Abstract: In a method, at least one electrode is implanted in a pelvic muscle of a patient and a control unit is provided. An electrical waveform is applied to the pelvic muscle through the at least one electrode using the control unit. A condition of the patient is treated in response to the application of the electrical waveform. The condition of the patient is fecal incontinence, interstitial cystitis, chronic pelvic pain or urine retention.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods can treat incontinence by heating between about 100 and about 800 cubic millimeters of endopelvic fascia for sufficient time to effect substantial collagenous tissue shrinkage. A probe body may directly engage the endopelvic fascia, or may be separated from the endopelvic fascia, heating through (for example) the vaginal wall. In either case, tissue-penetrating electrodes may be inserted from the probe body so as to heat the endopelvic fascia.

Abstract: Surgical instruments, implantable articles and surgical procedures disclosed for treating medical disorders, particularly incontinence. Improved surgical sling procedures are disclosed. Novel surgical instruments and kits for use in sling procedures are also disclosed. The present invention affords options for surgeons with concomitant advantages to the patient and the healthcare provider.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of use are disclosed to treat urological disorders. The invention is a repositionable handle for an arcuate needle configured to be minimally invasive. The invention is for use with a sling assembly that allows a sling to be controllably implanted in a therapeutically effective position. The device and treatment procedure are highly effective and produce little to no side effects or complications. Further, operative risks, pain, infections and post operative stays are reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating pelvic organ prolapse in a patient is provided. The apparatus includes a support portion having first and second ends. A first elongated end portion is connected to said first end of said support portion. The first elongated end portion includes a first dilator configured to attach securely with a tip of a needle. A second elongated end portion is connected to said second end of said support portion. The second elongated end portion includes a second dilator configured to attach securely with a tip of a needle. The first and second needles include a straight portion, a tip, a first radius, and a second radius distinct from the first radius. The first radius and the second radius are disposed between the straight portion and the tip. A method and kit for said treatment is further provided.

Abstract: Surgical instruments, implantable articles and surgical procedures disclosed for treating medical disorders, particularly incontinence. Improved surgical sling procedures are disclosed. Novel surgical instruments and kits for use in sling procedures are also disclosed. The present invention affords options for surgeons with concomitant advantages to the patient and the healthcare provider.

Abstract: An implantable article and method of use are disclosed to treat urological disorders. The biocompatible device includes a sling assembly configured to be minimally invasive and provide sufficient support to the target site. In addition, the configuration of the sling assembly also allows the position of the sling to be permanently changed during and/or after implantation.

Abstract: Surgical instruments, implantable articles and surgical procedures disclosed for treating medical disorders, particularly incontinence. Improved surgical sling procedures are disclosed. Novel surgical instruments and kits for use in sling procedures are also disclosed. The present invention affords options for surgeons with concomitant advantages to the patient and the healthcare provider.

Abstract: The present invention provides treatment regimens for treating diseased prostate tissue, including the steps of chemically ablating prostate tissue and coadministering an antiandrogen. In some embodiments, prostate tissue is chemically ablated by injection of ethanol, or an injectable gel comprising ethanol, into prostate tissue. Steroidal and non-steroidal antiandrogens are suitable antiandrogens. One suitable non-steroidal antiandrogen is bicalutamide. The treatment regimen is suitable for treatment of prostate tissue diseases including benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic carcinoma. The invention further provides a treatment regimen for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia, including the steps of damaging prostate tissue and coadministering an antiandrogen. Also provided by the present invention is a kit for treating a human male, including a means for necrosing prostate tissue, an antiandrogen drug, and a means for administering the antiandrogen drug.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of use are disclosed to treat urological disorders. The biocompatible device includes a handle, needle, dilator and sling assembly configured to be minimally invasive and provide sufficient support to the target site. In addition, the configuration of the sling assembly also allows the sling to be adjusted during and/or after implantation. The device and treatment procedure are highly effective and produce little to no side effects or complications. Further, operative risks, pain, infections and post operative stays are reduced, thereby improving patient quality of life.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of use are disclosed to treat urological disorders. The biocompatible device includes a handle, needle, dilator and sling assembly configured to be minimally invasive and provide sufficient support to the target site. In addition, the configuration of the sling assembly also allows the sling to be adjusted during and/or after implantation. The device and treatment procedure are highly effective and produce little to no side effects or complications. Further, operative risks, pain, infections and post operative stays are reduced, thereby improving patient quality of life.

