Abstract: An ultrasonic liposuction system includes a handpiece having a transducer for converting electrical energy into mechanical energy in the form of ultrasonic vibrations; an ultrasonic generator electrically connected to the handpiece for supplying the electrical energy to the transducer; an aspirator connected in fluid communication with the handpiece for providing aspiration at a surgical site; and a user interface, disposed on the hand piece, and coupled to the ultrasonic generator and the aspirator for generating control signals therefor.

Abstract: A system for producing visual representation of eye structures that includes an ultrasonic transducer, a processor, and a display device. The processor translates electronic signals received by the transducer into image data for display by correlating echo intensities with multichromatic color hues. The processor can also translate the electronic signals by correlating the echo signal intensities with display characteristics, such as brightness, by using gamma curves that have at least one portion that is substantially continuous and non-monotonic. The processor can also translate the electronic signals into an image that shows different characteristics of the electronic signals in different display characteristics (i.e. one characteristic is color coded while another characteristic affects how brightly a color appears). The processor can also process phase information to both emphasize the depiction of eye structure boundaries and aid in distinguishing reverberation echo signals from genuine ones.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument having a first electrode that includes an elongated, electrically conductive member and a second electrode that includes a layer of electrically conductive material adhered over at least a portion of a distal region of the elongated member and separated therefrom by an insulator. The electrodes receive electrical power in a proximal region of the instrument and apply the power to an object in the body by inducing current flow between the electrodes at the distal region. In a related aspect, the second electrode is configured so that the outer diameter of the distal region is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the distal end of the first electrode. In another aspect, one of the electrodes has a reduced circumferential extent relative to the other electrode to limit an area of current flow between the electrodes and thus restrict the size of the region in which cauterization occurs.

Abstract: A fluid collection drape for use during surgery includes an impermeable liner, a permeable facing, and a substrate sandwiched between the impermeable liner and the permeable facing. The fluid collection drape is provided in a sterile condition and is sized at about 3 feet by 2.5 feet to substantially cover a width of an operating table. The substrate absorbs greater than about 500 cc of fluid. The fluid collection drape is stored in a sterile state within a package. The substrate has a thickness of about 0.05 inch.

Abstract: A new soft tissue implant filling material is disclosed. The surgically implantable soft tissue implant filling material has good aesthetic properties, as measured by viscosity and elasticity, and good elimination properties. One embodiment of such a new filling material is a gel which comprises three components. The first component is a water soluble polymer or hydrogel that has a high molecular weight. Alternatively, the first component is both crosslinked and has a high molecular weight. The second component of the filling material is a water-soluble polymer that is eliminated rapidly through the kidneys upon subcutaneous release. The third component of this filling material is saline, which is used to dissolve the polymer and to adjust the osmolality of the polymer. In addition, a buffer may be added to the filling material to adjust the pH of the gel. One gel formulation of the present invention, in its preferred embodiment, consists of polyacrylamide and derivatives thereof.

Abstract: Small compression type injection site in the form of a self-sealing septum-like member that is self-sealing for hypodermic needle punctures and the like and a method of manufacture. Compressive stresses are introduced into a stretched elastomeric rod, whereby the decreased diameter cross section is maintained by placing a wrapping around and about the stretched rod and adhesively sealing it thereto. Sliced cross-sectional pieces of the rod then provide injection sites to be incorporated into the wall of an implantable prosthesis as by bonding or the like.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument having a first electrode that includes an elongated, electrically conductive member and a second electrode that includes a layer of electrically conductive material adhered over at least a portion of a distal region of the elongated member and separated therefrom by an insulator. The electrodes receive electrical power in a proximal region of the instrument and apply the power to an object in the body by inducing current flow between the electrodes at the distal region. In a related aspect, the second electrode is configured so that the outer diameter of the distal region is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the distal end of the first electrode. In another aspect, one of the electrodes has a reduced circumferential extent relative to the other electrode to limit an area of current flow between the electrodes and thus restrict the size of the region in which cauterization occurs.

Abstract: A urinary catheter including a tube with a co-extruded stripe, printed stripe or demarcation or series of marks to determine the alignment of a tip end of the catheter relative to the striped or marked portion of the catheter outside the body. The catheter can be a urethral catheter, such as a Coude-Tiemann curve tip catheter. This visible stripe or marks provide for manipulating passage of the catheter tip through obsructed or difficult urological pathways.

Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising placing a visual indicator such as a stripe or series of markings on the tubing connecting the various components of a penile prosthesis to evidence the proper linear alignment of the tubing, and counter-rotating those components prior to or during implantation to achieve or maintain proper alignment of the components and thus prevent or remove any torque on the tubing that would cause tears or separations at the junction points. A tactile indicator may be used in addition to or in place of the visual indicator.

Abstract: A visual acuity tester based on a personal computer is provided that is capable of displaying visual acuity test characters at varying sizes on a monitor. The visual acuity tester antialiases the test characters to overcome the effects of staircase distortion. Preferably, the visual acuity tester performs unweighted area sampling antialiasing. The visual acuity tester also centers the test characters relative to the pixel array of the monitor to improve the appearance of the test characters. The test characters can be centered relative to either the center of a pixel or the corner of a pixel (a pixel coordinate). Test characters can also be centered relative to a pixel center in one dimension and a pixel coordinate in the other dimension.

