Abstract: The tissue expander includes a closed shell structure having a shell wall formed of a needle-penetrable material with self-sealing characteristics. The shell defines a fluid expandable chamber. In some embodiments of the invention, a self-sealing layer of elastomeric material is joined or otherwise bonded to an inner surface of a non-flowable layer of elastomeric material. In other embodiments of the invention, the self-sealing layer is joined to the outer surface of a layer of non-flowable elastomeric material. The self-sealing layer may also be sandwiched between two layers of non-flowable elastomeric material. In a further embodiment the self-sealing layer constitutes the entire shell of the tissue expander. In all embodiments of the invention, a needle stop member is provided to prevent a needle that accesses the fluid chamber from passing outwardly of the tissue expander in the same direction in which it has accessed the fluid chamber.

Abstract: The self-sealing tissue expander includes inner and outer layers of relatively nonflowable material and a median layer of flowable material, The median layer of flowable material which can include one or more sublayers of flowable material is under a predetermined compression imposed by the inner and outer layers due to a prestressing of the tissue expander shell during formation of the tissue expander. The self-sealing shell seals an opening in the shell wall following removal of an infusion needle. In all embodiments of the invention a needle stop member is provided to prevent the needle that accesses the fluid chamber from passing outwardly of the tissue expander. The need for a septum, a fluid conduit or a special fluid entry opening in the tissue expander shell is thus optional. The shell can also be made relatively more stretchable in some areas than in other areas.

Abstract: A female incontinence control device includes a conduit having inlet and outlet openings for receiving, conducting and discharging urinary fluid. The device also includes stabilizing structure, which can be adjustable, for holding the conduit in its installed position relative to the urethra and bladder such that a drainage inlet opening can receive fluid from the bladder, and the outlet discharge opening is positioned outside the urethra. The conduit includes a magnetically actuatable drainage control valve adapted to be positioned between the urethral orifice and the labia majora. Magnetic actuation of the valve from a normally closed position to an open position is thus easily accomplished by manipulating a portable magnet at a distal end of the conduit outside the urethral opening to selectively control urinary flow through the conduit.

Abstract: The catheter includes a user-controlled incontinence portion that is combinable with a fluid drainage member to permit continuous bladder drainage into a fluid collection member. The fluid drainage member can be detached from the incontinence portion fo the catheter while the catheter is installed in the urethra and bladder to convert from a continuous drainage system to a user-controlled system. In some embodiments of the invention the fluid drainage member includes inflation lumen for inflating a bladder balloon and urethral cuff of the incontinence portion. In other embodiments of the invention the bladder engaging portion and the urethral cuff are noninflatable and can be either compressed or distended to facilitate insertion in the urethra and bladder. A palpatable valve means is palpatable through the penis to an open condition to permit user-controlled bladder drainage.

Abstract: The infusion stent system includes a stent member having a plurality of openings provided in the wall of the stent along the entire length of the stent. An imperforate open ended guide tube member used for installation and infusion of the stent accommodates a core member that stiffens the guide tube member. The core member is relatively moveable in the guide tube member to provide selective flexibility at a proximal end of the guide tube member. The stent is positioned in the renal cavity, the ureter and bladder by being pushed along the guide tube member by a push catheter. Fluid is infused through a proximal end of the guide tube member when the core member is removed. The proximal end of the guide tube member can be located at any selected position within the stent. Thus fluid can be infused to any selected location in the stent by positioning the proximal end of the guide tube member at a desired location in the stent.

Abstract: The flexible needle stop includes a normally unfolded needle impenetrable needle barrier formed of a flexible foldable material. The flexible foldable material can be a single layer sheet material, a wire mesh material and/or one or more layers of scale-like components arranged side by side. The scale-like components are physically unconnected and of a size that permits flexion of the needle stop that incorporates the scale-like components. The flexible needle stop member can include a bead-like periphery which affords the needle stop member with a resilient memory and helps restore the needle stop member to its normally unfolded condition after a folding restraint is removed. The needle stop can be freely disposed within a fill chamber of a tissue expander, attached to an inner surface of the fill chamber or incorporated in the shell wall of a tissue expander.

Abstract: The septum includes a fill chamber having a port that is reinforced or otherwise protected by a needle stop structure. The needle stop structure prevents a needle that has accessed the fill chamber from penetrating the fluid flow structure that extends from the fill chamber. In one embodiment of the invention, the needle stop structure overhangs the port thereby preventing a needle from entering the port. In a further embodiment of the invention the needle stop structure includes a nozzle-like annular collar which extends from the port into the fill chamber. In another embodiment of the invention, the needle stop structure includes a nozzle-like annular collar that extends from the port into the fluid flow structure. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the needle stop structure includes a cup-shaped structure that extends from the port into the fluid flow structure and has an opening in the fluid flow structure.

