Abstract: An inflatable penile implant includes a novel compensator which both absorbs any increased pressure to protect the components of the hydraulic system from pressure damage and which permits the implant to be shortened in length without impairing its function. An improved tapered pumping chamber, improved pump valve and an improved pressure relief valve are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved penile prosthesis includes at least one elongated, flexible cylinder containing a non-distensible bladder for implantation in the pendulous penis; a pump for implantation in the scrotal sac; tubing connecting the pump to the bladder; a valve for retaining the fluid in the bladder; and, an elastic retracting cylinder positioned about the bladder. The retracting cylinder is smaller than the fully inflated bladder and stretches when the bladder is inflated. When the bladder is fully inflated and valve is opened to permit fluid to exit, the stretched retracting cylinder automatically forces fluid out of the bladder.

Abstract: A ureteral stent has a main body that is soft and flexible and a proximal hook portion which is stiffer to minimize expulsion from the kidney.

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: 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 septum includes a unit with two fill chamber sections, each having a corresponding needle penetrable seal member for sealing the respective fill chamber sections. The seal members are oppositely disposed and thereby permit access to a corresponding fill chamber section at two different orientations of the septum. Thus, when the septum has flipped over from its original position, one of the fill chamber sections continues to remain accessible for fluid infusion and/or fluid withdrawal. A needle stop portion in the unit which forms a partition between the fill chamber sections prevents a needle that has entered one of the fill chamber sections from passing out of the other fill chamber section. In several embodiments of the invention, the partitioning needle stop section is moveable and in other embodiments of the invention, the partitioning needle stop section is immoveable. Thus there is provision for expanding and contracting the fill chamber sections in some of the embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: An inflatable penile implant includes a novel compensator which both absorbs any increased pressure to protect the components of the hydraulic system from pressure damage and which permits the implant to be shortened in length without impairing its function. An improved tapered pumping chamber, improved pump valve and an improved pressure relief valve are also disclosed.

Abstract: An adjustable ureteral stent comprises an elongated, flexible tubular member with a hook at the proximal end, a generally straight elongated trimmable portion extending to the distal end and means for forming a hook at the distal end. In one embodiment the means is a second member which connects to the distal end of the first member and in another embodiment the means is a reinforcing wire or strip in the wall of the tubular member which when formed into a hook will retain that shape in the absence of a straightening force.

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: A penile prosthesis which is adapted to be surgically implanted in man for the treatment of erectile impotence includes a penile implant comprising an elongated, flexible cylindrical member having a short relatively stiff proximal portion which is adapted to be implanted into the root end of the corpus cavernosum to support the implant and an elongated flexible distal portion having a non-distensible tubular chamber substantially filled with a non-compressible fluid and a conical tip. The distal section is adapted to be implanted into the corpus cavernosum of the pendulus penis with the conical tip in the distal end of the corpus cavernosum. The prosthesis also includes means for completely filling and pressurizing the chamber to make rigid the non-distensible distal portion. In one embodiment the chamber is filled and pressurized by squeezing the chamber and reducing its volume and in another it is filled and pressurized by transferring additional fluid under pressure into the chamber.

Abstract: The penile prosthesis includes proximal and distal end portions with an intermediate, normally flexible main body portion. The main body portion includes an array of segments that, although individually pivotable with respect to each other, can be rendered into a rigid unit by engagement with interfering members. The interfering members prevent flexion of the prosthesis to enable the prosthesis to support the penis in a erectile condition. The prosthesis is manually manipulable to establish the penis in an erectile condition or a flaccid condition as desired.

Abstract: An ureteral stent comprises an elongated, flexible tubular member which has one end with a magnetically attractable tip. Both ends of the stent are preferably both set in the form of hooks. A method of removing the stent from the bladder of a patient comprises introducing a retrieving catheter with a magnet at its proximal tip into the urethra, advancing the proximal tip of the catheter into the bladder which is signalled by urine flowing into the catheter, catching the magnetically attractable tip of the stent with the magnet and removing the stent by withdrawing the catheter with the magnetically attractable tip of the stent held by the magnet of the catheter.

Abstract: A dual wire guidewire system for inserting a ureteral stent with a proximal end with a reduced opening into the ureter of a patient comprises an elongated tubular pusher wire, an elongated guidewire and a retaining member. The pusher wire is open at both ends and sized to fit in the lumen of the stent. The leading end of the pusher wire has a diameter larger than the reduced opening in the stent. The guidewire is sized to fit within the lumen of pusher wire and has a leading end which is smaller in diameter than the reduced opening in the stent. The retaining member keeps the leading end of the guidewire from leaving the lumen of the pusher wire. When an obstruction is encountered in the ureter, the retaining member is disengaged and the leading end of the guidewire is passed through the reduced opening and maneuvered past the obstruction. The pusher wire and stent then can be advanced over the guidewire past the obstruction.

Abstract: An improved penile prosthesis to be surgically implanted in man for the treatment of erectile impotence includes at least one elongated, flexible cylinder containing therein a hydraulic system comprising a pressure chamber, a reservoir and a pump. It also includes an outer girth adjusting chamber concentric with the pressure chamber. The girth adjusting chamber is connected by tubing to a pressure bulb located outside the cylinder so that the girth adjusting chamber can be inflated and the girth of a penis increased by transferring fluid from the pressure bulb to the adjusting chamber.

Abstract: The infusion erectile system prosthesis includes a dispensing device implanted in a scrotal sac or subcutaneously in an area adjacent the scrotal sac. The dispensing device includes a reservoir for storing erection stimulating material and a pumping arrangement for actuating movement of the erection stimulating material from the reservoir through a flow tube that joins the penis. The flow tube penetrates a peripheral portion of the penis and communicates with the corpus cavernosum. Infusion of the erection stimulating material into the corpus cavernosum causes an erection to occur. The pump which actuates movement of the erection stimulating material is actuatable manually or electrically.

Abstract: A penile prosthesis which is adapted to be surgically implanted in man for the treatment of erectile impotence includes at least one elongated, flexible cylindrical member which is adapted to be implanted into the corpus cavernosum of the pendulous penis, a pressure bulb for pressurizing liquid and tubing connecting the member and the bulb. The member includes an inner non-distensible pressure chamber and an outer distensible chamber. The two chambers are connected by a passage and a valve for controlling flow through the passage so that fluid can be transferred from the pressure bulb via the pressure chamber to the outer chamber to cause it to distend and in turn increase penile girth.

Abstract: A ureteral stent kit for inserting a ureteral stent and bypassing obstructions in the ureter comprises an elongated, flexible tubular stent which has a lumen and at least one end set in the form of a hook, a removable tubular guide member sized to fit in the lumen in the stent and having a flexible forgiving tip and a relatively stiff, removable core which is sized to fit within the lumen of guide member and to support the forgiving tip.

Abstract: An inflatable penile implant includes a pressure chamber, a reservoir for pressurizing fluid and an expandable member in the reservoir for transferring fluid under pressure to the pressure chamber to make it rigid.