Abstract: An anchor-insertion tool for securing an anchor having a suture extending therefrom to a structure within a patient's body is provided. The anchor-insertion tool comprises an elongate shaft having distal and proximal ends, an anchor-receiving tip at the distal end, at least one groove extending from the tip at least partially along the length of the shaft, and at least one depression extending about the circumference of the shaft and intersecting the groove. A loaded anchor-insertion tool is provided, along with a surgical method for employing the anchor-insertion tool. A surgical template and suture retriever are also provided.

Abstract: A method of treating urinary incontinence in a patient by: providing a pressure monitor probe comprising a catheter having a pressure responsive region and a distal portion, the pressure responsive region spaced a predetermined distance from the distal portion; inserting the pressure monitor probe into the patient's urethra such that the distal portion is positioned in the patient's bladder adjacent the UVJ, thereby positioning the pressure responsive region of the catheter within the urethra a predetermined distance from the UVJ; and surgically modifying the pressure applied against the urethra while monitoring the pressure applied against the urethra using the probe. An intraurethral pressure monitor probe and an intraurethral pressure monitoring assembly are also provided.

Abstract: A template for guiding the placement of a fixation device during a surgical procedure. The template comprises:(a) a body portion; and(b) at least one guide disposed in a predetermined spacial relationship to the body portion;wherein the template is configured such that at least a portion of the template may be aligned within the vagina of a patient such that the guide may be employed to direct the placement of a fixation device or other medical instrument through at least a portion of the tissue adjacent the vagina. A surgical method employing this template is also provided, along with an urethral sling used in conjunction with one embodiment of the template.

Abstract: The present invention covers a method for the emplacement of an embryo against an endometrium wall of a uterus. The method comprises the steps of: placing the embryo onto a balloon; inserting the balloon into a uterus; inflating the balloon in the uterus, so as to expand the balloon and the embryo thereon against the endometrium for implantation in the uterus. The invention also includes an apparatus for the emplacement of that embryo against an endometrium wall of a uterus. The apparatus includes a balloon having an outer surface for the receipt of an embryo thereon, a hollow inserter tube having a proximal and a distal end, and an optical fiber viewing device movably arranged within the hollow inserter tube. The balloon is arranged on the distal end of the inserter tube. A cavity is arranged adjacent the distal end of the inserter tube, for receipt of a portion of the balloon during insertion of the balloon on the inserter tube into a uterus.