Abstract: A device for managing urinary incontinence in a human female includes a resilient body resilient adapted to fit between the labia minora and the floor of the vestibule of the vulva, thereby occluding the urethral meatus. An adhesive is applied to the body to provide a sealing engagement with the urethral meatus. In a first embodiment, the body has a base that seats against the floor of the vestibule, and a pair of flexible, lateral flaps that engage the labia minora. A layer of adhesive is applied to the base. A layer of highly-absorbant, hydrophilic material may be situated between the base and the adhesive layer, and/or a layer of scrim material may be so situated. The body may have a longitudinal ridge with a posterior edge having a finger hole to facilitate installation and removal of the device. In a second embodiment, the body is substantially tubular, with the adhesive applied to the exterior surface of the body.

Abstract: A laparoscopic ligation device comprises an elongate hollow tube, having an open distal end. An arcuate finger, attached to the tube, has a tip that is distally spaced from the distal end of the tube. The finger includes structure adjacent its tip that releasably holds the tag end of a length of suture. A hollow mandrel is disposed within the tube, for movement between extended and withdrawn positions. The mandrel has an open distal end, carrying a plurality of loops formed in the standing part of the suture, that extends distally from the open end of the tube in the extended position. A rod having a hook at its distal end is disposed within the mandrel for movement between extended and withdrawn positions. In use, the finger is manipulated to engage a vessel or duct. The rod is moved to its extended position so that its hook snags the suture tag end from the finger tip.

Abstract: A resorbable stent, particularly adapted for implantation in the penile urethra, comprises a helical coil formed from a filament of a biocompatible, biodegradable material that is resiliently deformable. The stent is compressible from a first diameter to a smaller second diameter, and restores itself substantially to its first diameter by its own resiliency when the compressing force is removed. Polymers of polylactic acid and polyglycolic acid are preferred materials. A device for inserting the stent has a first embodiment that includes a retractable sheath surrounding a rotatable rod journaled in a stationary bushing. The stent is mounted on the rod and the bushing so that relative rotation of the rod and bushing compresses the stent by coiling it more tightly. The sheath is inserted into the urethra with the stent compressed inside of it, and the retracted. The rod and bushing are then relatively rotated so as to uncoil the stent, which is restored to its first diameter.

Abstract: A device for controlling urinary incontinence in a human female, comprising a resilient pad, configured to seal against and occlude the urethral meatus of the user. The pad includes a base that is adapted to seat against the vestibule of the user's vulva, anteriorly of the vaginal orifice, thereby covering the urethral meatus. An adhesive is provided on the base to seal against and occlude the urethral meatus, and to retain the pad in place against the vestibule. The pad has lateral edges that fit inside the labia minora of the user, to aid in retention of the device. The surface of the pad opposite the base is formed into a longitudinal stiffening ridge that extends into the interlabial space. A handle is attached to the ridge to facilitate removal.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of impotence in a human male patient includes the steps of (1) selecting a penile vein or a crus of a corpus cavernosum; and (2) implanting in the patient a vascular occlusion device that allows the selective restriction of the flow of blood from the selected vein or crus when erectile function is desired, normal flow being otherwise maintained. A preferred embodiment of the vascular occlusion device comprises an inflatable cuff adapted to receive the vein or crus, a squeeze-bulb reservoir containing a working fluid, and a valving mechanism that allows fluid to flow from the squeeze bulb to the cuff, through a tube, when the bulb is squeezed, thereby inflating the cuff to restrict blood flow through the vein or crus. To deflate the cuff, the valving mechanism is manually operable to allow fluid to flow out of the cuff back into the reservoir due to the pressure gradient created by the partial evacuation of the previously-squeezed bulb.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for the treatment of the symptoms of obstructive prostatism. The apparatus comprises an expandable dilation catheter and preferably an axially elongate sheath, adapted for transurethral insertion via the external opening of the urethra. The sheath is ellipsoid in cross-section, and provides an initial path through which the catheter and a standard cystoscope lens is guided. The dilation catheter or the sheath are provided with a non-radiological locating means for positioning the dilation portion of the catheter with respect to an anatomical landmark. Once the catheter has been properly positioned with respect to both the bladder neck and the sphincter, the dilation balloon may be inflated to force open the affected prostatic urethra and eliminate the obstruction.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for the treatment of the symptoms of obstructive prostatism. The apparatus comprises an expandable dilatation catheter and an axially elongate sheath, adapted for transurethral insertion via the external opening of the urethra. The sheath is ellipsoid in cross-section, and provides an initial path through which the catheter and a standard cystoscope lens is guided. Disposed near the proximal end of the expandable dilation portion of the catheter is a plurality of irrigation ports. A saline solution travels through an irrigation conduit and is secreted through the irrigation ports so as to flush away blood, etc., away from the lens of a cystoscope and provides the urologist with an unobstructed view of the dilation catheter and external urethral sphincter muscle.

Abstract: A urethral catheter having an adjustable dilating balloon length for dilating a prostatic urethra and a method for using same. The device includes a catheter to which a Foley balloon is affixed at the distal end, and to which a dilating balloon is annularly affixed, and includes means to independently expand and contract the balloons. Concentrically encompassing the catheter is a sheath or ring, which in one embodiment slides along the outside of the catheter. With the method of the present invention, the affected prostatic urethra is measured using a cystoscope and a calibrated catheter or other known measurement means. The sheath of an adjustable catheter of one embodiment of the present invention is set to the measured length by covering a portion of the dilating balloon with the sheath. The dilating catheter is inserted through the urethra until the balloon at the distal end is located within the bladder, at which point it is inflated and the dilating catheter is anchored in position.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of impotence in a human male patient includes the steps of (1) selecting a penile vein or a crus of a corpus cavernosum; and (2) implanting in the patient a vascular occlusion device that allows the selective restriction of the flow of blood from the selected vein or crus when erectile function is desired, normal flow being otherwise maintained. A preferred embodiment of the vascular occlusion device comprises an inflatable cuff adapted to receive the vein or crus, a squeeze-bulb reservoir containing a working fluid, and a valving mechanism that allows fluid to flow from the squeeze bulb to the cuff, through a tube, when the bulb is squeezed, thereby inflating the cuff to restrict blood flow through the vein or crus. To deflate the cuff, the valving mechanism is manually operable to allow fluid to flow out of the cuff back into the reservoir due to the pressure gradient created by the partial evacuation of the previously-squeezed bulb.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for treatment of hypertrophy of the prostate gland. The apparatus comprises an expansion catheter having an expandable tubular stent associated therewith, adapted for transurethral insertion via the external opening of the urethra and placement within a stenotic region of the urethral lumen caused by a hypertrophied prostate gland. Force exerted by the expansion catheter upon the tubular expandable stent causes an opening of the lumen within the prostatic urethra. Removal of the expansion catheter, leaving in place the expanded tubular stent, ensures a long-term patency of the urethral lumen. Also disclosed is an apparatus for reducing in diameter and thereafter removing a previously implanted and expanded tubular stent made and inserted in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for treatment of hypertrophy of the prostate gland. The apparatus comprises an expansion catheter having an expandable tubular stent associated therewith, adapted for transurethral insertion via the external opening of the urethra and placement within a stenotic region of the urethral lumen caused by a hypertrophied prostate gland. Force exterted by the expansion catheter upon the tubular expandable stent causes an opening of the lumen within the prostatic urethra. Removal of the expansion catheter, leaving in place the expanded tubular stent, ensures long-term patency of the urethral lumen. Also disclosed is an apparatus for reducing in diameter and thereafter removing a previously implanted and expanded tubular stent made and inserted in accordance with the present invention.