Abstract: A mechanical penile prosthesis which comprises an elongated, tubular, prestretched, elastic outer sheath having a distal tip, a proximal tip and an intermediate portion defining a hollow tubular chamber having positioned therein a central core anchored at each of its ends to a tip, and an articulated member positioned about the flexible core, which articulated member comprises a plurality of alternating rings and discs, each of the rings being defined by a toroid having a curved surface, a substantially circular cross-section and an outer circumference, each of the discs being defined by a toroid having a flattened upper surface and a flattened lower surface, each surface having a peripheral portion which has a tapered or convex profile which contacts the curved surface of the adjacent rings.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrosurgical incision of a stricture within or adjacent to a body lumen, which comprises an electrically conducting, deflectable wire associated with an introducer for introducing the apparatus into the body lumen, wherein a proximal portion of the wire is deflectable outwardly relative to the introducer, and a source of RF electric current connected to the wire whereby RF electric current may be transmitted through the wire when it is in the deflected position.

Abstract: An apparatus for the determination and continuous monitoring of bladder epithelial oxygen (pbO.sub.2) which comprises, in combination, an introductory catheter with an inflatable placement cuff and an oxygen sensor, wherein the sensor is completely accommodated within the catheter when not in use and, when the apparatus is placed within a patient's bladder, the sensor is adapted to be deployed so that the distal end of the sensor passes through an open port in the distal wall of the catheter and extends beyond the tip of the catheter to rest against the wall of the bladder; and a method for the continuous monitoring of pbO.sub.2 using such apparatus.

Abstract: A method for assembling a package for an active medical device which comprises making an opening in a wall of a recess shaped to receive the device, placing a gasket against the wall and about a band mounted through a flat portion of the wall, inserting the band through the opening so the gasket is flush against the wall, installing an outer part about the band to hold the gasket against the wall to form a sterile barrier, and placing a lid over the recess to contain the device within a sterile field.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor for the determination of the partial pressure of oxygen in a bloodstream comprising a cathode and an anode immersed in an electrolyte contained in a chamber defined by an oxygen gas permeable membrane wherein the insulated portion of each of the conductors forming the cathode and the anode has an additional layer of insulation applied over the original insulation.

Abstract: A rectal probe comprising a catheter having a longitudinal axis around which is mounted an inflatable, low pressure, compliant balloon having a temperature element associated with the wall thereof, means for holding the probe at a proper position within a patient's rectum and means for inflating the balloon when it is properly positioned to put the temperature element in intimate contact with the anterior side of the rectum. A method for monitoring a patient's rectal mucosal temperature during thermal treatment of the patient's prostate is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electrochemical sensor which comprises folding into a "U" shape an exposed, uninsulated portion of an elongate, insulated conductor to form an anode having an exposed, uninsulated distal end surface, positioning the end surface of the anode to face the exposed, uninsulated distal end surface of an elongate insulated conductor forming a cathode, placing the anode and facing cathode within a tube defined by a gas permeable membrane, filling the tube with an electrolyte and sealing the distal end of the tube.

Abstract: An electrosurgical bipolar treating apparatus comprising a handpiece to which is connected a first active electrode and a second return electrode having exposed distal ends which define a bipolar tip for electrosurgically treating tissue at an operational site on a patient, which tip is structured so that both distal ends simultaneously contact said tissue and wherein the active electrode has a higher tissue to electrode impedance than the return electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a tube and a part has a polymeric tube with an axis along the longitude thereof. The part has a cross sectional shape and size to be near an inside surface of the tube when the part is at least partially therewithin. The part or tube is supported so that relative movement along the axis places the part at least partially within the tube located between the ends or in the tube near the distal or proximal end thereof. The part and/or the tube is a thermoplastic polymer made by a process that develops within the polymer a memory of the polymer prior to forming so that residual stresses remaining in the part can be relaxed by changing temperature causing expansion. A form of a relatively nonconductive material is positioned for relative movement along the axis and for placement about the tube. The form is shaped and sized to fit and contain the outside surface of the tube.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor for the determination of the partial pressure of oxygen in a bloodstream comprising a cathode and an anode immersed in an electrolyte contained in a chamber defined by an oxygen gas permeable membrane wherein the conductor forming the anode is folded into a "U" shape so that the exposed distal end surface thereof faces the distal end surface of the cathode.