Abstract: A lockout valve for an inflatable penile prosthesis which responds to internal fluid pressure. The lockout valve comprises a housing having inlet and outlet ports, an interior chamber, an apertured valve seat, and a poppet biased toward the closed position. The inlet communicates with the prosthesis reservoir, and the outlet communicates with the interior chamber and the prosthesis pump. The housing includes a flexible diaphragm which moves toward the poppet when flexed inwardly.Fluid pressure through the inlet port urges the poppet into sealing engagement against the valve seat, therefore closing the lockout valve. Negative fluid pressure applied to the interior chamber from the outlet port (when the pump is actuated) causes the diaphragm to flex inwardly and contact the poppet to open the valve. The lockout valve operates like a check valve when subject to reverse flow.

Abstract: A male urinary catheter and method of making same. The catheter employs a condom like sheath of silicone rubber which sealingly engages the penis of the patient. A catheter stem at the distal end of the sheath couples to a urine collection system. The sheath is sealed to the penis by an adhesive which is applied to the outer surface of the sheath at the time of manufacture. A surface preparation layer is applied over the adhesive. The sheath is rolled up from the proximal end. The sheath is unrolled to apply it to the patient. During the unrolling process, the adhesive layer is removed from the outer surface and deposited on the inner surface of the sheath.

Abstract: A system for staking a haptic to an optic to form an intraocular lens using a laser beam operating near the infrared range with a coaxial aiming laser beam operating in the visible range. A portion of the haptic is inserted into the optic through a radial bore and is exposed through an axial bore spanning from the optic upper surface to the radial bore. The coaxial laser beams are collimated and then focused using a microscope objective through the axial bores, onto the exposed haptic. Aiming of the coaxial beams onto the optic and haptic is aided by the use of a magnifying CCD camera positioned with its optical axis at a 45.degree. angle to the optic horizontal plane. The coaxial lasers, which are typically focused to a minor diameter which is greater than or equal to the inner diameter of the axial bore, make contact with the exposed haptic. Consequently, the haptic is melted and is then allowed to cool, coalescing into a bead staking the haptic to the optic.

Abstract: Small compression type injection site in the form of a self-sealing septum-like member that is self-sealing for hypodermic needle punctures and the like and a method of manufacture. Compressive stresses are introduced into a stretched elastomeric rod, whereby the decreased diameter cross section is maintained by placing a wrapping around and about the stretched rod and adhesively sealing it thereto. Sliced cross-sectional pieces of the rod then provide injection sites to be incorporated into the wall of an implantable prosthesis as by bonding or the like.

Abstract: A method of manipulating the position of a patient during surgery is disclosed. The method includes providing a patient manipulation device having a plurality of hinged segments. A patient is placed in a first position on the device such that the length of the patient's body is parallel to an axis of rotation of the hinged segments. One of the segments is lifted to rotate the patient about the length of the patient's body to a second position on the device. In one embodiment, the patient manipulation device includes a plurality of elongated, substantially rigid patient support segments each of which has a width substantially as large as a width of a surgical table with which the device is used. The segments have longitudinal axes arranged parallel to each other and are joined together by hinges configured for rotation of the segments about the length of the patient's body.

Abstract: A new soft tissue implant filling material is disclosed. The material may be polyvinylpyrollidone, polyvinyl alcohol, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, polyethylene oxide, hyaluronic acid, sodium or calcium alginate, hydrogel polyurethane, hydroxyethyl starch, polyglycolic acid, polyacrylamide, hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA), and several naturally derived biopolymers including sodium kinate, seaweed, and agar.

Abstract: Testicular prosthesis and method of manufacturing wherein the testicular prosthesis has a saline or other biologically safe fluid filled silicone elastomer shell which includes a self-sealing injection site for filling the prosthesis and a tab for suturing the testicular prosthesis into position in the scrotum. A method of filling and a method of identifying and serialization is also provided.

Abstract: Testicular prosthesis and method of manufacturing wherein the testicular prosthesis has a saline or other biologically safe fluid filled silicone elastomer shell which includes a self-sealing injection site for filling the prosthesis and a tab for suturing the testicular prosthesis into position in the scrotum. A method of filling and a method of identifying and serialization is also provided.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for filling mammary prostheses and tissue expanders using pumping systems are disclosed. In accordance with the method, a pumping system is used to deliver flow at the desired flow rate or pressure through a tube to the injection needle, allowing the surgeon to concentrate his attention on the injection itself to fill the inflatable mammary prosthesis or the tissue expander without having to operate and count filling syringes, all in a much faster manner than in the prior art. The pumping system used may include fluid volume measuring capabilities, pressure measuring capabilities, and other capabilities such as the capability, for viscosity reduction purposes, of heating the fluid to a temperature still compatible with injection.

Abstract: An internal ring releasing device including a housing, a cylindrical adaptor at one end, piston within the housing and a primary insert in the other end of the housing. The piston includes a constriction ring groove for holding a constriction ring. The piston is caused to move from a load position with a constriction ring to an unload position where the constriction ring slides off around the base of an erect penis.