Abstract: A two-part connector structure (22, 32) includes a male connector part (32) and a female connector part (22) which are mutually engageable to open fluid communication between the connector parts (22, 32). For example, the connector parts (22, 32) may be used to establish fluid communication between a container (12) and a conduit (14). The connector parts (22, 32) are disengageable from one another to discontinue fluid communication between them, and also to close communication between ambient and each of the container and the conduit. The male connector part (32) includes a mounting structure (32a) for supporting on the female connector part (22), and also includes a guide structure (44) effective to guide a male portion (36) of the male connector part (32) into engagement with the female connector part (22).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treatment of male incontinence and a method for female cystocele repair are disclosed in which a sling material is positioned between the descending rami of the pubic bone. In such an operation a “hammock-like” sling material is positioned below the urethra in males, or below the posterior bladder wall in the case of cystocele in females.

Abstract: A catheter enabling a reduced puncture hole size into the skin and blood vessel is disclosed. In one embodiment, the catheter has an elongate body having an expandable sheath extending at least a portion of its length. A pressure constraining sheath is positioned to surround the expandable sheath, at a selected region to prevent expansion of the inner sheath at the region of the constraining sheath. In one preferred use, the constraining sheath is positioned at the puncture hole. During use, the catheter increases in cross-section by an expandable sheath expanding from a first diameter to a second diameter. However, the outer sheath does not expand, maintaining a small diameter at the puncture site.

Abstract: A fabric used with an inflatable penile prosthesis and having a high fabric weave density is disclosed. The fabric is comprised of substantially non-distensible warp fibers and expandable/contractible fill fibers. The warp fibers are made of a 40 denier polyester yarn and the fill fibers are made of a 70 denier spandex yarn wrapped with a 40 denier polyester yarn. The fill fibers and warp fibers have sufficient fabric weave density so as to resist fabric distortion, such as fill separation.

Abstract: A dual port syringe has an upper port for connection to a fluid reservoir and a lower port for delivery of the medical fluid under pressure to a patient. A first valve is connected between the fluid reservoir and the upper port, and second valve is connected between the lower port and the patient. During a fill operation, a piston is moved within the syringe to drawn fluid from the reservoir into the syringe through the upper port. During injection operation, the piston moves in an opposite direction to force fluid out of the syringe through the lower port.

Abstract: A procedure for treating urinary stress incontinence by using bone anchors, whether screw or staple type, with or without suture, inserted pervaginally for use with a sling material for supporting the bladder neck and/or proximal uretha.

Abstract: A bone boring device and method wherein the device includes a hinge, a handle coupled to the hinge, and at least one curved needle with a tip. The needle is rotatably mounted on the hinge such that when the tip is placed against bone and the needle is rotated on the hinge, the needle is urged and advanced into the bone.

Abstract: A pubic bone-mounted urethra stabilization and support system includes a pair of anchors which are affixed to the posterior/inferior pubic bone, sutures attached to the anchors, and a mesh sling which is passed behind and about the urethra and the adjacent endopelvic fascia. The ends of the sling are attached to the anchors by the anchor-mounted sutures. The method includes the steps of accessing the urethra and the pubic bone through a vaginal incision, properly locating and attaching the anchors to the pubic bone, properly locating the sling about the urethra and adjacent endopubic fascia and suturing and tensioning the ends of the sling to the anchors, causing said sling to restore, support and stabilize functional urethral continence anatomy and prevent urethral descent under intraabdominal pressure.

Abstract: A pubic bone-mounted urethra stabilization and support system and method therefor for the long term cure of recurrent female urinary incontinence. The system comprises, a pair of anchors affixed to the posterior/inferior pubic bone, sutures attach to the anchors and a mesh sling passing behind and about the urethra and the adjacent endopelvic fascia and having ends attached to the anchors by the anchor-mounted sutures. The method includes the steps of accessing said urethra with the endopelvic fascia therebehind and the pubic bone, properly locating and attaching the anchors to the pubic bone, properly locating the sling about the urethra and adjacent endopubic fascia and suturing and tensioning the ends of the sling to the anchors, causing said sling to restore, support and stabilize functional urethral continence anatomy and prevent urethral descent under intraabdominal pressure.

Abstract: A minimally invasive approach for surgery on portions of the heart and great vessels located between a point approximately three centimeters above supra annular ridge and the mid ventricular cavity. A parasternal incision is made extending across a predetermined number of costal cartilage, e.g., a right parasternal incision extending from the lower edge of the second costal cartilage to the superior edge of the fifth costal cartilage. One or more costal cartilages, e.g., the third and fourth, are then excised to provide access to the portion of the heart or great vessels of interest, and a desired procedure completed. The minimally invasive approach enables repair or replacement of the mitral or aortic valve.

Abstract: A design and method of implantation is disclosed for a flexible annuloplasty system for repairing a valve in a patient's heart. The annuloplasty system includes an elongate, flexible band with a needle attached to one end of the band and a fit adjuster attached to the other end of the band. The band is made of silicone and includes a plurality of fibers that are configured to prevent axial elongation of the band. In addition, the plurality of fibers ensure that a suture will catch on the fibers and prevent the suture from tearing out of the band.

Abstract: Surgical apparatus and associated methods of use are provided for retracting tissue around an incision. The apparatus includes a member having an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface. An adjustable aperture is definable within the inner peripheral surface as the member is adjusted between a compressed condition in which the aperture is substantially closed and an expanded condition in which the aperture is substantially open. The apparatus is positioned within a surgical incision in the compressed condition, and is adjusted to the expanded condition in situ to define an opening within the incision through the aperture whereby a surgical field may be viewed and/or accessed.

Abstract: A sewing ring for implantation of prosthetic heart valves has a compliant ring member made of a plurality of cells. The ring member may be silicon rubber and the cells defined within outer walls and inner ribs. A biocompatible fabric covering surrounds at least an outer portion of the ring member, and the assembly mounts to a mechanical or tissue-type prosthetic heart valve. The ring member has a radial dimension and cross-sectional area sufficient to ensure a large coaptation area between the sewing ring and the annulus tissue so as to enable adequate attachment of the valve without load distributing devices such as pledgets. A version of the sewing ring for attachment to the mitral annulus includes a curved coaptation edge, while another embodiment for attachment to the aortic annulus has a tapered outer edge with increased radial and axial dimensions.

Abstract: An annulus sizer measures the size of a valve annulus during annuloplasty surgery. The annulus sizer includes a sizing portion for measuring the valve annulus and a coupling portion for attaching to a handle. The coupling portion is disposed on a proximal surface of the sizing portion. The sizing portion has a thickness on the order of about 0.1 inch. This relatively small thickness of the sizer facilitates minimally invasive annuloplasty surgery. For example, the sizer may be inserted through a relatively small intercostal incision. In addition, the relatively thin sizing portion minimizes optical distortion. The coupling portion may be disposed on the sizing portion at a location which is offset from the center of the sizer, thereby defining an enlarged viewing area. The coupling portion may have threading to engage with threading of the handle to ensure secure attachment.