Abstract: A device for transmitting and returning light comprising an elongate light transmissive flexible polymer fiber with a longitudinal axis, first and second ends normal to the axis for passing light therebetween and a returner shaped and sized to fit the second end with a face positioned to return light transmitted therethrough. A method and apparatus for manufacturing the device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A valve for controlling the flow of fluid through a flow path, which valve comprises a housing defining a flow path and having two indented portions about the flow path, a poppet mounted within each indented portion such that the internal end of each indented portion defines a seat which provides a fluid tight seal when the associated poppet head is held against the seat, a spring associated with each poppet for holding each poppet against each seat, a rigid moveable member associated with each poppet and adapted to alter the orientation of the associated poppet relative to its seat and thereby seal or unseal the flow path around the poppet, and an actuator for moving each movable member; and inflator apparatus incorporating at least one valve.

Abstract: A package for an active medical device has a film member pocket recess. The member has a planar flange about the recess and a flat wall with an opening. A lid attaches to the flange. Outer and inner parts of a junction conjugate in the opening to seal and insure sterility. Test means on the inner part test means include a transparent window in a central web to permit optical signal transmission and electrical signals pass through a plurality of spaced apart electrically conductive pins about the web to distally couple the device and test linkage. An inner part band with a brim thereabout fits through the opening so the brim faces the wall. An outer part collar with a rim thereabout conjugates with the band that extends through the opening and the rim abuts in tight facing relation the wall. The brim and band support a resilient gasket for compression between the wall and the brim when threads on the band mate with threads on the collar.

Abstract: Electrosurgical apparatus for performing at least cutting and coagulation of biological tissue, which comprises a hand operated electrosurgical pencil comprising an electrically insulated housing and an electrode with a distal end defining a tip, means for supplying high-frequency, alternating current, electrical energy from a generator through the electrode to the tissue and means for returning electrical energy from the tissue to the generator to complete an electrical circuit, switching means mounted on the housing for selecting the cut mode or the coagulating mode, which switching means is connected to an isolated low voltage, direct current circuit which provides an appropriate signal to control the generator in the cut mode or coagulating mode, respectively, whereby the generator supplies the desired high-frequency, alternating current, electrical energy to the electrode and current leakage is limited.

Abstract: A barrier for a connector defining a junction between an interengaging member and a conjugating part, which barrier comprises a resilient sleeve shaped to snugly fit a proximal portion of reduced cross section which abuts a proximally facing shoulder and captures an open end of an elastic open ended sheath therebetween.

Abstract: A device for enhancing the safety and efficiency of a hand-operated electrosurgical pencil having an exposed electrode with a distal end defining a tip for cutting biological tissue, which device comprises a nose piece adapted to be mounted about said electrode and defining at least one pathway for a stream of gas which shrouds the electrode at or near the tip thereof, and electrosurgical apparatus incorporating the device and a method for cutting biological tissue using the apparatus.

Abstract: An electrical circuit system which provides electrical energy to a surgical apparatus having ultrasonic fragmentation, aspiration and electrosurgical coagulation capabilities, which system also includes an impedance sensing network and automatic feedback power output control to reduce RF power output as load impedance increases, thereby reducing RF leakage current.

Abstract: An injectable composition consisting of a plurality of discrete physiologically-compatible, non-biodegradable, silicone rubber bodies, said bodies having (i) a maximum outside dimension of from about 0.005 to 0.08 inch (125 to 2000.mu.), (ii) reversible deformability of about 20 to 75% of their unstressed outside dimension and (iii) a lubricious surface, wherein the lubricious surface is provided by a thin film coating of a liquid lubricant; and a method for treating a tissue condition in a patient using said composition.

Abstract: An injectable composition comprising a plurality of discrete physiologically-compataible, non-biodegradable, polymeric bodies, said bodies having (i) an average outside diameter of from about 0.005 to 0.20 inch, (ii) reversible deformability of about 20 to 75% of their unstressed outside diameter, and (iii) a lubricious surface; a process for the preparation of said composition and a method for treating a tissue condition in a patient using said composition.