Abstract: A stent (10) adapted for placement in a body lumen (50) such as the urethra, ureters, common bile duct, vagina, cervix, fallopian tubes, sinus tract, rectum, bowel, esophagus or vascular system is configured as a coil (14) whose adjacent loops (12) can be pulled apart for removing the stent (10) from the body lumen (50). More particularly, the loops (12) abut one another but are not compressed, and adjacent coil loops are detachably secured to one another to yield a resilient configuration (17) of generally fixed dimension. The stent (10) is substantially imperforate between adjacent coil loops (12), so as to prevent tissue ingrowth or intrusion between them and obviate any interference with removal of the stent (10). Removal of the stent (10) from the body lumen (50) is achieved by detachment of adjacent coil loops (12) from one another. The adjacent coil loops (12) can be secured to one another directly during their curing, or by a separate layer of silicone adhesive (20).

Abstract: A suture driver for clamping a suture in the hollow passage and a recessed channel thereof and manipulating the suture to and from a surgical site. The driver includes an outer member tube having a closed and pointed distal end for percutaneous introduction into the body of a patient. The outer tube also includes a recessed channel positioned proximal the closed distal end of the hollow passage extending longitudinally therein and for receiving the suture therein. An inner rod is positioned in the passage of the outer tube and has a clamping surface at the distal end thereof for engaging a suture positioned in the recessed channel. The inner rod is slid through the recessed channel to clamp the suture in the hollow passage of the outer tube against another clamping surface at the distal end of the tube.

Abstract: A needle driver (100) for fixedly positioning a curved suture needle (101) in a channel (114) of an inner rod (109) thereof and in a preferred 90 degree orientation with respect to the longitudinal axis of the inner rod. The needle driver includes an outer tube (102) with a beveled edge (110) positioned transversely at the distal end thereof. The beveled edge includes a substantially straight segment (119) inclined at a preferred angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the outer tube. The channel of the inner rod includes an undercut surface (116) and an intermediate surface (117) extending longitudinally therefrom. The undercut surface is formed at a preferred angle with respect the longitudinal axis of the inner rod, whereas the intermediate surface is substantially parallel to the axis.

Abstract: A percutaneously insertable, needle-sized retractor and system for grasping and retracting tissue in a cavity of a patient. The system comprises a needle-sized trocar sheath having an outside diameter in a range from 10 to 22 gauge, a pointed distal end stylet insertable into the trocar sheath, and a tissue-grasping retractor also insertable through the trocar sheath. The stylet is inserted through the trocar sheath with the pointed distal end extending therefrom. The trocar sheath and stylet are then inserted through a patient's skin and subtending tissue and organs into a desired cavity. When the trocar sheath is inserted, the stylet is removed and the tissue grasping retractor inserted through the sheath and into the cavity. A retaining cap at the proximal end of the sheath fixedly positions the retractor with respect to the trocar sheath while a retention flange positioned around the outside surface of the sheath fixedly positions the sheath with respect to the patient.

Abstract: An instrument for removing tissue samples from a tissue mass which automatically penetrates, severs, and removes a tissue portion for examination. The instrument is motor powered, preferably by self-contained rechargeable batteries, and employs electrically actuated stops to control the action of penetration into and retraction from the tissue mass. The tissue penetrating means and severing means includes an inner stylet which penetrates the tissue mass and a hollow outer tube or cannula which surrounds the stylet and serves to sever a sample of tissue. In a preferred form the tissue penetrating end of the stylet is notched so that when the stylet penetrates the tissue mass, a portion of the tissue relaxes in the notched area. After tissue penetration by the stylet, the cannula, having a cutting surface at its distal end, penetrates the tissue and cuts off the tissue portion residing in the notched area of the stylet.

Abstract: A method of performing extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy using a device which is a quadruple lumen catheter with one through lumen exiting at an end hole to allow the catheter to slide over a wire guide, a second lumen serving to inflate and deflate a balloon located near the distal tip of the catheter, a third lumen used to inflate and deflate a proximate balloon, a fourth lumen to supply a liquid to be delivered between the balloons and radiopaque markings for determining the position of the balloons of the catheter through X-rays of fluoroscopy. The catheter is inserted over a wire guide so that the distal balloon is located on one side of the stone in the ureter and the proximate balloon is located on the other side whereupon the balloons are inflated and the cavity formed by the balloons and the wall of the ureter is filled with fluid to surround the stone with fluid which aids in the pulverization of the stone by extracorporeal shock waves.

Abstract: The incontinence control device of the present invention as described includes a cloth strap adapted to encircle a penis, the strap having cooperative pressure adherence layers on portions of the inner and outer surfaces so that the strap can form a circumference when the inner adherence layer is engaged with the outer adherence layer of the strap. The inner surface of the strap also has a compressible pad adjacent the pressure adherence layer and another compressible pad in fixed relation to the first pad. An inflatable sac is affixed to the strap between the two compressible pads. A tube passes through the strap to communicate with the interior of the inflatable sac at one end of the tube. A check valve is attached at the other end of the tube. A syringe is adapted to engage the check valve so that air in the syringe can be injected through the tube into the sac to inflate the sac.