Patents Examined by Brian Hanlon
  • Patent number: 5813408
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore V. Benderev, Neil H. Naves, Mark J. Legome
  • Patent number: 5676637
    Abstract: A physical therapeutic instrument for treatment of hemorrhoids is disclosed. The instrument treats existing hemorrhoids through a nonoperative method and prevents possible anal diseases. The instrument has a rectal insert having a shape agreeable to the anal anatomy of the human body. The rectal insert is carried on a carriage and is movably orthogonally received in a through hole of a seat of the instrument. The rectal insert is lifted and inserted into the rectum by a lifting unit and vibrated vertically and/or horizontally by a vibration unit. The rectal insert also heats the rectum at about 36.degree.-60.degree. C., thus providing a heating effect for the rectum. Insertion of the rectal insert into the rectum also pushes up drooping anal sphincter muscles, thus strengthening the anal muscles. The instrument thus maintains and strengthens active contractible motion of the anal muscles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Inventor: Hyung Jun Lee
  • Patent number: 5660187
    Abstract: In the process for preparing an intravaginal application system for the controlled release of substances, a milled sheet of silicone rubber containing the substances is inserted into one mold component of a split mold. The core of the system is arranged on this milled sheet and is covered with a second milled sheet of the same type. The mold is then closed and the milled sheets are vulcanized at a maximum temperature of 120.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellshaft
    Inventors: Dietrich Hiller, Theophil Hornykiewytsch