstract: A medical illumination device including a base, a light housing and a flexible body. The base includes a power source and an attachment component. The attachment component further includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion attachable to an attachment point and the second portion repositionable relative to the first portion without detaching the first portion from the attachment point. The flexible body has a self-sustaining shape with at least one bendable shaft positioned inside the flexible body. The base provides stability for repositioning of the flexible body. The base has sufficient surface area contacting the attachment point, sufficient base weight, and sufficient holding strength to effectively provide stability for repositioning of the flexible body. The base comprises at least 50% of the weight of the device and has a surface area of at least 1.0 square inch.

Abstract: The invention provides a medical screwdriver having a sleeve that can be coupled to the medical screwdriver without the need to align the sleeve to the medical screwdriver. The medical screwdriver includes a body portion having a receiver, a drive shaft, a sleeve, and a coupling connecting the sleeve to the receiver. The sleeve surrounds at least a portion of the drive shaft when coupled to the receiver. The coupling comprises an end of the sleeve and the receiver of the body portion. The end of the sleeve and the receiver are designed so that the end of the sleeve can be coupled with the receiver of the body portion without rotationally aligning the end of the sleeve to the receiver of the body portion and so that the sleeve is prevented from rotating in a direction of rotation during use.

Abstract: A system for ligating a uterine artery in a patient generally includes a suture transfer tool, suture transfer darts, and one or more sutures. The suture transfer tool includes an upper jaw that is pivotally joined to a lower jaw. The lower jaw of the tool includes a number of suture capturing pins. The suture transfer darts are configured to be tissue piercing and are positionable within the suture capturing pins. Each end of the suture is connected to a suture transfer dart. When operating the tool, the suture transfer darts pierce through the tissue to either side of a patient's cardinal ligament, which contains the uterine artery, and simultaneously present an end of the suture to either side of the cardinal ligament. As such, the suture is in an open loop configuration about the cardinal ligament and can be tied tight to the ligament to occlude the uterine artery.

Abstract: Surgical procedures, tools, and kits particularly suited to effect uterine artery ligation in a minimally invasive manner to treat uterine fibroids or other conditions of the uterus are disclosed. An incision through the fornix is made to access the uterine arteries supported by the cardinal and uterosacral ligaments. A distal end of one or more sutures is passed around each uterine artery and a portion of the ligament supporting and enclosing the uterine artery, wherein the portion may include a uterine vein. The passage is effected by directing a suture distal end along a first side of the portion of the ligament beyond to the fornix incision, then through the ligament, and then back proximally along the second ligament side toward the fornix incision.

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.