Abstract: A single device is provided for performing hysterography and intrauterine venography having a marker that aids in positioning the device within the patient, having a bulb-tip to seal the cervix, having a bulb-tip opening to allow an image enhancing medium to be discharged from a needle and injected into the uterus to perform the hysterography, having a needle to discharge and inject an image enhancing medium into the fundal myometrium to perform the intrauterine venography, and having a needle securing mechanism to secure the needle to prevent patient injury during transcervical introduction of the device.

Abstract: A kit and method for supporting a pelvic floor of a person with stress urinary incontinence or other symptoms. The method involves using barbed sutures as part of a sling for supporting the pelvic floor or urethra of a person experiencing stress urinary incontinence or other symptoms. A surgeon implants the sling along with the barbed sutures, using one of several known methods. The barbed sutures may be interwoven with the sling and the supports for the sling, so that once the sling and its supports are placed into the patient, barbs of the sutures will resist movement. The sutures may also be woven into the supports to resist movement.

Abstract: A surgical cutter with a flat blade and a cutting wedge allows a surgeon to safely trim a foreign object inside a body, such as a urethral sling inside a patient, so that a minimum of sling remains in place after cutting. The shortened sling minimizes tension applied to the urethra and to any nearby bladder tissues. The cutter may also be used to trim other prostheses or devices implanted within a patient. The cutter is configured so that the cutting surface of the blade does not contact tissue of the patient.

Abstract: A method for aspirating an oocyte from a human female is provided. The method includes the step of providing at least one ovarian cortical piece, implanting the ovarian cortical piece in the human female at a heterotopic location, and triggering oocyte maturity in the at least one ovarian cortical piece. The method also includes the steps of providing an aspiration needle and retrieving at least one oocyte from the at least one ovarian cortical piece using the aspiration needle.

Abstract: An embryo transfer catheter includes an echogenic tip or radiopaque tip and a unique stop that allows a physician to more accurately place embryos in a patient's uterus. The catheter is preferably used with an ultrasound transducer placed in the patient's vagina, allowing the physician to better visualize the distance between the cervical opening and the desired location for placement in the uterus. Abdominal placement of a transducer is also helpful.

Abstract: An embryo transfer catheter with a protective sheath is disclosed. The use of a protective sheath shields a guide catheter from cervical mucus. The retracted open flaps of the outer protective sheath draw the mucus and blood away from the inner guide catheter. This allows an inner embryo transfer sheath to enter the uterus unobstructed. The embryo is then transferred to the uterus by means of fluid pressure with a culture medium. The protective sheath may be snap fit onto the guide catheter. The sheaths and catheters may be manufactured in a variety of lengths for individual convenience and then snap-fit onto each other for better control during an embryo implantation procedure. Other catheters and related instruments may also be manufactured with snap-on features.