Abstract: The invention concerns an extra cavernosal penile implant which can be used to increase penile volume. The implant includes two cheeks independent from one another which are adapted to cover the outer lateral sides of the corpus cavernosum without covering the upper and lower sides thereof. Each of the cheeks has a crescent-shaped or hemicylindrical vertical cross-section. Each cheek also includes a distal end which is adapted to conform to the anatomy of the sulcus of the glans and includes for this purpose an oblique planar end surface which slants from the distal end toward the proximal end of the implant in a direction from the outer surface to the inner surface of the implant which is designed to cover the corpus cavernosum.

Abstract: A method of healing a living body and a device are provided comprising a combination of five healing elements: a first healing element comprising moss agate, a second healing element comprising copper, a third healing element comprising malachite, a fourth healing element comprising tourmaline, and a fifth healing element comprising a skeletal material from a once-living creature. The method comprises the steps of supporting each of the healing elements in a position proximate to or in direct contact with a living body, either simultaneously or in sequence. The device for effecting this healing method comprises a securing means to which the above described healing elements are secured.

Abstract: The apparatus and method of the current invention relate to electrosurgical work involving the forming of cuts in and coagulation of body tissue of a patient. The apparatus and method of the invention overcome disadvantages common with conventional dipolar and monopolar apparatus. In one aspect the invention provides a cutting tool or instrument with at least one cutting or coagulation tip and the tool is adapted to operate as both a power supply electrode to supply power to the tip and as a return electrode to allow impedance feedback signals to be received by a control means thereby eliminating the need for a separate second electrode and taking the patient out of the circuit received by a control means. According to a second aspect the feedback information is stored, processed and analysed in relation to pregrogrammed and previous actual feedback to allow alteration to the power supply to the tip to create optimum cutting and/or coagulating conditions.

Abstract: An instrument for implanting radioactive and/or thermal seeds in body tissue for radiation and/or heat therapy comprises a tubular hypodermic needle barrel affixed to a pistol-grip shaped handle incorporates a reciprocally movable push rod for stripping one such seed from a cartridge containing a plurality of seeds and advancing it to the end of the barrel. Actuation of a trigger in the pistol grip handle causes the barrel to retract relative to the push rod, causing the seed to be deposited in the channel in the body tissue created by the original puncturing thereof by the instrument's barrel.

Abstract: The present invention features an apparatus for quantifying the effects that colored light therapies and treatments have upon an individual. The apparatus features an imagescope console that bathes a patient in different light colors, patterns, sequences, hues, tints, etc. A physiological monitoring unit monitors the bodily functions of the individual as the various colored light treatments are applied. A computer analyzes the monitored data, and produces a printout, or an electrostressogram, which details the quantitative effects of the light therapies. The electrostressogram can be faxed or otherwise transmitted to medical offices, and/or satellite communicated from spacecrafts and interplanetary space station to Earth for screening, preventing, diagnosing, and treating medical illnesses caused by stress.

Abstract: A therapeutic wrap adapted to use with a vaporizing ointment for relieving the discomfort of colds and sore throats. The invention includes a therapeutic kit having a vaporizing ointment and a wrap. The wrap is composed of an elongated piece of fabric, preferably flannel. The fabric has a throat end and a chest end. The throat end has a width approximately corresponding to the length of a human neck. The chest end has a width greater than the width of the throat end. At least two mating portions of hook and loop fastener are attached to opposite surfaces of the fabric. The hook and loop fastener secures the wrap around the neck so that the chest end drapes over the chest. The wrap helps to keep the patient's neck and chest warm and protected from drafts so that the vaporizing ointment can have its maximum effect. The wrap also protects the patient's clothing. The wrap is comfortable, looks neat, and holds securely, so that the patient's mobility is enhanced.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for conveniently and removably sealing inlet ports within an inflatable thermal blanket. In accordance with the present invention a generally planar sheet of material having a plurality of resilient side extensions extending from a central body is used to close an inlet port within an inflatable thermal blanket. In accordance with the preferred invention, the generally circular portion of the central body has a diameter which is slightly smaller than the diameter of the inlet port. Preferably, for extensions extend from the central body each extension being generally circular. Each extension is preferably formed from the same material used to form the central body, and is sufficiently resilient to be easily flexed and to return to an essentially coplanar sheet when released.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for introducing a stent inside the body of a patient. The stent is made of a material that cures due to the action of light. A catheter having an inflatable balloon adjacent its distal end is provided. Also provided is a light conductor comprising a transparent, elongated member, the elongated member having a smooth, outer wall along most of its length with a portion of the light conductor within the balloon having a rougher outer wall to allow light to project laterally outwardly through the wall. The balloon carries on substantially its entire surface a partially reflective layer to permit the light to be partly reflected and partly transmitted through the same portions of the wall of the balloon. The stent is cured by providing light to the light conductor.

Abstract: A device and method for shortening the chordae tendineae by heating them. Shortening the chordae tendineae stabilizes the atrioventricular valve to which they are attached, thus reducing or halting valve prolapse. A catheter having a heating tip system is inserted in the heart of a patient and maneuvered by an operating surgeon so that the heating tip can induce or transfer heat to the chordae tendineae. The heating tip system heats the chordae tendineae by direct transmission of heat or by inducing heat in the chordae tendineae with electromagnetic radiation. The operating surgeon monitors the heating of the chordae tendineae and when the desired degree of shorting has been achieved, the catheter is removed from the patient.

