Abstract: The surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence is described. The methods include: 1) a technique of probe passage to avoid injuring the bladder and to provide a more accurate and reproducible capture of the pubocervical fascia lateral to the bladder neck and urethra, 2) anchor fixation of the suspending sutures to the pubic bone to decrease the risk of suture pull through from above and to decrease post-operative pain and 3) a simple and reproducible technique to set a limited tension of the suspending sutures. A description of these methods and results of procedures with some of these methods are included. Novel drill guides, suture passers, suture tensioners, and various related tools and devices for use in the surgical method are also discussed.

Abstract: The surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence is disclosed. The disclosed methods include: 1) a technique of probe passage to avoid injuring the bladder and to provide a more accurate and reproducible capture of the pubocervical fascia lateral to the bladder neck and urethra, 2) anchor fixation of the suspending sutures to the pubic bone to decrease the risk of suture pull through from above and to decrease post-operative pain and 3) a simple and reproducible technique to set a limited tension of the suspending sutures. A description of these methods and results of procedures with some of these methods are disclosed. Novel drill guides, suture passers, suture tensioners, and various related tools and devices for use in the surgical method are also disclosed.

Abstract: An introducer for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method of treating and angeological disease using a bifurcated stent; an endoluminal stent having perpendicular hoop members, each hoop member formed of wire in a sinuous configuration, at least some of juxtaposed apices in neighboring hoops being secured to one another, such stents also forming axially aligned segments in straight stents, and segments of bifurcated stents in particular embodiments. Certain embodiments of such stents also include barbs, fabric covering and radiopaque markers.

Abstract: Bone anchor implantation devices for use in the surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence are disclosed. Methods for positioning a bone anchor implantation device over a bone and for installing a bone anchor in a bone are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of implanting a tubular intraluminial stent which is made of a predetermined length of wire having a zig-zag configuration and defining a series of axially displaced hoop members, each hoop member having a successive series of zig-zags, the apices of axially oppositely disposed zig-zags in adjacent hoop members abutting one another, wherein the wire is a shape-memory material and the stent is compressible and radially expandable by thermal transformation, using a tubular sheath disposed between an entry location in a body and the location of implantation and a catheter. The method includes the steps of compressing the stent; inserting the compressed stent into the tubular sheath; pushing the compressed stent through the sheath to the implantation location using the catheter; withdrawing the sheath while holding the stent at the implantation location with the catheter; and expanding the stent within the implantation location by thermal transformation.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for the treatment of the symptoms of obstructive prostatism. The apparatus includes 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 feature 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: Bone anchor implantation devices for use in the surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence are disclosed. Methods for positioning a bone anchor implantation device over a bone and for installing a bone anchor in a bone are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a support structure for supporting and positioning medical equipment with respect to a patients. The support structure includes a support plate for positioning external to the patient. The support plate has a weight bearing area for positioning beneath the patient so that the patient's weight rests on the support plate to securely hold the support plate in place. The support structure also includes a mounting bracket which can be removably secured to a piece of medical equipment, such as a speculum, so that the proximal end of the speculum is generally positioned over a first end of the support plate and the distal end of the speculum extends over the support plate in the direction of a second end support plate. The present invention also relates to a method of accessing a medical treatment site using the support structure and speculum.

Abstract: An introducer for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method of treating and angeological disease using a bifurcated stent; an endoluminal stent having perpendicular hoop members, each hoop member formed of wire in a sinuous configuration, at least some of juxtaposed apices in neighboring hoops being secured to one another, such stents also forming axially aligned segments in straight stents, and segments of bifurcated stents in particular embodiments. Certain embodiments of such stents also include barbs, fabric covering and radiopaque markers.

Abstract: An introducer for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method of treating and angeological disease using a bifurcated stent; an endoluminal stent having perpendicular hoop members, each hoop member formed of wire in a sinuous configuration, at least some of juxtaposed apices in neighboring hoops being secured to one another, such stents also forming axially aligned segments in straight stents, and segments of bifurcated stents in particular embodiments. Certain embodiments of such stents also include barbs, fabric covering and radiopaque markers.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering an endoluminal stent or prosthesis in the vasculature of a body. The apparatus has an introducer adapted for insertion into the vasculature having a diameter and a first portion of lock fitting on its distal end. It also has a cartridge exterior the body having inner tubular member with a diameter equal to or less than the diameter of the introducer which contains the endoluminal stent or prosthesis in its entirety in a compressed state, an outer sheath, and a second portion of the lock fitting. The apparatus also includes a pusher adapted to fit within the inner tubular member of the cartridge and engage a distal end of the endoluminal or prosthesis. The first portion of the locking fitting on the introducer mates with the second portion of the lock fitting on the cartridge to prevent relative movement of the introducer in the cartridge. The inner tubular member and the introducer form a continuous lumen upon attachment of the cartridge and the introducer.

Abstract: An intraluminal stent and graft includes a stent made of a continuous helix of zig-zag wire and loops which connect adjacent apices of the wire. The stent is compressible and self-expandable substantially to a pre-compressed configuration. The device also includes a graft secured to the stent and made of a suitable biocompatible material.

Abstract: The invention comprises:An introducer for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method of treating and angeological disease using a bifurcated stent; an endoluminal stent having perpendicular hoop members, each hoop member formed of wire in a sinuous configuration, at least some of juxtaposed apices in neighboring hoops being secured to one another, such stents also forming axially aligned segments in straight stents, and segments of bifurcated stents in particular embodiments. Certain embodiments of such stents also include barbs, fabric covering and radiopaque markers.

Abstract: A intraluminal stent and graft includes a stent made of a continuous helix of zig-zag wire and loops which connect adjacent apices of the wire. The stent is compressible and self-expandable substantially to a pre-compressed configuration. The device also includes a graft secured to the stent and made of a suitable biocompatible material.

Abstract: The invention comprises:An introducer for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method of treating and angeological disease using a bifurcated stent; an endoluminal stent having perpendicular hoop members, each hoop member formed of wire in a sinuous configuration, at least some of juxtaposed apices in neighboring hoops being secured to one another, such stents also forming axially aligned segments in straight stents, and segments of bifurcated stents in particular embodiments. Certain embodiments of such stents also include barbs, fabric covering and radiopaque markers.