Abstract: A coupling assembly includes a female coupling member that can be connected to a fluid supply source and a male coupling member that can be quickly coupled to the female coupling member and quickly separated from the female coupling member. A pair of spaced latching members provided on the female coupling member move transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the coupling assembly into and out of engagement with one or more latch engaging surfaces on the male coupling member. The latching members have openings that are out of alignment with each other. An actuating button on the female coupling member is arranged to move the latching members in predetermined fasion to permit the openings in each of the latching members to sequentially interfere with the latch engaging surface or surfaces on the male coupling member to establish sequential latching positions.

Abstract: A radiopaque identification marker is incorporated into a radiolucent prosthesis, such as a breast implant. The marker denotes data which is ascertainable prior or subsequent to implantation.

Abstract: The oral implant is in the shape of a cylinder with a flat proximal end and a rounded distal end. Projecting members are formed on the cylindrical surface that taper from the proximal end of the cylindrical body toward the distal end thereof. The projecting members are radially spaced, and in one embodiment have flutes formed on the tapered surface. A lateral through-hole is provided at the distal end of the cylindrical body. The proximal end includes a hexagonal-shaped recess for reception of a twisting tool. After the twisting tool is removed the hexagonal recess receives a dental prosthesis. Another embodiment of the oral implant includes radially spaced ridges that are longitudinally aligned with projecting members on quadrants of the cylindrical surface.

Abstract: A penile prosthesis is disclosed that can be extended and retracted by the application of fluid pressure to an internal chamber. The chamber includes a non-dispensible sheath portion that can be reversibly extended from a wrinkled retracted condition to a taut extended condition in response to the amount of fluid pressure in the internal chamber.

Abstract: The adjustable support for a prosthetic tooth includes an abutment member having an opening for reception of a bolt member that engages with a nut member. The abutment member is sandwiched between a head portion of the bolt member and an enlarged collar portion of the nut member. The engaging surfaces between the head portion and the abutment member and between the abutment member and the enlarged collar portion of the nut member are of complementary shape with respect to each other to permit pivotal adjustment of the abutment member with respect to the bolt and nut members. The abutment member is thus pivoted to a desired position and the bolt and nut members are tightened to lock the abutment member in the desired position. A prosthetic tooth having an opening of complementary shape with respect to the abutment member engages the abutment member to assume the angular orientation of the abutment member.

Abstract: A condom is coated on the interior surface with a vasoactive coating, such as a transdermal nitroglycerine coating. As the comdom is fitted onto a penis, contact between the penile tissue and the transdermal nitroglycerine coating increases blood flow through the corpus cavernosum. The resulting increase in blood flow aids the development of a tumescent condition of the penis.

Abstract: An implantable fluid transfer device or septum which includes a hollow spherical housing containing a chamber therein for receiving fluid. A needle infuses fluid into or withdraws fluid from the chamber. The housing has a surface that is capable of both omni-directional penetration by the needle and sealing itself when the needle is withdrawn from the housing. A spherical needle stop is provided with the housing to prevent the needle that accesses the chamber from one side of the housing from passing through the opposite side of the housing.

Abstract: A spiral ureteral stent is positioned in the ureter to aid in infusion of the renal pelvis and to maintain fluid drainage between the renal pelvis and the bladder. The stent includes a helical coiled section having retaining means at the distal and proximal ends for reception in the bladder and the renal pelvis. The retaining means enable the stent to resist movement in the ureter. A lumen extends the entire length of the stent to form a fluid passageway for infusion of fluid from an external source into the renal pelvis. The stent is flexible and may be straightened by means of a wire stylet inserted in the lumen, to faciliate placement of the stent in the ureter. The retention means and helical coiled section reform upon withdrawal of the stylet from the lumen. As the helical coiled section reforms to its coil shape, it bears agains the walls of the ureter to reduce any restriction and to reinforce the walls of the ureter.

Abstract: The self-sealing subcutaneous infusion and withdrawal device or septum includes a cup-shaped needle stop member that defines a fluid chamber having a fluid transfer opening. A jacket envelops the needle stop member and includes an integrally formed delivery tube that aligns with the fluid transfer opening in the needle stop member. The fluid chamber of the needle stop member is sealed by a needle penetrable sealing member that is forced against a wall of the needle stop member by a clamping member to provide a mechanical leak-tight seal. The seal member has opposite convex surfaces which cooperate with the clamping member to impose a compression force upon a needle that penetrates the seal member during the fluid infusion and fluid withdrawal processes.

Abstract: The valve includes a housing with inlet and outlet members joined by a resilient flexible valve closure. An annular chamber that does not communicate with the inlet or outlet surrounds the valve closure. When a flow of fluid is desired through the valve closure, a pressurized fluid is introduced into the annular chamber to deform the valve closure enabling the closure to open. Reduction or elimination of the pressure for deforming the valve closure permits the valve closure to assume its normal closed position, thereby permitting a shut off of fluid flow. Variable flow rates can be accomplished by obtaining predetermined deformations of the valve closure corresponding to predetermined levels of the pressurizing fluid which cause such deformation.

Abstract: A cervical collar including a flexible panel and a member extending therefrom. The member is located against the outer surface of the panel when the panel is flat and flips over the panel to form a chin support member when the panel is formed into a neck encircling band.