Abstract: An intraurethral female bladder control apparatus and method for nonsurgically inserting the apparatus distally into a patient. A preferred apparatus has a rigid plastic inner housing with soft, flexible retainer attached distally and a flow control unit mounted within the inner housing lumen. A rigid, plastic outer housing having a softer proximal retainer and distal, upper tip, surrounds the inner housing and has the distal retainer within prior to insertion. In use, the upper tip is inserted through the urethra into the bladder and the inner housing advanced to deploy the distal retainer within the bladder floor.

Abstract: An electro-surgical instrument includes an elongated electrode probe for delivering electrical energy to tissue through an exposed, conductive distal tip and a handpiece that provides the electrical energy to the probe through a coupling to the proximal end of the probe. The coupling, which defines a longitudinal axis, is structured to provide a rigid yet removable connection between the probe and handpiece, and to allow the surgeon to connect the probe to the handpiece at a selected one of several discrete rotational index angles relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-heating, disposable heating pack utilizing an exothermic chemical reaction. Self-moderation of the heat pack is provided through the use of a preformed reversibly stiffenable gel that alters the rate of exothermic chemical reactions. A vaporizable solvent is used to adjust the gel stiffness. The heat pack can be used in heat transfer or ambient temperature conditions which differ from those anticipated as design conditions.

Abstract: A catheter device for inserting a tightened lasso of material into a body by remote control includes a removable end component which provides ratchet-like tightening but prevents loosening of the lasso.

Abstract: Physiological changes in a patient's circulatory system can be detected in real time during open heart surgery by injecting a known amount of a marker substance into the patient's blood prior to surgery, and during surgery continuously concurrently monitoring variations both of the quantity of circulatory fluid in the heart-lung machine's reservoir and of the marker substance concentration in the fluid being pumped through the heart-lung machine. The patient's blood volume can also be continuously computed from the data thus gathered.

Abstract: A fiber optic laser conducting probe is used for photodynamic therapy. In this fiber optic laser conducting probe, an optical fiber has an end used for conducting a pulse laser beam. The laser beam is conducted through the optical fiber and irradiated from the end. A end tip is made of polyamide resin. The end tip has a hollow portion, and is attached to the end of the optical fiber such that the pulse laser beam can be irradiated through the end of the optical fiber, through the hollow portion and through the end tip.

Abstract: An implantable seed for simultaneous delivery of thermal and radioactive radiation to target tissue comprises a tube or rod of a ferromagnetic alloy which, when subjected to an oscillating magnetic field will heat up, the alloy also being coated or otherwise treated with a radioactive isotope which gives off X-ray radiation during the decay thereof.

Abstract: A bipolar push rod assembly is disclosed in conjunction with an endoscopic bipolar cautery scissors instrument. The push rod assembly has two conductive push rods which are substantially covered and insulated from each other by a double lumen flexible sheath. The proximal ends of the push rods are stabilized by an overmolded plastic collar and the distal ends of the push rods are stabilized by a ceramic insulator. The plastic collar is provided with a snap retainer for coupling it to a plastic plug retainer having a pair of spaced apart passages. A pair of female plug adapters are press fit onto the proximal ends of the push rods and are maintained in place by the plug retainer with each adaptor residing in a respective one of the passages. The distal ends of the push rods are swaged approximately 90.degree. in opposite directions. A ceramic insulator is disclosed as a one-piece unit into which the distal ends of the push rods are inserted.

Abstract: The invention provides a radiofrequency surgical apparatus comprising a high frequency generator having at least one active electrode output and at least one neutral electrode output to which a part neutral electrode of a neutral electrode pair can be connected, with individual electrodes of the neutral electrode pair being connected to an auxiliary voltage with a significantly lower frequency than the high frequency. A monitoring circuit produces from the auxiliary voltage and the auxiliary current flowing between the part neutral electrodes an impedance signal representative for the impedance between the two part neutral electrodes and transmits a high frequency generator blocking signal and/or an alarm signal on exceeding a first fixed upper alarm limit and/or a lower second upper alarm limit for the impedance signal which can be matched to the actual value of the impedance signal. The adaptation of the second alarm limit is effected by pressing a SET key.

Abstract: A fluid flow controlling device having a working member capable of reciprocating in a tubular case. The working member comprises a pressure detecting portion to detect the pressure of a second fluid, which flows into the tubular case through a second inlet, and to move the working member forwards; and a valve element to decrease the opening of the first outlet in relation to the opening of the first inlet, through which the first fluid is led into the tubular case, in correspondence with the displacement of the working member. By the use of the above fluid flow controlling device, it becomes easy to control the quantity of the first fluid led into the tubular case in relation to that of the second fluid, and it becomes possible to sufficiently supplying the first fluid to the tubular case even when the second fluid is exhausted and cannot be supplied any more so long as the first fluid is not exhausted.

Abstract: A surgical laser smoke plume evacuator includes an evacuator body which is formed to a shape which is suitable for placement in normal use position substantially entirely around and adjacent to a tissue site upon which laser surgery is to be performed. The evacuator body has structure for removing smoke therethrough, and a smoke exit portion in communication with and extending from the evacuator body. The smoke exit portion is connectable to vacuum source, to thereby apply a vacuum to the evacuator body and cause smoke which is created at a surgical site during surgery to be removed from the surgical site through the evacuator body and the smoke exit portion.