Abstract: An implantable article and method of use are disclosed to treat urological disorders. The biocompatible device includes a sling assembly configured to be minimally invasive and provide sufficient support to the target site. In addition, the configuration of the sling assembly also allows the position of the sling to be permanently changed during and/or after implantation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for applying a thermal conductive medium (TCM) to the inside of a disposable sheath. A uniform amount of TCM is applied in an automated manner to the conductive portion of a disposable sheath to increase conductivity. Application is by way of a rotating tip having a plurality of nozzles through which TCM is pumped under control of a timing circuit. The duration of TCM application and the rotation of the tip is carefully controlled to insure uniform application of a precise amount of TCM. TCM application is avoided at portions of the sheath where thermal conductivity is not desired and at the tip of the sheath which will be coated by TCM as a result of probe insertion into the sheath. By automating the TCM application process, TCM can be applied in precise amounts and in a uniform manner without accidentally coating areas of the sheath where TCM is not desired. In addition the process can be conducted in far less time than is required to manually apply TCM.

Abstract: A sling assembly including a surgical sling configured to be implanted during a surgical sling procedure. The sling includes first and second regions and a central portion. The sling assembly further includes a removable sheath assembly situated about the surgical sling. The removable sheath assembly includes first and second upper sheaths. The first upper sheath is configured to be situated about the first region of the surgical sling, and the second upper sheath is configured to be situated about the second region of the surgical sling. The removable sheath assembly further includes a lower sheath. The lower sheath is configured to be situated about the central portion of the surgical sling and to be in cooperative association with both the first and second upper sheaths.

Abstract: An anatomical support adjustment and tension control article for use in applying a tensioning force to anatomical support material disposed therein. The tension control article preferably comprises a base member disposing a plurality of tensioning members extending therefrom. The tensioning members create a tortuous pathway thereby providing a tensioning force to anatomical support material positioned therebetween. Additionally, at least one of the plurality of tensioning members may be removed from the device to alter the supportive tension applied by the device. The anatomical support material may be disposed between the plurality of tensioning members in a number of ways, thereby resulting in varying amounts of supportive tension being applied by the device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of use are disclosed to treat urological disorders. The invention is a repositionable handle for an arcuate needle configured to be minimally invasive. The invention is for use with a sling assembly that allows a sling to be controllably implanted in a therapeutically effective position. The device and treatment procedure are highly effective and produce little to no side effects or complications. Further, operative risks, pain, infections and post operative stays are reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of use are disclosed to treat urological disorders. The invention is a repositionable handle for an arcuate needle configured to be minimally invasive. The invention is for use with a sling assembly that allows a sling to be controllably implanted in a therapeutically effective position. The device and treatment procedure are highly effective and produce little to no side effects or complications. Further, operative risks, pain, infections and post operative stays are reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting a braided wire stent to a predetermined length such that a ball or sphere is formed on the end of each cut wire of the stent. These spheres are advantageous in that they provide added comfort to the patient and also act against the other wires of the stent to prevent the stent from becoming unbraided during the process of collapsing and expanding the stent such as is done when the stent is being inserted into a patient. The apparatus releasably holds and precisely positions the wires while the spheres are being formed.

Abstract: An anatomical support adjustment and tension control article for use in applying a tensioning force to anatomical support material disposed therein. The tension control article preferably comprises a base member disposing a plurality of tensioning members extending therefrom. The tensioning members create a tortuous pathway thereby providing a tensioning force to anatomical support material positioned therebetween. Additionally, at least one of the plurality of tensioning members may be removed from the device to alter the supportive tension applied by the device. The anatomical support material may be disposed between the plurality of tensioning members in a number of ways, thereby resulting in varying amounts of supportive tension being applied by the device.

Abstract: An implantable article and method of use are disclosed to treat urological disorders. The biocompatible device includes a sling assembly configured to be minimally invasive and provide sufficient support to the target site. In addition, the configuration of the sling assembly also allows the position of the sling to be permanently changed during and/or after implantation.